From April 10th to 14th, the long-awaited Humanities and Social Sciences Week finally began. Despite a one-year postponement due to the pandemic, students and teachers’ enthusiasm for the upcoming activities remained strong.
SCIE has a long history of holding Humanities and Social Sciences Week annually, encouraging students to share their passion for the subjects and allowing the whole school community to be amazed by their diversity and depth.
This year, both Humanities and Social Sciences were incorporated into the name, broadening the range ofsubjects from traditional humanities like history and geography to modern social sciences such as economics, sociology, and psychology.
From April 10th to 14th, the long-awaited Humanities and Social Sciences Week finally began. Despite a one-year postponement due to the pandemic, students and teachers’ enthusiasm for the upcoming activities remained strong.
SCIE has a long history of holding Humanities and Social Sciences Week annually, encouraging students to share their passion for the subjects and allowing the whole school community to be amazed by their diversity and depth.
This year, both Humanities and Social Sciences were incorporated into the name, broadening the range ofsubjects from traditional humanities like history and geography to modern social sciences such as economics, sociology, and psychology. I still remember my experience in G1 when social sciences were completely unfamiliar to me, yet I was deeply intrigued by the seminars and exhibition boards prepared by senior students during Humanities Week. This ignited my newfound curiosity for this area of study. Two years later, I am thrilled to be organizing and participating in Humanities and Social Sciences Week, bringing seemingly monotonous knowledge and books to life in an engaging manner.
Centered around the theme of Inequality, students and teachers from the faculty organized a plethora of intriguing activities that nourished students’ interests in humanities and social sciences. Here is a comprehensive list of all activities：
- Psychology G&T: Implicit Bias Test
- Psychology G&T: Interpretations of Stories
- Creative Writing Seminar
- Sociology G&T: Gender Inequality Discussion
- Global Perspective Exhibition
- Money Poster Exhibition
- History talk: British Industrialization
- The Price of Inequality
- Teacher Debate: Should universities cap the admission of foreign students?
- Student Debate: Should societies strive for equality?
- Expressive Art
- Keynote from Professor Lee Elliot Major: Social mobility
- Pad Drawing
- Library Treasure Hunt
- History Kahoot Quiz
- Inequality Wall
In the Sociology G&T class, Rosie, Ashley, and Susan enlightened us on the topic of gender inequality through a discussion session.
Period shame, male gaze, and objectification of the female body are terms often heard in conversations about gender inequalities and feminism, but it was only after this session that I fully understood the meanings and profound impacts behind these phrases. It provided a safe and respectful space to openly discuss our past experiences and thoughts on gender discrimination, proving both therapeutic and inspiring.
One particularly thought-provoking point was that society often views women’s bodies not in the period as the “standard body” suitable for all activities, limiting opportunities for women. I recalled my hesitation before attending an IA hiking and camping trip when my period arrived on the departure day. I am glad I chose to go on the trip, enjoying it without much impact from my period. This session inspired me to be more confident in my body and to encourage other females not to limit their dreams simply by gender.
Alicia and Sharon also extended the call for destigmatizing periods by initiating the Pad Project art exhibition. Students could paint on disclosed pads, leave encouraging comments on bulletin boards, and sign their names on T-shirts. This creative activity drew participants’ attention to menstrual equity, which would significantly improve women’s health and rights.
On Wednesday afternoon, the exciting Teacher Debate took place. The topic—whether universities should cap the admission of foreign students—was highly relevant to SCIE students as prospective undergrads abroad. The theater was filled with engaged audience members as the first debater, Mr. Andrew Smith, delivered a logical and steady speech. Speakers presented their opinions in a blend of personal stories and academic discussions, culminating in Ms. Tatum’s concise and clear sociological argument that resonated with the audience.
As I looked around the theater, I saw hundreds of faces captivated by the speakers. Initially, the silence seemed like boredom rather than engagement. However, when thunderous applause erupted, I knew the debate had achieved its purpose.
To explore the theme of social inequality in greater depth, students in the G&T class invited Professor Lee Elliot Major to be the guest speaker on Thursday afternoon. A month ago, I nervously clicked the ‘send’ button on the email, unsure of what to expect. To my surprise, a rigorous discussion unfolded in SCIE.
With patience and composure, Prof. Major explained the role of schools and universities in improving social mobility in a post-pandemic world. Beyond his academic expertise, he shared his personal journey as a working-class student and the challenges of climbing the social ladder. This experience fueled his passion for helping students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, leading him to advocate for reforms like the UCAS system. His presence transcended a mere academic lecture, offering insights that students our age rarely conceive.
From exploring gender inequality to engaging in thought-provoking debates on educational inequalities, the week provided a platform for students and faculty members to share their passion, knowledge, and experiences about humanities and social sciences. Overall, the week served as an eye-opening and enriching experience for the SCIE community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of humanities and social sciences.
