Introduction to the Humanities
Overview of Courses:
What is the Humanities Academy
The humanities is the integrated study of history, literature, language, philosophy,
psychology, the visual arts, theater, dance, and music We examine each of these
disciplines to better understand the needs and motivations of humans, and to
develop our ability to become proactive, responsible citizens.
This curriculum places emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and the rights and
responsibilities of the individual in society. Students explore aspects of human
nature; human history; human behavior; and human ideals
Course overview:
Course Sequence Summary
The Humanities Academy course sequence I includes:
I – Introduction to Humanities (elective – grade 9)
II – Research Methodologies (elective - grade 10)
III – The Language of Argument (expository writing elective – grade 11)
IV – Reading and writing New York (English elective – grade 12)
Introduction to the Humanities Unit of Study
Stage I – Desired Results
Established Goals:
CCSS; NYS Learning Standards, NYC Performance Standards in both English and social studies.
Understandings:
Essential Questions:
Students will understand that…
 Humans have ideals that transcend place and time
 What creates human conflict?
 The role art and art creation plays in shaping history “
 What is the role that art plays in the lives as
 The role of cultural diffusion in shaping human history
humans?
 How does art affect politics?
 What are the responsibilities individuals have to the
societies they live in?
 What is the value and purpose of individual identity?
 What is humanism and how has this philosophy
influenced modern societies
Students will know:
Students will be able to:
 The how to make ethical choices
 Successfully achieve a measurable goal
 How art, culture, politics and history interconnect
 Write a well supported analytic essay on a historical
 How to analyze texts from multiple perspectives
figure or time period
 How to write argumentative essays
 Apply the writing process to produce multiple drafts
 How to analyze theme
of:
 How to analyze the influence history makes on
o Argumentative essays
literature and culture
o Reading summaries
 What the major influences are in Western Civilization
o Literary analysis
o Research projects
Stage 2 –Assessment Evidence
Typical Performance Task:
Other Evidence:
The Impact of Decisions – You were selected to address a
1. Critical lens essay – students will use analysis and
newly formed international youth world peace organization.
literary response writing skills to write an essay on in
The goal of this organization is to promote world peace by
response to a NYS ELA Regents critical lens
addressing the problems which cause conflict. You will
2. Summaries and written responses to the readings
present a research report in which you examine the role of
political and social leaders throughout history and describe
your criteria for effective leadership. You will also describe
your plan for holding leaders accountable. In your report
you will use the unit readings to support your opinions and
recommendations.
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activities:
 Introduce Essential Questions as well as the final task and rubrics
 Read and discuss the texts
 Write regular Reader’s/Writer’s notebook entries
 Read and discuss various texts
 Read and discuss 2-3 studies on effective leadership; Western Civilization; philosophy
 Read and analyze expository writing;
 Read and analyze political writing
 Review writing process
Required Texts
To Kill A Mockingbird Screenplay by Horton Foote
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
Articles of history; art; and psychology
Alignment to NYC Performance Standards; New York State Learning Standards; Common
Core State Standards
Assignment
NYC Performance
Standards
E2c produce a
narrative account
NYS Learning
Standards
Standard 4: read,
write, listen, and
speak for social
interaction
Extended Response
to To Kill A
Mockingbird
E1 c; read and
comprehend
informational
materials; E5a
respond to non fiction
Standard 1: read,
write, listen & speak
for information &
understanding
Extended Response
to Growing Up in the
Great Depression by
Richard Wormser
E5a respond to nonfiction;
E2b produce a
response to literature
(non-fiction)
Standard 1: read,
write, listen & speak
for information &
understanding
Extended Response
to theories on
Humanism –
Philosophy Unit
E2b produce a
response to literature
Standard 3: read,
write, listen & speak
for critical analysis
and evaluation
Write a creation myth
Common Core
State Standard
W9-10.3 Write narratives
to develop real or
imagined experiences or
events using effective
technique, well-chosen
details, and wellstructured event
sequences.
RI9-10.3 Analyze how
the author unfolds an
analysis or series of
ideas or events,
including the order in
which the points are
made, how they are
introduced and
developed, and the
connections that are
drawn between them.
RI 9-10.8 Delineate and
evaluate the argument
and specific claims in a
text, assessing whether
the reasoning is valid
and the evidence is
relevant and sufficient;
identify false statements
and fallacious reasoning.
RH.9-10.4. Determine
the meaning of words
and phrases as they are
used in a text, including
vocabulary describing
political, social, or
economic aspects of
history/social science.
RH.9-10.9. Compare
and contrast treatments
of the same topic in
several primary and
secondary sources.
Alignment to NYC Performance Standards; New York State Learning Standards; Common
Core State Standards
Assignment
Essay on Media
Culminating project –
What is the value of
arts in education?
NYC Performance
Standards
E2f produce a
reflective essay; E3d
Make informed
judgments about TV,
radio, film
NYS Learning
Standards
Standard 1 read, write,
listen and speak for
information and
understanding
E2 produce a
persuasive essay
Standard 1 read, write,
listen for information &
understanding
Common Core
State Standard
RI.9-10.3. Analyze how
the author unfolds an
analysis or series of
ideas or events,
including the order in
which the points are
made, how they are
introduced and
developed, and the
connections that are
drawn between them
W9-10.1 Write
arguments to support
claims in an analysis of
substantive topics or
texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.