History

WORLD HISTORY I – COLLEGE PREP (410S)                                                   5 Credits – Grade 9
Course Overview: The mission of World History I is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed citizens and contributing members of local, state, national, and global communities in the digital age. The course is designed to provide an overview of global history utilizing a chronological approach beginning with Pre-History and ending with the Renaissance. World History I provides learners with a balanced global perspective on history, including topics on Asian, African, European, and Early American civilizations. Throughout the course of the year, students are challenged in essential skills including: global geography, critical thinking, critical reading, and writing. Particular attention is paid to developing students’ ability to read, analyze, evaluate, and understand primary and secondary source documentation as related to particular historical topics. Students are challenged to develop the skills necessary to understand historical context, make comparisons across cultures, and discuss differing historical viewpoints. Use of lectures, the Socratic method, class discussions, and group activities all serve to strengthen the student experience.

WORLD HISTORY I – HONORS (410H)                                                                5 Credits – Grade 9
Course Overview: The mission of World History (Honors) is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed citizens and contributing members of local, state, national, and global communities in the digital age. This course focuses on history and historical interactions by investigating significant areas of both Western and non-Western civilizations. Students will be introduced to the causal relationships that bind the past to the present, and will examine similarities and differences among cultures as seen in political, social, and cultural events. This class approaches history by looking at the common threads of humanity over time – trade, religion, politics, society, the arts, and technology – and having students investigate how these things have changed and continued over time in different places. This course emphasizes events from 2000 BCE to the Renaissance with balanced global coverage of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Students develop analytical abilities and critical-thinking skills in order to understand historical and geographical context, make comparisons across cultures, use documents and other primary sources, and recognize and discuss different interpretations and historical frameworks. Students consider historical viewpoints to analyze the role of the individual in society and the significance of fundamental documents. Discussion and presentation will enable students to develop sound reasoning and effective communication skills. This course carries a 5% weight. 
 

WORLD HISTORY II – COLLEGE PREP (421S)                                                          5 credits – Grade 10

Course Overview: World History II classes will pick up from where they left off freshman year – roughly the year 1492 CE. Students will begin by examining the modern foundations of European history, but they will also explore how Europe and the rest of the world were becoming far more interconnected at this time – a process that was only hastened by the expanding technology of the Renaissance and Age of Exploration. The development of independent civilizations and empires throughout the Americas and Africa will also be a primary focus of the first part of this course. Exploration, colonization, mercantilism, and the rise of capitalism will all feature as themes during the first half of the course. These were the contexts within which Europeans most often encountered and interacted with people in other parts of the world. The first half of this course will end with a broader analysis of the Age of Revolution, paying particular attention to events in the United States, France, and Haiti.

While the second half of the course is certainly grounded within the broader theme of global history, there will be a clear focus on the United States and its growing links with the rest of the world. Nationalism, international relations, industrialization, and imperialism will all be major themes of this part of the course as students move through the 19th century. The final part of the course will examine the 20th century and how, over the course of several devastating conflicts (World War I, World War II, and the Cold War), the United States became the world’s only superpower. The 20th century became the American Century. The final part of the course also examines themes such as decolonization, the expansion of women’s rights, economic dependence, and some of the factors that led to the final topic covered in the class – 9/11.
Throughout the year, students will also focus on building a number of skills, including but not limited to note-taking, primary document analysis, scholarly research, and argumentative writing. Political and economic history will be important, but so too will social and cultural history, as evidenced by a focus on listening to the voices of non-traditional historical actors.

WORLD HISTORY II - HONORS  (421H)                                                             5 credits - Grade 10

Students in World History II Honors will follow the same outline as the CP course with the addition of more challenging readings and assignments. Students will write a formal research paper, and a portion of the class will be dedicated to exposing students to more complex AP style questions. This course carries a 5% weight. 
 

