In the upcoming school year, we will offer 12th-grade students the opportunity to choose courses as part of the “The Human Lens – Electives in English”. These courses cover a variety of topics from different fields of knowledge and are offered as part of the mandatory English studies for the matriculation exams.
The courses will take place from Sukot until Hanuka during regular school English hours and will allow for in-depth and meaningful study on a range of subjects. The courses are an integral part of the preparation for the COBE (oral) exteral bagrut exam and the students will be assessed on the course work both orally and in writing. Participation in these courses is mandatory and the grade earned will constitute 30% of the matriculation grade as part of Module G .
We invite you to review the descriptions of the elective courses below.
Ancient and Modern Ideas About Time and Shabbat
Course Overview
This course explores the ideas we have about time, how those ideas impact our lives, and the concept of Shabbat as a different type of time. Students will engage with a range of Jewish, secular, ancient, and modern sources. Learning will take place through texts, podcasts, film, popular media, works of art, museum artifacts, and creative workshops.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze and compare historical, cultural, religious, and contemporary understandings of time using Jewish texts, scholarly works, media, and artistic sources.
- Evaluate the relationship between time, work, technology, attention, and rest, and explain how different systems shape human experiences of time.
- Explain the development, meaning, and practice of Shabbat and other Sabbath traditions across Jewish, Christian, and secular communities.
- Reflect meaningfully on their own ideas and practices related to time, work, and rest.
Assessment
- Classwork and regular engagement
- Reflection journal
- 3 opinion essays
- Project (Design an alternative clock)
- Final assignment (Written and oral components)
Voices for Justice: Human Rights in Israel and the World
Course Overview
“Human Rights in Israel and the World” is an 8-week Grade 12 course that explores the concept, history, and development of human rights both globally and within Israeli society. Students will examine foundational human rights documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and learn about the legal and social systems that protect these rights.
Through historical inquiry, legal analysis, and contemporary case studies, students will analyze key human rights issues in Israel, including those related to minorities, gender equality, and the balance between security and civil liberties. The course emphasizes the role of individuals and governments in upholding human dignity and justice, encouraging students to reflect on their responsibilities as active citizens and emerging leaders in an interconnected world.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the evolution and application of human rights principles.
- Critically evaluate human rights issues in Israel and around the world.
- Identify the tensions between security, identity, and civil liberties.
- Recognize the roles individuals and governments play in shaping justice.
- Develop informed, meaningful ways to engage in human rights advocacy.
Assessment
- Classwork & Daily Engagement
- The Human Rights Case Study (Written Component)
- The Class Presentation (Oral Component)
- Reflective Assessment
Sexy Syntax: The Story of English
Course Overview
Did you know the Oxford English Dictionary was partly created through contributions from a Victorian mental institution patient? Or that many modern grammar rules were invented only a few hundred years ago? This 8-week course explores the history of the English language, focusing on grammar, syntax, and lexicography. Students will investigate how English evolved from Germanic roots into a global lingua franca and evaluate how technology and AI affect literacy today.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify major stages in the historical development of the English language.
- Explain how English grammar and sentence structure have evolved over time.
- Recognize the social, cultural, and political forces that influence language change.
Assessment
- Class reflection journals (in-class writing assignments)
- Active participation in class discussions
- Short presentation project
- Final project essay
About Pills, Patents & Patients: A Glimpse at the Pharmaceutical Industry
Course Overview
This course takes a look behind the scenes of prescription medicine. Students will learn about clinical trial phases, drug approval processes, and how physicians weigh safety, efficacy, side effects, compliance, and resistance. Guest speakers and senior managers from pharmaceutical companies will share insights on drug development, marketing, product promotion, bioethics, and generic drugs. The course includes a site visit to a biotech company on Givat Ram led by a Leyada graduate CEO.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Trace the journey of a therapeutic molecule from laboratory discovery to the pharmacy shelf.
- Appreciate how cutting-edge biology and chemistry merge with economics, marketing, and global logistics.
- Comprehend the vital role of safety protocols, clinical trials, and government regulation in public health.
- Recognize diverse professional opportunities within the industry, including research, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and bioethics.
Assessment
- Class attendance and active participation
- Completion of regular reading and writing assignments
- Final presentation of course learning
Image & Ink: The Transformation of Visual Art to Words
Course Overview
This course explores the art of ekphrasis—bringing visual art to life through written words. Students will analyze classical examples of art and study the poetry, prose, and songs these pieces inspired. Spanning Ancient Greece and Rome, the European Renaissance, and the Romantic and Early Modern eras, students will trace the influence of art on Western culture. Through creative writing, class discussions, hands-on projects, and a museum visit, students will develop their own ekphrastic responses.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Recognize and define ekphrasis in historical and modern contexts.
