This is a co-taught interdisciplinary course that was proposed by WHS students through a Sophomore Composition project in 2018. In this course, students will explore themes such as intersectionality & identity, power & oppression, resistance & advocacy, and citizenship & identity. Major questions that students will examine include: How does race connect with other forms of difference such as class, gender and sexuality? How do factors such as race and class impact our opportunities and experiences? How have various social movements inspired change? And, ultimately, what does it mean to be American in our changing times? Through historical and literary study of academic and cultural texts, students will engage in seminar-style discussion of these crucial issues, conduct research, and craft their own opinions through college-preparatory writing assignments. This course is also available to seniors as a 5-credit elective offering.

Unit

Timeframe

Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)

Major Learning Experiences from Unit 

Thematic Unit:

Inter-section-ality / History of Ethnic Studies 

August - September

Why take an Ethnic Studies course? 


What do/should/can Ethnic Studies courses offer students and communities that other humanities classes do not? 


Why are Ethnic Studies Courses controversial? How can we / should we respond to these controversies? 

Students will:

  • Explore the themes of intersectionality and identity through the writings of Kimberlé Crenshaw and Audre Lorde, the documentary Precious Knowledge, and a series of news articles and opinion pieces related to Ethnic Studies programs around the U.S.

  • Read critically for the power dynamics and intersections of identity in chosen readings.

  • Discuss important themes and essential questions collaboratively with classmates.

  • Write persuasively about the value of Ethnic Studies while drawing on various sources.

Thematic Unit:

Indigeneity and Belonging

October - November

What does it mean to be from somewhere? 


How do we describe authentic belonging (to a place, to a group of people, ….)? 


What is appropriation? 



What is culture?

Students will:

  • Explore the themes of identity, indigeneity, and belonging through independent research and the following texts:

“Sugar Babies” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, We Still Live Here, Three Cree Women

  • Discuss important themes and essential questions collaboratively with classmates.

  • Conduct research on the social, historical, and political context of the Native American reservations and significant events in U.S. history that have affected indigenous peoples.

  • Write creatively about our own sense of what belonging means.

Text Study:

Crying in H Mart

December

What literary techniques, themes, and language does Zauner use to explore the idea of “belonging” ?


How can food be a significant part of our identities?

Students will:

  • Explore the theme of belonging through Crying in H Mart.

  • Read critically for the author’s use of literary techniques and construction of themes and narrative in chosen readings.

  • Discuss important themes and essential questions collaboratively with classmates.

  • Conduct research on different AAPI identities and the limitations of the term “AAPI.” 

  • Write critical responses to…

Thematic Unit:

Systems of Oppression

January - February 

What are systems of oppression? 


How can we describe individual experiences in terms of social systems? 


How can we use intersection-  ality to help us understand how systems of oppression operate in society? 

Students will:

  • Explore different systems of oppression and how they affect people differently.

  • Read critically for…in chosen readings.

  • Discuss important themes and essential questions collaboratively with classmates.

  • Conduct research on policies, supreme court cases, and significant events that reveal effects of systems of oppression.  

  • Write critical responses to…

Text Study:

In the Country We Love

March

How are individuals and families affected by the U.S. immigration system?

Thematic Unit:

Movements for Change

March - April

What are movements for change?


How can we/ should we measure the effectiveness of a movement? 

Students will:

  • Explore the themes of…through the following texts:

  • Read critically for…in chosen readings.

  • Discuss important themes and essential questions collaboratively with classmates.

  • Conduct research on… 

  • Write critical responses to…

Text Study:

Between the World and Me

May - June 

How does Coates mix personal anecdote with historical research/current events to explore the themes of race, class, gender, and other parts of our identities?

Students will:

  • Explore the themes of…through the following texts:

  • Read critically for…in chosen readings.

  • Discuss important themes and essential questions collaboratively with classmates.

  • Conduct research on… 

  • Write critical responses to…