Upper School Curriculum Guide

Humanities

Note: This year, students will be registering for courses with their Advisor. We encourage students and families to make use of the Curriculum Guide to investigate their choices, check prerequisites, and confirm entry requirements. Current teachers, Department Chairs, and Grade Deans should also be consulted as resources. As we are distance teaching and learning through RCDS@home, when you read the below policies, please disregard references to signatures, sign-ups, conversations, and approvals. Once course selections are made, each Department will review them in order to approve or recommend another approach.

Overview

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.

The successful completion of two, year-long courses taught in the Humanities Department -- World Civilizations and United States History -- is required for graduation, but most students take Modern World, and quite a few take additional courses, as well. Students are required to pass the World Civilizations course by the end of tenth grade. Most students complete it in the ninth grade and then enroll in Modern World, which concentrates on the last century and serves as excellent preparation for the year-long course in U.S. History, which is typically taken in eleventh grade but which must be completed in eleventh or twelfth grade. In addition, the Department offers electives in various areas of the humanities and social sciences open to juniors and seniors, with two electives open to sophomores, as well. Qualified students may also enroll in Advanced Placement courses in American and European history, psychology, art history, and sometimes other subjects.

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.

Policies

COURSE SELECTION GUIDELINES

All students are encouraged to discuss course options in the Humanities Department with a member of the Humanities faculty. Please consult the courses tab for a full description of each elective.

All AP level courses are reserved for grades 11 and 12 and require department approval. See further details on the courses tab.

AP Courses Include:

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

Non-AP Courses Include:

World Civilizations (Grades 9, 10; this course is required.)
Modern World (Grade 10, highly recommended)
United States History (Grade 11, recommended, and 12)
Economics and Politics (Grades 11 and 12)
Introduction to Psychology (Grades 11 and 12)
Identity and Society (Grade 10 - while concurrently enrolled in Modern World - Grades 11, 12; with Department approval)
Underrepresented Groups in U.S. History (Grade 10 - while concurrently enrolled in Modern World - Grades 11, 12; with Department approval)
Historical Research (Grades 10, 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 Modern 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: Each night there will be 30-45 minutes of reading text and compiling paradigmatic works of art, on which connoisseurship is based. The occasional essay or oral presentation may cause variations within that daily time frame.

DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES REGARDING ENTRY INTO AP COURSES

Only rising juniors and seniors may register for AP Humanities courses. A student who would like to have the option of taking an Advanced Placement course in the Humanities Department next year needs to sign up in order to be considered for the course. By signing up, students are not committing themselves to taking the course, but they cannot count on having the option to take an AP course unless they sign up by the deadline.

The deadline to sign up to be considered for Advanced Placement level courses in the Humanities Department will be announced in US announcements shortly after the resumption of school following spring break. Please look for the Humanities Department email on firstclass with links to the relevant signup pages that will be sent out at that time.

Students who want to have the option to take A.P. 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 A.P. Humanities courses are below. Please note that a student may be removed from an A.P. course if his or her work in it falls consistently below the B- level.

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

The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
If the candidate has taken World Civilizations, the grade should be A- or better. Beginning with the class of 2022, a grade of A or better will be required.
Students are strongly encouraged but not required to complete Modern World. If the candidate has taken Modern World, the grade should be B+ or better.
In some cases, the department chair may require the candidate to take a course entrance examination.

If the candidate is applying for AP European History:

The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
If the candidate has taken A.P. U.S. History, the grade should be B+ or better.
If the candidate has taken regular U.S. History, the grade should be A- or better.
In some cases, the department chair may require the candidate to take a course entrance examination.

If the candidate is applying for AP Psychology:

The student’s current and previous Humanities teachers should support the student’s candidacy.
The student should have completed Honors Biology or A.P. Biology with a grade of B+ or better, or regular Biology with a grade of A- or better.
In some cases, the department chair may require the candidate to take a course entrance examination.

