History

Required of all third form students

This course will investigate the period from 1250 CE to the Cold War in a global context. Through the study of this period students will be joining historical arguments about systems of thought and belief, networks of exchange, revolution, empire, industrialization, and conflicts. Students will learn foundational historical skills in evaluating sources, researching, and constructing arguments. Important to the study of this period will be reading the voices from all sides of events and investigating them in context. Students will be able to add context to what they see in the world they live in.

Advanced Studies in European History is designed to stimulate and challenge fifth and sixth form students to improve analytical skills by demonstrating that history is a series of interpretations as well as the study of the ongoing relationship between cause and effect. The course considers political, economic, military, intellectual, and cultural developments in Europe beginning with the Renaissance. Students learn to think about history, what it is, what it means, and why events happen. Prerequisite: fifth form and above with departmental approval.

This course, or its counterpart Thematic US History, is a required course to be taken in the fourth or fifth form year.

This course will review the main events and issues of U.S History, while also learning the fundamental skills of research and working to develop mature, intellectual and critical consideration of the relationship between past and present. Class discussion, projects, collaborative learning, and persuasive writing will be expected and valued avenues with which to approach these priorities. We will start the course by examining formative elements of the American Colonial experience. From there we will follow chronological events in US History starting with the Revolutionary Era and birth of the young Republic. Quickly, we will analyze the transformative elements of Antebellum America up to the Civil War, and how in its aftermath the Union was fundamentally revolutionized anew, with an emphasis on social, economic and foreign policy — and the evolving relationship between the people and government. In the spring term we will discuss the dynamics of the Depression years, World War II, and post-war America, and more recent historical influences on the US of today. Through our year together, we will study the unique melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, faiths, and identities that have and do characterize the ‘experiment’ that is the US of America.

This course, or its counterpart Chronological US History, is a required course to be taken in the fourth or fifth year.

In this course students will study US History by examining one theme at a time. Such themes include: identity, society, politics, economics, and culture. To access these themes, students will try to answer approximately one overarching question per unit: Who is an American? What are American values? Does the US have a culture? What are the meanings of liberty and equality? What is the role of the government in the lives of US citizens? Is the US an empire? Is the business of America business? Emphasizing depth and not breadth, each question presents students with a new journey through America’s past so they may see how a single issue develops over time. This narrower focus allows students to develop intellectual curiosity, pursue different methods of historical analysis, and engage deeply with the historical record. Throughout the year the themes will “layer” on top of one another so students will move through US History several times in several different ways. In the process, students will be encouraged to ask questions, take intellectual risks, and be empowered to develop their own ideas and interpretations of US History so they may join the national conversation about our shared past.

Explore the principles of both micro and macroeconomics in Advanced Studies in Economics. By building an understanding of the issues of inequity and access, you will develop a working knowledge of the problems and issues in the economy of the US. Through a study of how land, labor, and capital (the factors of production) contribute to the growth and operation of a market economy, how supply and demand affect price and output levels of goods, how government policies alter the working of the market, and how international factors influence a nation’s domestic economic conditions, you will develop a deeper appreciation for the nuances of the US. Prerequisite: fifth form and above with departmental approval.

Embark upon a detailed examination of the political landscape of the US in Advanced Studies in US Government and Politics. By studying constitutional history, political beliefs, political parties, interest groups, governmental institutions, public policy, civil rights, and civil liberties, you will be challenged to ask questions about how equity and access continue to challenge our Founding Fathers’ goals. This course is designed to prepare you for undergraduate political studies coursework. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form who have met their US History requirement with departmental approval.

This course will examine and analyze Black American society and culture as it has developed from its roots in West Africa to the Great Migration and World War I. Primary emphasis will be on the West African cultures from which most enslaved Africans were taken; the American colonial experience and the origins of slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries; the pre-Civil War culture of free black Americans; the development of slave culture, religion, and resistance; the era of Reconstruction; the different programs proposed by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois; and the electric effects of the Great Migration and World War I on the Black American community. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form with departmental approval.

The Middle East frequents news headlines and Hollywood billboards as its internal dynamics and foreign policy decisions attract the attention of the world. How much do we know, and can we appreciate this culturally rich and diverse region of the globe? Contemporary Issues in the Middle East examines some of the highly debated current issues in the Middle East. Looking at modern history through academic texts and the media, this course introduces students to major political, social, and cultural issues in the region through the study of both its history and historiography. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form with departmental approval.

