Unit 2: The Human Condition
In life, we are faced with many situations, from job interviews to dates to arguments with your friends and parents... or scarier yet - arguments with your date's parents! Because of this, it is important to be able to form a clear, cohesive, and credible stance on issues great and small within our world. It is through all sorts of texts - books, movies, articles and even social media - that we gain the information needed to form, support, and challenge our ideas. The focus of this unit is making connections between self, text, and world. Throughout the next four weeks, we will explore what it means to be human in both past and present times, through a novel study of Elie Wiesel’s Night, and other Holocaust literature. |
The Human Condition (aka Human Nature):
What it means to be human. This includes common:
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6) Annotated Anthology Program: Word/docs/whatever you want Hand In: loginname_anthology Due Date: Wednesday, May 10th |
In April of 1999, on the brink of a new millennium, Elie Wiesel addressed a room full of some of his nation’s most influential world leaders and delivered an impassioned speech about the future of the human condition. For this assignment, you are a member of Wiesel’s audience. After learning about the terrible events of the Holocaust and other human rights triumphs and failures within our world, you must decide: Since the dawn of the new millennium (year 2000-2017), “Has the human being become less indifferent and more human?” Is it human nature to learn from our mistakes, and strive to be more humane? Or, will there always be injustice and indifference within our world, no matter how many millennia pass? |
5) The Perils of Indifference Program: Word Hand In: loginname_TPOI_activitypack Due Date: Wednesday, May 3rd |
Now that you have been exposed to the history behind the Holocaust, the horrors of the Holocaust, and the quest for peace that followed... ...it is time to contemplate the true nature of the human condition. What is humanity? What is inhumanity? Is humanity something we are born with or something we learn? Is it possible to put an end to human suffering at the hands of other humans? What does all of this reveal about the human condition? |
4) Assessing Visuals Program: Word Hand In: RTTQ-Visuals Due Dates: RTTQ: Friday, April 28th |
In order to prepare for the provincial exam, we are going to shift gears and take a look at how to interpret images based on the visual elements within them. |
3) Night: Assignments Program: Word/Docs and Paper Hand In: RTTQ-Night, Symbolism Tarot Card Due Dates: RTTQ: Monday, April 24 Tarot Card: Wednesday, April 26 |
Now that you've spent ~2 weeks exploring, discussing, and thinking about the novel, you must complete two assignments that reflect your learning. 1) RTTQ: This is meant to test your knowledge of the novel's connection to our unit's theme of "The Human Condition." Using SEXY format, respond the the "little" question posed prior to starting the novel study. 2) Tarot Card: This is meant to test your knowledge of some of the author's techniques, as well as your understanding of the major themes present within the text, itself. You may choose to complete your tarot card using one of the following devices from the novel: metaphor, simile, personification, symbolism, foreshadowing, or theme. Make sure to choose specific device from the novel, that is repeated throughout the entire piece of work. Also make sure to fully explain what your chosen device represents within the text. |
2) Night: Novel Study Program: Novel, Word, Your Choice Hand In: Discussion Questions, Learning Log, Chapter Titles, RTTQ/Night, Twisted Tarot Card Due Date: Thursday, April 20 |
Reading "To-Do List": For every chunk you must:
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Big Question (Unit):
Little Questions (Night):
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1) Introduction Program: Paper! Hand In: Anticipation Guide Due Date: Tuesday, April 4 |
Disclaimer: This will likely be the most emotionally-exhausting unit of study you take on within your grade twelve year. Though the content of this unit is certainly not pleasant, to avoid teaching and learning about it would be a disservice to both the future and past generations. The unit introduction is designed to activate your current understanding of what is meant by "The Human Condition/Human Nature." It is also designed to introduce you to both the context (The Holocaust) of Night and it's author's (Elie Wiesel) credibility when it comes to speaking directly about the tragedy that was the Auschwitz concentration camp during Nazi Germany. |
Anticipation Guide (to be completed on paper) Unit Preflection (to be completed on the Unit 2 page of your portfolio) Auschwitz Documentary (to be viewed during class) |