In August 2021, Antonia Moran and fellow Upper School educators at the Episcopal School of Dallas launched a student group called the Interdisciplinary Humanities Club (IHUM). It was inspired by WIF’s work to promote and preserve the legacy of Beauford Delaney and the projects and programs we organize through the ETBP Cultural Awareness Program.
Now that summer vacation is here, Moran and her colleagues are evaluating the club’s first year of activity and planning for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Thirteen female and seven male students are members of the club. Eight students were sophomores and twelve were juniors last year. Five of them identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).
IHUM met nine times over the course of the 2021-2022 school year. Students joined various committees, and some of them served as “liaisons” for these committees.
Each committee (listed below) took turns presenting to the club, teaching members about the following:
- Literature (focus on James Baldwin)
- Visual Arts (focus on Beauford Delaney)
- Performing Arts (Mid-20th Century Focus)
- Language (French)
- History (Mid-20th century France and U.S.)
There is also a Communications committee, which is responsible for external communications about club activities.
I had the pleasure of interacting with the students and faculty during a Zoom call on April 11. The students asked many insightful questions and the faculty advisors asked several as well. The hour went by quickly, and Moran later shared that the students were so excited and inspired by our interaction that they “raved about the experience as they left the room.”
Zoom conference with IHUM students and faculty advisors
Moran told me that enthusiasm for the club increased because of this call:
“I’ve seen students struck with wonder, amazement, and excitement in the club — this is food for the soul, especially in such trying times …
“Interacting with you truly brought this topic to life, and hearing about your work was inspiring. An end of year comment included “Best club ever,” and I suspect in large part it is because of you.”
Six educators (two of whom identify as BIPOC) work with IHUM students, and they are excited about the club as well. Upper School English Teacher Heather Cernoch says:
“I’ve wanted to create a club like this one at ESD for years; it’s the kind of club I would have joined myself in high school! It makes me smile when I think about how it all came together—it started with just casual conversation among beloved colleagues but bloomed into creating a mission and recruiting members.
“Our members are empowered to embrace their interests in the humanities, find connections among their courses, develop committees, and learn independently. In many ways, it mimics the college experience. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished!”
Upper School French and Arabic Teacher Laila Kharrat comments on the club as follows:
“As a French teacher with a Master’s Degree in French literature, culture, and civilization, I hope to contribute my knowledge of French literature, art, music, culture, and history to the club. I also hope to share my deep knowledge of the city of Paris, which I have visited over a dozen times (sometimes up to one month at a time). I enjoy brainstorming with the group and am inspired by generating and sharing ideas that help strengthen our knowledge base.
“[IHUM] has brought together members of our community with a diverse range of knowledge, talents, and interests. It is uniquely positioned to provide an interdisciplinary experience that is unmatched at the school. The faculty include teachers of English, French, Arabic, and art, among other disciplines, while the students have demonstrated a deep passion for literature, music, art, history, language, and culture. As a result, the members of the club have shared a deeply meaningful and powerful experience together. We are inspired to continue this work into the future!”
James Baldwin (left) and Beauford Delaney (right)
Photos by Carl Van Vechten
Moran’s enthusiasm for the future of the program is palpable:
“The club is a new space for students interested not only in interdisciplinary work, but also in learning about the multi-faceted elements that comprise Paris. Diving into your work, your illumination of those artists and voices that one does not tend to hear about in connection with Paris, has been a treasure trove of richness that adds to our understanding of what makes Paris great.
“I lived and worked in Paris for 3 years, and have visited on several other occasions over the years, but this club has already deepened my understanding of the city and its riches. Seeing the students’ engagement has been fulfilling, and I feel like we are learning and enriching our understanding together as we teach each other. It’s been a very collaborative experience and incredible and uplifting to see so many students’ eyes opened and interests set aflame.
“Our next plan is to deepen our understanding of this initial work — to dive into your blog posts in order to learn more on a deeper level. I am hoping we will do some sort of presentation to the school next year. Also, I’m looking for ways the members could include some aspect of this work in the school’s literary magazine.”
