GE Curricular Expectations
Freshman Expectations
SEQUENCE 1: WORLD LITERATURE AND WORLD HISTORY
English: Development of language, writing, and communication (including basic composition, speaking, and research skills); mythology, the beginnings of drama, and the creative process.
Social Studies: Within a framework of World History, an introduction to archaeology, sociology, geography, anthropology, psychology, economics, and political science.
These courses are taken in conjunction and must be taken together for the entire year. Students may not leave the program mid-year, except in cases of academic misplacement.
Special attention is provided to our incoming “Globies” to help orient them to their new school and to the Global Education program. With our interdisciplinary approach, students explore such places as Australia, Africa, China, Japan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Topics include native peoples, ancient cultures, colonization, independence, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance, and more. While learning about world regions and culture in the social studies component of this sequence, students master geography skills, and learn how historians, archeologists, and researchers uncover history. Students examine economics, politics, and history in the making through daily current event discussions.
Students in this first sequence study literature from around the world, including coming of age novels, ancient mythology, Japanese poetry, and Shakespearean drama. Freshmen also demonstrate their writing skills by composing traditional essays, creative narratives, personal poetry, and reflective responses. Students learn to see writing as a process and polish their work for standard grammar, usage, and mechanics. Both courses include in-depth, analytical reading that aims to broaden their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension. This includes research-based experiential learning projects. Class discussion, group activities, and both formal and informal presentations are other important aspects of this sequence.
Sophomore Expectations
SEQUENCE 2: AMERICAN HISTORY AND LITERATURE IN GLOBAL CONTEXT
English: American literature and the development of the novel, short story, poetry, and drama. Writing skills development and optional creative writing opportunities.
Social Studies: American pluralism in history, native and immigrant trends, and foreign policy.
These courses are taught in conjunction and must be taken together for the entire year. Students may not leave the program mid-year, except in cases of academic misplacement.
This year, students build upon the reading, research, writing, and speaking skills they established as freshmen in the program.
The interdisciplinary nature of American history and American literature is perfect for the scope of this course. We begin by examining the clash of cultures between the native tribes and European explorers of the Americas. We learn about early settlement with special emphasis on the Puritans, we examine different types of governments; the American Revolution, Civil Rights, Industrialization, World War One, the Great Depression, World War Two, the Red Scares, and the Cold War.
As this is a global education American history course, we often compare historical events across region and time. For example, when learning about the American Revolution, students learn about the structure of a revolution. They also learn about the French, Russian, and Cuban revolutions simultaneously, thus making connections to the American experience. Analyzing modern-day political cartoons and reading current event articles, helps us to also make connections from the past to the present in our studies.
The literature selections complement the historical themes: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, The Crucible, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, Night, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, and The House on Mango Street. In addition to these longer texts, shorter works from Anne Bradstreet, Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Richard Wright, Sylvia Plath, Nikki Giovanni, and more are included in the curriculum.
Students learn to analyze film and literature more deeply in this sequence, such as by examining symbolism, allegory, and paradox. They also write more sophisticated literary analyses and create their own sonnets, memoirs, and vignettes.
This sequence also includes research-based experiential learning projects, yet in more depth than the freshman class.
Class discussion, group activities, and both formal and informal presentations are other important aspects of this sequence.
Junior Expectations
SEQUENCE 3: CLASSIC AND COMTEMPORARYACADEMIC WRITING, AND GOVERNMENT/ECONOMICS
English: Contemporary world literature, trends, and notable authors. New directions in drama, the novel, poetry, nonfiction, science fiction, and futurism. Writing skills in research and rhetoric.
Social Studies: Studies in American and comparative governments. Introduction to political philosophers. Examines major global political and economic issues including resource use, population, globalization, interdependence, and futurism.
These courses are taught in conjunction and must be taken together for the entire year. Any student who leaves this sequence at the semester change must enroll in both an economics class and government class to complete the requirements for both courses.
With a solid foundation in English Language and Literature and the social sciences, the students are ready for more advanced interdisciplinary studies this sequence.
By reading classic texts like To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, and Hamlet, science fiction works such as Alas Babylon, as well as the philosophical novels The Good Earth and Siddhartha, students ponder what makes a leader, notions of free will, and what the future may hold for society. Through varied literary selections, they explore such places as China and India, and the Jim Crow South in the United States.
Thesis development and support are key areas highlight in this year’s writing curriculum which stresses academic, advanced composition skills. College readiness is further emphasized in lessons taught to improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and English language conventions.
This year’s course also helps students understand the political process in the United States, as well as the American economic system. Students are introduced to the ideas of Enlightenment political philosophers, such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. An in-depth analysis of the Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, and the U.S. Constitution is a key part of this course. As this is Global Education government, a comparison to other government styles is also included.
Students study key macroeconomic principles in context of the political process and the interdependence of the global economy. Beyond simple supply and demand, students learn to understand the role of the Fed, the money supply, as well as buying and selling stocks. Mortgages, IRA’s, and other personal finance activities are also included this year.
This sequence also includes research-based experiential learning projects. Class discussion, group activities, and both formal and informal presentations are other important aspects of this sequence.
Senior Expectations
SEQUENCE 4 - ENGLISH 4 AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
English: A year-long course that has, as its focus, the Senior Research Project and presentation. Students will research an issue that has global, national, and local implications. This project has several components including a written paper, community service hours, and an oral presentation.
All portions of the research project must be successfully completed in order to receive academic credit. Students will also study a variety of literature, including plays, novels, and short stories related to global issues. The second semester's focus shifts to instruction in the theory and physiology of speech, followed by application in public speaking, debate, oral and written critiques of public speakers, and preparation to participate fully in the model United Nations. Students will also complete their Senior Research project that was begun in Semester 1, including the balance of their community service hours and oral presentation.
Students will also study several pieces of literature related to global issues. The final exam is the oral presentation of their project before a panel of staff members.
Social Studies: This year-long course in International Relations is taken in conjunction with the English 4 class. Students will study and evaluate the workings of international organizations, diplomacy, law, and politics, as well as the changing role of the United States in world affairs. This course will rely upon historical examples to help students analyze and understand current events as they occur.
The final exam is the oral presentation of the Senior Research Project completed in conjunction with the Global English 4 class.
