Course DescriptionIn 11th grade Humanities, we will endeavor to “deconstruct” America. First semester, we will critically examine America’s stories, fictional and factual, in attempts to make meaning of our national identity. We will read numerous works of literature, historical documents and other media sources to explore how America’s story has been shaped by a multitude of different perspectives and ideas. Second semester, we will investigate the rhetoric of the modern and postmodern world. We will examine how America’s paradigm has evolved in the age of technology and mass media. We will also explore how our own individual ideologies are shaped by the experience of being an American at this crucial, fascinating moment in history.
|
There once was a time when I was unaware of things more than I am today. For instance, lets talk about Christopher Columbus. In the past, the only thing that I knew about the man was that he was the worlds greatest navigator in his time, we have a holiday for him and get school off, he was the hero that discovered America and we all have heard that he sailed the ocean blue in 1492.
After this semester I have learned that there is a lot more to the story. When Columbus first came to the New World there were Indians there. The Indians were very welcoming to Columbus and his men. Columbus and the others took advantage of the Indians to make things better for themselves and for back home. I'm not saying that Christopher Columbus was horrible. To be honest if I was living in that time with what was going on, I might have agreed with what they did was right and been for it. Overtime with where we are today I would have to be against it. I would agree though that he could have been the worlds greatest map maker and explorer, but there are many more things that are usually left out about Columbus. |