Syllabus: 11-12th Grade Humanities

Global Studies: The World beyond our Borders

Teachers: Amir Flesher (Amir@compass-school.org) and Julia Taylor (Julia@compass-school.org)

Time and place: M-F 12:45-2:15 in Julia’s or Amir’s room

Overview: 11-12th Grade Humanities is about studying the world beyond our borders. For us this means looking at ourselves as we prepare for life after high school (what are your goals and what do you need to accomplish over the next year or two to help on this path?). It also means looking at the world outside the United States. We will touch on the fields of economics, political science, literature, creative arts, sociology, and anthropology to develop our understanding and appreciation of the cultural richness around the world. We seek a balance between required courses—junior and senior seminars--and 5-6 week electives designed around topics we hope will be interesting to students and relate to important themes in the world around us.

The learning goals for the year include:

Mastering skills in communication (particularly on-demand essay 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 and media
To be a learning experience you feel is valuable, meaningful, engaging, and motivating

We are looking forward to working with you as we explore the world around us and learn and grow together.

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 at two points during the year, from which you may choose.

The overall plan for the year looks like this (though electives could change):

TRIMESTER 1

Where you’ll be/What you’ll be doing:

September 6-20

Junior Seminar: Writing Workshop

Senior Seminar: Writing college essays; meeting w/ Elissa; post-CS planning

Sept. 24-November 2

Elective Choices: TBA

CONTINUED:

TRIMESTER 2	Where you’ll be/What you’ll be doing
Nov. 12-Dec. 20	Junior Seminar: Global History unit; Strt Border Studies; SAT practice; reading for Mexico trip/Border Studies Senior Seminar: Reading fiction and drama; complete college applications; start planning senior project
Jan. 3-Feb. 8	Junior Seminar: Preparation for Mexico trip/border studies Senior Seminar: Mini-Course (Shakespeare); writing project proposal; portfolio worktime
TRIMESTER 3
March 5- April 17	Elective Choices: Film-Making or ???
April 28-May 5	Junior Seminar: Researching for paper Senior Seminar: Fieldwork for projects
May 6-8	Spring Trip (opt. for seniors, who may stay working on projects)
May 12-16	Junior Seminar: Continued work on research paper/project Senior Seminar: Oral exams and presentation of projects
May 19-28	Junior Seminar: Drafting and completing research paper 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!)

Binder w/ paper and tab dividers for keeping all Seminar work
Something to write with (computer or fabulous pens)
Planner for writing assignments
Opt., but helpful: small post-its, flash drive

Homework: We expect that you complete all HW assignments on time. Make every effort to print or e-mail assignments 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. As needed, we will assign studyhall time for you to complete HW. If late HW becomes habitual, expect a call or e-mail home.

HW policies for electives will be stated in future syllabi.

Again, we look forward to working with this amazing group.