Date of Award

Summer 8-15-2024

Document Type

Thesis (Master's)

Department or Program

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

First Advisor

Regine Rosenthal

Second Advisor

Klaus Milich

Third Advisor

Barbara Kreiger

Abstract

This thesis addresses the need for an inclusive, interdisciplinary approach to secondary humanities education in response to contemporary American social polarization and the influence of digital media. Traditional humanities curricula, often centered on a Eurocentric canon, fail to foster critical thinking and empathy in an era of identity politics and algorithm-driven social media. Advocating for a curriculum that integrates diverse cultural narratives and various storytelling mediums, this thesis combines theoretical analysis, pedagogical experimentation, and case studies. Drawing on cultural critics and theorists like bell hooks, Paul Gilroy, and Tricia Rose, the thesis underscores the importance of diverse narratives in education. Exemplary pieces by artists like Kendrick Lamar, Toni Morrison, and the Native Tongues are examined alongside narrative samples from my experience as a humanities teacher in independent secondary schools.

Findings reveal that an interdisciplinary curriculum enhances students' critical thinking and cultural literacy, enabling them to challenge the societal narratives presented in polarizing media. Incorporating diverse forms, such as Ms. Lauryn Hill’s neo-Soul album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill alongside Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, helps students connect different storytelling forms and social contexts to form a nuanced and multidimensional understanding of intersecting identities and their influence on individual experience. This approach makes humanities more relevant to students' lives and prepares them for the complexities of the modern world. Embracing diverse narratives and storytelling forms creates a more equitable, dynamic learning environment. This curriculum addresses the limitations of traditional humanities education and equips students with the tools needed to become informed, empathetic participants in both local and global societies. An interdisciplinary approach is essential for fostering a critically engaged student body capable of bridging societal divides and contributing to meaningful social change.

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