Humanities
We believe that Humanities Education: Inspires students and teachers in a thoughtful, collaborative exploration of the human experience. We value the question as much as the answer, the process as much as the product, and connections as much as the content. We commit to an environment where empathetic, socially conscious learners act in local, national, spiritual and global communities. We believe that engaged Humanities learners: 1. Practice self-reflection, contemplation, and curiosity as habits of mind. 2. Engage with multiple perspectives. 3. Build knowledge and effectively communicate ideas. 4. Work together and learn from one another. 5. Pursue innovation and take risks. We agree that Humanities Education happens best when learning: 1. Is relevant and authentic. 2. Is intellectually challenging and emotionally engaging. 3. Promotes student choice, ownership, and self-efficacy. 4. Involves both teachers and students collaboratively in exploration and discovery. 5. Inspires wonder and hope.
Interdisciplinary Courses An Interdisciplinary Humanities Program We believe that an integrated curriculum provides a powerful and wide-ranging learning experience, which enables teachers and students to: Make powerful and meaningful connections across disciplines and among fields of knowledge. u Develop more complex ideas and patterns of thinking. u Analyze and explore ideas from new and multiple perspectives. u Connect their learning to their lives and appreciate the multifaceted and interdisciplinary nature of the world. u
Humanities I or Humanities I in Action is required of all students in Grade 9. Humanities II or Humanities II in Action is required of all students in Grade 10.
English/History 9: Humanities I – 2 credits (1 credit of English and 1 credit of Social Studies) Home Learning: Moderate Course Description Humanities I is a foundational interdisciplinary program that studies the literature and modern history of four cultural regions: China, India, Africa and the Middle East. Students will explore each of these regions, share and discuss what they learn, and reflect upon their own cultural identities. Students will read a range of historically appropriate literary texts, and they will be introduced to the full range of writing skills that are demanded by higher-level studies in the Humanities.
38
t CONTENTS
