Tag Archives: Sam

The History of White People (Sam)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

We will be reading the book, The History of White people by Nell Irvin Painter. With this literary work, we will analyze the history of whiteness and it’s origins in Ancient Greece, throughout Europe and abroad.

The book describes attitudes toward and definitions of race among Europeans, and particularly Americans of European descent. The author says the idea of race is not just a matter of biology but also includes “concepts of labor, gender, class, and images of personal beauty”

Our exploration of this book will lead us to group conversations, written expression, defining terms and futher research.

  • Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
  • Mature themes: Due to the nature of history, some elements could include loss of life and violent acts as essential to survival.

French I (yearlong) (Sam)

Students begin their introduction to French by focusing on the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The class represents an ideal blend of language learning pedagogy and online learning. Each unit consists of a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, multimedia cultural presentations, and interactive activities and practices which reinforce vocabulary and grammar. There is a strong emphasis on providing context and conversational examples for the language concepts presented in each unit. Students should expect to be actively engaged in their own language learning, become familiar with common vocabulary terms and phrases, comprehend a wide range of grammar patterns, participate in simple conversations and respond appropriately to basic conversational prompts, analyze and compare cultural practices, products, and perspectives.

Note: This class will meet 3 days/week (2 – in class instruction, 1 Learning Lab)

  • Outside work: A small amount (e.g., <30 min) for each session

Documentaries & Desserts (Sam)

Take a deep dive into some of the best documentaries of the last few years. We’ll explore this amazing medium through film and have meaningful conversations.

Also, you gotta have some dessert to go along with it! Yum!!!!

 

 

  • Outside work: Occasional throughout the term
  • Mature themes: Some of the subject matter will possible cover topics that discuss some areas of life that can be troublesome and reflect the causes of teen/adult life misfortunes due to specific situaltions..

French II (yearlong)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

French 2 is designed for students who have completed French 1. In French 2, students will learn to use the past tense, continue to build vocabulary, and become more proficient in speaking, reading, writing and comprehension skills.

A great deal of emphasis will place placed on the oral use of French in the classroom. Students will be expected  to ask and answer questions in French on a regular basis, using learned vocabulary and correct grammatical  structure.

Additional emphasis will be placed on cultural topics in French – speaking countries, including current events, the arts and the French influence in the United States. Students will identify historical landmarks, major cities, holidays and other cultural aspects of the French – speaking world.

 Note: This class will meet 3 days/week (2 – in class instruction, 1 Learning Lab), must have taken a full year of French previously or special permission from the teacher.

Indigenous Studies  (Sam)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

For this cultural studies class, we will be reading the book, “The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the unmaking of U.S. History” by Ned Blackhawk. In this book we will draw from historical accounts of Indigenous narratives and the lack of real time visibility in our current examples of American History

We will be using this book as our main text, but there will be supplemental information given thru mini lectures, videos, podcasts and additional academic text.

You will be asked to be active in group conversations, write short responces and the occasional quiz.

Note: This class will meet once a week.

  • Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
  • Mature themes: Due to the nature of history, some elements could include loss of life and violent acts as essential to survival.

Human Geography

The study of humans and how they react to their environment throughout the world. In each continental examination, we can learn from various areas of life including economic, cultural, political and urban geography. We can draw several ideas and levels of understanding from the past and present changes and how it will effect the future. Historically, we can use information to analyze several areas of impact such as globalization, colonialism and the relationships between various landscapes and numerous global interactions.

Our in class gathering will include mapping, vocabulary, and deep research on ancient and modern cultural groups.

  • Outside work: A small amount (e.g., <30 min) for each session
  • Mature themes: Due to the nature of history, some elements could include loss of life and violent acts as essential to survival.
  • Minimum students: 3
  • Sessions per week: 2

Cultural Psychology (Sam)

This class will dive into the cultural aspects of behavior of various ehtnic groups from around the world. In this class, you will examine how the affects of socio-economics, race and class effect groups and how they try to move along with there lives. Other themes included in this class are; culture and development, self and identity, interaction and interpretation, speech and language, personality, cognition, emotion, physical health, mental health and socail behavior.

We will be reading the book, Post Tramatic Slave Syndrome, by Dr Joy DeGruy. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (P.T.S.S.) is a theory that explains the etiology of many of the adaptive survival behaviors in African American communities throughout the United States and the Diaspora.

This class will analyze various texts, read and review case stuides and follow up with several historical/scientific research based theories from various culture groups.

 

  • Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
  • Mature themes: Due to the nature of past American History, students will encounter narratives of harm and violence against Indigenous, Black & Brown people.

History of Jazz (Sam)

This class will take the time to explore the amazing musical genre of Jazz from its early beginnings to it’s moderized sounds of today. Due to it’s orgins here in America, we will look to realize its cultural and societal evolution. Students will be emmerged into the varried jazz styles and the artists and composers who pioneered each style and the many components of each style of jazz.

There will be many listening sessions, along with lyric & style dissection. Each class session will leave space for each student to make their own conclusion about the many aspects of this great musical genre. Students will improve their current listening experiences and time to discover new paths of music, with the opprotunity to broaden their cultural and musical knowledge.

Note: Headphones and a music account (Spotify) are required!

Mature Themes –  Lyrics in songs can use language not appropriate for all students.

  • Outside work: Occasional throughout the term
  • Mature themes: Some of the lyrics could contain explict language.