11th-12th Humanities
WELCOME TO 11/12th HUMANITIES!
Through the humanities we reflect on the fundamental question: What does it mean to be human? The humanities offer clues but never a complete answer. They reveal how people have tried to make moral, spiritual, and intellectual sense of a world in which irrationality, despair, loneliness, and death are as conspicuous as birth, friendship, hope, and reason. (Rockefeller Commission on the Humanities, The Humanities in American Life, 1980)
Overview:
The 11th and 12th grade curriculum follows the theme of “The World Beyond.” Academically, this relates to studying the world beyond our US borders. More personally, this focuses on students continuing to explore their beliefs about themselves and what it means to be human. Finally, it’s a time to ready themselves for the world beyond high school.
The courses vary, but the overall goals include:
- Mastering skills in communication (especially writing), information handling (both accessing and interpreting information), and critical thinking (drawing connections between ideas, events, and concepts)
- Developing a greater appreciation for and understanding of other cultures and contexts
- Exercising strong work habits to produce quality work in a timely fashion
- Engaging in and enjoying intellectual interchange around complex ideas and concepts
- Development of skill and comfort with reading diverse texts
Schedule: You will be working at times with both 11th and 12th graders and at other times separated into grade specific groups to accommodate the needs of each class. The juniors will work with Amir, and the seniors, with Julia. We will both offer electives during the second semester, from which you may choose.
The overall plan for the year looks like this. Look closely because things are a bit different from last year!
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SEMESTER ONE (ends 12/21) |
Where you’ll be/What you’ll be doing: |
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Mon., Thurs. 12:40-2:10 p.m. |
Julia’s Humanities: Self and Society: Defiance, Decision, and Discontent in Literature and Film |
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Tues., Fri. 12:40-2:10 p.m. |
Amir’s Humanities: A survey of Western Intellectual history and important events. |
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Wed. 11-12 p.m. |
Senior (w/ Julia) or Junior Seminar (w/Amir) |
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SEMESTER TWO |
Where you’ll be/What you’ll be doing |
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Jan. 3-Feb. 17 |
Junior Seminar: Portfolio essay writing; trip prep, SAT prep, research project, independent reading. Senior Seminar: final details for post-CS planning; autobiographical writing and senior project planning—will write and pitch your proposals |
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Vacation: 2/20-26 |
At home (or, if you’re lucky, someplace warm) |
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Winterm 2/27-3/2 |
All here (1 week this year) |
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March 7- April 20 |
11-12th Electives: Science of the Mind and Film-Making (choose ONE) |
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April 23-29 |
Vacation (could use this time for senior project) |
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April 30- May 11 |
Seniors: Project Fieldwork time Juniors: Junior International Trip |
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May 14-18 |
Juniors: Trip Reflection and presentation preparation Seniors: Oral exams and presentation of projects (present on Fri., 5/18) |
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May 21-25 |
Junior Seminar: portfolio assemblage time and final exam. Seniors: roundtable prep. and roundtables! |
Supplies Needed:
NOTE: for your Writing Collection, you will need drafts of writing, so print out rough drafts, and keep everything!)
ü Binder w/ paper and tab dividers for keeping all Seminar work
ü Something to write with (computer or fabulous pens)
ü Planner/Calendar for writing assignments and long-term planning
ü Optional, but helpful: small post-its, flash drive, lots of sleep and exercise
Homework: We expect that you complete all HW assignments on time. Every assignment needs to be printed by the beginning of class. Your HW completion grade on your report card will reflect your ability to do this. If there are circumstances that make it impossible (or even difficult) to complete the assignment, please let us know in advance. After two late HW assignments, expect a call or e-mail home (so your parents can nag, I mean, help you)
(HW policies for individual courses will be stated in those syllabi)
We look forward to working with this amazing group!
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