By Caroline Gentile ’13, News Section Editor
As of this school year, the Upper School’s 9th grade Humanities program is no more; in its place are five sections each of independent 9th grade English and History classes. “It just wasn’t Humanities anymore,” said Upper School Head Stephanie Luebbers.
The decision to cut the Humanities program stemmed from the feeling that it was no longer as effective as it was designed to be. Mrs. Luebbers, explained, “Over the last few years, it has changed and has not met our needs.” She believed that Humanities became more focused on History than English and, since the whole program was separate from the English and History departments, there was also a loss of continuity throughout both departments.
Staffing was also a consideration in the removal of Humanites. Dr. Jeremiah McCall, who taught Humanities History, thought that “One of the challenges the program had was that it was originally intended to have a large number of faculty per student. Originally, a full time art teacher, tech person, and English and history were needed for each section of students.” Dr. McCall continued, saying “One of the difficulties was figuring out if that many resources could be devoted to that. We…struggled especially with art.” In fact, after the departure of Mr. Paul Bohart at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, the Humanities art program completely dissolved.
Although Humanities no longer exists, the 9th grade English and History curricula have changed very little from what they were when Humanities was still in effect. More changes were actually made to the program last year when the signature phalanx simulation was cut from the History component of Humanities and “Great Expectations” was added to the English classes. With the removal of Humanities, the only aspects of the curricula that were cut were those that linked English and History together, such as reading The Aeneid.
Another difference is that the once numerous Humanities field trips, such as visiting a mosque, are now only required if the teacher of a section thinks it is necessary.
Because English and History are now separate, teachers of each respective class have more freedom to focus on the material they feel is most relevant. For example, Dr. McCall has added a “Rise of Civilization” unit and hopes to incorporate more video game simulations into
his history class. Mrs. Pat Dunn, one of the four English 9 teachers, is focusing on teaching “foundational skills” like grammar and writing.
In making the decision to cut Humanities, there was talk about whether there would be honors freshman English and History classes. Although honors classes were eventually decided against, the discussion is still ongoing. Mrs. Dunn believes there is “no particular reason” to have an honors English class; it makes more sense to split up in 10th grade because that is when the class becomes AP-driven. Dr. McCall was also against an honors History class: “I think it’s really powerful, particularly at that age, to have kids all working together and not thinking of themselves as in honors or not in honors,” he said. “I think that can create a rich environment. Examining historical questions is one of those things where people can play to their strengths.”
Mrs. Luebbers said that the faculty was divided over the issue of having honors freshman English and History. One possible solution, she revealed, could be to split up the classes into honors and non-honors for second semester.
Though the Humanities program itself is gone, the idea of crossing over between subjects is still valued in the Upper School. “We ought to be doing cross disciplinary work in every class room,” said Mrs. Luebbers.
