Humanities Academy 2007-2008 Information for 10th Graders

Congratulations on completing the first year of the Humanities Academy! Here is information you need for this summer and for next year.

A. HUMANITIES ACADEMY COURSES

10th grade: Intensive World Cultures and Geography Humanities Academy Intensive English 10

The Humanities Academy prepares eligible students to take Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses in their junior and senior years:

11th grade: AP US History* Honors American Literature English 11*

12th grade: AP American Government** (semester course) AP English Literature and AP Macroeconomics**(semester course) Composition***

* Application for and enrollment in these classes are open to all students at Soquel High School; the AP US History teacher determines the eligibility and selection process for AP US History, and the Honors American Literature teacher determines the eligibility and selection process for Honors American Literature. There are currently two sections (60 students) of AP US History. Students who are not accepted into AP US History must take US History. Students not accepted into Honors American Literature may take Intensive English 11, Regular English 11, or Science Fiction.

** Application for and enrollment in this class is open to all students at Soquel High School. If the AP Social Studies offering becomes over-subscribed, then an eligibility and selection process will be established.

*** Application for and enrollment in this class is open to all students at Soquel High School. The AP English teacher determines the eligibility and selection process for AP English; the number of sections of AP English Literature and Composition varies depending on student interest. Students who are not accepted into AP English may take Intensive English 12, English 12, or Science Fiction.

CRITERIA FOR CONTINUED ENROLLMENT

Students must maintain a minimum C first semester grade in both English and Geography to continue in 10th grade Humanities Academy. Students who fail to maintain a C will be enrolled in Intensive English 10 and will have to decide upon an additional elective course.

In addition, Humanities Academy students’ enrollment in the Honors and AP levels of 11th grade English and Social Studies is not automatic. As noted above, these courses are offered to all Soquel High School students, and enrollment is competitive.

B. SUMMER ASSIGMENTS:

Social Studies:

Please read the following book and complete the essay assignment before school resumes in the Fall. A quantity of the book has been placed on order at The Capitola Book Café. Please refer to the “Humanities Academy 10” titles when you go to purchase the book.

A Short History of Nearly Everything (Bill Bryson, 2004)

Essay assignment:
Write an essay in which you discuss which three scientific discoveries/advances covered in this book have had the greatest impact on the development of modern civilization. Use evidence from the text to support your arguments.

English/Language Arts:

Please read the following book and complete the essay assignment before school resumes in the Fall. A quantity of the book has been placed on order at The Capitola Book Café. Please refer to the “Humanities Academy 10” titles when you go to purchase the book.

Lord of the Flies (William Golding, 1954)

Essay Assignment:
Identify and make a list of significant themes and symbols in the text. Choose one theme and the symbols that illustrate that theme; write a structured and textually supported essay, with a minimum of two quotes from the text, in which you analyze the significance of the theme. Bring both the list and essay on the first day of school.

For both essays, please adhere to the following criteria:

Two pages, typed, doubled spaced
Times New Roman, 12 pt font
MLA formatted heading

Both essays and the list for English are due on the first day of school.

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Page last updated 6/08 by Madeline Britton, Librarian