Humanities - Finding and Maintaining an Identity in the Global World

Course Guide

Ms. Burgoyne/Mr. Farabaugh

The humanities is the study of human experience. In this course we will enrich our understanding of human experience by integrating the study of history, literature, music, the visual arts, architecture, philosophy, and law. In literature and film we will explore the experience of the individual from a variety of historical, social, political, and religious conflicts. In five units, students will trace the changes in the world in the modern era through focused study of individual cultures.

Unit One: Defining Culture and Identity

Unit Two: The Renaissance - Rebirth of Humanities in the West

Unit Three: Sources of Conflict

Unit Four: Forces of Change, Voices of Protest

Unit Five: New Found Identity - Reconstruction of Ourselves and Our World

This class is scheduled for two consecutive class periods. Students can expect several different activities in class each day. Often we will shift from whole-class instruction to cooperative work in small groups. Students will need to work independently and cooperatively and participate in class discussions, simulations, presentations, etc. Students must be actively involved in class and class activities.

What do we expect from you?

• That you will be in class on time and prepared to participate fully.

• That you will work with all of us respectfully.

• That you will work to the best of your ability.

• That you will try your best to be open to new people, ideas, and experiences. 

How will we evaluate you?

• Writing assignments – all types, all lengths

  • Includes formal assignments and informal response writing

• Test, quizzes, presentations and other projects

• Class participation

  • Includes working with your writing and discussion groups

  • Includes attending conferences in the writing center 

  • Includes participation in whole-class discussions

• Homework

What will you need for this class?

• A charged device.

• Materials for taking notes. You can choose to use a binder or a notebook, or you can choose to take notes using your device. If you choose to take notes electronically, we suggest that you bring a notebook and pen/pencil to class as a backup in case of technical issues. Our handouts will be distributed electronically, but if you choose to print them out at home, you should have a binder or folder to organize printouts. 

• Art Supplies. These should be left at home. If you already have supplies in the house, you do not need to purchase new items specifically for this class. You will not need these right away, but you should have them within a week of the start of class.

  • Scissors

  • Glue stick

  • Paper or a sketchbook appropriate for use with various media

  • Paints (tempura or acrylic)

  • Markers

  • Colored pencils

  • Crayons

Classroom Procedures and Policies

• Most of your assignments will be posted to Google Classroom, and most of your assignments will be submitted through Google Classroom. Unless otherwise stated, assume that all homework assignments are due before class on the date posted on Classroom. 

• If you are ill you, of course, have additional time to make up missed quizzes or timed writings.  However, it is your responsibility to check Google Classroom, to ask another student for missed assignments, and/or to schedule an appointment with us to make up missed work.

• If you know you will be absent, you are responsible for submitting your work on time or early and for making up timed writings or quizzes the following day.

• Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, late work will receive a point deduction. Major writing assignments will receive a 10-point grade deduction for each day that the assignment is late.

• We encourage you to visit the writing center for help with your writing assignments and to visit our office hours for extra help when necessary.

• Plagiarism in any form - including copying from peers or from the internet or using AI inappropriately - will result in a zero for the assignment. 

Contact information:

• Ms. Burgoyne: If you need to contact me, my e-mail address is aburgoyne-black@westfieldnjk12.org, or you can see me in room 230. 

• Mr. Farabaugh: If you need to contact me, my e-mail address is dfarabaugh@westfieldnjk12.org, or you can see me in room 232.