Eastern Guilford High – Honors World Humanities

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

This course continues the examination of cultures around the world and their contributions to history, including philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, and language. With this seminar, students should recognize enduring human problems and become more culturally sensitive to all of humanity. This course, however, provides more depth and is more writing intensive, with a concentration on a student’s ability to analyze and evaluate different aspects of cultures throughout the span of world history. As we become more globally connected in an ever-changing world, many diverse cultural and linguistic groups converge. The study of a World language becomes extremely important. The benefits of effective second language instruction focuses on the role of the individual in a multilingual, global society. Students in World Language programs also tend to demonstrate greater cognitive development, creativity, and divergent thinking. The learner will also develop insight into the nature of language and culture by comparing their own language and culture to others. For students following the Future Ready core course of study, World Languages is recommended as a concentration area of focus. Although two levels of world languages are no longer a high school graduation requirement, they are the minimum prerequisite for admission to the UNC system and some colleges in the nation. Many colleges and universities prefer or require three or four years of world language study. The World Language elective offerings vary from school to school. GCS middle school students may take World Language courses that will count as a high school credit. Therefore, if a student successfully completes level I of a world language course in middle school, they may register for level II of that same world language in grade 9. To receive this credit, the student must have received a passing grade. While the courses will receive high school credit, the student’s GPA will be computed with courses taken only during the high school years. American Sign Language I Honors American Sign Language I American Sign Language II Honors American Sign Language II American Sign Language III Honors French III Honors French IV AP French Language and Culture IB French Language SL/HL French ab initio A Honors French ab initio A Honors French ab initio B Honors French II Honors German II Honors German III Honors German IV AP German Language and Culture Modern Hebrew II Honors Hebrew II Honors Hebrew III Honors Hebrew IV Honors Hebrew VI Honors Japanese I Honors Japanese II Honors Japanese III AP Japanese Language and Culture Honors Latin III Mandarin Chinese I Mandarin Chinese II Honors Mandarin Chinese I Honors Mandarin Chinese II Honors Mandarin Chinese III Honors Spanish I Honors Spanish II Honors Spanish III Honors Spanish IV Honors Spanish V AP Spanish Language and Culture AP Spanish Literature and Culture IB Spanish Language SL/HL Spanish ab initio A Honors Spanish ab initio B Spanish for Heritage Speakers I Honors Spanish for Heritage Speakers I Honors Spanish for Heritage Speakers II Instruction begins with understanding the five categories of ASL: handshape, orientation, location, movement, and nonmanual expression (facial expression). Students will learn to sign the alphabet and will be able to practice basic conversation. They will begin to engage in interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive communication by learning to sign and understand simple sentences, finger spelling, and grammar structure in ASL. As student ability increases, proficiency will be demonstrated by the development of new insight into the language and culture. Students will reinforce and further knowledge of other disciplines through ASL and will be able to demonstrate their understanding within and beyond the school setting. Honors ASL I introduces students to the visual-spatial language of the Deaf community. The course develops foundational skills in receptive and expressive signing, emphasizing visual awareness, facial expression, and non-manual signals. Students learn grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure unique to ASL while engaging in cultural study of Deaf history, identity, and community values. Class activities focus on real-life communication, dialogues, and storytelling. The honors level challenges students through immersive use of ASL, extended vocabulary practice, and deeper cultural exploration to promote accuracy and fluency. Students will improve and deepen their skills in ASL through increased vocabulary acquisition and greater ability to comprehend signed information. In accordance with the World Language Essential Standards, Level 2, students will be able to demonstrate understanding of a wide variety of signs about familiar and unfamiliar topics, formulate sentences on familiar topics, make comparisons between their culture and the target culture, and deepen their understanding and knowledge of people with diverse backgrounds. Honors ASL II expands upon the skills established in Honors ASL I, leading students toward intermediate proficiency in both expressive and receptive communication. Students refine grammatical accuracy, increase signing speed and complexity, and participate in structured conversations on a range of everyday topics. Interaction with authentic Deaf media, guest speakers, and cultural research projects deepens understanding of the Deaf experience. The honors program moves at an accelerated pace, emphasizing conversational confidence, cultural awareness, and independent mastery of ASL communication in preparation for advanced study in Honors ASL III or college-level ASL courses. Students will improve and deepen their skills in ASL through increased vocabulary acquisition and greater ability to comprehend and convey signed information. In accordance with the World Language Essential Standards, Level 3, students will be able to demonstrate understanding of a wide variety of signs about familiar and unfamiliar topics, formulate sentences various topics, and will reach the intermediate low proficiency level for fingerspelling, presentational expression and novice high for presentational--glossing. (Glossing is a written system to indicate which signs and other non-manual makers, such as facial expressions and body movements, should be used). This course begins a student’s development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the French language. Students are introduced to Francophone culture, customs, and geography. Honors French I is an accelerated, immersive introduction to language and culture designed for motivated students seeking a deeper, more challenging experience. Students develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through authentic materials, interactive projects, and real-world scenarios. The course emphasizes critical thinking, cultural analysis, and creative expression, encouraging students to explore connections between language, identity, and global perspectives. Honors students engage in individual research, collaborative inquiry, and advanced communicative tasks that foster independence and prepare them for higher-level study. This course is ideal for learners who are eager to go beyond memorization and actively participate in a dynamic, intellectually