WELCOME TO

HUMANITIES RESEARCH . . . Learning to think critically,

speak and write intelligently,

collaborate effectively,

research and develop ideas,

make decisions,

and then do something great!

Marguerite Hefferon Therese VonSteenburg

Politics and World Affairs

History(oral history)

The Fine Arts Literature

Psychology

Philosophy Law

Independent Project

WHAT WE STUDY

The American Religious Identity Science and Bioethics Athletes, Drugs and Eating Disorders Addressing Poverty in African Nations Defining a New American Nationalism Impact of Social Networking on Teens Social Networking and Iran’s Revolution Creating a Viable Climate Change Policy Defining a “New” Musical Theater

The Ethics of Orphan Drug Laws

China’s Global Economic Strategies

Internet’s Effect on Global Music

An Analysis of U.S. Voting Patterns

Effects of War on Women’s Rights

The Truth about Internet Gaming

Understanding the Mechanisms of Self-Deception

Rethinking Drug Education

The Children of War and PTSD

STUDENT PROJECTS SAMPLE TOPICS

Long EssayCollection of essays

Play (stage)Screenplay and filmDocumentary film

Anthology of stories and artworkWebpages/Blogs

PAST TOPIC FORMATS

Students’ sophisticated projects help them with college interviews and college

admission

Students have been offered research scholarships at colleges and universities

(Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Hamilton)

Students have been offered positions in research programs with college

professors

Alums of the program report that the work they did in HR prepared them well

for college . . . and careers!

REPORTED BENEFITS OF THE HR PROGRAM

Hello from Zambia Ashley Feuchs

I came to the Peace Corps Zambia after graduating from the World Arts and Cultures Program at UCLA.

I am doing work to mobilize my village and surrounding villages regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, malaria prevention, improved child and maternal health, and improved food security.

The work I did in Humanities facilitated my independent thinking and helped me gain confidence in my ability to be a self-motivated self-starter.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM THE ALUMS. . .

Hello from Tufts! WYATT CADLEY

For me, Humanities Research was a transformational academic experience. It was through Humanities Research that I learned howto research and write at a college-level, skills that gave me a significant advantage over my peers at Tufts.

I first met my Tufts academic advisor through HR. I read a book by a Tufts professor when I was a junior and contacted her via email. Now, five years later, she is my academic advisor and a fantastic professional resource. It’s clear that we’ll stay in touch long after I graduate.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM THE ALUMS. . .

Hello from Los Angeles! EMMA WISDOM

I’m not sure I realized how much HumRe served me until I got to college, started to pursue film more seriously, and began to apply for internships in the industry. All those presentation skills came rushing back, the public speaking strategies -- and of course the film I’d made for HumRe proved my interest in the industry. I now work as an intern at a start-up film production company in Santa Monica.

HumRe gave me the room and the encouragement to think on my own.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

Hello from Harvard! MICHAEL MITCHELL

As a public school graduate heading to a university populated by the graduates of elite prep schools, I expected to be at a major disadvantage. To my relief and delight, I was wrong: thanks to Humanities Research, I was ready to take advantage of opportunities and resources that my peers here are only now, in their third years, beginning to discover.

From how to use databases like JSTOR to how to craft an argument across dozens of pages, Humanities Research offers its students skills they'll need to flourish in college . HumRe imbued me with a spirit of inquiry and a passion for discovery. As a student of both philosophy and international affairs, I see HumRe is an investment in the values that our school district aspires to represent and advance.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

Hello from Cornell! EMMA SCHNUR

The research skills I learned in Humanities Research absolutely set me up for success. I'm convinced that my HumRe project on global climate change policy was my ticket into Cornell. And while my friends atCornell struggled with how to find peer-reviewed articles or structure lengthy papers, I already had the skills to do so.

I spent this past summer as a research intern at the Harvard Forest in Massachusetts, studying forest landowner conservation awareness. I am continuing this research as a part of my senior honors thesis.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

Hello from Colgate! KATIE RAPP

My work in Humanities Research definitely sparked an interest for what I want to do with the rest of my life. After graduation, I will be working at the Eileen Fisher Foundation with their summer leadership program for high school girls. My interest in social issues, the study of minority groups, finding ways to have individuals' voices heard, all originate from my Humanities project in high school.

Humanities Research was the most valuable course I took in high school. It gave me the opportunity to be creative and to learn to trust myself and self-guide my work.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

Hello from Princeton! MAX SIEGEL

Now in my junior year, I've taken several graduate seminars, and I attribute my ability to be competitive with the graduate students to the early start I had in academic research.

I soon will publish two papers in philosophy: one in a journal and another in an edited volume. This wouldn't have been possible if I had only begun independent work here two years ago. In short, Humanities Research was, I think, the most valuable preparatory experience I had in high school.

Hello from Brown! Chelsea Feuchs

This last semester, I participated in a Global Independent Research Project, studying the history of women in the Israeli military. Because of the skills I learned in HumRe, I was able to read hundreds of pages each week, synthesize that information into critical response papers, and finish with a 25 page final paper. I was so proud of the work I did, and I have HumRe to thank for a lot of my motivation and work ethic.

HumRe raised expectations for us beyond that of traditional classes; it challenged us to grapple with work from fields across the humanities, and it exposed us to culture, literature, and critical thinking.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

Hello from Johns Hopkins University!

Although my current studies have little to do with the project I did in Humanities Research, I regularly tell my friends that nothing prepared me more for college than Humanities Research.  I have a lot of friends here who take only science and applied math classes and spend time doing research in labs. But while their accomplishments are certainly impressive, their educations are strikingly incomplete. Humanities Research taught me how to consider questions that aren't solved by experimentation -- and that has inspired me to think in different ways.

NOW A FEW WORDS FROM OUR ALUMS. . .

CHARLIE SIEDELL

OUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

Create small classes

Cultivate each students' individual passions and interests

Nurture inquiry

Build a collaborative community of researchers

Expect excellence

Thanks for your continued support and interest!