After wrapping up the successful study and performance of Shakespeare's As You Like It, ATACP students begin new units Literature. The Humanities program strives to provide an inter-relatedness of all subject matter through the analysis and discussion of great literature, and the writings of great thinkers.
Students ages 14-16 are reading Watership Down, the classical adventure novel about a small group of rabbits, written by Richard Adams. Through this unit, Mr. Rutherford hopes to inspire an appreciation of great literature while making connections across the curriculum by exploring natural ecology and political social theory. Students are required to read and annotate large volumes of the text at a rapid rate to further develop academic stamina. A Tuesday morning proctored reading hour has been added to their schedule to instill good reading and comprehension habits. Round table discussions in the classroom will cover pertinent topics such as: How would life be different if lived from the perspective of a small animal of prey in a hostile and dangerous environment? How are great leaders developed? What creates a functioning society?
Across the hall, Mr. Collins introduces the older students to social and political theory through the Great Conversations of great thinkers. After reading original texts and excerpts from Plato to Hobbes to Mill, students will participate in round table discussions and tackle questions like: 1) What is justice? 2) What are the ways we make that decision? 3) What social contracts are necessary to move us from a natural state of individuality to a combined society of order?
Our youngest group of students is reading and analyzing a series of classical short stories and determining how the authors use powerful vocabulary and literary devices to accomplish an impactful and interesting story with so few words.
Practicing - both aloud during class and silently during independent study - is developing a healthy habit of reading. Stories include: The Sniper by Liam O’Flaherty, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov, The Cat Bird Seat by James Thurber, and The Masque of Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe.
Stay tuned for more reading!