Departments

History

The Pacifica history department maintains a commitment to the enduring principles that have provided the foundation for our Western culture.   This approach is based on the belief that students must develop a solid grasp of the historical, spiritual, and philosophical underpinnings of our Democracy as they seek to become responsible, literate, and fair-minded citizens.  It is with this grasp of our common heritage that students can begin to understand the intersection of thought and the unique qualities of world cultures. 

 

We believe that history not only enlightens students but, is a useful tool in the development of written and verbal expression, analytical thought, character, and leadership skills.  Students will be given the tools necessary for them to become independent learners of history in the years to come. They will become familiar with primary sources, historiography, and research.

 

We believe in order for students to think about history they need to know history.  With that in mind, classroom instruction will be tied to assigned readings.  Students will be expected to come to class prepared to participate in discussion, interpretation, analysis, and debate surrounding the events, personalities, ideas, and themes of history.  Pacifica teachers will engage students through lecture, the Socratic Method, and group projects.  Teachers will be available to students individually and in groups during the student’s advisory period to work through questions of content and analysis. 

 

The Pacifica history curriculum will be closely aligned and integrated with the English curriculum.  It is the integration of these subjects that will give literature a contextual backdrop and history another source for the expression of the human spirit.

Graduation requirement: 3 years of high school History (3.5 years for AP European History Students)

Ancient/Medieval History – Grade 9 (Semester Course)
In this course, we will emphasize the important events, major texts and works of art that represent and clearly illustrate what is unique and central to the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman traditions taken separately, then come to grips with the synthesis and opposition to synthesis between these traditions that occurred in antiquity. In addition, students will explore the Byzantine Empire and the spread of Islam as they transition to study of the Dark and Middle Ages. The course is designed to establish the religious, philosophical, and political contexts most crucial to the study of Western history and literature. Students will explore texts from Aristotle, Herodotus, Plato, Tacitus, Thucydides, Augustine, and the Bible.

Honors Ancient/Medieval History – Grade 9 (Semester Course)
This honors level course prepares students for the 10th grade AP European History class.  In this course, we will emphasize the important events, major texts and works of art that represent and clearly illustrate what is unique and central to the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman traditions taken separately, then come to grips with the synthesis and opposition to synthesis between these traditions that occurred in antiquity. In addition, students will explore the Byzantine Empire and the spread of Islam as they transition to study of the Dark and Middle Ages. The course is designed to establish the religious, philosophical, and political contexts most crucial to the study of Western history and literature. Students will explore texts from Aristotle, Herodotus, Plato, Tacitus, Thucydides, Augustine, and the Bible.

Modern World History – Grade 10 (Semester Course)
Students will study the major events, people, places, and intellectual trends that are foundational to an understanding of Western civilization as it developed during this time period. This course begins with an overview of the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation, and continues the study of the Age of Reason, the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, romanticism, nationalism, and the 20th century struggle between democracy and totalitarianism. Students will be introduced to examples of the art, literature, and music from this six hundred year time period. Students will explore texts from Aquinas, Machiavelli, Erasmus, Dante, Luther, Calvin, Hobbes, Descartes, Newton, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Burke, Smith, and Marx.

AP European History– Grade 10 (Year Course)
Students will study the major events, people, places, and intellectual trends that are foundational to an understanding of Western civilization as it developed during this time period. This course begins with an overview of the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation, and continues the study of the Age of Reason, the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, romanticism, nationalism, and the 20th century struggle between democracy and totalitarianism. Students will be introduced to examples of the art, literature, and music from this six hundred year time period. Students will explore texts from Aquinas, Machiavelli, Erasmus, Dante, Luther, Calvin, Hobbes, Descartes, Newton, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Burke, Smith, and Marx.  Students will be prepared to take the AP European History exam in May.  This course will require meetings outside of the normal class time which will be arranged by the teacher.

US History – Grade 11 (Year Course)
This course examines the narrative of American history with particular attention to the uniquely American understanding of rights and duties. It asks what it means to be an American. In answering that question, it seeks to provide a better understanding of the meaning of the “self-evident truths” on which this nation was founded. Students will explore political, diplomatic, social, intellectual, and cultural trends of our nations past as they seek literacy and understanding of current domestic and world affairs. Students will explore texts from Bradford, Winthrop, Edwards, Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, Washington, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, The U.S. Constitution, Hawthrone, Crevecoeur, Toqueville, Emerson, Thoreau, Douglas, Stowe, Lincoln, Dubois, Turner, Sinclair, T.R. Roosevelt, Wilson, Locke, Hughes, Steinbeck, F.D. Roosevelt, Kennen, Kennedy, Friedan, and King.

AP US History – Grade 11 (Year Course)
This course examines the narrative of American history with particular attention to the uniquely American understanding of rights and duties. It asks what it means to be an American. In answering that question, it seeks to provide a better understanding of the meaning of the “self-evident truths” on which this nation was founded. Students will explore political, diplomatic, social, intellectual, and cultural trends of our nations past as they seek literacy and understanding of current domestic and world affairs. Students will explore texts from Bradford, Winthrop, Edwards, Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, Washington, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, The U.S. Constitution, Hawthrone, Crevecoeur, Toqueville, Emerson, Thoreau, Douglas, Stowe, Lincoln, Dubois, Turner, Sinclair, T.R. Roosevelt, Wilson, Locke, Hughes, Steinbeck, F.D. Roosevelt, Kennen, Kennedy, Friedan, and King. Students will be prepare to take the AP US History exam in May.  This course will require meetings outside of the normal class time which will be arranged by the teacher.

US Government or Honors US Government – Grade 12 (Semester Course)
“Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families.” This 1773 statement, by the American patriot Benjamin Rush, is an apt point of departure for the capstone course of the Pacifica history sequence. An inquiry into the importance of American liberty and order, this course explores the foundations of republican government. It considers the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and explores the fundamental principles of a free economy. It seeks, in sum, to instill in students the proper spirit of patriotism upon which self-government depends. Building upon the strong introduction to the American founding that juniors receive in the eleventh grade history class, this course delves more deeply into early American political thought. It demonstrates the debt Abraham Lincoln’s statecraft owed to the Founding. Students will explore texts from The Federalist Papers, The Magna Carta, The English Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation, The U.S. Constitution, and The Anti-Federalist Papers.

Foundations of the 20th Century or Honors Foundations of the 20th Century– Grade 12 (Semester Course)
Foundations of the 20th Century is a seminar style class that explores the events, people, and ideas that shaped the last century. The class will study the Belle Epoque/Victorian/Fin De Siecle period of European History, The Progressive Era, World War I, The Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age, Europe between the Wars, and World War II. Special emphasis will be placed on World War I as the culmination of the 19th century and the foundation of the 20th Century. The students will learn about the political, social, military, artistic, religious, and philosophical factors that not only helped create the last century, but have paved the path for the 21st century.