UNITED STATES HISTORY – COLLEGE PREP (420S)                                    5 Credits – Grade 11
Course Overview: United States History is a survey course that encompasses the development of the American Nation from the Age of Exploration and the Colonial Era to current political, social, economic, and cultural American affairs. In addition to learning about the important events, issues, and individuals of this period, a focus is placed on developing the student’s critical and analytical abilities regarding the historical process. Emphasis is placed on America’s role in foreign and domestic policy and the development of the country’s industrial and social experience. Students will be required to complete a research project (oral or written) during the second semester that will enhance the students’ research, analytical, and argumentative skills. Major topics include World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and contemporary foreign and domestic political issues. Primary and secondary document analysis will be used on a regular basis to facilitate lectures. 

UNITED STATES HISTORY – HONORS (420H)                                                 5 Credits – Grade 11
Course Overview: Honors United States History is an intensive examination of the salient events, movements, and schools of historical inquiry in our nation’s history, beginning with the Age of Exploration and the Colonial Era, moving to the nation’s emergence as a superpower in the post-war world, and continuing into the present. In addition to learning about the important events, issues, and individuals of this period, emphasis is placed on developing the student’s critical and analytical abilities regarding the historical process, including how to conduct research and write formal papers. The student will analyze the causes and effects of significant events (i.e., New Deal, New Freedom, and Cold War) as well as the historical debates relevant to the period through substantial primary readings, interpretative essays, and seminar discussions. Consequently, the course demands excellent reading and writing skills. This course carries a 5% weight. 

AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (444A)                                                 5 Credits – Grade 12
Course Overview: AP African American Studies is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with rich and varied sources. Students explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. The course framework is organized by four thematic units that follow a chronological flow across the course: 1) Origins of the African diaspora, 2) Freedom, Enslavement, and Resistance, 3) The Practice of Freedom, and 4) Movements and Debates. Throughout each unit, students build interdisciplinary analytical skills through deep encounters with a wide range of texts and sources.

Each student is required to take the AP African American Studies exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight. 

AP AMERICAN HISTORY (430A)                                                                         5 Credits – Grade 11
Course Overview: AP American History is a two-semester course, which is the equivalent of a college freshman survey course. The purpose of the course is to prepare students for the AP exam given in May. This requires a comprehensive factual and analytical knowledge of American History from the colonial period into the twenty-first century. It also requires the ability to write a coherent critical essay. Thus, the course demands are extensive with regard to both reading and writing.

Each student is required to take the AP Exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight.

(449A) Advanced Placement Art History 

This course aims to prepare students for the AP Art History Exam and provide students the equivalent of an introductory college course in the history of world art. The course covers the major developments in art, history, and works of art from the Paleolithic Era to contemporary 21st century. The main emphasis is on Western Art with some emphasis on the art, culture, religion and traditions of non-Western societies. Integrated into the course are required visits to New York and Philadelphia museums. No previous art experience is required. Each student is required to take the AP Exam to satisfy the course requirements. Admission is by special application. (5 Credits)

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY (440A)                                                                         5 Credits – Grade 12
Course Overview: This is a two-semester college-level course in which the students are required to demonstrate a knowledge of basic chronology and the major events and trends from approximately 1450, the High Renaissance, through the post-Cold War period. In addition, the students will develop an ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize historical evidence.

Each student is required to take the AP Exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (420A)                                                                          5 Credits – Grade 9
Course Overview: AP Human Geography is a two-semester, college-level course that explores the complex interaction between people and their environment. Whereas historians examine fundamental questions of “when” and “why,” geographers ask the questions “where” and “why.” In particular, students will learn about the spatial distribution of humans and their activities across Earth over time, as well as the reasons for their unique location in space. In the process of investigating these two essential questions that are the foundation of human geography, students will be introduced to the basic concepts of physical geography, which focuses on natural forces such as landforms and climate. The overarching objectives for this course are:

• To introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface
• To employ spatial concepts, geographic vocabulary, and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences
• To learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice

Students learn to understand, evaluate, and utilize spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. Current real-world issues such as population, human migration, economics, political organization of space, urban land use, and agriculture, are examined in a variety of ways. Through case study, inquiry, research projects, and comparative analysis, students will gain valuable knowledge about the human species' place in both time and space.

