Humanities. Have you ever heard of it? Humanities is a year-long honors elective offered at Seminole High School (SHS). It is offered in two levels: Humanities 1 and 2. The class is considered an “interdisciplinary course” that studies the history of man through artworks, paintings, sculptures, literature, and more. Humanities 1 studies prehistory, Mesopotamia, mannerism, ancient Greece/Rome, and the Renaissance. Humanities 2 covers renaissance, enlightenment, neoclassical, impressionistic, and more modern artwork. This applied to even students in the STEM field. Many STEM programs also require Humanities because it is such a broad topic of study that it can be related to most career fields. This class is an honors class, so it will be a bit more work than a standard class, but much more relaxed than an AP.  

“What I really do love is [learning about] the Greeks and the Romans, because that’s kind of the foundation for who we are, as…you know, when we look at the western world and democracy and so forth,”, states Humanities 1 teacher Kiersten Bordner. 

If you are planning to attend a two to a four-year college, most of them require a humanities course. Therefore, taking it in high school will make the college humanities course more familiar. This applied to even students in the STEM field. Many STEM programs also require Humanities because it is such a broad topic of study that it can be related to most career fields. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re from IB, Health Academy, or even if you’re traditional. It doesn’t matter if you are a sophomore, junior, or senior. Humanities is for everyone and usually has a blend of kids.”, states Bordner.

This sets the class apart in a big way. Humanities offers a way for kids from all programs to unite. Classes are a mix of everyone, offering an opportunity to meet people not part of your usual schedule.

“Humanities is much different than a history class,” states Bordner, “Even though most people associate it with history because we are looking at the things that make us human, not that historical events don’t make us human, but a lot of times history and historical events are just events and we don’t think of the product as much as like ‘okay well this happened, but in humanities, it sets it apart and we can attach something that’s visual, we have a products in the end that was influenced by, say a war or… you know the creation of a country or a way of thinking or a really significant… you know, maybe an assassination of a political figure. So it makes history kind of come alive… and that sets it apart in a big way.”

If you enjoyed Humanities 1, think further about joining Humanities 2. It covers the renaissance, enlightenment, neoclassical, impressionistic, to the modern day. Humanities 2 is the same concept as Humanities 1, except for the time periods learned about.

“I will say I like humanities two more, which starts in the renaissance through modern, than humanities one, simply because, oftentimes we don’t get to study the more modern stuff through typical world history classes,”, expresses Bordner.

If you have taken and liked both classes, AP Art History might be the next class for you. With this course you have a chance to earn college credit, as with any AP, by sitting the Advanced Placement test at the end of the course. This class is more vigorous than Humanities, but just as thrilling. Humanities teacher Bordner teaches AP Art History as well.

These course explore man throughout history, the products of our evolution, and different cultures through a new perspective. Take a deep dive into historical artwork of the past and learn a little more about your history by joining these classes next semester!