Dr. Bruce Saari conceived the idea of an ICS Humanities/International Studies/Art block because he wanted an environment where students learn with a sense of history and perspective--not in isolated pods. The goal of the block is to provide a backdrop of essential questions and themes which can be used as a critical guide to the interpretation and use of a wide variety of cultural products.

What are the sources/origins?
What are the economic, environmental, social and/or psychological factors contribute to its appearance?What are its materials, tactics, or techniques?
What are its effects?
What are its aims or purposes--intentional and unintential?
What motivates its creators?
What is implied by its existence, and what can be inferred?
How does it participate in, or diverge from, other similar objects, phenomena or events?
Which of its elements are bound by--or transcend--its peculiar space and time?
What are the laws that it must obey?

ICS has developed an intensive sequential six-year integrated study. This progression is sequential, thematic, and integrated. The curriculum is designed to be cumulative and offer expereinces which rely upon a year-to-year development, elaboration, and application of a few initial premises In essence, mastery is promoted through an intellectually dynamic learning environment where high achievement is the norm.