History, Philosophy, Religion, and Social Sciences
The programs in this department span the breadth of human experience past and present, and reflect the call of our age for cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and humanistic approaches to individual self-awareness, personal development, and an understanding of the world. Global citizenship and increasing interdependence demand that students become familiar with both their own and other cultures, have knowledge of the past, develop logical thinking, appreciate philosophical and religious ideas, and have an understanding of political and economic institutions.
All students are required to take a one-term course in philosophy or religion and a year-long course in United States History; three and four year students are required to take a year-long course in World History. In addition students in the classes of 2008 and 2009 who entered in their third or fourth form year are required to take Introduction to Psychology (PY400), while students in the classes of 2010 and 2011 are required to take a course in contemporary global studies. The contemporary global studies requirement can be fulfilled with a range of courses (see page 6) including four courses in this department: Contemporary Issues (HI205), The Use and Abuse of Power (HI461AD), The Modern Middle East (HI403HO), and International Economics (EC455HO). Students are urged to fulfill these requirements as early in their careers as possible.
In addition to the requirements, students are encouraged to pursue other departmental courses that interest them. There are natural connections among the different courses and programs, and the department encourages students to put together related courses to form a Capstone Program during the senior year. Term courses may be arranged into a full-year sequence; in the case of preparation for certain AP Examinations, this is highly recommended.
Students are placed in honors sections of courses according to criteria listed in the course descriptions below. The Director of Studies, in consultation with the department head, determines the suitability of honors placement for each new student.
—Tom White, Department Head
Note: Students who participate in an international study program may fulfill their history requirement as follows::
1. Fourth form students who participate in an international study program during the spring term are not required to make up the missed term of World History. The history they study while abroad replaces the third term of that course.
2. Fifth form students who participate in an international study program must fulfill the United States History requirement as sixth formers by enrolling in a) the term of U.S. History (HI310 or HI355AP) that was missed, or b) if fall term was missed, enrolling in Constitutional Law (HI413HO) or American Political Institutions (PS400AD or PS550AP); if winter term was missed, enrolling in The Civil War and Reconstruction (HI412AD); if spring term was missed enrolling in American Diplomacy (HI413AD).
Note: Fifth form students may not take American Studies (HI375AP and EN375HO) and participate in an international study program during the fall or winter of the fifth form academic year.