Humane Letters Diploma Program

The Humane Letters Diploma Program allows students to earn Scriptorium’s Humane Letters Diploma upon successful completion of their humanities courses (writing, the four-year history and literature sequence, government, and fine arts) through Scriptorium Hall. The required courses are:

  • Writing I: Grammar & Composition, Writing II: Progymnasmata and Writing III: Logic & Persuasion — These foundational writing courses include formal instruction in writing essays using classical rhetorical forms and in grammar, logic, and close reading skills. The courses are open to students in grades 6-12 and fifth-grade students with strong reading abilities. Depending on ability, students may be able to enter Writing III directly; however, Writing III is pre-requisite for the tutorial portion of all other Scriptorium courses.
  • The four-year history and literature sequence with writing tutorial option (see below) covers Western Civilization and American history. History and literature courses cover the same time period so that students form an understanding of historical events and cultural developments in their historical context. Students are strongly encouraged to begin with Ancients and progress through to Medievals, United States, and Moderns in that order; chronology is fundamental to the understanding of history, and all subsequent courses are based on knowledge acquired in the previous courses. Only two textbooks (one for economics and McClay’s Land of Hope for U.S. History) are used — all other readings are primary sources  written by people who lived during the time being studied. All history and literature courses strengthen students’ writing skills.
  • Fine Arts provides a survey of the art and music of Western Civilization.
  • Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, with Writing Tutorial, provides a survey of the political and economic ideas developed throughout Western Civilization.
  • Graduating seniors take Writing IV: Rhetoric & Senior Thesis.
  • Graduating seniors sit Humane Letters Moderations (comprehensive exams for history/philosophy and literature/arts; viva voce or timed written) at the close of Trinity Term.

SCHOLARSHIP

A small scholarship will be available for rising upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) who:

  • are on schedule to complete the Diploma Program
  • present their signed intent to complete the Diploma Program
  • and have sat the essay requirement for the scholarship in Trinity Term of their sophomore year

NOTES

  • NB: This program is developed only by Scriptorium Hall. It is not associated with or approved by any external organization. The Humane Letters Diploma Program is simply intended to provide students a clear and thorough course of study in the humanities and to recognize their work for completing it.
  • The Diploma Program is open to any student willing to study its curriculum diligently. The primary benefits of the program are intangible. Students not willing to apply themselves and to think deeply about complex ideas are not suited to the program.
  • Students can begin the program with Writing I as early as 5th grade; however, the latest a student can begin and complete the program is during his 10th-grade academic year – and this will require one summer’s study. All Diploma Program students must take Writing IV: Rhetoric and Senior Thesis during the year they will graduate from high school and sit Humane Letters Moderations at the end of Trinity Term of the year they will graduate from high school.
  • Writing III is pre-requisite for all other Diploma Program courses. Writing I may be taken by students in 5th grade and above; Writing II may be taken by students in 6th grade and above; Writing III may be taken by students in 7th grade and above.
  • History and literature courses may be offered in rotation: not every course is offered every year.
  • Beyond regular tuition, there is no additional cost to participate in the Diploma Program. Returning students are eligible for the Seniority/Returning Student discount (up to $100 in their final year), and students who meet the requirements for the Diploma Program Scholarship may receive it in their junior and senior years. Please see Tuition, Terms, and Conditions for information about regular tuition.
  • For families following the Tennessee state requirements for high school credits, the Diploma Program covers a total of 11 credits: 4 English credits, 3 Social Studies credits, 3 elective credits, and 1 Fine Arts credit. Please note that Philosophy, Politics & Economics does not include the state-required personal finance 0.5 credit, although information covered in the course will be useful for personal finance.
  • **Students can only be deemed to have completed the Diploma Program if [1] they have taken the writing tutorial portion for all applicable courses; [2] they have earned a satis or better for each course; and [3] they have passed their Humane Letters Moderations. A student who has not completed all major writing assignments for the writing tutorial cannot count that course toward the Diploma Program. A student receiving a grade of non satis for a course has not completed the course successfully and may not count that course toward completion of the Diploma Program.**
  • Graduates receive the Humane Letters Diploma plaque and medal.
  • Please contact the tutor if you are interested.

EXAMPLE SCHEDULES FOR COMPLETING THE DIPLOMA PROGRAM

Beginning in middle school:

  • 6th, 7th & 8th grade
    • Writing I, II, and III
  • 9th grade
    • Ancient History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Ancient Literature, with Writing Tutorial
  • 10th grade
    • Medieval History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Medieval Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, with Writing Tutorial
  • 11th grade
    • United States History, with Writing Tutorial
    • British Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Fine Arts
  • 12th grade
    • Modern History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Modern Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Writing IV: Rhetoric and Senior Thesis
    • Humane Letters Moderations at end of Trinity Term

Beginning in 9th grade (Prerequisite: Writing I and II skills or take Writing I/II as summer course):

  • 9th grade
    • Writing III: Logic & Persuasion Supplement for Ancient History and Ancient Literature
    • Ancient History, with Writing Tutorial (must be taken at the same time as the Writing III Supplement)
    • Ancient Literature, with Writing Tutorial (must be taken at the same time as the Writing III Supplement)
  • 10th grade
    • Medieval History
    • Medieval Literature
    • Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • 11th grade
    • United States History
    • British Literature
    • Fine Arts
  • 12th grade
    • Modern History
    • Modern Literature
    • Writing IV: Rhetoric and Senior Thesis
    • Humane Letters Moderations at end of Trinity Term

Beginning Summer following 9th grade (Prerequisite: Writing III skills):

  • Summer following 9th grade
    • Ancient History, with Writing Tutorial ABBREVIATED – 10-weeks study
    • Ancient Literature, with Writing Tutorial ABBREVIATED – 10-weeks study
  • 10th grade
    • Medieval History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Medieval Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Philosophy, Politics & Economics, with Writing Tutorial
  • 11th grade
    • United States History, with Writing Tutorial
    • British Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Fine Arts
  • 12th grade
    • Modern History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Modern Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Writing IV: Rhetoric and Senior Thesis
    • Humane Letters Moderations at end of Trinity Term

Beginning in 10th grade (Prerequisite: Writing III skills):

  • 10th grade
    • Ancient History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Ancient Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Politics, Philosophy & Economics, with Writing Tutorial
  • Summer following 10th grade
    • Medieval History, with Writing Tutorial ABBREVIATED – 10-weeks study
    • Medieval Literature, with Writing Tutorial ABBREVIATED – 10-weeks study
  • 11th grade
    • United States History, with Writing Tutorial
    • British Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Fine Arts
  • 12th grade
    • Modern History, with Writing Tutorial
    • Modern Literature, with Writing Tutorial
    • Writing IV: Rhetoric and Senior Thesis
    • Humane Letters Moderations at end of Trinity Term