History

World History I

World History I is a topical survey of Western civilizations from the advent of civilization through the crises of two World Wars and the division and unification of the West. Themes include innovation, cultural diffusion, movement, nationalism and values. The course uses both primary and secondary readings as well as literature, music, film, biography and current events.

World History II

World History II is primarily a study of Eastern Civilization. During the year, students learn about Asian and African history through the study of primary and secondary source material. They are exposed to the religions and ideas that influenced the development of Asian and African cultures and learn about the present situations in these regions. Through this examination, students begin to understand the complexity of the modern world. They confront political, economic and social problems facing the regions that, in turn, affect our global community. Students participate in simulations such as a model United Nations and learn to draw a map of the world with at least 70 countries on it.

U.S. History

This course is a study of United States' history from pre-Columbian America through the Cold War. Students study the major political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the American experience through extensive use of original documents. Broad themes are explored, including independence and constitutional government, sectionalism and civil war, industrialism and the foundations of modern American, and the responsibility of citizenship. Analytical writing assignments include document-based essays. Students complete a major research paper in the second semester.

Recent Electives

Classical Greek Drama

Re-enacting stories is a universal part of humanity, but drama as we know it is specifically a Greek invention, and its methods are still rehearsed in the most famous theater venues around the world. The primary focus of this class is to help students become familiar with a broad variety of Classical Greek (and some Roman) plays. Assigned readings, lectures, and class discussions will assist students not only in gaining an appreciation for ancient drama and its culture, but also in understanding the roots of modern drama and poetry. In addition to reading and discussion, students will examine modern (film) descendants of ancient drama and perhaps act out a scene or two.

Ancient Philosophy and Rhetoric

The word philosophy ("the love of wisdom") is Greek in origin by no accident, since it was those ancient Greeks who began a novel method of examining problems that has, intellectually speaking, conquered the entire world. Ancient Philosophy was lively and dramatic, as opposed to what passes for much of philosophy now. Students in this course will read actual texts of the following early thinkers to see how they approached old problems in new ways: the Sophists, Socrates, Plato, plus Aristotle and his successors. The art of Rhetoric sprang up side-by-side with philosophy, and its influence on literature and politics is often underestimated. Students will study ancient literature on rhetoric, which still provides one of the best ways to learn modern principles of composition.

Political Action

America appeared to be polarized between “two massive colliding forces. One is rural, Christian, religiously conservative. [The other] is socially tolerant, pro-choice, secular, living in New England and the Pacific coast.” The manifestation of this division is seen everywhere in the form of a map of the United States colored blue and red – but is this political atmosphere really any different than in the past? There have been other close elections and certainly America has split over other issues of great importance (slavery, federal power). So what is really at the heart of today’s political and ideological controversy? Areas which we will explore include the nature of political parties and ideologies, how government works from the Federal to the local level, ways to get involved in politics, and the role of money, the media, and special interests in modern politics. We will have debates over controversial issues concerning social change and public policy, such as gun control, capital punishment, abortion, and immigration.

Studies in Non-Violence

When we think of non-violence, we typically think about the cruelty of war or the imposition of oppressive institutional violence like slavery. It seems to be easy to see violence "out there" and talk about the oppressive elements of politics and ideological movements. This course will discuss those macro events, but the focus will be more on the things we do that either promote or reduce violent tendencies on the individual, family, and community level. Modern films and literature are used as basic vehicles for our discussions and written work. Students will be expected to write a minimum of one typed page of work each week and to prepare a three-generation geneogram of their particular family of origin.

So You Say You Want A Revolution: Societal Change in America from 1960-1974

The 1960s started with hope and imagination as President John F. Kennedy "launched his administration with ... great vigor." However, by 1963 the country was left wounded and wondering. Lyndon Johnson took the reins of a country in need of leadership and threw his political weight into social welfare and civil rights legislation. But the quagmire of Vietnam, the volatility of the civil rights movement and the pressure of the Cold War took their toll, forcing LBJ to withdraw from the 1968 Presidential election. In dealing with Vietnam, Nixon made foreign affairs his highest priority but his early successes were eventually derailed by the controversies of Watergate, and he would leave a legacy of corruption and distrust that can still be felt in today's societal and political landscape. This class will discuss the 1960s-1970s in light of scientific and technological innovations, war and peace, economics, cultural and social change, international and domestic politics, entertainment, and sports.

Ancient Greek History: Spartans, Athenians, and Persians

The Greek historians Herodotus and Thucydides are referred to more and more in recent history, both because their works are timeless and because the struggles they wrote about remind us so much about the wars and controversies our generation has engaged. Those authors survived for so long and are known as the Fathers of History owing to their insightful comments on the nature of conflict as well as on human nature. Some great translations and editions have recently appeared such as the Landmark editions, and modern films like 300 and fiction like Gore Vidal's Creation attempt to make the historians' timeless pieces more timely. This class will read the original histories of Herodotus and Thucydides, then contemplate contemporary and later readers' interpretations, such as our modern generation's 300 and Creation. In addition to learning about the most influential and important generation of the ancient Greeks, we will explore the early nature of history, how it's written, and how it is still received in our generation. So join us, or as the Spartan is reputed to have said to the Persian, "Come and get some!"