About the Blog 

One foundation of The Global Citizen course involves student presentations deconstructing social constructs that continually shape society. Using educational philosophies shaped by Antonio Gramsci’s “critical consciousness”, students are introduced to classical methodology surrounding critical thinking and then expected to look at modern society to deconstruct a social institution of their choosing. Throughout the school year, students are exposed to critical social theory, critical race theory, queer theory, and logical reasoning to help them use theoretical frameworks to examine the construct they are analyzing. Students then present their own work displaying the critical consciousness they used to deconstruct the messages they are exposed to through the media, government, education, society etc. Part of the assignment includes a formal written analysis showing these deconstructions which are displayed on the blog.

The Global Citizen WHS in the News

Learning what it Means to be a Global Citizen in the Westfield Leader (July 2019)

The Global Citizen in the Westfield Patch (June 2019)

Gigi Ghaly in PTSO Newsletter (June 2019)

Aiden Cascio in PTSO Newsletter (May 2019)

Global Citizen in PTSO Newsletter (March 2019)

SEL Commissioner Visit (2019)

Global Citizen Finsta Rinsta Installation (2017)

Global Citizen new in Humanities His Eye (2016)

Commissioner Hespe Visits Humanities Tap into WF (2016)

Global Citizen New Course in His Eye (2016)

Teaching Bio

Antony Farag and Bailey Verdone have been teaching Humanities together at Westfield Senior High School (WHS) in Westfield, New Jersey since 2015. They co-wrote curriculum for an interdisciplinary humanities course for 12th grade students entitled The Global Citizen (2014) which is centered around critical theory. It explores world literature and current issues for students entering a more globalized world in the 21st century. Both teachers are currently pursuing doctorates in education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.