Upper School Curriculum Guide

The purpose of the study of the humanities is to help individuals understand themselves and their relationship to history and culture through the study of the human experience. The Humanities Department curriculum provides opportunities for a student to investigate many areas of this experience: intellectual, aesthetic, religious, philosophical, political, economic, social, and psychological.

History courses introduce students to the techniques of investigation through the study of both primary and secondary sources. The emphasis in all courses is on developing students' ability to express themselves clearly and logically, both verbally and in writing. We use art, literature, and music to enrich student understanding.

Students in the RCDS Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 are required to pass three years of Humanities Department courses to graduate. Starting with the RCDS Class of 2028, students will be required to pass four years of Humanities courses to graduate. The successful completion of two, year-long courses taught in the Humanities Department -- World History and United States History -- is required for graduation. In addition, the Department offers electives in various areas of the humanities and social sciences. Qualified students may also enroll in Advanced Placement courses in American and European history, psychology, and/or art history.

Students interested in contemporary domestic and international issues have become active in related extracurricular activities often supported by the Department. Thus, the Humanities curriculum offers students many opportunities to explore their world both past and present.

COURSE SELECTION GUIDELINES

All students are encouraged to discuss course options in the Humanities Department with a member of the Humanities faculty. 
 
All AP-level courses are reserved for grades 11 and 12 and require department approval. Departmental approval is required for Historical Research, and for any 10th graders who wish to take a Humanities course in addition to World History II. 
 
AP Courses Include:

• AP Art History
• AP European History
• AP Psychology
• AP United States History

Non-AP Courses Include:

• World History (Grade 9; required)
• World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond (Grade 10; highly recommended)
• United States History (required; Grade 11, recommended, and 12)
• Economics and Politics (Grades 11 and 12)
• Introduction to Psychology (Grades 11 and 12)
• Underrepresented Groups in U.S. History (Grade 10 - while concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond; Grades 11, 12; with Department approval)
• Historical Research (one semester; Grade 10 - while concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond, 11, 12 with Department approval)
• Identity, Society, and Change (Grades 11 and 12)
• Introduction to Philosophy (Grades 11 and 12)
• Global Issues, Local Action (Grade 10 - while concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond, 11, 12 with Department approval)
• AI in Business and Global Challenges (one semester; Grade 10 - while concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond, 11, 12 with Department approval)

AP HOMEWORK GUIDELINES

• AP United States History: Students report spending an average of about 45 minutes a night (or roughly 15-20 pages of secondary and primary sources). In addition, essays are routinely assigned, and these take a variable amount of time.
• AP European History: There will be, on average, 30-45 minutes of reading (text, primary and secondary sources) each night. In addition, essays are routinely assigned, and these take a variable amount of time.
• AP Psychology: There will be, on average, 30-45 minutes of reading each night.
• AP Art History: There will be, on average, 45 minutes of reading and/or viewing each night. In addition, essays and smaller writing assignments are routinely assigned and these take a variable amount of time.

DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES REGARDING ENTRY INTO AP COURSES

Only rising juniors and seniors may register for AP Humanities courses. Students who want to have the option to take AP courses in the Humanities Department must follow the application procedures announced each spring. Students are welcome to speak to the instructor before applying. The admissions requirements for the different AP Humanities courses are below. Please note that students may be removed from an AP course if their work in it falls consistently below the B- level. For AP Humanities courses, the Department Chair may require the student to take a course entrance examination in some cases.

If the student is applying for AP U.S. History:

1. The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
2. If the student has taken World History I: Foundations, the grade should be A or better. 
3. Students are strongly encouraged but not required to complete World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond. If the candidate has taken World History II, the grade should be B+ or better.

If the student is applying for AP European History:

1. The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
2. If the student has taken A.P. U.S. History, the grade should be B+ or better.
3. If the student has taken regular U.S. History, the grade should be A- or better.

If the student is applying for AP Psychology:

1. The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
2. The student should have completed their most recent history course (World History II or U.S. History) with a grade of B or better.

If the student is applying for AP Art History:

1. The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
2. The student should have completed their most recent history course (World History II or U.S. History) with a grade of B or better.

For students in the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027: Within their three required years of Humanities, students must pass two Humanities Department courses to graduate: World History I: Foundations, which is taken in 9th grade; and U.S. History or AP United States History,  normally taken in 11th grade but occasionally in 12th grade. Most 10th graders take World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond. World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond taken in the 10th grade is strongly encouraged by the department. Many juniors and seniors enroll in AP and non-AP electives in areas such as European, United States, non-Western, and Art history; and social sciences such as Economics, Government, and Psychology. In the chart below, with regard to World History I: Foundations, World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond, and US History, a large majority of students follow the path listed first, with each subsequent path less common than the one above it.