Latin American History will look at the region from the colonial period to the present day. We will focus on the 19th and 20th centuries, from the creation of new nations to their movement into the modern world. The region is vital to our understanding of the modern world and as our direct neighbor to the south, the connections between the USA and Latin America will be explored. We will look at the region through political, social, and economic means. Intrinsic to our study will be the many different voices that have played a role in shaping the region. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth form with departmental approval.

Native American history is timely and timeless. As we consider US History, and before it, English colonial history in North America, we often talk and think about the 'forgotten people.' This consideration takes on many forms, layers, and textures. There are many renderings of the so-called 'American' story. Yet, in the telling of this history, are not the most 'forgotten' the original Americans — Native American/Indigenous peoples themselves? This course will attempt to engage and examine this fundamental question, from pre-Jamestown 1607 to contemporary issues in Native American/US relations and policies. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form. Must have taken US History or be taking it concurrently.

This course focuses on the evolving importance of the US Constitution and the Supreme Court in delineating the civil rights of minority groups and protected classes in America and in developing a more egalitarian, integrated society. Students will research, prepare legal briefs and consider current Supreme Court cases. Readings will be drawn from case law and related materials. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form with departmental approval.

This course will provide an in-depth look at the transformation of Republican Rome to Imperial Rome. Starting with a look at the structure of the Roman Republic, we will then jump forward to look at Rome’s conflict with Carthage and the impact Rome’s expansion had on the Republic. Our study of this period will rely heavily on reading translations of the primary source material. We will use the writings of Polybius, Cicero, and others as our main textual guides, but will also look at what material culture can provide. In addition, we will look at the rich scholarly debate on this period and how this period is relevant in our modern lives. Prerequisite:: Open to students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth form with departmental approval.

In this course, emphasis is placed on the theories of Karl Marx and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin and their implications for classless societies in the 20th century. Soviet Communism examines why communism succeeded in Russia, how it was practiced globally and why it ultimately failed. Among texts discussed are The Communist Manifesto, Engles and Marx; Darkness at Noon, Koestler; Communism: A History, Pipes, and The Whisperers, Figes. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form with departmental approval.

Sport is ubiquitous in the US. From Teddy Roosevelt's ponderings to Serena Williams' being, it is not an understatement to say that the US is a sporting society. When considering the arc of US History over the past century, sports can offer a window into fundamental change over time across so much of the spectrum of this unique, pluralistic society. This course will endeavor to examine the role that sports have played in the transcendence of the US's modern social history, from myths created, to legends deified, to barriers broken — a unique history unto itself. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form. Must have taken US History or be taking it concurrently.

The untold story in US History is the story of women. From Anne Hutchinson to Progressive Era Reformers to the feminists of the 1960s, American resiliency and heroism have been embodied by women — and too often without proper recollection. Through the study of key women and social-political movements throughout American history, this course strives to introduce students to the pivotal roles that women have played in American history and better shaped their context for the state of women’s affairs today. Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent study of US History.

World War II was the largest global conflict in world history with over 100 million personnel involved. Approximately 50 to 70 million people died as a direct or indirect result of the war. The war marked three major turning points in history: genocide on an unprecedented scale, the use of nuclear weapons, and the triumph of democracy over fascism. The course offers a general survey of the war, an exploration of the motivations and strategies of the architects of the war (Hitler, Tojo, Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill, et al.) as well as the experiences of ordinary people affected by it. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form with departmental approval.

Over a billion people today call the Indian Subcontinent home, yet to many people in the West, the historical developments that gave rise to the modern nations of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India are unknown. This survey-style course will examine the stories of the Indian Subcontinent, following the major trends and events of the region’s history. Beginning with the Mughal conquest, this class will trace the general course of South Asian history, following the rise of the East India Company, the dominance of the British Raj, and the struggles of independence and partition. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed Modern World History.

This course covers economic topics like scarcity, choice, supply, demand, national income accounting, fiscal policy, global trade and foriegn exchange markets with real-world applications and current event discussions.

This course is a term-contained introduction to major themes and trends from early Chinese history as they relate to the events of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The course of study includes the origin and development of Chinese philosophy, the legacy of authoritarian rule in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the impact of foreign domination, the origin and development of the civil war between Chiang Kai-Shek and Mao Tse Tung, Japan’s ruthless occupation in WWII, Mao’s cultural revolution and Great Leap Forward, and China’s evolution into a world economic power. Prerequisite: Open to students in the fifth and sixth form with departmental approval.

