Drawing from a wide swath of subject areas, and highlighting the ways in which these subjects interact, humanities courses at Sparhawk will help you think broadly across the subject areas of History, English and the Arts. Because the scope of content in these areas is limitless, thematic programs provide you with frames of reference to integrate vast amounts of knowledge and to make cross-curricular connections. The goal is to educate you broadly in history and literature as a means of helping you develop 21st century literacies.

History

Our history courses are designed to inform and inspire you. The focus of history courses is not to learn from a textbook version of history, but to construct it, the way historians do. At Sparhawk, you will learn to think like an historian by examining historical events through varied lenses, source documents and multimedia. This way of viewing history begs the questions: How do we know what we know about this? What evidence supports this? What artifacts did historians used to piece this account together? Are there other ways to interpret this? Do I agree with this version? If not, why?

Courses are thematic and explore fascinating topics that range from Becoming Human to 20th Century and Beyond. Some examples include: Un-Freedom of Speech, Historical Analysis of the Supreme Court, Latin American History at the Cinema, Racism & Immigration through Film, Tribal Council, Historical Legends, Celtic History, Middle Ages to the Reformation, Murder and Monarchy, Art History of the Renaissance, Vikings: Myth & Spread of Early Peoples, Cultural Anthropology and Brain Evolution.

English Composition + Literature

In English Composition and English Literature courses at Sparhawk, you will read interesting literary works of fiction and nonfiction in varied genres and will focus on developing your analytical and evaluative skills and to communicate them effectively. You will have an opportunity to research and write formal research papers, speak convincingly, argue, support a position and compose in a variety of rhetorical styles.

Courses are thematic and explore thought-provoking topics. Course titles have included: Dystopian Novels of the 20th Century, The Witch Trials of 1692, Rights, Duties and the Media, Banned Books in America, Native American Folklore and the Supernatural, Native American Life Off the Reservation, Medieval Literature, Greatest Stories Ever Watched: Film Versions of Great Novels, Lives of the 20th Century, The Hero's Journey, Creation Stories: Narrative Origins of Humanity, Prehistoric to Postmodern Ghost Stories, The Stories We Tell: The Search for What Makes Us Human, Creative Writing, Elements of the Short Story,Poetry and AP English Literature