Humanities

Humanities is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that centers on History and English with ties to the arts and sciences. Over the four years, students read and interpret history, analyze and respond personally to literature, and explore connections across disciplinary boundaries. In addition, students practice writing analytically, personally, and imaginatively in a variety of modes and with increasing sophistication as they progress through the Humanities program.

English
The English Department seeks to teach students to read analytically and to write effectively. To support and extend these lessons, we also create opportunities for students to speak persuasively, find and present information appropriately, and nurture an appreciation of cultural diversity. Students develop reading prowess through exposure to a wide range of canonical and contemporary texts culled from every literary genre. They improve writing skills by composing multiple drafts, receiving criticism from fellow students, finding a voice, and addressing an appropriate audience. By reading closely and by writing both personally and critically, students learn about themselves and their world - past and present. Summer reading is required of all students each year.

Social Studies
The Department of Social Sciences seeks to prepare students for college by helping them to develop an effective learning strategy, to read with understanding, to write well, to think critically, and to do research. Furthermore, the department seeks to help its students develop a broad perspective through the study of history, geography, government, economics, and psychology. Additionally, the department seeks to integrate various aspects of the social sciences with other academic disciplines, including English and the arts, in order to help students discover the unity of knowledge.

English: Year Courses

English I
The fall semester, "Exploring the Self," focuses on writing from the student's experience, emphasizing description and narration. To inspire and reinforce their writing, students read memoirs and novels, review basics of grammar (parts of speech, phrases, and clauses; agreement; punctuation; and sentence structure), and study vocabulary drawn from the readings.

The spring semester, "Exploring Literary Genres," shifts the focus to close reading of texts from various literary genres, including a contemporary novel, a Shakespeare play, short fiction and poetry. Writing assignments emphasize structure and style at the paragraph and sentence level.

English II - Western Literary Traditions
English II explores foundational texts of Western cultural traditions and is presented with an eye to cross-curricular intersections with the History Department's European History offerings. English II is organized as a genre-based survey of literature, beginning with the study of poetry, moving on to drama, and concluding with various prose forms, from short stories to novels and film. However, each genre unit is organized chronologically, for clarity and to emphasize correspondences with History. Writing in English II focuses on writing analytically and creatively about literature; vocabulary, study and grammar review (through writing instruction and editing) reinforce and extend students' skills.

English III - American Literary Traditions
English III offers a chronological study of American literature from colonial times to the contemporary moment. Close reading of literature, writing expository and critical essays, and vocabulary study continue throughout the year. Each semester features a major writing portfolio project: in the fall, juniors explore an unfamiliar place through the ethnographic essay; in the spring, they turn the mirror on their own experiences and outlook to compile an autobiographical portfolio.

AP English III
An accelerated version of the regular English III; Honors students encounter "American Literary Traditions" in greater breadth and depth. Through coordination with AP American History, students explore American cultural heritage and prepare for the AP Language and Composition exam. AP students also complete the ethnography and autobiography projects.

IB/AP English III
This course is year one of a two-year program in CCDS's International Baccalaureate program. The course is designed to introduce students to a broad range of genres, periods, and styles in literature, including world literature texts in translation. Students are encouraged to have a personal response to the literature, as well as to develop an understanding of literary criticism and its applications. IB focuses on several skills: close and careful reading, detailed analysis of texts, creative writing, making parallels and connections, and essential oral skills. The course will also prepare students to take the A1 language and composition exam should they choose to do so. IB/AP students also complete the ethnography and autobiography projects.

English IV
English IV courses are semester electives varying widely in theme, genre, period, or critical approach. However, all English IV courses demand that students read critically, write analytically and creatively, and speak effectively in formal and informal presentations. Also, where applicable, English IV courses create an interdisciplinary learning environment to explore with students how to integrate skills learned in English with those of other disciplines. Offerings each year will be a function of faculty availability and interest, and therefore may vary significantly from year to year. Each spring, rising seniors will be briefed on the English IV offerings for the upcoming academic year.

Recent electives include: African American Literature, Contemporary Novels, Literature and the Environment, Literature and Gender, Literature and the Journey, Shakespeare, and Southern Writers.

AP English IV
AP English IV is a one-semester course, offered each fall only, designed to prepare qualified students to take the AP Literature and Composition exam in the spring. The course will develop students' working knowledge of literary terminology, as they read extensively from prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In preparation for the AP exam, students will frequently write in-class essays on material not previously read or analyzed. Students who take AP English IV in the fall will choose from among other English IV electives for the spring semester.

IB/AP English IV
This course is the second of the two-year CCDS International Baccalaureate Language A program which is described in IB/AP English III above. The course will also prepare students to take the AP literature exam, should they choose to do so.

Social Studies: Year Courses

World Cultures
This course introduces students to basic historical thinking through the in-depth study of several crucial moments in global history. While promoting an understanding of global historical diversity, the course emphasizes skills that develop the student's ability to carefully evaluate textual and artistic primary sources, to form and research historical questions, and to develop careful and thoughtful written expression. Required of all ninth graders.

