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Our intention at Leelanau is to take students beyond knowing how
to read and write to knowing how to think. We combine the personal
and the global. Studying the Humanities means more than grammar,
vocabulary, geography, historical facts, and study of the classics.
Our goal is to personalize reading, writing and thinking so that
students can apply the wisdom of literature, history and religion
to their own experiences. Our classes are small so that everyone’s
voice can be heard. The emphasis is placed on personal growth and
the individual’s role in the global community.
Ancient Humanities – Freshman Year
This course covers pre-history through the beginning of the Renaissance.
Students will learn about history, literature, geography, and the
arts by reading ancient texts and studying historical figures and
events. For example, in the Greek unit, students will read Sophocles’
Antigone, investigate the Greek philosophers, read mythological
stories, learn European geography, and explore well-known Greek
sculpture. An emphasis will be placed on writing, presentations,
and projects such as posters, movies and artwork.
Western Humanities - Sophomore Year
This course is an interdisciplinary course which focuses on the
literature, history, art, music, philosophy, and popular culture
of the time period from the Renaissance through Industrialization.
Emphasis is placed on themes of study in the Western world, in addition
to chronology, so that students gain an understanding of how history
fits into and influences the present. At the same time, students
are encouraged to develop their own opinions beyond the textbook
by focusing on group work, projects, writing, class discussion,
primary sources, personal research and introspection.
20th Century Global Humanities – Junior Year
This class continues the interdisciplinary focus found in the Western
Humanities course. It focuses on the historical, social and political
trends of the 20th century by examining the interconnectedness of
the politics, literature, music and art of the times. We emphasize
themes of study in addition to chronology so that students gain
a deeper understanding of how historical trends fit into and influence
the present. Through a large research project, various writings,
discussions, group work, and presentations, students will learn
to make their own connections with the past and the present. In
addition, time is spent preparing students for standardized tests,
including focus on vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing.
The Search for Meaning – Senior Year
This course includes the study of wilderness literature in the autumn,
Great Books in the winter, and coming-of-age stories and films in
the spring. Students summarize chapters of Thoreau’s Walden,
and then write their own descriptions and imitations of nature writing
as they investigate the theme of man’s place on Earth. Great
Books uses the shared inquiry method (as developed by the Great
Books Foundation of Chicago) to explore selections from philosophy,
religion, literature, and the Humanities. Intense discussions lead
students to the writing of weekly interpretive college essays. As
students prepare for graduation, they discuss and interpret classic
American coming-of-age films like Rebel Without A Cause, The Last
Picture Show, and The Graduate.
World Classics – Honors English Elective
This class is about studying the greatest authors of the world’s
cultures, the literary classics that are a part of educated discussions
throughout life. Students will read, discuss and write about poetry,
drama, and fiction from the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Africa,
the Middle East, the Far East, the Caribbean, South America, and
North America. The novels, Crime and Punishment, Heart of Darkness,
The Satanic Verses, Moby Dick and One Hundred Years of Solitude will
highlight this survey course. Literary field trips to Chicago and
Stratford, Ontario are included. (Honors Credit)
American Government
This class is a one-semester course, usually for twelfth graders.
Today, the world’s 165 independent nations are interlocked;
the economies and political events of one country have the potential
to affect every other country in the world. As conditions have changed
both at home and abroad since September 11, 2001, the role the United
States should play has often come into question. This class will
attempt to give the student an understanding of how the American
political system works, from the federal, state and local perspectives,
as well as from the perspectives of voters, interest groups and political
parties. Along the way, students will be asked to think about the
role of the United States in the world, and how they themselves
fit into that role. Various methods will be used in class to learn
and digest the information, including reading, writing, discussing,
debating, presenting, and role-playing and working collaboratively
in small groups.
World Religions
Students will study the well-traveled paths that people around the
world have used to explore the big questions: Who am I? Where did
I come from? How should I live my life and is there anything greater?
They will use readings from a textbook and various religious manuscripts,
as well as field trips, to understand how the great religious teachings
guide and shape the development of individuals and societies. Through
oral and written tests, reflective writing and creative projects,
students will demonstrate understanding of religious traditions
and their influence on contemporary individuals and culture.
Psychology
This course is about exploring psychological concepts by having
students observe themselves, their community and events in the news.
Students will work on projects, such as experiments and surveys,
and make informative movies and presentations. Experts in various
psychological fields are interviewed. During the study of the lifespan
unit, they will observe children at various developmental stages.
Creative Writing
Whether you have tried your hand at writing or not, know that there
is a story in each of you that is worth telling. In this class we
will explore different ways to express ourselves and our creativity
through writing nonfiction, fiction and poetry. Class will be conducted
as a continuing workshop, with a focus on revision as well as generating
a substantial collection of finished projects. Students will also
read a variety of texts as models of the craft. This course is an
elective that may count as an English or a Fine Arts credit.
Senior Seminar
Senior Seminar consists of two components; the Senior Project and
the Senior Mysteries curriculum. The Senior Project is composed of three parts: A 5-10 page persuasive essay
or research based paper, a project or a product in conjunction with
the paper, and an oral, visual presentation of professional quality
of this material before a chosen committee. The committee will include
the project advisor, class advisors and at least one school administrator.
The Senior Mysteries curriculum includes: a Senior leadership retreat
on South Manitou Island, the study of families and personal values,
a mask-making winter retreat, the study of rites-of-passage from
adolescence into adulthood, preparation for graduation, and
the many thoughts and emotions these changes bring. This study will
culminate with the senior “solos” on North Manitou Island.
The Senior Seminar is, in many ways, the capstone Leelanau experience.
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