For students in the Classes of 2028 and beyond: Students are required to take four years of Humanities, including World History (formerly World History I: Foundations) in 9th grade and U.S. History or AP United States History, which will be offered in 10th grade starting with the Class of 2028. Currently, many juniors and seniors enroll in AP and non-AP electives in areas such as European, United States, non-Western, and Art history; and social sciences such as Economics, Government, and Psychology. The Humanities Department plans to add additional electives for 11th and 12th graders over the next few years. 

Sequence for students in the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027:

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
World History I: Foundations	World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond Electives	U.S. History AP U.S. History Electives	AP Electives Non-AP Electives
World History I: Foundations	—	U.S. History AP U.S. History	AP Electives Non-AP Electives
World History I: Foundations	World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond Electives	Electives (Rare)	U.S. History (rare) AP U.S. History (rare) AP Electives Non-AP Electives
— (rare)	World History I Foundations (rare)	U.S. History	AP Electives Non-AP Electives

Sequence for students in the Class of 2028 and beyond:

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
World History	U.S. History AP U.S. History Electives	AP Electives Non-AP Electives	AP Electives Non-AP Electives

WORLD HISTORY
This year-long course surveys World History from early civilizations to the modern world. The development and interactions of political, economic, social, cultural, and religious traditions is examined. Skill development centers on reading, writing, and note-taking, as well as techniques useful in research and test preparation. Students write essays and paragraph responses throughout the year that require critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. Through individual and group projects, students develop skills of historical analysis, organization of information, and effective communication of ideas.   (1 unit; Grade 9; required)

WORLD HISTORY II: THE 20th CENTURY AND BEYOND
This year-long course explores the major global events and themes of the modern world from the late 19th century up to the present. Topics examined include industrialization; imperialism; political revolutions in Russia, China, and Mexico; the causes and impact of World Wars I and II; the Cold War; the independence struggles and subsequent challenges facing new states in Africa and Asia; and emerging global economic and cultural trends. The examination of current events in written and oral presentations connects our studies to the contemporary world. This course builds on the critical reading, analytical writing, and discussion skills begun in the World History I: Foundations course. Although not required, this course is strongly encouraged for students interested in developing their historical thinking skills. (1 unit; Grade 10; prerequisite: World History I: Foundations)

ECONOMICS AND POLITICS
The economic and political opportunities and responsibilities you face are likely to increase dramatically in the next few years. This year-long course will help you prepare to meet them successfully. Making economic choices -- about your education, employment, savings, and spending, for example -- involves a recognition of costs, which are measured not only in dollars but also in time and forgone alternatives that this course will help you perceive and evaluate. As a citizen, you can vote and exercise your rights more effectively when you learn the constraints you face and the considerations that give you more leverage. This elective, which includes a significant current events component, is designed to benefit you whether you major in Economics or Politics or never take another course in either subject. Highly motivated students may have the opportunity to prepare for one of the Advanced Placement examinations in Economics or Politics. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12)

AP ART HISTORY
This year-long course explores the development and history of the visual arts (e.g., painting, sculpture, and architecture) in major world cultures from prehistoric times to the present day, with particular attention to historical, political, and social contexts. Artistic traditions examined include: African, Asian, European, Indigenous American, and Pacific/Oceanic. Skills emphasized include visual and contextual analysis along with the ability to accurately express that analysis. All students are required to take the Advanced Placement Art History examination given at the end of the year. (1 unit; Grades 11,12; Interested students should contact Mr. Flynn for entrance requirements; department approval required)

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
Students in this year-long course concentrate on developing a sense of history by pursuing a careful program of study of the history of modern Europe from the Renaissance to the present. Political, economic, social, cultural, and intellectual trends are all examined. Topics include the Reformation and Wars of Religion, the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon, the cultural and social changes during the last half of the 19th century, the wars of the first half of the twentieth century, and the emergence of Modern Europe. Extensive reading is done in primary and secondary materials. A part of class time is used to discuss the issues brought up in the readings. All students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement examination in May. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; department approval required)

