Humanities III

During this course we study the major turning points in American history in the twentieth century and the literature that accompanied those periods. Following a review of the nation’s beginnings and the impact of the Enlightenment on U.S. democratic ideals, students build upon their study of global industrialization to understand the emergence and impact of new technology, including the social and cultural effects. They trace the change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power. An emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts as well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state. Students consider the arc of our founding ideals: Freedom, Equality, Rights, Opportunity and Democracy. They learn that the United States has served as a model for other nations and that the rights and freedoms we enjoy are not accidents, but the results of a defined set of political principles that are not always basic to citizens of other countries. Students understand that our rights under the U.S. Constitution are a precious inheritance that relies on an educated citizenry for their preservation and protection. Students will continue to engage complex texts, learning to consider multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence, develop claims, and make arguments.