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 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 tenth graders who wish to take a Humanities course in addition to US History/AP US History. 
 
AP Courses Include:

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

Non-AP Courses Include:

• World History (Grade 9; required)
• United States History (required; Grade 10 (starting with the Class of 2028) Grade 11 (Class of 2027), recommended, and 12 (Class of 2026)
• AI in Business and Global Challenges (one semester; Grades 10, 11, 12; with department approval for Grade 10)
• Big History (Grades 11 and 12)
• Economics & Politics (Grades 11 and 12)
• Global Issues, Local Action (Grades 10, 11, 12; with department approval for Grade 10)
• Historical Research (one semester; Grades 11 and 12 with Department approval)
• Identity, Society, and Change (Grades 10, 11, 12)
• Introduction to Philosophy (Grades 11 and 12)
• Introduction to Psychology (Grades 11 and 12)
• Leadership in Action: Lessons from History and Practice (one semester; Grades 11 and 12)
• Politics & Culture I (1914-1945) (one semester; Grades 11 and 12)
• Politics & Culture II (1945-present) (one semester; Grades 11 and 12)
• The Roman Republic (Grades 11 and 12)
• Underrepresented Groups in U.S. History (Grades 10, 11, 12; with department approval for Grade 10)
   

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 11 (Class of 2027):

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 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 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)

U.S. HISTORY 10/11
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, writing assignments, and other assessments. (1 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12 in 2025-2026; must be taken in 10th grade for Class of 2028 and subsequent years; this or AP version required)

AP U.S. HISTORY 10
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. (1 unit; Grade 10; this or regular version of US History required; department approval required)

AP U.S. HISTORY 11
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. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; preferred for Grade 11; this or regular version of US History required; department approval required)

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. (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. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; department approval required)

AP PSYCHOLOGY
This year-long course explores the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will examine influential theories and research that have shaped our understanding of topics such as sensation and perception, development, learning, memory, thinking and language, and social interactions. The course also introduces students to major psychological disorders, their multiple causes, and various approaches to treatment. Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and class projects, students will have the opportunity to explore topics of personal interest, apply psychological concepts to real-world situations, and develop critical thinking skills that enhance their understanding of themselves and others. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12)

AI IN BUSINESS AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES
This course provides a broad introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing influence on business and society. While designed for students with an interest in business, technology, and global issues, this course does not require a technical background. Students will explore how AI is transforming fields such as real estate, fashion, and finance, examining both its benefits and challenges. Through case studies and discussions, they will analyze real-world applications of AI, from automating business operations to enhancing decision-making and customer experiences. In addition to understanding AI’s impact on industries, students will also consider its ethical and societal implications, including issues related to equity, regulation, and responsible AI use. The course culminates in hands-on projects where students apply AI concepts to tackle global challenges, fostering problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and collaboration. This course and the STEAM Department's Innovation and Entrepreneurship course complement one another. (½ unit; one semester; Grades 10, 11, 12; Grade 10 with department approval)

BIG HISTORY
This college-level elective is designed for students with a keen interest in exploring the interconnectedness of our universe, planet, life, and human society. Big History provides an interdisciplinary framework that synthesizes knowledge from diverse fields -- natural, physical, and social science and history -- to address profound questions about our existence. Using the concept of complexity thresholds, students will trace the origins and development of the universe, life, and human societies from the Big Bang to the present and beyond. Students will engage in a variety of inquiry-based activities to foster critical thinking, including data analysis, laboratory work, evidence-based reconstruction, research projects, and analytical writing, always asking what do we know and how do we know it?  Student understanding will be assessed via scientific and social scientific writing (e.g., technical lab report, evidence-based argumentation), quizzes, and the iterative creation of models of complexity thresholds. Additionally, a year-long research project will focus on tracing the progression of an object or idea from its cosmic origins to the present. Students will gain an appreciation of the complexity and interconnectedness of all things as well as an informed perspective on the future of humanity within the larger context of the cosmos. (1 unit - either Humanities or Science; Grades 11, 12; prerequisites: None, but a strong interest in interdisciplinary learning is recommended)

ECONOMICS & 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)

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 healthy democratic institutions, 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 tenth graders)

HISTORICAL RESEARCH
This semester-long course offers students an opportunity to pursue original research, whether through archives, databases, non-textual artifacts, oral history, or some other combination of methods and sources. Students in this homework bearing course will have regular assignments each night involving their research topic. Class time is used for discussions about the readings from the primary course text, as well as research updates from each student based on their work outside of class. By the end of this course, students will be able to evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources, and will have the ability to create a research question and develop a thesis statement culminating in a formal 12 page research paper and presentation. This course is ideal for students with exceptional time management skills and a desire to learn more about writing an analytical research paper. (½ unit; Grades 11, 12; 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 a project designed to impact our school or larger community. (½ unit; year-long course; Grades 10, 11, 12; department approval required for Grade 10)

