Humanities 3
Humanities III Grade 11 2 Credits
This two course program is required for all juniors.
Each course follows a common set of Humanities III themes for each quarter: "What does it mean to be an American?”; “What makes an Enlightened Document?”; “Analyzing American Exceptionalism”; and “How do Circumstances Influence Thinking, Speaking, and Actions?”
Students have the option of taking either Honors or Regular Humanities III. Because of the nature of the program, students must select the same level for both English and Social Studies.
English – 11th Grade
This course includes reading selections representing all forms of American literature. Content-aligned vocabulary and grammar skills are studied throughout the year. Writing assignments will encourage students to develop their critical literacy through varied compositions that employ original thinking, logical analysis, and specific details from course texts. This course pays significant attention to encouraging writing style and voice, offering communication tools to support students in approaching the ECS Senior Project in their defined pathways.
Social Studies – 11th Grade
This required course will focus on American history and society from the Native Americans in the pre-Columbian era through the end of World War I, challenging students to understand the plethora of ways in which the reality of the American experience has so often fallen short of the lofty ideals enshrined in this nation’s founding documents. This class will devote particular attention to political, economic, religious, artistic, scientific, technological, and cultural ideas and developments – including instances of oppression and the experiences of marginalized groups – and students will analyze major themes, cause & effect, historical patterns, and the myriad ways in which events, trends, and conflicts from the past can inform our understanding of the world today. This course will also provide opportunities for students to read and analyze primary source documents and conduct historical research, and through the Humanities model, students will pursue a thorough interdisciplinary experience that is synthesized with their English class. Near the end of this course – in accordance with Pennsylvania Act 35 – students will take a Civics exam based on America’s values, founding documents, and institutions.