This course explores a dynamic period of philosophical debate and discovery. Beginning with Pre-Socratics, this course surveys pivotal thinkers, including Socrates, Plate, Aristotle, and Epicurus. Intertwined with our learning of influential theories of ethics, politics, language and religion will be experiential learning experiences that put philosophy into practice. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed Modern World History.

This course will focus on American capitalism: how and why it emerged and how it has changed throughout this country’s history. The essential questions that this course will address are: What is capitalism? How does capitalism relate to equality? How has capitalism shaped American society? This course will track many of the same events covered in US history but will provide students with a closer look into specifics about how America developed as a nation economically. Change over time will be observed through the lens of social movements and cultural shifts. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History.

It has been said that the Germans are either at your throat or at your feet. But what of this complex nation beyond the Prussian tropes? Explore the culture and people who gave rise to several Bach, both von Humboldt, Kant, Dürer, Goethe, Marx, Holbein, Maria Theresa, Daimler, Sophie Scholl, Willy Brandt, and Hannah Arendt. German history is far more than the years 1933 to 1945. Teutonic contributions to the arts, politics, literature, sciences, education, and industry will all be considered. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History.

This course seeks to examine significant trends and changes in the history of the Christian Church from its earliest manifestations to the present day. Special consideration will be given to the ways in which Christian communities have defined themselves while simultaneously creating groups of “others” whose influence is still felt to this day. The purpose of this class is not to be catechetical, but rather to give students a sense of the profound influence the Christian Church has exerted in world affairs, and consequently how it has been shaped by world events. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History and departmental approval.

It is difficult to overstate the importance of the Civil War in the history of the US. Commonly referred to as “the Second American Revolution,” the Civil War occurred barely a century after the war for independence and the establishment of the republic. During that four-year period, Americans took up arms against one another in what was, and still is, the bloodiest war in US history. While the conflict claimed the lives of nearly 750,000 soldiers, it resulted in the preservation of the Union and the emancipation of four million enslaved people, it redefined concepts of freedom and enhanced the authority of the federal government, and it disrupted the global economy and ushered in the Second Industrial Revolution. In short, the Civil War changed the trajectory of US history. Examining the period from 1850-1877, students will analyze the causes of the conflict, the dynamics of the war, and the results and memorialization of the war in the context of Reconstruction. In the process, students will be encouraged to assign meaning to the war as a nationally transformative event, and those meanings may include: intellectual, social, constitutional, individual, racial, and/or sectional. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion of US History and departmental approval.

This pair of seminars is an introduction to the craft of historical research and writing. It is designed for students in their sixth form year wishing to take a deep dive into an area of history about which they are passionate which will culminate in the production of an article-length essay. During the fall term, the course focuses on building basic skills for conducting original research including the location, utilization, and evaluation of primary and secondary sources. The winter term will deal primarily with the methods of translating research into historical writing by identifying historiographical debates, learning how to use sources creatively, practicing the construction and presentation of logical arguments, as well as attribution and the ethical issues associated with producing a piece of historical writing. Throughout the course, the various aspects of the research and writing process will be broken down into smaller, manageable steps. This will not only provide students with close guidance and frequent feedback during a challenging endeavor, but will also teach habits of scholarship. Lastly, the course seeks to challenge the notion that historical inquiry is an individual endeavor and will instead cultivate a collaborative community of critical support through extensive peer review. Required for those seeking to earn an Advanced Studies Diploma in History. Prerequisite: completion of US History, completion of three upper-level electives, and departmental approval. Open to sixth formers.

This term-contained course covers topics in microeconomics including consumer choice and utility maximization, theory of the firm, market structures, and the role of government within the broader economy. A considerable amount of class time is dedicated to real-world applications and current-events-based discussions. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above with departmental approval.

When many people think of the Middle Ages, they imagine a backward society famous for illiteracy, ignorance, and a lack of personal hygiene, but does the medieval period truly deserve such a reputation? This course seeks to examine a more in-depth history of Europe during the High Middle Ages, from roughly 1000-1450. We will cover major themes of medieval history, including the structure of feudalism, the role of the Catholic Church and its interactions with other sects and faiths, the growth of cities and trade, as well as developments in the arts and sciences. Emphasis will be placed on the use of primary documents to get into the minds of medieval people and to gain a closer understanding of the way they understood themselves and their world. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed Modern World History.

