Island School Humanities
  • Home
  • MYP 1
    • 1. The Universe & Earth >
      • 1. Where did our Universe and Earth come from? >
        • 1. What is the Universe?
        • 2. How Big, Far, Hot, and Old is the Universe?
        • 3. What are Ultimate Questions?
      • 2. What are origin stories?
      • 3. What is the Christian origin story?
      • 4. How did the scientific origin story develop?
      • 5. How do theories become accepted? >
        • 1. Charles Darwin and Evolution
        • 2. Alfred Wegener and Plate Tectonics
      • 6. Can religion and science co-exist?
      • 7. Assessment: Personal beliefs on creation
      • 8. Reflection: Changing Beliefs
    • 2. Natural Systems >
      • 1. How did early humans adapt to natural systems?
      • 2. How did farming help early human societies?
      • 3. What are natural systems?
      • 4. How do tropical rainforest systems work?
      • 5. How does farming affect natural systems in rainforests?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can rainforests be used in a sustainable way?
      • 8. Reflection: The future of natural systems
    • 3. Ancient Civilisations >
      • 1. What are Ancient Civilisations?
      • 2. How and why do civilisations rise and fall?
      • 3. How successful were the Greeks?
      • 4. How successful were the Chinese?
      • 5. How successful were the Aztecs?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Ancient Civilisations Presentation
      • 8. Reflection: What is the legacy of Ancient Civilisations?
    • 4. Conflict and Crusade >
      • 1. What are the core beliefs of Christianity?
      • 2. What are the core beliefs of Islam?
      • 3. What do world religions teach about conflict?
      • 4. Was religion the main cause of the crusades?
      • 5. What did Muslims think about the Crusades?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Does religion cause conflict?
      • 8. Reflection: Can religion help end conflict?
    • 5. Island Learning - What's MY Hong Kong? >
      • 1. What is the cultural identity of Hong Kong?
      • 2. What is tourism?
      • 3. Where is tourism in Hong Kong located?
      • 4 - 6. Designing Graphics
      • 7-8. Assessment 1: Tourist Attractions in Sha Tin
      • 9-10. Assessment 2: Planning the Fieldtrip
      • 11. Assessment 2: Creating the Brochure
      • 12-14. Developing Design Skills
      • 15. Assessment 2: Designing the Icons
      • 16. Reflection: What have we learnt about HK?
    • Further Reading
  • MYP 2
    • 1. Significance & Symbolism >
      • 1. What and where was the Renaissance?
      • 2. What influenced artists in the Renaissance?
      • 3. Who was the ultimate Renaissance 'artist'?
      • 4. How does culture express time and place?
      • 5-7. Assessment: Artists, Culture & Expression
      • 8. Reflection: How is my own culture expressed?
    • 2. Trade & Exchange >
      • 1. Why do people explore?
      • 2. What is the impact of exploration?
      • 3. How was trade unequal in the past?
      • 4. How does trade and exchange work today?
      • 5. Is the global trade of chocolate fair?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How does fair trade reduce inequalities?
      • 8. Reflection: How can I make trade fairer?
    • 3. Diversity & Change >
      • 1. What is cultural diversity?
      • 2. How did beliefs differ in pre-Colonial Hong Kong?
      • 3. How did the British change Hong Kong's culture?
      • 4. What can we learn about culture from the local area?
      • 5. How does globalisation influence culture today?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How cultural diverse are Hong Kong neighborhoods?
      • 8. Reflection: Should we preserve cultural diversity?
    • 4. Sustainability & Society >
      • 1. Why is urbanisation a problem?
      • 2. How can we research solutions?
      • 3. What have we found out about our issue?
      • 4. How could Hong Kong be more sustainable?
      • 5. What is our solution to the issue?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can we share our learning?
      • 8. Reflection: Can Hong Kong change?
  • Futures
    • Elements >
      • Big History Project
      • Freakonomics
      • History: Film, Food and Fashion
      • Law
      • Mundo Geographico
      • Philosophy at the Movies
      • Run Your Own Business
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      • Urban Survival
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    • Escape
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    • Geography
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    • History
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    • Psychology
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    • Model United Nations
    • TED-Ed Club >
      • Part 1 - Discover >
        • 1. Tell us who you are
        • 2. Discover great ideas
        • 3. Learn the art of feedback
        • 4. Identify your ideas
      • Part 2 - Develop >
        • 5. Build your throughline
        • 6. Plan your talk arc
        • 7. Research and support your idea
        • 8. Write your script
        • 9. Make it visual
        • 10. Say your talk out loud
      • Part 3 - Share >
        • 11. Practice, Edit, Practice
        • 12. Present your final rehearsal
        • 13. Record the talk
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1. Significance & Symbolism

