Humanities I OR Humanities I in Action
Note: Students may take Humanities II regardless of which 9th grade Humanities course they took.
(1 credit of English and 1 credit of Social Studies)
This course explores the multifaceted question: What does it mean to be an American? Students examine this question from multiple perspectives of class, race and gender as the country expands and develops from its pre-colonial beginnings. American ideals of democracy, equality, individual freedom, justice and prosperity are contrasted with American realities. The approach is an interdisciplinary one using historical documents, literature and film. Ultimately, the course challenges students, most of whom have limited exposure to American life, to think beyond stereotypes as they prepare for their experience at an American university. Along the way, they become better critical thinkers who can express themselves more effectively in their writing and speech.
Students will:
- Connect American history, culture, and literature to people's lives.
- Recognize the interplay of continuity and change, and cause and effect.
- Develop the ability to read and analyze a variety of texts.
- Develop an understanding of historical perspective and bias.
- Develop an ability to explain and defend a point of view, substantiating ideas with accurate and relevant detail.
- Develop an understanding of the power of writing and images to transform human experience.
- Establish a personal voice through the writing process.
- Produce persuasive, narrative, descriptive, and analytical writing.
- Develop and use research strategies for presentations and papers.
- Contribute to and learn from class and group discussions.
- Speak articulately and confidently to an audience.
Student assessments may include:
- Processed writing
- Socratic seminar / shared inquiry
- Research process
- Individual and group presentations and projects
- Discussions an class activities
“I loved Humanities II so much because in this class, we were able to discover so much, not only about American history, but also about peers and myself. The course is so intriguing because it is centered around the multi-faceted question - 'What it means to be American?' Along the way, students have the opportunity to read brilliantly-written books, plays, and other works. There is a fair amount of coursework, but as long as you stay on top of assignments and actively seek help outside of class, you should be fine. I would highly recommend this class because it is very helpful in developing the literary skills needed to succeed in many AP Humanities courses. It's also lots of fun!”
- Kristy Luk (Class of 2025)
“Humanities II is not only fun and interactive, but also really educational. Through this course, you'll learn about the realities of American ideals and what life in America really looks like depending on your race, gender, and ethnicity. Although the course is fast-paced and packed with summatives, as long as you make sure to do your homework and stay active in class discussions, you'll be able to succeed.”
- Lauren Tse (Class of 2025)
“Humanities II builds perfectly on Humanities I and takes a look at American identity. This course covers everything from colonial America to the Constitution and the American Dream. A step up from Humanities I, Humanities II involves DBQs, memoir circles, and presentations. This course is also very complementary to AP Humanities courses, such as AP World History or AP Seminar, working on similar argumentation and writing skills. Remember to stay on top of your homework and reach out to your teacher if you don’t know how to approach an assignment.”
- James Ellis (Class of 2025)