Humanities (HUM)

In this course, students are introduced to various cultures and cultural periods from the dawn of human creativity through the Middle Ages. They explore the creative disciplines of human artistic output focusing on the Cradles of Civilization and the Western World. This course may be presented in chronological or topical format. Classes will cover a minimum of five cultures through various interdisciplinary media. Cultures: Prehistory, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Aegean, Greece, Rome, Middle Ages. Disciplines: History, Visual Arts, Architecture, Literature, Philosophy, Music, and Religion. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6 Level II Prerequisite: Computer Literacy

In this course, students will be introduced to various cultural periods from 1250 through the late 19th Century. Students explore the creative disciplines of human artistic output focusing on the cultural development of the Western World. This course may be presented in chronological or topical format. Classes will cover a minimum of five cultures through various interdisciplinary media. Periods: Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, 18th Century (Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism), 19th Century (Academic Art, Impressionism). Disciplines: History, Visual Arts, Architecture, Literature, Philosophy, Music and Religion. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6 Level II Prerequisite: Computer Literacy

In this course, students are introduced to various artistic periods and movements from the early 20th Century to the Present. The creative disciplines of human artistic output are explored, focusing on the Western World. This course can be presented in chronological or topical format. Classes will cover a minimum of eight movements through various interdisciplinary media. Movements (selection): Dada, Surrealism, Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Realism, Harlem Renaissance, Conceptual Art, Post-Modern, etc. Media: History, Visual Arts (including Photography and Film), Architecture, Literature, Philosophy, Music and Religion. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6 Level II Prerequisite: Computer Literacy

This course will introduce, examine, and compare the central beliefs, concepts, practices, texts, and histories of a variety of the world's major religious traditions. This course will cover Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. One or more of the following other religions may be covered as well: Indigenous Sacred Ways, Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto, or Sikhism. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

This course will introduce, examine, and compare myths from around the world, focusing on myths that have significantly informed Western civilization. Myths are read as stories which communicate the culture's understanding of themselves, their gods and goddesses, their society, their values, and their physical environment. Cross-cultural comparison will be made on how core themes such as creation, destruction, deity, the afterlife, and heroes are understood. This course will cover classic Greek and Roman myths. Myths from three or more of the following other cultures will be covered as well: Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Celtic, Norse, African, or Medieval European. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6 Level II Prerequisite: Computer Literacy

In this course, students are introduced to the rich visual arts, history, and contributions of Islamic Cultures from the 6th century to the present. Islam will be studied against the backdrop of the contemporary Byzantine and Persian Empires. Cultural exchange and culturally unique developments in the arts and architecture will be traced. Students will gain an introductory understanding of the main religious tenets of Islam. This course will investigate the material both from a faith-based position as well as an academic position (based on criteria of the historic-scientific method). The course may cover subjects and images considered sensitive to some practitioners of the religion. This course is geared towards students with an interest in arts, cultures, religions, and history, as well as those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary world. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6 Level II Prerequisite: Computer Literacy

In this course, students will examine our world's hierarchies, histories, and beliefs of ethnic and cultural evolution. They will engage a creative and flexible world perspective through the interdisciplinary windows of the arts, history, sociology, sciences, business, and an array of globally diverse creative and artistic activities. Students will be introduced to growth mindsets that are essential to a flexible and creative global competency of our quickly evolving world, and will produce creative works in their area(s) of interest. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6