History - Fifth Form
In the Fifth Form, history courses are U.S. history based. Some classes will directly connect to and grow from the Fourth Form Colonial History curriculum while other classes are less connected to this earlier work. The goal is to allow Fifth Form students to be able to continue to study an area of U.S. History they have enjoyed or would like to explore. At the same time, the courses are designed so that an incoming Fifth Former does not need the background material covered in Fourth Form and is also exposed to an area of post-American Revolution history.
American Frontiers
To better understand the profound impact that the development of the American West had on the United States, students will examine short historical essays, films, and novels. Coupled with frequent writing assignments, students probe what, if anything, makes the frontier experience unique, and they will set out to debunk the myths presented by Hollywood and other institutions.
Civil War Era
The American Civil War was the deadliest conflict the United States ever fought. The Civil War Era class examines the origins of the war, the battles and leaders, and the results. Students debate the issues, read excerpts from Uncle Tom's Cabin, the Autobiography of Frederick Douglass, and short biographies of famous men and women of the period.
Contemporary American History: 1920 to the present
The goal of this course is to study the history, motivation, and domestic politics that have shaped U.S. action throughout the world. Starting with World War I and continuing to the present day, students will gain an understanding of how the United States develops, carries out, and enforces policy. By studying U.S. actions during this time period, students will gain an understanding of how the United States has developed and how this evolution impacts the world.
Race and American Culture
Race and American Culture is a course that focuses on understanding the underlying issue of race throughout the history of the United States. Topics explored include Native American experiences with Europeans, American slavery and emancipation, Native American relocation, the post-emancipation African-American experience, Japanese internment, and the civil rights movement.
U.S. Government
This course begins with a study of the foundational documents of the country, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including an in-depth examination of the Bill of Rights. An exploration of the structure and function of the government will follow. Students will study the three branches of the federal government as well as the role of state governments, paying particular attention to the process of passing legislation, the Electoral College, and historic Supreme Court decisions. The course will finish with a study of American politics today, as students will learn about the two major parties and explore some of the key issues in the national conscience from both political perspectives.
U.S. Reconstruction to 1930
With the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865, the United States began a rebuilding process that allowed it to become a significant world power. This course is an examination of the people, places, and events that shaped the time period from Reconstruction to World War I. It will include studying the topics of expansionism, industrialization, and immigration. In addition, the class will seek to understand how American history relates to a broader global context.
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