- Analyze the relationship between a visual artwork and the literature or music it inspires.
- Compare artistic interpretations across countries, genres, and time periods.
- Create original ekphrastic works, both visual and written, that show critical and creative engagement.
Assessment
- Active participation in class discussions and art projects
- Creative Writing Notebook
- Comparative Research Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Written Reflection
Memoirs of Leaving and Becoming: Transitions to and from Judaism and/or Orthodoxy
Course Overview
What does it mean to live deeply within a traditional religious community—and what does it take to leave it? In this course, students will explore the lived experiences of diverse religious lifestyles, focusing on ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, conversion to Judaism, and individuals who choose to leave traditional lifestyles. Through memoirs, personal accounts, interviews, and cultural exploration, students will gain insight into the values and dynamics of religious transitions.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop a nuanced understanding of diverse Jewish religious lifestyles.
- Explore the personal, psychological, and social dynamics of religious transitions within Judaism.
- Critically analyze Jewish memoirs and personal narrative accounts.
- Compare lived experiences with contemporary media portrayals.
- Engage directly with real-world voices and support networks.
Assessment
- In-class Journal Writing
- Class Participation and Attendance
- Final Reflective Writing Task
Food, Facts and Fun: Food Culture, Ethnicity, and Identity
Course Overview
Food is more than sustenance; it is a living archive of human migration, resilience, and identity. This course explores how ethnic identities are preserved through culinary traditions, with a focus on Israel’s diverse multicultural melting pot. Students will study culinary history, expand relevant vocabulary, explore accidental food inventions, participate in baking/cooking workshops, visit local markets, and volunteer at community food organizations.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in vocabulary and articles related to cuisine, food culture, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Explain the origins and cultural significance of various traditional Israeli and global foods.
- Understand culinary production processes through hands-on baking and food workshops.
- Analyze the societal role of food banks and community relief organizations.
- Present independent research on a culinary topic of personal or cultural interest.
Assessment
- Reflection Journals (collected and graded after each workshop/outing)
- Oral Presentations (on ethnic food heritage or accidental food inventions)
- Essay Writing (2 short essays connected to course topics)
AI and Language: What Makes Us Human?
Course Overview
“AI and Language: What Makes Us Human?” uses modern technology to examine human identity. Starting with foundational AI concepts and the Turing Test, students investigate how Large Language Models (LLMs) simulate human communication. Through debates, chatbot experiments, and creative writing, students will explore the boundary between algorithmic prediction and authentic expression to identify what makes their own writing uniquely human.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain how modern Large Language Models (LLMs) function.
- Define fundamental differences between human language processing and LLMs.
- Analyze literary texts generated by AI in comparison to human literature.
- Compose creative writing pieces that emphasize uniquely human traits.
- Discuss the ethical pros and cons of relying on LLMs for writing.
Assessment
- Active class participation and weekly reflection logs
- “What Makes Us Human?” analytical essay
- Portfolio of short creative writing pieces
- Final Presentation (2-minute oral pitch of main essay idea)
Who Influences Whom? Society, Media, and the Stories We Tell
Course Overview
Do the stories we see, hear, and read shape society, or does society shape the stories we tell? In this course, we will explore how literature, television, film, music, news media, and social media influence the way we think about beauty, success, truth, values, and identity. Using the ideas of Plato and Aristotle, we will examine how stories represent reality and how they can shape beliefs and behavior. We will look at different time periods and forms of media to see how they reflected the hopes, fears, values, and prejudices of society. We will investigate the role of social media today, exploring algorithms, echo chambers, misinformation, and fake news.
By the end of the course, students will be better equipped to think critically about the messages they encounter every day and to answer one of the most important questions of our time: Who really controls the story?
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand Plato’s and Aristotle’s definitions of mimesis and diegesis in storytelling.
- Evaluate how literature, television shows, and songs reflect society, shape society, or do both.
- Recognize how social media platforms shape perceptions of reality and identity.
- Analyze the impact of algorithms, echo chambers, and filter bubbles on social media.
- Identify the use of logical fallacy and bias in news and social media.
- Identify underlying assumptions, values, and biases in media messages.
Assessment
- Participation in class discussions
- Attendance
- In-class written tasks and assignments
- Final Project/Essay