Each student is required to take the AP Human Geography Exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight. 

AP PSYCHOLOGY (441A)                                                                                       5 Credits – Grade 12
Course Overview: AP Psychology is a full-year college-level course designed to introduce students to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Along with preparation for the AP Psychology exam, the goals of this course are to immerse students in modern psychological investigation techniques, to accentuate the ethics and morality of human and animal research, and to emphasize scientific critical thinking skills in application to the social sciences. This course highlights psychology as a diverse social and biological science with multiple perspectives and interpretations.

Each student is required to take the AP Exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight. 

AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS                                                            5 Credits - Grade 12

Course Overview: This course will explore the major themes in American Government today. The two great questions about politics, “Who governs?” and “To what ends?” will be a central focus throughout the course. Major topics explored will be: the Constitution, Federalism, the American political culture, political parties, the Presidency, public opinion, elections and campaigns, and the policy-making process.

Each student is required to take the AP US Government & Politics Exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight.

AP WORLD HISTORY (421A)                                                                                 5 Credits – Grade10

Course Overview: The focus of the AP World History course is the examination of the major events and the historical themes that have shaped the Modern World from approximately 2,000 BCE through the 20th century. Presented in a global perspective, the student will be required to think and write analytically. The use of a textbook, research assignments, and ancillary readings at the college level requires the student to master advanced reading and writing skills. Each student is required to take the AP World History Exam to satisfy the course requirements. Admission is by special application.

Each student is required to take the AP World History Exam to satisfy the course requirements. This course carries a 10% weight. 

THE CIVIL WAR (448S)                                                                                       2.5 Credits – Grade 12
Course Overview: This is a semester-long course that will study the main causes of our Civil War. Personalities of the time period and events that led up to the war will be covered in great detail. A strong emphasis will be placed on the military strategy and tactics of this great conflict.

WORLD WAR II (457S)                                                                                        2.5 Credits – Grade 12
Course Overview: This is a semester-long course that will study the main causes and international impacts of the second World War. Personalities of the time period and major battles will be covered in detail. A strong emphasis will be placed on the military strategy and tactics used throughout World War II. 

HONORS MODEL UN/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (459S)    5 Credits – Grade 10, 11, 12
The goal of this course is twofold. On a general level, the course explores the broad theme of international relations. On a more focused level, the course explores themes specifically related to Model United Nations. While some topics related to international relations will be present in the course from year to year – the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the war in Ukraine, women’s rights in the Middle East, etc. – much of the content will be driven by the specific topics that students will be researching for independent projects. These projects will be linked to topics chosen for CBA’s annual Middle School Model UN conference (MiddleMUN), topics assigned for the club’s competitive conferences, as well as topics chosen by the class. In terms of academic skills, this course will teach students how to conduct thorough and effective research. At certain points throughout the school year, students will be required to put that research to use as they write argumentative essays. The wide-ranging research that students will carry out will also serve as a basis for the frequent discussions that will offer students the opportunity to practice their public speaking. Occasionally, there will be more formal presentations with the same goal of improving public speaking in mind. Because this course aligns with an actual conference held at CBA, it also offers students the unique opportunity to help with planning, organizing, and running an event attended by hundreds of middle school students.

Students are not required to be members of CBA’s Model UN Club to register for the class. They will be, however, highly encouraged to join. Participation in MiddleMUN (which always takes place on the first Friday of December) is not required, but students will receive an alternate assignment if they do not participate. Attendance on trips to competitive conferences is not required. The hope is that ultimately, students will want to attend. Model UN is a club that offers students a wide range of opportunities to build skills that are not only useful in the classroom but in the real world as well. This class aims to do the same. This course carries 5% weight.