1047y / 1048y-H

Humanities

Full Year / 1 Credit / Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite Standard Level:  

No prerequisites for students taking this course for Standard level credit.

Prerequisite Honors Level: 

Placement in the Honors section of this course requires: Teacher recommendation based on Q1 performance and grade (minimum B+ and above); Honors Placement is finalized after Q1.

Course Description: 

Explore the intersections of philosophy, history, literature, art, and architecture through a captivating, team-taught, interdisciplinary course. The Humanities course invites you to critically examine the groundbreaking ideas and creative works that have shaped Western civilization. The focus of the course offered in 2025-2026 (Year One) explores the question “What Makes Us Human?” through the study of Ancient Greece, and Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Europe. You will engage with powerful texts, revolutionary political ideas, and influential artworks to better understand the complexities of past civilizations, and discover how they continue to resonate in the modern world. 

By connecting ancient wisdom with contemporary issues, this course fosters a deeper understanding of universal themes on human nature. You will hone your critical thinking skills and learn to draw connections between history and today’s cultural, political, and philosophical landscape. 

Whether you take one year or the full two-year cycle, you will gain unique insights into the cultural, political, and artistic legacies that continue to shape our world.

An ACS Athens Scholar Diploma core course 

Field Study Component:

The field study component offers the unique opportunity to engage with history and culture firsthand, enhancing your understanding through immersive, experiential learning that brings the ideas and artifacts of each era to life in ways the classroom alone cannot.

In Year One (2025-2026), you will engage in field study trips to explore Ancient Greece, visiting key sites like the National Archaeological Museum, the Acropolis, and Delphi, with an optional trip to France to investigate Ancient Greek influences on 18th-20th century French art and architecture.

In Year Two (2026-2027), you will participate in field study experiences in Greece, including visits to the Byzantine Museum, the Islamic Art Museum, and the ancient city of Mistras, with an optional trip to Italy to further explore the art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance.