Out of the vast variety of electives Eastern offers, a new one emerges in 2018, teaching students about arguably the most important aspect of history: Holocaust, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity.

   The elective teaches about genocides throughout history, but it also discusses the present topics that are interesting to the students in the class.

  Eastern’s website explains the learning goals for the class: “The students will be able to analyze the competing theories of human nature and formulate hypotheses regarding patterns of social inequality and human actions/inactions.”

  Mr. Isshak, the teacher of the course, put the learning statement in simpler words: “students will learn to become anthropos,” putting a large emphasis on anthropos.

  Mr. Isshak described anthropos as “creatures that walk on two legs and look straight ahead to their futures.” He wants his students to understand what being human means to them.

   “The class’s point isn’t to take notes on a certain topic. The topic changes everyday,” junior Marisa Tate said. “We’re challenged to think outside the box and work off of each other’s opinions.”

   The class has open discussions about topics from Mr. Isshak and the students.

  “This class is much better than other history classes because you have freedom to discuss topics you choose. There’s no pressure to voice your opinion either,” said senior Cameron Hill.

   The only complaint, Isshak said, is that “There’s so much to talk about but so little time. What do I cut out but still make it edifying?”

   The students in the class are learning history, not only to prevent it from reoccuring, but for they themselves to make history. “I want students to have an appreciation for humanity. They have the potential to oppose and defy evil,” said Isshak when explaining his goals for the students’ education throughout his course.

   Junior Lucas Prince explained Isshak’s teaching style. “Mr. Isshak’s intellectual humor makes the class much more lighthearted to have the serious conversations we have everyday.”

   This class is exclusively for juniors and seniors and offers dual credit. It is directed towards mature students who have a good idea of what they want in their futures.

   The course was written from scratch by Isshak, making it a real treat for students who sit, ready to learn, inside the desks in the intellectual room of 303.