Modern European History
A study of the history of Europe from the Renaissance to the present. The course will include a survey of the performing arts during the same period beginning with the Greek models and proceeding to modernity. This portion of the course will be presented by the Fine Arts Department. Reading, writing, and study skills will be developed through the reading of secondary sources and the preparation of a critical book review and a research paper.

Honors European History
A brief survey of European historiography, followed by a conceptual investigation of European civilization from the Renaissance through the 20th century. The course will include a survey of the performing arts during the same period beginning with the Greek models and proceeding to modernity. This portion of the course will be presented by the Fine Arts Department. Reading, research, and writing skills are developed through the use of both primary and secondary sources and the preparation of a critical book review, an annotated bibliography, and a research paper.

US History
American History is a topical study of United States history from Indo-European contact through the present day. By examining the political, cultural and intellectual foundations of American civilization, students continue to apply the question-asking, writing and research skills learned during the previous two years. Topics include the America's colonial foundations, the causes and consequences of the American Revolution and the Civil War, the growth of American Industry, and the role of the United States in the 20th century world.

IB History of the Americas
This course will survey the history of Latin America and the United States from Colonialism to the present in accordance with the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Reading, research, and writing skills are emphasized in conjunction with critical analysis and an understanding of historiography. The students will begin their work on their Extended Essay and write a critical book review of a modern Latin American source.

AP US History
This survey of United States history (1600 - present) asks students to examine the origins and development of the United States through reading, discussion, writing, and research. Special attention is paid to the intellectual, cultural, and political development of the United States as well as to the basics of historical thinking. The reading and writing load for this course is substantial, and a major research project is required.

AP Psychology
This college-level course in introductory psychology familiarizes students with the basic concepts in human behavior. Particular emphasis will be placed on the most current theories and neurobiological findings as well as the important role of scientific research. This course prepares students to take the AP Psychology Exam.

IB Psychology
An introductory course to the scientific study of human and animal behavior, this course will focus on three of the five main theories in psychology. Additionally, students will be introduced to mental disorders and their treatment as it relates to the previously studied perspectives. A significant part of the third quarter will be spent conducting an experiment. This course prepares students to take the IB Psychology exam at the standard level.

Social Studies: Semester Courses

Adolescent Psychology
This course introduces students to the scientific study of human and animal behavior. Additionally, it focuses on adolescent issues ranging from risk taking to making healthy lifestyle choices. (Prerequisite: Junior or senior status)

AP US Government and Politics
AP U.S. Government and Politics is a one-semester, introductory, college-level course available to both juniors and seniors. Students will examine the processes and institutions of our political system, the implementation of public policies as well as those who run the institutions. This course prepares students for the US Government Advanced Placement Exam in May.

Education for Social Justice
The goal of this class is for students to critically analyze several forms of social oppression, their operating worldview and to be able to examine critically alternative ways of understanding the world and social relations. This class will include both an interdisciplinary subject matter that analyzes multiple forms of oppression and a set of interactive, experiential pedagogical principles that help students understand the meaning of social difference and oppression in their personal lives and the social system.

IB Twentieth Century World History
In this course, students examine the twentieth century events and ideologies that shaped the "international system" of the twenty first century. Specifically, students study the causes, practice and effects of war in the twentieth century, the theoretical and political differences between single and multi-party states, decolonization of Africa, Asia and Latin America, and the Cold War. This course requires substantial written work. This course is a required component of the IB World School curriculum. This is for IB seniors only.

Introduction to World Religions
This course will offer an insight into major world religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - and their basic teachings. The goal of the course is to allow students to broaden their understanding of various religious traditions. This course includes several field trips: Hindu and Buddhist temples, a mosque, a synagogue, and two Christian churches.

Martin Luther King and America, 1954-1968
This course will examine the years of struggle for equality in America between the landmark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, KS, and the election of 1968. The public life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. will serve as the central thread of this narrative, but the course will carefully consider the civil rights movement, and resistance to it, from many perspectives. Students will be asked to evaluate the legacy of the civil rights movement in America and in their lives. The course will center on the evaluation of primary documents and the reading of a narrative text as well as formal and informal writing assignments. Classes will be discussion-based. Open to juniors and seniors with the permission of the department.

Principles of Economics
An introduction to the various facets of the economic discipline. The macroeconomics section will focus on economic models involving the government sector, private sector, and international sector. The microeconomics section will focus on individual case studies of industries and companies. The student will also be exposed to the United States banking industry, the stock market, the tax issue, and the international trade situation. Case studies and oral presentations are required. (Prerequisite: junior or senior status)

Theory of Knowledge I and II
In the junior spring semester and senior fall semester, IB students analyze problems of knowledge to acquire a critical awareness of what they and others know and value. Students explore "ways of knowing" (language, perception, reason, and emotion) and "areas of knowledge" (the foundations of the academic subjects) through class activities and discussion, oral presentations, formal essays, and an informal journal.

Wilderness and Environmental Activism in the U.S.
This course will explore the complex relationships between human beings and the natural world, focusing specifically on the rise of conservationism and environmentalism in the United States over the past three centuries. Students will read and interpret primary texts to understand the perspectives of preceding generations and will develop a sense of the progression and history of the current environmental movement in our country. Much of this course will focus on readings and discussions, along with long-term research projects. Open to juniors and seniors.