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The Humanities and International Studies Program (HISP), founded in 1985, is structured in a four-year sequence which includes a literature/composition course, a complementary social science course, and a humanities or liberal arts elective each year.
The 9th grade explores the history and literature of Western civilization and its influence on the 20th century. Building upon this foundation of Western history and philosophy, the second year HISP students expand their world view to encompass the cultural richness of all nations and all continents.
The 10th grade curriculum includes four nine-week blocks on Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Special emphasis is placed on geography, comparative cultures, and religions; these are compared and contrasted with those of the West.
The 11th and 12th grade courses (American Studies: U.S. History and Literature; and Comparative Governments and World Literature/Composition) are honors blocks designed to complement each other in structure and content. Materials include classic and contemporary literature; students study complete texts which are often only excerpted in other college preparatory classes. Issues of local, national, and international concern are analyzed and discussed.
HISP students in grades 10 take seven classes per semester instead of the regular six. The extra class is one semester of Critical Thinking and one semester of Writer's Workshop. Students take a minimum of three years of foreign language. Over the four years HISP students read at least 40 complete books in literature classes. (See lists in course descriptions.) In addition, students prepare during each summer for the coming school year by reading and responding in writing to fiction and non-fiction works chosen from specific lists relevant to their study. ("1" indicates a one-semester course; "P" means "college preparatory; "H" means recognized by the University of California as an Honors class; "A-F/G" means course meets University of California "A-F/G" requirements. All Honors classes meet A-F/G requirements.)
Lists of certified courses at McClatchy High School.
This page last updated April 10, 2008 !