How reasonable was the Age of Reason? Read and discuss the thoughts of some of the great thinkers of the late 17th and 18th Centuries. From the controversies of Rousseau, the mischief of Voltaire, and the optimism of Leibnitz to the passions of Paine and the gravity of Burke, students will examine this world of letters and the politicians navigating its waters. How enlightened were Frederick II, Joseph II, and Catherine II? Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed Modern World History.

This course addresses the experience of the Irish in the US as a case study in the history of American immigrants and ethnicity. An examination of the Irish is central to the history of the US. In fact, one cannot fully address American history without discussing the Irish, for few things have been as consistent in US history as Irish immigration. Indeed, from the first waves of colonial settlers, the Irish have helped shape the direction of American history. Yet the Irish story is not simply one of triumph or tragedy, but a vibrant and complex narrative that encompasses sorrow and happiness, poverty and success, peace and violence, hatred and acceptance, liberalism and conservatism. Throughout the course, students will rely heavily on primary sources to examine how definitions of identity, cultural practices and beliefs, and even group boundaries changed over time. Topics include but are not limited to: Catholicism, nationalism, family, gender roles, and politics. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History.

This course will explore the history of Tibet from its origins in the Himalayan plateaus to its position in modern-day China. Major themes will include Tibet’s existence as an independent kingdom, the close relationship between religion and politics, Tibet’s interaction (or lack thereof) with other political entities, and special attention will be given to its tension-filled co-existence within China since 1950. Such a course should build skills of considering multiple points of view, textual analysis, and understanding continuity. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History and departmental approval.

This course is a combination of an introduction to macroeconomic analysis, and case studies of recessions and financial crises in the US in the 21st century. The course emphasizes themes of data analysis (digging into economic data to “read the story” of a particular crisis or recession), systemic causes versus individual action (how we assign retrospective blame, and (re)interpret the warning signals), and disproportionate impact. The third theme is particularly relevant to our study of the two most recent crises/recessions, the financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID crisis. Both crises hit vulnerable populations, particularly Black and other communities of color, and lower-income families, particularly hard, and examination of that impact will also provide a framework to discuss institutional barriers to financial security and wealth accumulation (particularly in housing). This course provides an opportunity for students to engage with American history, and particularly recent history, with an economic focus. A range of assignments and assessments provide opportunities for students to showcase their strengths. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion of US History and departmental approval.

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the US is a study in contradictions who has left a legacy of enduring oratory. This course will center around reading and analyzing Lincoln’s speeches and letters. Using primary sources to better understand Lincoln, the Antebellum Era, the Civil War and Reconstruction through his own words, and those at times falsely attributed to him. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion of US History and departmental approval.

This course will focus on the Roman Empire. Picking up where Rome: Republic to Empire leaves off, the Julio-Claudian dynasty will be the starting place. The essential question that this course will look toward is the decline and fall of the empire. This question was immortalized in Edward Gibbon’s narrative and is often repeated in the current news cycle in comparison to the US. While there are many primary sources to investigate for this time period the focus will be on historiography. The first part of the course will be looking at the empire through Roman eyes through primary sources (material culture and written). After establishing a general narrative, the second part of the course will be a look at different interpretations of the decline and fall and questioning if we should even consider the events as a fall. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion of US History and departmental approval.

This pair of seminars is an introduction to the craft of historical research and writing. It is designed for students in their sixth form year wishing to take a deep dive into an area of history about which they are passionate which will culminate in the production of an article-length essay. During the fall term, the course focuses on building basic skills for conducting original research including the location, utilization, and evaluation of primary and secondary sources. The winter term will deal primarily with the methods of translating research into historical writing by identifying historiographical debates, learning how to use sources creatively, practicing the construction and presentation of logical arguments, as well as attribution and the ethical issues associated with producing a piece of historical writing. Throughout the course, the various aspects of the research and writing process will be broken down into smaller, manageable steps. This will not only provide students with close guidance and frequent feedback during a challenging endeavor, but will also teach habits of scholarship. Lastly, the course seeks to challenge the notion that historical inquiry is an individual endeavor and will instead cultivate a collaborative community of critical support through extensive peer review. Required for those seeking to earn an Advanced Studies Diploma in history. Prerequisite: completion of US History, completion of three upper-level electives, and departmental approval. Open to sixth formers.

