Humanities at Mass Academy focuses on humanity as a whole and various surrounding topics, such as the evolution of humans, human values, and what characteristics make humans human. The class is structured with various discussions, creative group assignments, and essays that help pinpoint answers to these questions. Below are some major assignments that I have completed that were important toward my progress as a humanities student.
One of the essays we wrote was the education essay, where we needed to analyze various perspectives on a specific problem in education. I looked at the use of 1:1 devices in classrooms and how they could be advantageous and disadvantageous. My stance was that these devices are overall beneficial for students in school, and I examined various sources that agreed with my stance and also argued against perspectives that described how 1:1 devices are bad for the learning environment. Linked on the left is the essay.
The second essay that I completed was the satire essay, where we analyzed a satire and determined its effectiveness. The satire I analyzed mocked authoritarian governments and the tactics they use to control their citizens. I explained how the text’s word choice, tone, and rhetorical strategies to make the audience critically examine the issues that come of unchecked power. Linked on the right is my essay.