Academics

Humanities at Webb

The Humanities encompass the interdisciplinary exploration of human history, culture, and creative expression. Courses in this area draw from various departments, including English, History, and Fine Arts, fostering a way of thinking that spans multiple forms of media—literary, historical, musical, artistic, commercial, and comedic. While students continue to develop discipline-specific skills, they also examine the interconnectedness of these fields and their mutual influence. The 9th- and 10th-grade core Humanities program aims to create proficient readers, writers, and critical thinkers while promoting 21st-century skills such as digital collaboration and visual literacy in both film and graphics. These foundational courses pave the way for more advanced, specialized electives in the 11th and 12th grades.

List of 10 items.

Grade 9 Core: Foundations of Civilization

This course introduces Webb students to the integrated study of history, English, and fine arts. By blending knowledge from these three disciplines, we encourage students to approach Humanities holistically. Rather than examining novels, paintings, and architecture in isolation, we explore how they reflect the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which they were created. The course focuses on the politics, economies, religions, social norms, and intellectual-artistic life of various global societies, offering a balanced study of both Western and non-Western cultures. With an emphasis on both breadth and depth, students learn to interpret culture through its key artifacts—such as primary documents, architectural masterpieces, literature, illustrations, and social critiques—at critical moments in history. This course is a requirement for all ninth-grade students, as is Fundamentals of Composition.
Grade 10 Core: The American Idea

This course, a requirement for all tenth-grade students, forms one half of the interdisciplinary American Studies program, which fosters a comprehensive, humanities-based exploration of American culture, society, and ideology. Both courses examine the diverse narratives, identities, values, and cultural phenomena that shape the American experience. However, The American Idea focuses specifically on the dynamic interplay between literary and artistic expression and the nation’s cultural and historical development. Through critical analysis of various texts and primary sources, students explore questions such as: What defines an American text or artwork? How can we interpret a historical moment through an artist’s or writer’s response to it? What fears and reactions drive Americans, and how do creative works reflect these? How do artists and writers contribute to social and historical change? This course emphasizes key humanities skills, particularly literary analysis and writing. Exceptional students may be eligible for Advanced Studies electives in their junior year.
Grade 10 Core: American Society Past & Present

This course, a requirement for all 10th-grade students, is one half of the interdisciplinary American Studies program, which promotes a comprehensive, humanities-based exploration of American culture, society, and ideology. While both courses explore the diverse narratives, identities, values, and cultural forces shaping the American experience, American Society, Past & Present focuses specifically on the nation's efforts to build an ideal society and navigate the competing interests within its diverse population. Students examine how American culture has evolved through these social struggles by analyzing both historical and literary sources. Key questions include: What defines a "real American"? How do Americans reconcile individualism and ambition with community needs? What determines power in America? How do Americans envision the role of government? This course emphasizes essential humanities skills such as research, primary source analysis, and historical interpretation. Exceptional students may qualify for Advanced Studies electives in their junior year.
Journalism Program

Students in grades 10–12 can enroll in our journalism program, which immerses them in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of modern reporting. Both Journalism and Honors Journalism are year-long elective courses that offer students hands-on experience as writers and content creators.
Junior & Senior Electives in Humanities

Webb’s upper-level Humanities electives share common educational goals while offering diverse titles and curricula. These courses reflect the liberal arts tradition, guiding students through exemplary works of thought and expression across multiple disciplines. Covering topics from classical studies to contemporary issues, these electives encourage curiosity, critical reading, analytical and creative thinking, and articulate speaking and writing. Students engage with a wide range of cultures and the key achievements within them, providing a rich educational experience. The variety of electives allows juniors and seniors to explore and deepen their intellectual passions.
Class Example: Honors Stories & Strategies of Entrepreneurs

This course introduces students to the latest entrepreneurial practices, with a focus on fostering creativity and effective communication. Key entrepreneurial skills covered include identifying opportunities, reframing challenges, asking insightful questions, active listening, and integrating ideas from various fields. Students are encouraged to challenge assumptions and refine their insights through iterative experimentation. Throughout the course, students develop professional expertise in strategy, marketing, accounting and finance, operations, leadership, teamwork, design thinking, negotiation, public speaking, and pitching ideas as they design future enterprises. Mentorship from Webb alumni, local entrepreneurs, nonprofit executives, and business leaders provides valuable real-world insight. Whether in the commercial or social sector, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset is key to career success.
Class Example: Advanced Studies Reading & Writing Art History

