Of+Hearts+and+Minds+Guidelines

Of Hearts and Minds A Study of the Humanities The humanities are academic studies that explore the human condition, particularly “human constructs and concerns” (//Merriam-Webster//). This project will coincide with our reading of John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel //Of Mice and Men//. Set in the era of the Great Depression, the story presents a glimpse of America and its values for that time period. Our task as teams will be to research aspects of the humanities circa 1937 so as to better understand the context of the novel as well as Steinbeck’s view of humanity.

**Our Driving Question: How do the humanities provide us with a deeper understanding of** **the human condition?**

**Our Primary Task: Help our classmates better understand the human condition by** **teaching them about a discipline of the humanities as it relates to** **//Of Mice and Men// and its historical context. Possible discipline:** 4th American art of the 1930’s 4th American music of the 1930’s 4th American architecture of the 1930’s 4th American literature of the 1930’s 4th American religious movements of the 1930’s 4th American philosophical movements of the 1930’s

**Our Tools** **Wikispace** Explain how your discipline of the humanities examines the human condition Provide visual and/or audio examples of that discipline Tie your examples to at least one character in the novel **Presentation** Teach our classmates about your discipline of the humanities as it relates to the novel (20 minutes) Include your Wikispace page Field questions from the class **Essay** Choose one of the disciplines of the humanities and relate it to a theme in //Of Mice and Men//.

**Timeline** **January 14**Guidelines Journal: Burden or Dream Guided Reading: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 1 **January 16**Guided Reading: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 1

**January 21**//Wikispace// Assignments Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapters 2-3

**January 23**Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapters 2-3 //Wikispace// Development

**January 27**Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 4 //Wikispace// Development **January 29**Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 5

**January 31**Journal: “To a Mouse” Guided Reading: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 6

**February 4**Presentation Guidelines //Wikispace// Development **February 6**Essay Guidelines //Wikispace// Development

**February 10**Presentation Preparation

**February 12**Partner Sharing: Draft 1 Video: //Of Mice and Men//

**February 14**Video: //Of Mice and Men//

**February 19**Presentations

**February 21**Presentations

**February 25**Final Draft Submitted Project Evaluation Of Hearts and Minds A Study of the Humanities The humanities are academic studies that explore the human condition, particularly “human constructs and concerns” (//Merriam-Webster//). This project will coincide with our reading of John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel //Of Mice and Men//. Set in the era of the Great Depression, the story presents a glimpse of America and its values for that time period. Our task as teams will be to research aspects of the humanities circa 1937 so as to better understand the context of the novel as well as Steinbeck’s view of humanity.

**Our Driving Question: How do the humanities provide us with a deeper understanding of** **the human condition?**

**Our Primary Task: Help our classmates better understand the human condition by** **teaching them about a discipline of the humanities as it relates to** **//Of Mice and Men// and its historical context. Possible discipline:** 1st: American art of the 1930’s 1st: American music of the 1930’s 1st: American architecture of the 1930’s 1st: American literature of the 1930’s 1st: American religious movements of the 1930’s 1st: American philosophical movements of the 1930’s

**Our Tools** **Wikispace** Explain how your discipline of the humanities examines the human condition Provide visual and/or audio examples of that discipline Tie your examples to at least one character in the novel **Presentation** Teach our classmates about your discipline of the humanities as it relates to the novel (20 minutes) Include your Wikispace page Field questions from the class **Essay** Choose one of the disciplines of the humanities and relate it to a theme in //Of Mice and Men//.

**Timeline** **January 14**Guidelines Journal: Burden or Dream Guided Reading: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 1 **January 16**Guided Reading: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 1

**January 21**//Wikispace// Assignments Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapters 2-3

**January 23**Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapters 2-3 //Wikispace// Development

**January 27**Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 4 //Wikispace// Development **January 29**Circle: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 5

**January 31**Journal: “To a Mouse” Guided Reading: //Of Mice and Men// Chapter 6

**February 4**Presentation Guidelines //Wikispace// Development **February 6**Essay Guidelines //Wikispace// Development

**February 10**Presentation Preparation

**February 12**Partner Sharing: Draft 1 Video: //Of Mice and Men//

**February 14**Video: //Of Mice and Men//

**February 19**Presentations

**February 21**Presentations

**February 25**Final Draft Submitted Project Evaluation