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The Academic Program: History

| Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |

The history and social studies curriculum explores both United States and world history and attempts, whenever possible, to place American history in a global perspective. Students explore history and social studies through a variety of media including textbooks and other reference texts, primary documents, in-depth narratives, monographs, newspapers and periodicals, and documentary film.

History Main Lessons offer in-depth study in blocks ranging from ancient times to the present. Students begin with a two-part Main Lesson on the Atlantic World in 9 th grade, reflect on world civilizations in grades ten and eleven, and conclude with a Main Lesson on contemporary history in grade twelve. Through this sequence, students learn to recognize the features, achievements, crises, and turning points in the history of great world civilizations.

In addition to Main Lessons, all students receive instruction in history and the social sciences through yearlong classes. Most students are required to complete a minimum of two yearlong courses for graduation, and they may choose to take up to four years of history by supplementing required courses with electives.

The Atlantic World Since 1500 Seminars
9th Grade

This two-part Main Lesson introduces the major trends and events that define the modern world, with special emphasis on the geographical area bordered by Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Course topics addressed in the first block may include the discovery of the New World, trans-Atlantic commerce and the slave trade, and political revolution in France and the Americas. Course topics addressed in the second block may include the Industrial Revolution, the New Imperialism, World War One, the Great Depression, and the rise of fascism. Students are trained in the use of statistical evidence, maps, primary texts, historical images, and reference materials. Evaluation is based on a Main Lesson book of written lesson summaries and in-class testing.

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Ancient History Seminar
10th Grade

This Main Lesson surveys great Western civilizations seeking to familiarize students with the craft of historical analysis through an investigation of the primary sources of the ancient period. The class begins with an exploration of natural history, prehistory, and the dawn of human history. The birth of civilization in early Egypt and Mesopotamia comprises the next unit of study, during which special emphasis is placed on the relationship between geography and history. Subsequent units examine the emergence of Judaism, political democracy, and Greco-Roman culture. Evaluation is based on a Main Lesson book of written lesson summaries and in-class testing.

Native American History Seminar
10th Grade

This Main Lesson considers the Indians as distinct cultures and tries to recreate the lifestyles and values of vanished peoples—the ancestors of modern Native Americans. At the same time, it explores the American colonial encounter, the creation of new societies, lifestyles, and worldviews for Indians and Europeans alike on the North American continent. Topics covered may include Native Americans prior to 1492, Native Americans and European colonialism, wartime diplomacy in North America in the late 18 th and early 19 th centuries, the Cherokee Nation and Indian Removal, and Indian reservations. Evaluation is based on a Main Lesson book of written lesson summaries and in-class testing.

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United States History I and II Elective
10th-11th Grade 

This two year sequence offers an exceptionally rich introduction to U.S. history. The tenth grade year places special emphasis on social and economic history, supplementing a historical survey with units that expose students to economics and cultural studies. The eleventh grade year examines U.S. history through the lens of political, legal and diplomatic events, offering an introduction to political science, international relations, and law. Students are familiarized with the format of the SAT II and AP tests in U.S. history and are given assignments and exercises to assist in preparation for these tests.

Medieval/Renaissance History Seminar
11th Grade                                          

This Main Lesson chronicles the rise of Christianity and Islam as world religions. In addition, it examines Europe’s emergence as a distinct cultural area and the continent’s increasing global predominance in the High Middle Ages and Early Modern period. Other topics covered may include the fall of Rome, Byzantium, monasticism and the Papacy, feudalism and the Magna Carta, and the Crusades. Students submit short summaries of class lessons and readings; however, unlike previous seminars, the final evaluation of student writing is based on the student’s ability to integrate shorter written assignments into larger essays through synthesis and critical analysis. Additional evaluation includes in-class testing.

Contemporary World History Elective
11th/12th Grade

This one-year elective surveys great issues in 20 th century and contemporary history, many of which are unexplored in the core curriculum. Areas of geographical focus have traditionally included China, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Substantial attention is paid throughout the course to placing current events in larger temporal and thematic contexts. Evaluation may be based on essays, tests, individual readings, research, oral contributions, and other assignments.

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United States History
12th Grade

This survey of U.S. history is required of all students who do not take the two year elective sequence in U.S. history in 10 th and 11 th grade. It offers a straightforward narrative, building on topics introduced in the 9 th and 10 th grade Main Lessons on the Atlantic World and Native American history. Course highlights include the creation of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil War, race and gender in the American South, New York City and the rise of American capitalism, U.S. foreign relations, World War II, and contemporary America. Evaluation may be based on essays, tests, individual readings, research, oral contributions, and other assignments.

Contemporary History Seminar
12th Grade        

Organized loosely around the theme of democracy and dictatorship, this Main Lesson explores the difficult moral choices confronted by individuals in the 20 th and 21 st centuries. Topics may include Marxism, Soviet communism, fascism, world communism, movements of national liberation, the cold war, the modern metropolis, the civil rights movement, political dissent, and the fall of communism. Although studies may range across the whole of the 20 th century, particular emphasis is placed on the American experience in the 1960s. Evaluation may be based on an independent research project, short written assignments, and in-class testing.

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