About the Course:
Click here to see the SYLLABUS.
"World Studies" is the concept of linking the sophomore English and Social Studies courses by focusing on the inherent connections between literature and history (with a sprinkling of philosophy, sociology, and the humanities). Because our version of World Studies is a a part of AGS (The Academy for Global Studies), we also look for interdisciplinary connections to chemistry, mathematics, and global languages -- particularly Spanish-speaking cultures. We often refer to projects that count in both classes (Eng II and World History) as "World Studies assignments" and projects that count in all of our classes as "AGS assignments."
As a member of the ISSN (International Studies Schools Network), we design curriculum to address four pillars of learning: Investigating the World, Recognizing and Weighing Perspectives, Communicating Ideas, and Taking Action. Each project is designed following the "SAGE" guidelines of incorporating:
For bonus points, write down the four pillars and what the acronym SAGE means. Put it in your correct period box in class, and I'll add 5 points to one of your Level 1 assignments. You're allowed to tell friends that you found a bonus question on the website, but don't tell them where it is! This bonus question expires on September 30.
AGS also emphasizes travel and service as major components of the learning process. During the sophomore year, students will travel to Costa Rica to learn about innovative solutions to global problems, to see history and politics in action as we visit banana and coffee plantations, and to interact with Spanish-speakers in real-world situations, and to learn from and complete service projects with an indigenous tribe: the Bribri people of the Talamanca region.
The World Studies experience (and the AGS sophomore year experience) has been described as project-based, hands-on, reading-intensive, a crash course in multitasking and time-management, and most often: CHALLENGING. We can’t cover the entire history of the world or all the eras of literature or all the regions of the world in just 9 months, but we do hope that this course sparks debate, raises new questions, and fosters your desire to know more about the world around you.
"World Studies" is the concept of linking the sophomore English and Social Studies courses by focusing on the inherent connections between literature and history (with a sprinkling of philosophy, sociology, and the humanities). Because our version of World Studies is a a part of AGS (The Academy for Global Studies), we also look for interdisciplinary connections to chemistry, mathematics, and global languages -- particularly Spanish-speaking cultures. We often refer to projects that count in both classes (Eng II and World History) as "World Studies assignments" and projects that count in all of our classes as "AGS assignments."
As a member of the ISSN (International Studies Schools Network), we design curriculum to address four pillars of learning: Investigating the World, Recognizing and Weighing Perspectives, Communicating Ideas, and Taking Action. Each project is designed following the "SAGE" guidelines of incorporating:
- Student Choice
- Authentic Products
- Global Connections
- Exhibition to a Real-World Audience
For bonus points, write down the four pillars and what the acronym SAGE means. Put it in your correct period box in class, and I'll add 5 points to one of your Level 1 assignments. You're allowed to tell friends that you found a bonus question on the website, but don't tell them where it is! This bonus question expires on September 30.
AGS also emphasizes travel and service as major components of the learning process. During the sophomore year, students will travel to Costa Rica to learn about innovative solutions to global problems, to see history and politics in action as we visit banana and coffee plantations, and to interact with Spanish-speakers in real-world situations, and to learn from and complete service projects with an indigenous tribe: the Bribri people of the Talamanca region.
The World Studies experience (and the AGS sophomore year experience) has been described as project-based, hands-on, reading-intensive, a crash course in multitasking and time-management, and most often: CHALLENGING. We can’t cover the entire history of the world or all the eras of literature or all the regions of the world in just 9 months, but we do hope that this course sparks debate, raises new questions, and fosters your desire to know more about the world around you.