stimulating environment. This class continues to stress listening and speaking skills with increased emphasis on reading and writing. A major goal for students is to communicate their ideas in an oral/written format. The development of cultural understanding will continue with the addition of Francophone literature. Honors French II builds on foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while deepening cultural understanding of the Francophone world. Students engage in authentic communication and explore meaningful topics through literature excerpts, short films, and contemporary media. The course emphasizes proficiency growth in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes. Grammar study supports advanced language use, including more complex verb tenses, object pronouns, and idiomatic expressions. Cultural comparisons, creative projects, and sustained conversation encourage both linguistic accuracy and spontaneity. This accelerated honors course moves at a faster pace with greater emphasis on analysis, fluency, and independent expression. This course stresses increased integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The goal is the exclusive use of French in the classroom. Some literary selections will be introduced, and the development of cultural understanding will continue with the addition of Francophone literature. This course places continued emphasis on communicative skills with exposure to a wide variety of literatures. Cultural studies include Francophone history. This class will refine communicative skills with emphasis on linguistic accuracy, competency in language usage, reading major works of French literature, and written language proficiency. This course continues the emphasis on advanced communicative skills and exposes the students to a variety of literature genres. Francophone culture is further explored to facilitate language acquisition. Students meeting the prerequisites have open access to AP courses. This class provides continued emphasis on reading and speaking skills with exposure to a wide variety of authentic materials, including literature, articles from the Francophone press, advertisements, audio, and films. Further, it addresses social issues relating to the cultures where the language is spoken. Credit is dependent upon student taking the IB French Language exam. Students meeting the prerequisites have open access to IB courses. Continued emphasis is placed on oral and written mastery of the target language with exposure to a wide variety of authentic materials, including literature, articles from the Francophone press, advertisements, audio, and films. Addresses social issues relating to the cultures where the language is spoken. Credit is dependent upon student taking the IB French Language HL exam. Students meeting the prerequisites have open access to IB courses. This first-level course is offered to students entering the International Baccalaureate program who have transferred to the program late or have little or no experience in the language. It is also a course for IB students who have transferred from one IB school to another, one where the foreign language they were studying at the previous school is not offered. If taught as a pre-IB course, this course carries standard credit. If taught as an IB course to meet IB Diploma requirements, this course carries IB credit. Honors French AB Initio A is an accelerated introductory course for students with little or no prior experience in French. The course focuses on developing foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through immersive, communicative activities. Students learn to express personal information, everyday needs, and opinions using high-frequency vocabulary and functional grammar. Cultural study centers on the diversity of the Francophone world, including customs, geography, and contemporary life. The honors level emphasizes active performance, creative projects, and independent language use at a faster pace, preparing students for continued study in Honors French AB Initio B or Honors French II. This second-level course is offered to students entering the International Baccalaureate program who have transferred to the program late or with little or no experience in the language. The ultimate goal of the French ab initio student is to successfully pass the internal and external assessments of the IB French ab initio Exam. If taught as a pre-IB course, this course carries Honors credit. If taught as an IB course to meet IB Diploma requirements, this course carries IB credit. Students meeting the prerequisites have open access to IB courses. In this course, students will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in German. This class will provide instruction in the structure of the language and in cultural content, and students will develop pronunciation, listening, and speaking skills through imitation augmented by use of skit performance, music, and videos. German customs are also studied. Honors German I is an accelerated, immersive introduction to language and culture designed for motivated students seeking a deeper, more challenging experience. Students develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing through authentic materials, interactive projects, and real-world scenarios. The course emphasizes critical thinking, cultural analysis, and creative expression, encouraging students to explore connections between language, identity, and global perspectives. Honors students engage in individual research, collaborative inquiry, and advanced communicative tasks that foster independence and prepare them for higher-level study. This course is ideal for learners who are eager to go beyond memorization and actively participate in a dynamic, intellectually stimulating environment. Greater emphasis is given to reading and writing skills with the major goal being for students to communicate their ideas in an oral/written format. The development of cultural understanding will continue. Honors German 2 builds on foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while deepening cultural understanding of the Francophone world. Students engage in authentic communication and explore meaningful topics through literature excerpts, short films, and contemporary media. The course emphasizes proficiency growth in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes. Grammar study supports advanced language use, including more complex verb tenses, object pronouns, and idiomatic expressions. Cultural comparisons, creative projects, and sustained conversation encourage both linguistic accuracy and spontaneity. This accelerated honors course moves at a faster pace with greater emphasis on analysis, fluency, and independent expression. This course provides an intensive study of language skills. This class reviews structure and emphasizes communicative competence, both written and oral, in a variety of cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on reading literary selections. This class improves all language skills, reviews special areas of difficulty in language structure, and provides for reading literature free of adaptation. Communicative competence is stressed in all activities. Students will study historical and contemporary topics, conduct discussions in German, and write original compositions. Students may choose to take the AP exam.