1. (a) Introduction.

   1. (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. 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.
   2. (2) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Humanities, an elective course, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

2. (b) Knowledge and skills.

   1. (1) The student reads widely to recognize writing as an art form. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) read widely to understand authors' craft and to discover models to use in his/her own writing;
      2. (B) recognize the major historical and cultural movements as reflected in various art forms;
      3. (C) identify the elements common to literature and other fine arts;
      4. (D) read literary responses to political, social, and philosophical movements;
      5. (E) identify elements of literary creativity;
      6. (F) develop and apply criteria for evaluating literary works and other art forms; and
      7. (G) read widely to see connections (commonalities) that literature shares with fine arts.

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

      1. (A) respond to aesthetic elements in texts and other art forms through various outlets such as discussions, journals, oral interpretations, and enactments;
      2. (B) use elements of text and other art forms to defend his/her own responses and interpretations;
      3. (C) compare reviews of literature, film performance, and other art forms with his/her own responses;
      4. (D) evaluate his/her own responses to text and other art forms for evidence of growth; and
      5. (E) identify and analyze how various art forms are a reflection of history such as political, social, and philosophical movements.

   3. (3) The student uses writing as a tool for learning and research. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) show an in-depth understanding of creative achievements in literature and the arts through writing;
      2. (B) describe how personal creativity is expressed within the requirements of an art form;
      3. (C) describe the relationship between form and expression; and
      4. (D) analyze art forms.

   4. (4) The student speaks clearly and effectively to audiences for a variety of purposes. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) participate in discussions that lead to understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of creative achievements such as:

         1. (i) discuss how personal creativity is expressed within the requirements of an art form;
         2. (ii) discuss conditions that encourage creativity;
         3. (iii) discuss the relationship between form and expression; and
         4. (iv) discuss the major historical and cultural movements as reflected in various art forms; and

      2. (B) analyze art forms orally such as:

         1. (i) discuss structural elements common to literature and the other fine arts;
         2. (ii) discuss literary responses to political, social, and philosophical movements;
         3. (iii) discuss elements of literary creativity;
         4. (iv) discuss criteria for evaluating literary works and other art forms; and
         5. (v) evaluate (orally) literary works and other art forms.

   5. (5) The student understands and interprets visual representations. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) describe how personal creativity is expressed within the requirements of an art form and through the elements of artistic design;
      2. (B) identify conditions that encourage creativity; and
      3. (C) explore the relationship between form and expression.

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

      1. (A) recognize and evaluate how literature and various other art forms convey messages; and
      2. (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.