2011-2012+Syllabus


 * Flex Syllabus 2011-2012 Western Civilization **

PHILOSOPHY
The Flexible Scheduling Program was created in 1964 as part of the Birmingham Plan for Excellence. The goal of this plan was to encourage “new ways to individualize instruction and to professionalize teaching” by funding innovative programs. This resulted in the implementation of the Flexible Scheduling Program, which today is the only surviving component of that plan. After more than forty years of adaptive growth and several thousand graduates, the central goal of the Flexible Scheduling Program remains identical to that at its inception: care for the progress of the individual student through a challenging, interdisciplinary curriculum taught by a qualified staff. Consistent with current research on secondary education, the Flex Program continues to argue for a core of knowledge that is responsive to the needs of students in a complex society. But perhaps even more significant is that in its preparation of students for participation in a global society, Flex assumes an excitement in the life-long learning process that makes learning its own reward.

GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
The Flex Program is committed to the attainment of the following goals through an interdisciplinary approach:


 * 1) The integration of literary, historical, aesthetic, and philosophical movements into a coherent view of the world and its people.


 * 1) Cultivation of higher thinking skills.


 * 1) Development of skills in the oral and written expression of ideas.


 * 1) Application of analytical skills in the discussion of literature, the arts, and the social sciences.


 * 1) The promotion of flexibility in the design of curriculum to accommodate the needs of the student body.


 * 1) Encouragement of the development of life-long learners through the active participation of students in the learning process.


 * 1) The creation of a community of learners.


 * 1) The development of values of appreciation for cultural diversity and democratic citizenship.

** FOCUS QUESTION: What is the Legacy of the West? **

· What are the unique contributions of the west?

· What do writers and other artists say about being western?

· What are different views on being western?

· What strategies define western writers?

· What is civilization?

· What is the west?

· What is western cultural relative?

· What are manifestations of western culture?

· How does philosophy and religion impact western culture?

· How do writers and other artists talk about the mistakes of the west?

· How do writers and other artists talk about the west's gifts to the rest of the world?

**Content:** This year will be divided into four major thematic units roughly corresponding to each quarter. The first unit revolves around concepts of Greece and Rome. The second unit will look at a case study of the Middle Ages. The third unit will center on Modernity. A necessary consequence of this thematic approach is constant cross-referencings, groupings across time and comparisons/contrasts, to enrich the students’ appreciation of the many things America and the West has come to mean.

**Grades:** As always, grades are determined by averaging seminars, electives, writing group, and flexams. Students will receive credit in government and speech if they successfully complete coursework. **Texts:** A variety of texts will be used in FLEX. Some will be required reading for all. Those texts may include many journal pieces and articles on particular themes, as well as //The Odyssey, World’s Religion’s, Oedipus, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Hard Times//, and other texts to be decided later. In addition to these core texts, students should be excited to learn that a wide variety of reading choices will be available through the elective program. **Final Exams, Late Work & Attendance:** School policies apply.
 * Technology:** Responsible use of digital media is encouraged.

**Assessments:** Projects, Participation, Papers, Essay tests, Objectives tests, Demonstrations and other appropriate means.

**Contacting Teachers:** Please email your FLEX counselor with questions.

Ms. Olsen so02bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Ms Meleca cm21bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Ms. Moten rm10bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Mr. Steven Stein ss20bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Ms. Whitehead dw12bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Mr. Wicker mw11bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us Mr. Shaheen ps06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us