Humanities
ENGLISH
Writing and critical reading are essential elements of the English curriculum. In the junior and senior years, students choose from courses that emphasize college-level analysis and writing. Students who are not native English speakers take regular English classes along with any necessary ELL courses.
Juniors and seniors choose one 11/12 course per semester.
2022-2023 English Courses
- Literary Studies
- Global Literature
- Place-Based American Studies (open to juniors, replaces U.S. History and 2 11/12 English courses) 🌱
- English 11/12: Environmental Literature: Place Based (Fall) 🌱
- English 11/12: Expository and Creative Nonfiction: Writing Intensive (Fall)
- English 11/12: Foundations of Literary Theory (Fall)
- English 11/12: Multicultural American Literature (Fall)
- English 11/12: Shakespeare Post-1600 (Fall)
- English 11/12: American Literature (Spring)
- English 11/12: British Literature (Spring)
- English 11/12: Fiction, Drama, & Poetry: Writing Intensive (Spring)
- English 11/12: Gothic Literature (Spring)
- English 11/12: Modern and Contemporary Literature and Philosophy (Spring)
Literary Studies
Global Literature
Place-Based American Studies (open to juniors, replaces U.S. History and 2 11/12 English courses) 🌱
English 11/12: Environmental Literature: Place Based (Fall) 🌱
English 11/12: Expository and Creative Nonfiction: Writing Intensive (Fall)
English 11/12: Foundations of Literary Theory (Fall)
English 11/12: Multicultural American Literature (Fall)
English 11/12: Shakespeare Post-1600 (Fall)
English 11/12: American Literature (Spring)
English 11/12: British Literature (Spring)
English 11/12: Fiction, Drama, & Poetry: Writing Intensive (Spring)
English 11/12: Gothic Literature (Spring)
English 11/12: Modern and Contemporary Literature and Philosophy (Spring)
English Language Learner (ELL) is offered as needed.
🌱 fulfills a Cumberland Scholars requirement
HISTORY
Students are required to complete Historical Studies, Global Studies, and U.S. History or Place-Based American Studies before graduation. Classes make extensive use of original documents. Regular analytical writing assignments include document-based essays. In History 10, students learn how to draw a map of the world and participate in simulation-based learning. U.S. History students complete a major research paper in the second semester. One-semester electives available to juniors and seniors involve a significant number of analytical papers and other writing assignments and use original documents, anthologies, and film in exploring the course topics.
2022-2023 History Courses
- Historical Studies
- Global History
- Place-Based American Studies (replaces U.S. History, open to juniors only) 🌱
- U.S. History
- Southern Appalachian History (Fall) 🌱
- East Asian Studies (Spring)
Historical Studies
Global History
Place-Based American Studies (replaces U.S. History, open to juniors only) 🌱
U.S. History
Southern Appalachian History (Fall) 🌱
East Asian Studies (Spring)
🌱 fulfills a Cumberland Scholars requirement
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Prior to graduating, seniors explore religion as a phenomenon common to humanity and develop tools for the study of any religious tradition. They learn language and method for theological thinking with particular emphasis on the religions birthed of the Abrahamic tradition. Through seminars, essay writing, and research projects, students reflect on the theoretical material presented. At the conclusion of the course, each student articulates a personal creedal statement in light of a full year's experience examining the phenomenon of religion.
2022-2023 Religion Courses
In addition to Introduction to Religious Studies, SAS offers elective opportunities for Bible study, and baptism and confirmation preparation..
Humanities Faculty

Malia Carlos
Class of 1987
Titles:
Fort Chair in Writing, Humanities Department Co-Chair, 10th Grade Level Program Lead, Mind*Body*Exercise
Degrees:
B.A. English, Tufts University
M.Ed. English Education, University of Massachusetts
M.F.A. Poetry, New England College
M.Ed. English Education, University of Massachusetts
M.F.A. Poetry, New England College
Email:

Kinion Asmus
Titles:
Humanities, Art History, 8th Grade Class Coordinator, Textile Arts, Adventure Cycling, Literary Magazine
Degrees:
B.A., Sewanee: The University of the South
M.A., Bowling Green State University
M.A., Bowling Green State University
Email:

Barry Dillon
Titles:
Humanities
Degrees:
M.Div., Emory University 2005
R.B.A., Bluefield State College 2002
R.B.A., Bluefield State College 2002
Email:

Nicholas Ercole
Titles:
Humanities, Assistant Boys' Varsity Basketball Coach
Degrees:
Ph.D., American University 2016
M.A., American University 2009
B.A., George Mason University 2006
M.A., American University 2009
B.A., George Mason University 2006
Email:

Cameron Helvey
Titles:
Dean of Students, History Teacher
Degrees:
M.A., Columbia University Teachers College
B.A., Brigham Young University
B.A., Brigham Young University
Email:

Tracy Randolph
Titles:
Humanities, Writing Center, Conduct Council
Degrees:
B.S. Public Relations, Middle Tennessee State University
M.Ed., Peabody College, Vanderbilt University
M.Ed., Peabody College, Vanderbilt University
Email:

Michael Short
Titles:
Outdoor Education & Place-Based Learning Coordinator, Humanities, Mountain Biking (Co-Head), Outdoor Adventure, 6th Grade Level Program Lead, Residential Faculty
Degrees:
B.A. English and Environmental Studies, Furman University
M.Ed. English Language Arts, Wake Forest University
M.Ed. English Language Arts, Wake Forest University
Email:

Molly Short
Titles:
Chaplain, Residential Faculty, A.O.D (Thursday), Religion & Ethics
Degrees:
B.S. Earth and Environmental Studies, Furman University
M.Div., Duke Divinity School
D.A.S., The School of Theology, The University of the South
M.Div., Duke Divinity School
D.A.S., The School of Theology, The University of the South
Email:
Did you know that Sewanee is home to America’s oldest continuously published literary quarterly? The Sewanee Review was founded in 1872 and established Sewanee as a hub for literary activity. The Sewanee Review, the Sewanee Writers' Conference, the Sewanee Young Writers' Conference, and the Sewanee School of Letters bring writers to the Mountain throughout the year for engaging lectures, talks, and workshops.