GLOBAL ISSUES, LOCAL ACTION
In this course, students will investigate current events and issues of global significance and apply this knowledge toward creating positive social change in our local community. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will serve as our broad-reaching and optimistic design framework. Students will practice techniques for understanding alternative viewpoints and develop competencies to build critical thinking and empathy. These skills and competencies will be applied to a series of topics including free and fair elections, border and migration issues, and climate action. Students will learn how to better engage with difference and how to listen carefully for understanding, and they will then be expected to design and facilitate classroom dialogues and to demonstrate their ability to incorporate different perspectives into their work. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their learning and will be empowered to take action both around campus and in the local community. (1 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; Department approval is required for 10th graders)

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
This course seeks to inspire students to question and debate what they think they know about our world. This one-year elective explores the historical foundations of philosophical thought and examines the ideas presented by philosophers from different regions of the world. This study primarily encompasses the branch of philosophy known as epistemology, the study of knowledge, which studies how we “know” our so-called reality within various disciplines. Topics and debates in the class will include questioning the way we know the world—using reasoning, emotions, or senses. It also includes the areas in which we question knowledge, such as in history, ethics, science, and the arts. Each class session is primarily discussion-based and founded on daily written responses to a rich variety of readings. Projects will involve a combination of both presentations and essays. This course will help you to build an open mind, and requires a willingness to speak both freely and frequently in class. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12)

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
This year-long course introduces students to the study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will examine influential theories and studies that have shaped our understanding of a variety of topics, including learning, sensation and perception, development, memory, thinking and language, motivation and emotion, personality, and social relations. The second semester of the course will be conducted as a seminar designed to introduce students to the study of major psychological disorders. Students become familiar with the multiple causes of these disorders as well as the ways they are viewed from different theoretical perspectives. Use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders facilitates understanding the diagnosis of disorders as well as providing a means to discuss intervention and prevention. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12)

AP PSYCHOLOGY
The year-long AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students examine the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. All students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement examination in May. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; department approval required)

U.S. HISTORY
This year-long course surveys United States history from before the colonial period to the present. It focuses on those issues and themes that have emerged to shape American culture, politics, and policies, both foreign and domestic. The course hones student skills in critical analysis through exercises that require locating, evaluating, and integrating various kinds of historical data in debates, presentations, and frequent essays. There is a required research paper. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; preferred for Grade 11; this or AP version required)

AP U.S. HISTORY
This year-long, college-level course in American history traces the development of American culture from the initial interactions of peoples of African, European, and Native American descent up through the modern era. Readings from primary and secondary sources, as well as class discussions, offer students the opportunity to probe deeply into the values of American society as they have evolved over the course of time and to consider the complexity of our society -- in particular those aspects that have served to promote a sense of national identity and those features that have caused profound disagreement over what "American" really represents. Frequent essay assignments encourage students to clarify and define their thoughts in an ordered, well-defended fashion. There is a required research paper. All students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement examination in May. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; preferred for Grade 11; this or regular version of U.S. History required; department approval required)

AI IN BUSINESS AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES
This course will explore the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on business and society. Students will learn about practical applications of AI in diverse industries like real estate, fashion, and finance while critically examining its ethical implications and potential influence on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Additionally, the course will culminate in several projects tackling global challenges using AI solutions, fostering student agency, and problem-solving skills. (½ unit; one semester; Grades 10, 11, 12; Grade 10 if concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond; department approval required)

IDENTITY, SOCIETY, AND CHANGE
In this year-long discussion-based course, we will explore the different ways in which societal change happens. We will begin the year by building a foundation of identity grounded in the discipline of sociology. We will then dig into strategies people have used to move the needle through three spheres of change: government and policy, nonprofits and service, and community organizing and activism. Within each issue we study, we will spend time first learning about the issue, and then exploring how change was made through those spheres, deepening our understanding of each approach. We will round out the year by applying what we have learned in action: informed by what we have studied, students will develop and implement a project designed to impact our school or larger community. (½ unit; Grades 11,12)

UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN U.S. HISTORY
In this year-long course, students will investigate in detail the history and current situation of racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, gender, and other such groups in the United States. Enrolled students will have the opportunity to learn about various aspects of these groups' histories and also to immerse themselves in relevant current events and social justice efforts related to these groups today. Stories in the news and students' own interests will help shape the curriculum. (½ unit; Grades 11, 12; Grade 10 if concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond; department approval required)

HISTORICAL RESEARCH
This semester-long course offers students an opportunity to pursue original research, whether through archives, other documents, non-textual artifacts, oral history, or some other combination of methods and sources. Working with an advisor, students in the course will develop their own project connected to actual historical materials. The course will meet regularly throughout the six-day cycle. This course may be repeated for credit. (1/2 unit; Grades 10 if concurrently enrolled in World History II: The 20th Century and Beyond; department approval required)