The History Department assists students in gaining an understanding of the past’s significance to their own lives, as well as to the broader society in which they live. To borrow from the words of a renowned historian, our students study history “not to be more clever next time, but to be wise forever.”
We challenge our students and foster intellectual curiosity by exposing them to a wide range of thinkers and ideas through both primary and secondary sources. Students gain intellectual self-confidence through participation in section discussions and debates, and completion of a rigorous writing program.
In all of our courses, we impart these skills to our students: formulating questions, researching information, evaluating evidence and arguments, using evidence to make arguments, and communicating effectively.
Video "Communicating With Cuneiform"
I love teaching History for the same reason that I love studying it: an understanding of history helps us make sense of and bring meaning to our own world.
Dr. Yoder Upper School Teacher
All students take a required three-year sequence. Ninth-graders begin a two-year World History sequence by taking World History to 1500. Tenth-graders complete this two-year sequence with World History from 1500 to the Present. All eleventh-graders take either United States History or Advanced Placement United States History.
Additionally, we offer electives in both history and the social sciences, the purposes of which are to expose students to specialized or advanced courses of study, to enable students to build upon and refine the skills they have already acquired, and to encourage faculty to generate and teach subjects in their areas of passion and expertise.
