What is beauty?
What would a beautiful and humane world look like?
What must we do to create such a world?
“Reality has proven that anything aligned with objective laws, bringing benefits to life and resonating with human values, will always be recognized by the community. Conversely, anything that goes against these principles will be eliminated.”
This is also the core philosophy of the Social Sciences and Humanities subject that students have embraced and applied during the Grade 12 Literature Project titled “The World as I Wish.” This academic project marks the culmination of a three-year journey exploring and discovering the three most essential spiritual values: Truth – Goodness – Beauty.
The Social Sciences and Humanities subject is regarded as a unique “specialty” at The Dewey Schools, where TDSers not only explore the multidimensional beauty of literature but also create profound connections between knowledge, emotions, and life. This approach helps students gain a genuine and meaningful understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them.
Through the project, TDSers had the opportunity to explore and develop their abilities in various roles, such as directors, scriptwriters, actors, cinematographers, and editors for music videos and promotional TVCs. They transformed into artists with unique, artistic brushstrokes and materials in their paintings or unleashed their creativity through trendy yet meaningful handbag designs. Each product reflects a vibrant slice of the world they dream of – a world filled with hope for a better future where the values of Truth – Goodness – Beauty are awakened and spread.
Châu Anh, a 12Detroit student, whose artwork won the “Best Painting” award in the Grade 12 Literature Project, shared emotionally: “When I first entered high school, I was a very different person from who I am today. Completing this painting and participating in this project helped me realize how much I have grown. I feel like a much better version of myself compared to three years ago. At the same time, I have gained a deeper understanding of the value of everything happening around me, from the school, the subjects, to the invaluable experiences. All of these have shaped me into a new person, much like the meaning behind my painting – the rebirth of the phoenix.”
The Social Sciences and Humanities subject is a journey that enables each student to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, humanity, and society. More than just a subject, it serves as a bridge between knowledge and life, guiding students to live truthfully, beautifully, and meaningfully. The project presentation also provided an opportunity for Dewey’s senior students to reflect on their remarkable and magical journey of literary exploration.
Although the project has concluded, the values instilled through the Social Sciences and Humanities subject will continue to accompany students on their path to maturity. This is the invaluable foundation that Grade 12 TDSers carry with them as they work toward creating “the world as I wish.”