Unit Outline


World cultures and civilisations change. But it isn't always wars and other cataclysmic events that cause this. Sometimes, new ideas and ways of thinking have the power to change the world. Examining the symbolism of cultures can therefore tell us alot about how ideas and values change over time.
​

The European Renaissance starting in the 14th century, is a classic example of how cultural ideas and forms of expression can change over time, and how these forms of expression can convey meanings about the values and ideas of a society. This unit will therefore inquiry into Renaissance Italy as a case study of cultural expression in the past, before comparing the symbolism of expression to modern day cultures through an investigation into 20th century artists. This will help students to understand how cultural expression can both shape and reflect, the values and beliefs of societies today and in the past.
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statement of inquiry
Cultural expression reflects the time, place and space of the artists that created it
global context
Personal and Cultural Expression (Artistry, Craft, Creation, Beauty) - Students will explore the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.​
key concept
Time, Place and Space - The intrinsically linked concept of time, place and space refers to the absolute or relative position of people, objects and ideas. Time, place and space focuses on how we construct and use our understanding of location (“where” and “when”).
related concepts
Culture (Geography) - Culture helps shape, define and guide civilizations and individuals and it influences the relationship between them and the environment. Cultures are constituted by learned behaviours and values shared by groups and transmitted through socialization. Geographers study cultural traits of places in terms of language, customs, beliefs, dress, images, music, food and technology. Units that explore the related concept of culture could include issues of cultural diffusion, cultural contestation, and the process of consumerism.

Significance (History) - Significance is a concept of a different nature as it is more clearly related to the craft of the discipline. It refers to the quality of having great value taking into account the historical context. Historical context is the political, social, cultural, and economic setting for a particular idea or event. In order to better understand something from history, we must look at its context—those things that surround it in time and place and that give it its meaning or value. In this way, we can gain, among other things, a sense of how unique or ordinary an event or idea seems to be in comparison to other events and ideas.

Symbolism (Philosophy & Religious Studies) - Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is culturally defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based and organized through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when something represents abstract ideas or concepts. Some good examples of symbols/symbolism would be objects, figures, sounds, and colors. 

1. What and where was the Renaissance?

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The Italian Renaissance is a classic example of an artistic and intellectual movement impacting on culture. This first inquiry therefore examines what, when, and where the Renaissance was before we explore its cultural symbolism in more depth in later lessons.

2. What influenced artists in the Renaissance?

Understanding why Renaissance artists used certain symbols and imagery in their art is hard unless we try to imagine what life was like for people in the Renaissance. This requires us to inquire into and understand their values and beliefs, thoughts and feelings.
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3. Who was the ultimate Renaissance 'artist'?

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We are often told how significant Renaissance artists were, but how can we best judge this? This lesson will explore the criteria we can use to judge the significance of famous artists as well as the skills we need to be able to analyse and critique their art works.

4. How does culture express time and place?

The 20th century has witnessed huge social and culture changes which can be studied by examining the symbolism found in the artwork of its most famous artists. The 1960s in particular provides a rich case study for examining these cultural changes.
Picture

5-7. Assessment: Artists, Culture, & Expression

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This end of unit inquiry asks students to investigate the work of a 20th century artist of their choice, and to examine why that artist was so significant. They will then prepare speeches on how those artists have reflected the culture of their time and place better than any others.