This course immerses students in the study of art through the hands-on creation of a written and digital art catalog. Collaborating with professional artists and scholars, students explore a range of art, from world-renowned masterpieces to works on campus. They apply this knowledge to analyze and document significant buildings, paintings, and photographs at Webb and the Claremont Colleges. The course offers a selective, thematic introduction to art history, helping students place works in their historical context and master the vocabulary of the discipline. Catalog creation involves research, writing, geocaching, web design, and more. While no prior visual arts experience is required, experienced artists will also find this course engaging and rewarding.
Class Example: Advanced Studies Literature & the Machine

For at least 64,000 years, humans have found ways to record their stories and ideas, from ancient cave paintings to modern digital databases. Today, the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL•E presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for how we communicate human experiences. Will AI enhance artistic and literary creation, or will it stifle human creativity? This course delves into the potential impact of generative AI on art, literature, and creativity, situating modern debates within a broader historical context, from Prometheus to Plato. Through lively discussions on key works of science fiction—from classic authors like Isaac Asimov to contemporary comic books—students will explore the promises and pitfalls of AI. Additionally, students will take a hands-on approach, experimenting with AI technologies to explore how they can augment, and possibly push the boundaries of, human expression.
Class Example: Advanced Studies The Cold War Era

This course examines how the Cold War shaped politics, economics, society, literature, and culture in both the East and West from 1945 to 1991. Starting with the conflict's origins, the course takes an interdisciplinary approach, exploring proxy wars, the rise of mass media and propaganda, and the Cold War’s influence on literature, art, and music. Major assessments include multimedia presentations on various research topics and the creation of an original, scripted piece of propaganda.
Class Example: Honors History & Writings of Mysticism

Many religious traditions strive to unite the human with the divine, a process poet Denise Levertov described as "oneing." In this comparative course, students will explore how this search for union unfolds across traditions such as Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Sufism. Using psychology, anthropology, and gender studies as critical lenses, we will investigate why humans seek connection with nature or deity. The class will examine firsthand accounts of mystical experiences, trace mystical themes in popular music, film, and television, and work together to craft a psychological and philosophical definition of mysticism. Students will engage with the works of both modern and ancient mystics who have sought to articulate their experiences of "oneing." Through class and group projects, students will play an active role in creating knowledge. Activities will include practicing mindfulness, analyzing and creating Zen koans, honing critical thinking skills through reflective writing and student-led discussions, and even staging an epic rap battle between mystical poets. (Anticipated 25–26)

Explore our courses

Meet Our Humanities Teachers

List of 20 members.

Elizabeth Cantwell

English and Humanities Department Chair

University of Southern California - Ph.D.
University of Southern California - M.A.
Yale University - B.A.
Allesandra Adams

Humanities Faculty

The Winchendon School - M.A.
Connecticut College - B.A.
William Allan 94

Humanities Faculty

Claremont McKenna College - B.A.
Mark Dzula

Director of Teaching and Learning Resources

Columbia University - Ed.D.
City University of New York - M.A.
New York University - B.A.
Anthony Flucker

Fine Arts and Humanities Faculty

Humboldt State University - B.A.
Stefanie Graefe

Humanities Faculty

University of Pennsylvania - M.S.Ed.
American University - B.A.
Eric Hansen

Humanities Faculty

Hamline University - M.F.A.
Florida State University - B.A.
Stephen Hebert

History and Humanities Department Chair

Harvard Divinity School - M.T.S.
University of Texas - B.A.
James Huerta

Humanities Faculty

University of Southern California - M.A.T.
University of California, Irvine - B.A.
Mark Lauer

Humanities Faculty

Georgetown University - Ph.D.
University of Trier - B.A.
Susanna Linsley

Director of Experiential Learning

University of Michigan - Ph.D.
University of Michigan - M.A.
Mount Holyoke College - B.A.
Allison Madar

Humanities Faculty

Rice University - Ph.D.
Rice University - M.A.
Kenyon College - B.A.
Wendy Maxon

Humanities Faculty

University of California, San Diego - Ph.D.
University of California, Riverside - M.F.A.
University of California, San Diego - M.A.
University of California, Los Angeles - B.A.
Leah Moore

Humanities Faculty

University of Pennsylvania - M.S.Ed.
Cornell University - B.S.
Maureen O'Brien

Humanities Faculty

Brown University - M.A.
McGill University - B.A.
Ken Rosenfeld

Dean of Campus Life and Humanities Faculty

Logan University - M.S.
Occidental College - B.A.
Olivia Silva

Humanities Faculty

Scripps College - B.A.
Dr. Theresa Smith

Head of School and Humanities Faculty

University of California, San Diego - Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego - M.A.
University of California, Berkeley - B.A.
Cory Warren

Humanities Faculty

California Institute of Arts - M.A.
Saint Michael's College - B.A.
Dr. Helga Zambrano

Humanities Faculty

University of California, Los Angeles - Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles - M.A.
UC Berkeley - B.A.