SECTION 110.55. Humanities (One-Half to Two Credits)

(a) Introduction.

(1) Humanities is an interdisciplinary course in which students recognize writing as an art form. Students read widely to understand how various authors craft compositions for various aesthetic purposes. This course includes the study of major historical and cultural movements and their relationship to literature and the other fine arts. Humanities is a rigorous course of study in which high school students respond to aesthetic elements in texts and other art forms through outlets such as discussions, journals, oral interpretations, and dramatizations. Students read widely to understand the commonalities that literature shares with the fine arts. In addition, students use written composition to show an in-depth understanding of creative achievements in the arts and literature and how these various art forms are a reflection of history. All students are expected to participate in classroom discussions and presentations that lead to an understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of critical, creative achievements throughout history. Understanding is demonstrated through a variety of media.

(2) For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning.

(3) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

(4) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Humanities, an elective course, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student reads and views varied literary and art forms. The student is expected to:

(A) recognize the major historical and cultural movements as reflected in various art forms; and

(B) read widely to see connections (commonalities) that literature shares with fine arts and historical and/or philosophical writings.

(2) The student expresses and supports responses to various types of texts and compositions. The student is expected to:

(A) respond to aesthetic elements in texts and other art forms through various outlets such as discussions, journals, oral interpretations, and enactments;

(B) use elements of text and other art forms to defend his/her own responses and interpretations;

(C) compare reviews of literature, film performance, and other art forms with his/her own responses; and

(D) develop and use assessments for evaluating literary work and other art forms as a reflection of history such as political, social, and philosophical movements.

(3) The student uses writing as a tool for learning and research. The student speaks and writes clearly and presents effectively to audiences for a variety of purposes. The student is expected to:

(A) show an in-depth understanding of creative achievements in literature and the arts through writing;

(B) describe how personal creativity is expressed within the requirements of an art form; and

(C) describe and analyze the relationship between form and expression.

(4) The student understands and interprets creativity. The student is expected to participate in discussions that lead to understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of creative achievements such as:

(A) discuss how personal creativity is expressed within the requirements of an art form;

(B) discuss conditions that encourage creativity;

(C) discuss the relationship between form and expression; and

(D) discuss the major historical and cultural movements as reflected in various art forms.

(5) The student analyzes and critiques the significance of visual representations. The student is expected to:

(A) recognize and evaluate how literature and various other art forms convey messages; and

(B) examine the impact of literature and various other art forms.

Source Note: The provisions of this §110.55 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549; amended to be effective August 22, 2011, 35 TexReg 3261