FRESHMEN
Peoples and World Cultures
0.5 credit
Fall Semester - Required of all freshmen
In our rapidly changing world, people
around the planet are being brought
into closer contact with each other. The
decisions made in the far corners of the
globe have increasing impact on our
lives, more than ever before. Students
in this course will work towards greater
understanding of the people with whom
they share this planet. Through a study
of the physical, personal and cultural
characteristics of regions around the
world, as well as types of governments,
religions and economies, students will
strive to become more familiar with the
world around them.
Classical Civilization
0.5 credit
Spring Semester
Although the powerful civilizations of
Ancient Greece and Rome vanished
over one thousand years ago, they are
both very much alive in our world
today. One needs only to look at
Thornton Hall to see this influence. This
course will study the history of these
two great civilizations, how they rose
and eventually fell from power, and
investigate their culture with its ongoing
contributions to the way we live our lives
today.
20th and 21st Century World History
0.5 credit
Spring Semester
Turn on the news and you’ll quickly
realize we live in quite a complex world,
likely hearing reference to “the war in
Afghanistan,” “the Arab spring,” or “the
global economic crisis.” Unfortunately,
most young adults in America know
very little about the outside world.
According the 2012 Global Competency
Survey, only 28% of 18-24 year-olds
in America could accurately locate
Afghanistan, fewer than 25% could
identify the most commonly spoken
language in the world, and just 23%
could name America’s largest global
trading partner. Fortunately, it doesn’t
have to be this way. In examining the
events that dominate the hearts and
mind of people around the world, 20th
and 21st Century World History offers
students an in-depth understanding of
the world around them and prepares
them for success in an increasingly
interconnected and globalized society.
SOPHOMORES
Sophomores also have choice in their
history curriculum. Students must
choose two of the four sophomore
history electives.
America’s Response to a Changing
World
0.5 credit
Should America put its people in harm’s
way to help others throughout the world?
Does America have the right to use its
power and strength to influence world
events? What happens when American
priorities conflict with those of other
nations? How do the actions of foreign
governments and people affect the lives
of Americans at home and abroad? In
addressing these critical questions and
more, students in “America’s Response
to a Changing World” will investigate
the dilemmas facing our increasingly
interdependent global society and
examine America’s role in events that
are important not only to millions of
Americans, but also to billions of people
around the world.
Blind Eye of History
0.5 credit
“Turning a blind eye” is an idiom
that describes the custom of ignoring
undesirable information. Learn about
U.S. History through the eyes of groups
that have been ignored, mistreated,
and abused. This class will focus on
the experiences of three major groups:
African Americans, women, and Native
Americans. Explore the roots of race
hatred in America, the long journey
and sacrifices of women to gain equal
rights, and come to understand how
some present day native reservations are
identified as the poorest places in the
country. Unlike other history offerings,
there is no drive to consider the entire
scope of any issue but instead this course
will allow students to delve into specific
and impactful events as they reverberate
through time.
Constitutional Studies
0.5 credit
Few historic moments impact us as
significantly as the signing of the
US Constitution. This 225-year-old
document affects so many aspects of
our lives, from who can be President to
what we are allowed to say. Join us for a
journey into the US Constitution where
you will explore the Constitution as a
living document. Students will:
• examine the motivations of the
Founding Fathers when they penned this
historic document
• analyze America’s unique form of
democracy that is implemented through
this charter
• investigate how its interpretation
influences one’s rights today around
critical and controversial issues.
Modern China
0.5 credit
Despite the fact that one out of every five
people in the world are citizens of China,
the level of understanding of the culture
and history of China by Westerners
continues to deserve attention. In an
effort to gain an understanding this
incredible country, students will examine
roughly the past century of Chinese
history including the fall of the Qing
dynasty, the rise of Communism, and the
recent interactions between the United
States and China.
JUNIORS
United States History is an important
component for any American student’s
education. In the junior year, students
will be able to choose between four levels
of Modern United States History.
Foundations of Modern US History
1 credit
Through a study of Twentieth Century
United States history, students will gain
a better understanding of this country’s
role in the world today. Focus will be
using a variety of primary and secondary
sources to create a clear image of the
events of this era. Students will be
asked to think critically and analytically
to develop conclusions about the
importance of historical events using
evidence from the assigned course work
to support their thinking.
Modern US History