112039 - HUMANITIES LANG & LIT 8

221539 - HUMANITIES LANG & LIT HON 8*

221539 - HUMANITIES WORLD HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY I +

Grade 8

This course is a double blocked course, combining Lang & Lit 8 or Lang & Lit Hon 8 and World History and Geography I.

The course will trace common threads in human governments, culture and arts, that unite human societies across disparate times and places. Students will explore how literature, music, and other art forms work to express unique cultural identities at the same time that these art forms tackle themes and concerns that are common to all people.

In addition, students will explore ancient philosophies of religion and government and explore how these philosophies answer fundamental questions about the human experience, and remain relevant to understanding the world today.

Students will build analytical thinking and writing skills as they apply their historical and geographic knowledge to their reflections on and analysis of literature. Through this study, they will better understand the past and how it connects to them as they explore what it means to be human. The course will blend formal writing assignments with oral presentation and project-based learning to give students a variety of opportunities to employ new ideas and show understanding.

Readings will range from ancient primary sources to modern fiction texts, allowing students to build connections between the past and their world.

Sample texts or excerpts might include:

Stephen Vincent Benét: "By the Waters of Babylon"
Ovid: Metamorphoses
Edith Hamilton: Mythology
Thucydides: History of the Peloponnesian Wars
Plutarch: Lives
Simon Wiesenthal: The Sunflower
Marco Polo: Travels of Marco Polo
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
Ibn Battuta: A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling

This course will prepare students for success on the VDOE SOL tests for World History and Geography I, Reading 8, and Integrated Reading and Writing 8.

+This is a high school credit course, and will go on the student’s high school transcript upon successful completion.

Language and Literature (English)

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE 6

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE 6 HONORS

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE 7

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE 7 HONORS

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE 8

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE 8 HONORS

HUMANITIES 8