If the candidate is applying for AP Art History:

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

Curricular Sequence

Students are required to pass two Humanities Department courses to graduate: World Civilizations, which is normally taken in 9th grade and in any event must be completed by the end of 10th grade; and regular or AP US History, which is normally taken in 11th grade but occasionally in 12th grade. Most 10th graders take Modern World. Modern World 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, US, non-Western, and Art history; and social sciences such as Economics, Government, and Psychology. In the chart below, with regard to World Civilizations, Modern World, and US History, a large majority of students follow the path listed first, with each subsequent path less common than the one above it.

Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
World Civilizations	Modern World; Electives concurrent with Modern World	US History or AP US History; Various Electives	Various AP & Non-AP Electives
World Civilizations	- - - - - - - - - -	US History or AP US History; Various Electives	Various AP & Non-AP Electives
World Civilizations	Modern World; Electives concurrent with Modern World	Various Electives (Rare)	US History or AP US History (rare); Various AP & Non-AP Electives
- - - - - - - - - - - - -	World Civ. (Rare)	US History	Various AP & Non-AP Electives

Courses

Humanities Courses

Year-long Courses for Freshmen and Sophomores

WORLD CIVILIZATIONS
MODERN WORLD

WORLD CIVILIZATIONS

This course surveys the major world civilizations from their beginnings after the Neolithic Period through the nineteenth century. Emphasis is placed on the important cultures that emerged on five continents and on the political, social, cultural, and religious traditions they produced. Skill development centers on reading, writing and note-taking as well as techniques useful in research and test preparation. Students write several essays requiring the critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. (1 unit; Grades 9, 10; this course is required.)

MODERN WORLD

This 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; the rise of fundamentalism; struggles in Latin America; and emerging global economic and cultural trends. The examination of current events in written and oral presentations links our studies with the contemporary world. This course builds on the critical reading, analytical writing, and discussion skills begun in the World Civilizations course. Although not required, this course is strongly encourage for students wishing to take higher level Humanities courses. (1 unit; Grade 10; prerequisite: World Civilizations)

Year-Long Courses for Juniors and Seniors

ECONOMICS AND POLITICS

The economic and political opportunities and responsibilities you face are likely to increase dramatically in the next few years. This 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 yearlong course explores the development and history of the visual arts in major world cultures from prehistoric times to the present day, with particular attention to historical, political, and social contexts. In order to cover the scope of the material, students must be able to work independently, yet enjoy collaboration and have an interest in varied visual expression. Classes are conducted with seminar-style discussions, which are supplemented by independent research projects, an occasional guest lecture, and field trips. In addition, 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.)

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY

Students 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. Although a text is used as the core of the course, students are expected to use it as a reference book. 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 is required.)

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

This 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 A.P. 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 sub-fields 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 is required.)

US HISTORY

This 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 A.P. version is required)

AP US HISTORY

This college-level course in American history traces the development of our culture from before the first contacts of the original Native Americans with Europeans to 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 US History is required. Department approval is required.)

Year-Long Courses for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

IDENTITY AND SOCIETY
UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN U.S. HISTORY

IDENTITY AND SOCIETY

This course will explore the impact that race, class, and gender have on our lives. Students enrolled in this course will dive into the historical and current manifestations of the major social identifiers, investigating both individual and institutional perspectives. Through the lens of the social sciences and current events, as well as personal and historical reflection, we will also explore what makes these issues so hard to discuss and how we as individuals and members of a community can hope to address them. Drawing on the disciplines of Sociology, Psychology and Education, the course will require reading articles and doing research, projects, and group work. (1/2 unit, 3 meetings per cycle; Grade 10 (while concurrently enrolled in Modern World), Grades 11, 12; Department approval is required.)

UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN U.S. HISTORY

Students who wish to investigate in detail the history and current situation of racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic, gender, and other such groups in the US should consider this course, which meets three times per cycle throughout the year. 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. (1/2 unit, 3 meetings per cycle; Grade 10 (while concurrently enrolled in Modern World), Grades 11, 12; Department approval is required.)

Semester-Long Courses for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

This 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, each student in the course will develop his or her own project connected to actual historical materials. The course will meet a minimum of once per cycle. This course may be repeated for credit. (¼ unit; Grades 10, 11,12. Department approval is required.)