Class Calendar Length
Year Long
Grade Levels
11, 12
Prerequisites
None
Seats Available
6
Class Schedule
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 1:35 to 2:25 pm
Course Summary
This interdisciplinary course investigates the powerful role of literature as a catalyst for social justice and American movements for change. From the Harlem Renaissance to Native American liberation and the struggle for women’s rights, students will analyze how authors have used the written word to challenge oppression and ignite revolution. By merging literary analysis with historical inquiry and media literacy, participants will explore the intersection of art and activism, culminating in the creation of their own advocacy-based media, such as podcasts or zines, to address modern social issues.
Key Outcomes
- Analyze the historical context of major American resistance movements through literature.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different literary techniques in social advocacy.
- Produce and publish a modern advocacy media project (podcast or zine).
Mass. State Standards
- RL.11-12.1–10: Reading Literature (Analyzing techniques for advocacy)
- W.11-12.1–10: Writing (Independent research and advocacy media creation)
- SL.11-12.1–6: Speaking & Listening (Discourse-based inquiry and evidence-based discussion)
About the Instructor
Dorsey Glew is a humanities educator at Holland Tech in the Boston Public Schools, where she has taught since 2024. She holds a double major in History and Music from Barnard College and a Master’s in Social Studies Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Ms. Glew is known for her interdisciplinary teaching style, blending her deep knowledge of historical movements with her passion for the arts to help students see the connections between literature and social justice. Born and raised in Boston’s South End, she is dedicated to empowering her students to use their creative voices to advocate for a better future.