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 course 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 a rich variety of readings. Assessments will involve a combination of tests, 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 explores the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will examine influential theories and research that have shaped our understanding of topics such as sensation and perception, development, learning, memory, thinking and language, and social interactions. The course also introduces students to major psychological disorders, their multiple causes, and various approaches to treatment. Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and class projects, students will have the opportunity to explore topics of personal interest, apply psychological concepts to real-world situations, and develop critical thinking skills that enhance their understanding of themselves and others. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12)

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION: LESSONS FROM HISTORY AND PRACTICE 
This is a discussion-based elective designed for 11th and 12th-grade students who want to explore the principles of effective leadership and apply them in their daily lives. Through historical case studies, readings of various genres, self-assessments, and a core text on leadership, students will examine various leadership styles while identifying their own strengths and areas for growth as a leader. They will analyze the traits, decisions, and challenges of influential leaders across different fields. As a culminating project, students will design and lead a lesson for their peers. Each student will lead their peers in both the development and implementation of their project’s plan. By the end of the course, students will have gained a deeper understanding of leadership in history and within themselves while engaging in real-world leadership experiences. The ultimate goal of the class is to help students build confidence to take on leadership roles and develop the skills to inspire and lead within our community and beyond. (1/2 unit; Grades 11, 12)

POLITICS & CULTURE  I (1914-1945)
This course explores the political and cultural forces that led to the rise of authoritarianism and totalitarian regimes in the early 20th century.  Through the study of fascism, communism, and military dictatorships, students will explore how leaders like Mussolini, Stalin, and Hitler consolidated power and controlled society. Through political analysis and cultural artifacts—including art, literature, and music—students will examine how these systems shaped and were shaped by society. From Nazi propaganda and Soviet Socialist Realism to Picasso’s Guernica and Orwell’s dystopian fiction, we will analyze how culture served both as a tool of oppression and as a means of defiance.  By the end of the semester, students will understand how authoritarianism rises, sustains itself, and is ultimately challenged. The course will encourage critical thinking about the relationship between power and cultural expression in shaping modern history. (½ unit; offered first semester; Grades 11 and 12)

POLITICS & CULTURE II (1945-Present)
This course explores the postwar struggle between authoritarianism and democracy during the Cold War and beyond. It will build on the first semester course, but can be taken on its own. Students will examine the ways totalitarian regimes maintained control through propaganda, censorship, and repression, as well as the cultural and political resistance movements that challenged them. Topics include the Soviet Union’s grip on Eastern Europe, uprisings like the Prague Spring, the fall of military dictatorships, and the eventual collapse of the Cold War order. Through the works of Camus, Solzhenitsyn, and 20th-century protest art and music, students will analyze how culture became a battleground for ideological conflict. The course concludes by examining modern authoritarian trends, digital propaganda, and ongoing struggles for democracy in the 21st century.  (½ unit; offered second semester; Grades 11 and 12)

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC/LATIN 4: THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
In this year-long course, cross-listed in the Humanities and the Classics Departments, students will examine thoroughly the origins, political systems, expansion, conquests, socioeconomic patterns, and culture of the Roman Republic, a topic that has tremendous relevance for students of history, classics, and anyone who wants better to understand the origins of our own political system.  Students will practice and improve their critical thinking skills by learning how to assess varying perspectives, analyze political, cultural, and economic development over time, think carefully about how we know what we know about this time period, and explore the diversity of Rome while also investigating the ways in which the Romans welcomed and “othered” certain groups of people. While much of the syllabus will be consistent for all students, those taking the course for Classics credit will read primary sources in Latin, while those taking the course for Humanities credit will read additional sources in English.  The first semester will trace the origins, development, and eventual disintegration of the Roman Republic, from the expulsion of the Roman Kings in 501 BCE up to the death of Augustus in 14 CE.  In the second semester, the course becomes a student-directed, research-based course, with students engaging in autonomous exploration of a topic of particular and individual interest, thereby developing and honing essential skills in research, analytical reading and writing, communication, and creativity. (1 unit - either Humanities or Classics; Grades 11, 12; Prerequisites - if taking for Classics credit, completion of Latin 3 or Honors Latin 3)

UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN U.S. HISTORY
In this year-long course, students will investigate in detail racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and gender movements in the United States. Enrolled students will have the opportunity to learn about the histories of peoples and movements as they immerse themselves in modern social justice movements and current events related to these groups. Stories in the news and students’ own interests will help shape the curriculum (½ unit; year-long course; Grades 10, 11, 12; department approval required for Grade 10)