reading, extensive essay writing, class discussion and research projects, students expand their understanding of varied historical cultures with the overall goal of developing a greater appreciation for the differences in the people who make up our ever-changing world. Required for students in Form 4.
U.S. History A survey of the United States from 1492 to the present includes a treatment of major themes in American political, social, military, religious, cultural and economic history. While students examine events, people and movements in the American experience, consideration also is given to the interpretation of these specifics. Original research is encouraged by the use of primary-source documents. All U.S. History students write a term paper. One leading goal of the course is to build interest in history as an academic discipline and a source of enjoyment. Some students take the Advanced Placement Examination in May. Required for students in Form 5. Under special circumstances and with department recommendation, a student may take this course during the senior year.
Advanced Placement U.S. History The history of the United States, from pre-Columbian to present, is studied with frequent use of primarysource materials and varying historiography. Because all students in Advanced Placement U.S. History take the AP Exam in May, the demands for reading, writing and research go beyond those in the regular sections. Students must expect additional summer reading to prepare for the class and must commit significant extra time to U.S. History during the year. An extensive and fully documented term paper is required. Open to students in Form 5 after consultation with their Modern World Studies teacher and with department recommendation.
markets, concentrating on profit-maximizing habits in the economy. Graphic analysis, the use of economic models and the economic philosophies of Smith, Marx and Keynes are emphasized. Students use these ideas when examining measures of economic performance such as GDP, inflation and unemployment. Graphic models are used frequently to measure the health of the economy and then to formulate corrective monetary and fiscal policies. The course concludes by looking at the impact of international trade on the economy. This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement Examinations in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, which they take in May. Open to students in Form 6.
electives Advanced Placement Economics (Year)
Advanced Placement Political Science (Year)
An introduction to fundamental microeconomic and macroeconomic theory gives students a basic background in the subject. Students begin by examining the development of capitalism and exploring basic economic concepts such as supply, demand and opportunity cost. The focus then moves to the behavior of individual firms and individual
Upper Prep
Geography and Culture
Form 1
American History
Form 2
Comparative Governments
Form 3
Empires and Republics
FALL/SPRING Applied Economics
Modern World Studies
FALL China and Japan
FALL/SPRING Applied Economics
U.S. History
spring American Law
fall Cultural Anthropology
Advanced Placement U.S. History
FALL China and Japan
Spring The End of Empire
Advanced Placement Economics
spring American Law
fall Cultural Anthropology
fall History of Religions
Advanced Placement Political Science
FALL China and Japan
Spring Sixties
Spring The End of Empire
Form 4
Form 5
Form 6
Applied Economics (Fall, Spring)
fall History of Religions
This course explores the choices and decisions people make about how to use the world’s limited resources. The goal of this course is to equip students with knowledge that is strongly rooted in economic principles so they will be able to differentiate among economic models, understand issues pertaining to global and national economics, gain insight into choices that businesses make, and learn the importance of managing personal finances and planning for future financial security. Open to students in Forms 3-4.
China and Japan (Fall)
key: Upper Prep = grade 6, Form 1 = grade 7, Form 2 = grade 8, Form 3 = grade 9, Form 4 = grade 10, Form 5 = grade 11, Form 6 = grade 12 24
Students are introduced to the study of politics, including such philosophers as Plato, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Marx. Students then examine the origins of the American political system. The course focuses on the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Topics in public opinion, interest groups, the media, elections and political parties provide an analysis of contemporary politics. Reading in the course is extensive, and tests and papers are designed to integrate large amounts of material, thereby developing study and research skills appropriate to college work. Assignments also include “practical politics,” in which students attend town board meetings, view C-SPAN, and create campaign playbooks. Students take the U.S. Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination in May. Open to students in Form 6.
This is a seminar course with many historical actors – traditional Confucians, playwrights, Boxers and samurais, Toyota executives, Maoists, feminist revolutionaries, peasant farmers and sports heroes. Yet, one essential question remains. In the 19th century, Confucian China began a long period of cultural reflection and violent revolution in its search for a more modern definition of Chinese culture. During the same time, Japan’s samurai elite laid down their ko course of study 2013-2014
swords and led the nation quickly through the initial stages of becoming an industrial nation and a regional political power. Why the sharp difference? We look at the traditional societies in both cultures and how traditions helped shape each culture’s response to the technological and social realities of a more modern world. History narrative, plays, short stories and primary sources are used. Assessments include short theme papers and discussions. Open to students in Forms 4-6.
Cultural Anthropology (Fall) By studying the cultures of nonwestern peoples, students learn to appreciate cultural differences among nations as well as those within the United States. Topics explored include tribal culture, the role of ritual, nonwestern religions, family life and the impact of modernization. Students read several classic pieces of Third World literature. The course is based on a sociological approach to the study of the nonwestern world. Open to students in Forms 5-6.
History of Religions (Fall) To give students an increased understanding and awareness of the world’s diversity, this course offers a historical overview of six of the world’s major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Students examine basic philosophical similarities and differences by comparing the tenets and dogmas ofthese religions and their followers. The course incorporates the works of one of the foremost religious thinkers, Huston Smith, through his writings and his video series “The Wisdom of Faith.” The conclusion of this course examines the issue of hatred in the context of religious history. Students must participate actively in discussion and are responsible for classroom presentations and a major research project. Open to students in Forms 5-6.
American Law (Spring) The bedrock on which all societies rest is the rule of law. This course examines the way the American legal system operates. Students begin by learning how law is made in legislatures and courts, and then study the way in which general legal principles are applied to specific facts through the study of various actual and hypothetical cases. The students gain an understanding of the trial process and conduct a mock trial in front of a jury of their peers as their final project. Open to students in Forms 5-6.
Sixties (Spring) This course explores the domestic issues that greatly influenced social change in America during the polarized decade of the 1960s. From the Kennedy administration through Nixon’s first term, the focus is on issues such as the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement and the search for racial, social and 25