Humanities IV

This course is intended to introduce and allow students a deeper, richer understanding of the fundamentals of the institutions of the U.S. Government as well as analyze federalism. Included is an examination of the basis of U.S. political ideas, principles and practices, as a means of acquainting students with the complexities of the U.S. political system. Students will look at the historical and when applicable, contemporary, changes to interpretations of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, majority rule vs. minority rights, the separation of powers, as well as the checks and balances between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Federalism is analyzed by dissecting the relationship between the federal, California state and local governments. In addition, there will be a comparison with other international governments. In comprehending our political, economical and social experience as a country and individual citizens, students will be prepared to vote, participate in community events and be informed citizens. The balance between individual freedoms and civic responsibilities are prevalent themes throughout the course of study. Students will also study classic and contemporary voices including Malcolm X with Alex Haley, Leslie Marmon Silko, Henry David Thoreau, Benazir Bhutto, Jared Diamond, William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Nikolai Gogol. Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills.

Course Learning Outcomes

Civics

Understand the historical and philosophical foundations of our country's ideas about constitutional government.
Analyze the debates and compromises that led to the creation of the Constitution.
Study the expansion of rights since the ratification of the constitution
Understand the organization of the national government and how it interacts with state and local governments.
Analyze the meanings of the various rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and trace their developments from draft to present.
Understand the role of a Citizen in American democracy

English 12

Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.

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