8. Reflection: How is my own culture expressed?

Each of us exist within communities which have their own unique cultures and forms of expression. Reflecting on what influences our own culture, ideas and values can help us to understand the uniqueness of our own time, place, and spaces.
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  • Home
  • MYP 1
    • 1. The Universe & Earth >
      • 1. Where did our Universe and Earth come from? >
        • 1. What is the Universe?
        • 2. How Big, Far, Hot, and Old is the Universe?
        • 3. What are Ultimate Questions?
      • 2. What are origin stories?
      • 3. What is the Christian origin story?
      • 4. How did the scientific origin story develop?
      • 5. How do theories become accepted? >
        • 1. Charles Darwin and Evolution
        • 2. Alfred Wegener and Plate Tectonics
      • 6. Can religion and science co-exist?
      • 7. Assessment: Personal beliefs on creation
      • 8. Reflection: Changing Beliefs
    • 2. Natural Systems >
      • 1. How did early humans adapt to natural systems?
      • 2. How did farming help early human societies?
      • 3. What are natural systems?
      • 4. How do tropical rainforest systems work?
      • 5. How does farming affect natural systems in rainforests?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can rainforests be used in a sustainable way?
      • 8. Reflection: The future of natural systems
    • 3. Ancient Civilisations >
      • 1. What are Ancient Civilisations?
      • 2. How and why do civilisations rise and fall?
      • 3. How successful were the Greeks?
      • 4. How successful were the Chinese?
      • 5. How successful were the Aztecs?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Ancient Civilisations Presentation
      • 8. Reflection: What is the legacy of Ancient Civilisations?
    • 4. Conflict and Crusade >
      • 1. What are the core beliefs of Christianity?
      • 2. What are the core beliefs of Islam?
      • 3. What do world religions teach about conflict?
      • 4. Was religion the main cause of the crusades?
      • 5. What did Muslims think about the Crusades?
      • 6-7. Assessment: Does religion cause conflict?
      • 8. Reflection: Can religion help end conflict?
    • 5. Island Learning - What's MY Hong Kong? >
      • 1. What is the cultural identity of Hong Kong?
      • 2. What is tourism?
      • 3. Where is tourism in Hong Kong located?
      • 4 - 6. Designing Graphics
      • 7-8. Assessment 1: Tourist Attractions in Sha Tin
      • 9-10. Assessment 2: Planning the Fieldtrip
      • 11. Assessment 2: Creating the Brochure
      • 12-14. Developing Design Skills
      • 15. Assessment 2: Designing the Icons
      • 16. Reflection: What have we learnt about HK?
    • Further Reading
  • MYP 2
    • 1. Significance & Symbolism >
      • 1. What and where was the Renaissance?
      • 2. What influenced artists in the Renaissance?
      • 3. Who was the ultimate Renaissance 'artist'?
      • 4. How does culture express time and place?
      • 5-7. Assessment: Artists, Culture & Expression
      • 8. Reflection: How is my own culture expressed?
    • 2. Trade & Exchange >
      • 1. Why do people explore?
      • 2. What is the impact of exploration?
      • 3. How was trade unequal in the past?
      • 4. How does trade and exchange work today?
      • 5. Is the global trade of chocolate fair?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How does fair trade reduce inequalities?
      • 8. Reflection: How can I make trade fairer?
    • 3. Diversity & Change >
      • 1. What is cultural diversity?
      • 2. How did beliefs differ in pre-Colonial Hong Kong?
      • 3. How did the British change Hong Kong's culture?
      • 4. What can we learn about culture from the local area?
      • 5. How does globalisation influence culture today?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How cultural diverse are Hong Kong neighborhoods?
      • 8. Reflection: Should we preserve cultural diversity?
    • 4. Sustainability & Society >
      • 1. Why is urbanisation a problem?
      • 2. How can we research solutions?
      • 3. What have we found out about our issue?
      • 4. How could Hong Kong be more sustainable?
      • 5. What is our solution to the issue?
      • 6-7. Assessment: How can we share our learning?
      • 8. Reflection: Can Hong Kong change?
  • Futures
    • Elements >
      • Big History Project
      • Freakonomics
      • History: Film, Food and Fashion
      • Law
      • Mundo Geographico
      • Philosophy at the Movies
      • Run Your Own Business
      • Social Psychology
      • Urban Survival
    • Entrance >
      • Business
      • Economics
      • Geography
      • History
      • Religious Studies
    • Escape
    • Explorations
  • IBDP
    • Business & Management
    • Economics
    • Environmental Systems and Societies
    • Geography
    • Global Politics
    • History
    • Philosophy
    • Psychology
  • ECA
    • Model United Nations
    • TED-Ed Club >
      • Part 1 - Discover >
        • 1. Tell us who you are
        • 2. Discover great ideas
        • 3. Learn the art of feedback
        • 4. Identify your ideas
      • Part 2 - Develop >
        • 5. Build your throughline
        • 6. Plan your talk arc
        • 7. Research and support your idea
        • 8. Write your script
        • 9. Make it visual
        • 10. Say your talk out loud
      • Part 3 - Share >
        • 11. Practice, Edit, Practice
        • 12. Present your final rehearsal
        • 13. Record the talk
  • More
    • About
    • I&S Blog
    • Links >
      • Island School Business and Economics
      • Island School Global Politics
      • Island School History
      • Island School PRS