Jenessa Gonzalez
Staff Writer
For the first time in 35 years, the course that allowed students to connect history and literature together is no longer available.
English/History block was a class for sophomores and was taught by history teacher Bill Fauver and creative writing teacher Wendy Thornton (no longer teaching at Mira Costa).
“I loved this class it was definitely one of my favorite experiences at Costa. It was a different way of learning, had amazing teachers, and got you really close with your classmates,” said junior Alexa Petri. “I think it was a bad choice to drop the class because sophomores this year aren’t going to get a chance at this unique way of learning.”
After Thornton resigned to work in another school district, creative writing teacher Shannon Vaughan was assigned to be the English teacher for the class. Do to unavailable classrooms she declined the position. As a result, the course was forced to be dismissed.
“I do think it is a shame that the class was dropped because it was taught by two teachers who loved what they taught and it was a fun class and probably my most helpful class yet in high school,” junior Ollie Saltzman said.
One of the many reasons why this course was a favorite among students was the combining of the two subjects and how thriving the class was. According to the students that took block, their peers missed out on the enriching experience that made the two subjects easier and better to learn together.
“It was beneficial because by studying english and history together, you could better understand both subjects,” junior Brenna Ritchey said. The teachers always made sure that their lessons overlapped with one another so you weren’t getting two completely different lessons.”
Many students that were previously a part of the class not only thought the idea of combining the two subjects was beneficial; also thought the activities, such as field trips, helped them further grasp a sense of the subjects they discussed in class.
“We [students] went to the movies and saw Les Miserables. It was beautiful and really helped me capture what it was like during that horrible time,” said junior Brittany Dean. “I was able to understand the historical references in the film and why the writer of Les Mis wrote it due to the background knowledge we learned in English before seeing the film.”
Not only are students disappointed by the fact English/History block is no longer available, but teachers are saddened by the course not being able to help students appreciate the importance of the two subjects.
There were two great benefits to it [English/History block],” said Fauver. “One, I think it enriched the content of both classes. In other words, you understand history more deeply if you directly understand the literature more deeply.”
As of next year, it is undetermined whether or not the course will be available to incoming sophomores, however many students and teachers favor the idea of having English/History block be taught again.
“My understanding of the course was the interconnectedness of the two disciplines,” said
vice principal Ian Drummond. “In order for the block to work, it had to have a good partnership.”
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