This course employs economics concepts taught in Advanced Studies Economics, Introduction to Macroeconomics and Introduction to Microeconomics, so students must take at least one of these electives or be concurrently enrolled at the time of study. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above with departmental approval.

Check your news feed lately? Since 2020, Americans have spent between 6-9 hours per day engaged in media of one form or another. In this media-saturated world, we are continuously bombarded with hundreds of news items from numerous platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google, Twitter (X), text messages, podcasts, radio, television, and print press. Not only does the media exert significant influence over us, with the ability to curate content, Americans have become increasingly siloed in ideological echo chambers, contributing to ongoing political polarization. This course will explore the role of the media in the US, specifically as it relates to politics, and learn the powerful skill of deconstructing media messages in order to gain more control over them. Students will learn how to determine the trustworthiness of sources, verify news stories, determine reputability, detect bias and agendas, distinguish between facts and opinions, and learn the importance of multiple points of view. Skills notwithstanding, the course encourages students, as citizens in a free society, to become responsible and discerning consumers of information. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed World History.

Africa is frequently misunderstood, with various African countries conflated, and stereotypes abound about an impoverished and war-torn continent. How much of this is actually true, and how can we deepen our understanding of the complexities of African history? This course will provide a survey of major historical events and milestones on the African continent and diaspora since the 19th and 20th centuries. In an effort to bring greater clarity to the role Africa plays in the modern world in terms of politics, socio-economics, and culture, we will dive into historical and media analysis of Africa from the beginnings of post-colonialism to the present day. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed Modern World History.

Explore the period that spans the French Revolution of 1789 to Bonaparte’s exile to St. Helena. Watch how reasonable requests for an effective and just government give way to violence and extremism. Watch how reaction grips the establishment. Read the treatises, letters, announcements, and edicts of the people of these times. Consider the spilling of revolutionary fervor into the rest of Europe and the world. Track the horror of the 23 years of war that are unleashed on the world. Weigh the tension between liberal ideas and the rise of the modern dictatorship. Explore the efforts to contain a new manifestation of France. Prerequisite: open to students in the fourth form and above who have completed World History.

Throughout the 20th century, America experienced significant economic and social developments. Using World War II as a touchpoint, this course will explore the development of American society in the post-war period: from the emergence of a larger middle class to massive housing and consumer developments to new definitions of recreation, occupation, and equality. How did the American physical landscape change after World War II and how did societal expectations and norms shift alongside these changes? This course will utilize both primary and secondary sources to explore these themes and the implications they have on present American society. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History.

The Cold War set the tone for how the world would operate post World War II: the US was transformed into a global superpower and launched into an ideological competition with the Soviet Union that impacted global and regional dynamics that persist into the present. By engaging in major themes of decolonization, post-colonialism, the non-aligned movement, and globalization, this course will interrogate the legacy left by the Cold War on the world at large. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion or concurrent study of US History.

In the middle of the 20th century, historian Oscar Handlin wrote, “Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history.” Often romanticized and considered a source of national pride, America’s immigrant past is more contested, complicated, and nuanced than many assume. The American ideals of liberty and equality trumpeted by the Founding Fathers strained under the weight of mass migration from vast regions of the world. Immigration and subsequent generations of ethnic groups sparked conflict and debates over national identity, citizenship, religious and cultural values, and economics to name a few. Over the course of the term, students will delve into this complex historical topic by examining life in the Old Worlds, the causes and processes of migration, how these immigrants adjusted to life in a new context by reshaping their identities and creating “parallel” societies within the US. From the German Palatines of the 17th century to the Mexicans of the 21st century, students will learn how as immigrant and ethnic peoples interacted with one another and mainstream America, they continually changed what it meant to be an American. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth forms with completion of US History and departmental approval.

Throughout history, people have turned to music as a powerful tool of self-expression. Leaders have often used music to reinforce their own authority, and just as often, those without power have seen music as a way to give themselves a voice. This course will examine the role that music has played throughout history in constructing and destabilizing power systems through a series of case studies that span both the course of human history and the globe, ranging from Ancient Greek music philosophy to African decolonization efforts. For each topic, we will listen to pieces of music emblematic of some historical trend before using primary and secondary sources to explore how that style of music was employed in the time period. The course will culminate in a research project in which students examine the influence of music in a historical context of their choosing. Prerequisite: open to students in the fifth and sixth form with completion of US History and departmental approval.