Humanities
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In the Humanities Division, students and instructors explore human values and dilemmas as they are expressed in history, foreign languages, philosophy, and the arts. Our courses offer students the opportunity to pursue a wide range of subjects across disciplines, all of which develop skills of critical thinking and writing through engagement with rich and diverse cultural material. Students learn about how history is made, defined, used; about the values of different cultures; about what goes into the creation of a work of art. Our courses question common assumptions, uncover meaning in artistic works, and explore new ways to understand cultural interaction past and present. Whether through the study of foreign languages, history, or the fine arts, Humanities courses provide students with the academic foundations necessary to successfully pursue college-level work, while developing critical and interpretive skills that have far-reaching applications beyond the classroom. In our AP and University-level courses, students in fact have the opportunity to pursue college-level work in history, music, Chinese, and Latin, while at OHS.
Our instructors are dedicated to bringing students the richness, diversity, and beauty of human culture. The history curriculum engages students in rigorous study of key historical periods and subjects, offering introductory and AP courses in world and US history, as well as capstone university-level courses focused on significant historical topics. History courses develop students’ ability to analyze primary and secondary sources in an interdisciplinary context, while encouraging them to think critically and write persuasively about historical topics. Our Chinese and Latin programs develop a high degree of fluency in four-year sequences that both prepare students for AP exams and study of the language at the post-secondary level. Mastery of these languages not only deepens students’ cultural understanding and engagement, but serves as a useful professional skill. Foreign Language courses also expose students to the culture associated with the language they are learning, including its history, values, and literature, which in turn allow them to develop a more profound understanding of their own cultural background in a global context. Our music course develops and deepens students’ skills in musical theory and practice, covering a range of musical domains including composition, performance, and musical forms. Whether in history, foreign languages, or music, courses in the Humanities Division encourage students to challenge themselves in a learning environment that fosters sophisticated reasoning, self-reliance, creative experimentation, and collaborative learning.
Division Head of Humanities: Karen Kenkel, Ph.D.