History and Global Studies

Human Geography is an interdisciplinary field that combines the study of cultural geography and economic geography to explore the multi-faceted relationships between people and their environments. In simple terms, we explore where people live and why they live there, as well as how they interact across space. Students will learn the methods that geographers use in their science and practice. Finally, we will regularly take a deeper look at current events across the globe through multiple lenses.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: None.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

This course introduces students to the components of philosophy through readings from the history of philosophy (ancient, modern, and contemporary) combined with the examination of topics such as metaphysics, logic, ethics, the existence of God, immortality, knowledge, the mind-body question, personal identity, free will and determinism, political philosophy, the meaning of life, abortion, capital punishment, animal rights, and affirmative action. The course exposes students to a range of ideas and readings representing a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Note: Available to grade 10-12.

Prerequisites: None.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

The Perennial Philosophy of Eastern & Western Spiritual Traditions offers students an introduction to the timeless wisdom that bridges the world's major spiritual paths. Drawing on teachings from both Eastern and Western religious traditions, this course explores the universal principles that have shaped humanity’s search for meaning, truth, and enlightenment. From the mystical insights of ancient Hinduism and Buddhism to the contemplative practices of Western mysticism and philosophy, students will examine how these enduring traditions converge around key themes of self-realization, the nature of reality, and the interconnectedness of all life. This course invites students to discover a deeper understanding of the spiritual wisdom that transcends cultural boundaries and remains relevant to the challenges of today’s world.

Note: Available to grade 10-12.

Prerequisites: None.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

Course description to be determined.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

In this course, students will explore why Buddhism has become so popular in the contemporary West. We will study Buddhism through the lives and teachings of the two most popular Buddhist teachers in the world today: the Dalai Lama (Tibet) and Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnam). Together we will seek to understand what Buddhists mean when they speak about enlightenment, nirvana, meditation, human suffering, compassion, and wisdom. We will examine the practical value of Buddhism and how it has enriched the lives of Jews, Christians, agnostics, and others in the modern West.

Note: Available to grade 10-12.

Prerequisites: None.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

Course description to be determined.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

Course description to be determined.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

Course description to be determined.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

This interdisciplinary seminar examines the history, culture, and politics of African-descended peoples across the globe. We use Paul Gilroy’s theory of The Black Atlantic to analyze migration, cultural continuity, and identity formation from the 16th century to the present. The course explicitly moves beyond a U.S.-centric narrative in the early weeks before analyzing the global impact of contemporary American Black culture. The curriculum is designed to activate all tenets of Taft's Core Values and Portrait of a Learner.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

This interdisciplinary seminar analyzes the social construction of masculinity in the Western world, examining how media, institutions, and peer culture define, regulate, and police male identity. The curriculum draws directly from the sociological and psychological frameworks used in recent institutional studies, culminating in a mini-mixed-methods study. Students will use a critical lens to study dominant models of masculinity and explore their impact on mental health, relationships, and the culture of a rigorous academic setting. The curriculum is designed to activate all tenets of Taft's Core Values and Portrait of a Learner.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

This honors-level course will study the causes and outcomes of global inequality through economic, historical, social, cultural, political, environmental, and social justice lenses. Critical questions the course will address include: How does inequality vary across countries and evolve over the path of development? What theories explain inequalities and their forces? How do policies affect inequalities, and what types of policies can foster equitable growth? To what extent has social justice influenced the cycle of inequality present? Topics of exploration include the intersection of inequality with the forces of globalization, government and non-governmental organizations, infrastructure, and human rights. Students who complete the course will gain a deeper understanding of global inequality by engaging with a diverse set of case studies, research activities, expository writing assignments, documentaries, scholarly articles, and current events. They will strengthen their investigation and critical thinking skills, as well as their understanding of the impact of decision-making, prejudice, and power on the lives and livelihoods of peoples around the world.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

This honors-level course will study the current socio-economic, cultural, and political structures acting on states, regions, and peoples around the world. Critical questions the course will address include: Why do some states thrive while others do not? How do structures drive the mobility and migration of people? What contemporary movements and ideologies will shape our future? Which current events will critically influence world regions in the immediate future? Students in this course will gain a deeper understanding of the interdependence and polarization at work in the world. The course will employ a diverse set of case studies, research activities, expository writing assignments, documentaries, scholarly articles, and current events to frame its investigation of the forces affecting the lives of people currently living on the planet.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

This course begins with readings from the pre-Socratic philosophers followed by four short works from Plato’s dialogues where we come to experience the full range of Socrates’ penetrating mind in the Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo. In the final weeks of the course, we will conclude with some of Aristotle's writings on ethics, politics, and metaphysics. Some of the big questions and topics we will cover are: What is Socrates’ method of dialectic? What is his conception of moral virtue? What is the nature of the individual’s relationship to the state? What is justice? What are Plato’s theories of human knowledge, metaphysics, and political philosophy? and, What is the nature of the soul and immortality?

Note: Available to grade 11-12.

Prerequisites: None.

The lower-middle history course explores some of the developments over the last 250 years that have shaped today's world, including industrialization, imperialism, world war, national independence movements, and globalization. Students learn foundational skills, from the writing of persuasive, analytical essays to collaborative discussion and debate. They engage in independent research, investigating topics of their choice and developing their own interpretations. By the end of the year, students will possess the skills, experience, and broad perspective that will enable them to succeed in higher-level history courses.

Note: Available to grade 9 only.

Prerequisites: None.

This course examines the history of the United States from Indigenous societies pre-Columbus through the Vietnam War, with a particular emphasis on the evolving definition of liberty. The curriculum utilizes a high school-level text, but relies on primary source materials, encouraging students to explore the nation’s history through the voices of its people. To support this primary source focus, the course utilizes a thematic and chronological approach that calls for open-minded inquiry, critical thinking, meaningful analysis, and inclusive verbal and written discourse. The course is research-intensive, as students are expected to explore and locate resources to deepen their understanding of U.S. history. Students develop their historical skills through a variety of assignments including essays and research projects; notably, students will have the opportunity to become an expert in an area of U.S. History of their choosing during the culminating research paper in the spring. This course fulfills the U.S. History requirement and is normally taken during the Upper-middler year.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: None.

Embark on an exhilarating ride through the tumultuous era of The Great War (Why not WWI? Because no one knew there would be a WWII!!!) and its aftermath. Experience the collapse of European global dominance, the ascent of the U.S. as a global power, and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. From the seeds of decolonization to the birth of nations, ideological shifts, and a reshaped world map, The Great War delivered a historical rollercoaster that reshaped the global landscape.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

Nazi Germany…the Holocaust…Imperial Japan…Operation Barbarossa…Pearl Harbor…D-Day…atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - these events and developments still loom large in the public imagination because World War II was by any measure the most cataclysmic and deadly war in world history. But how did it happen? Why did it happen? And to what extent are its effects still reverberating around the world? We will consider all these questions and more as we dive into this most dramatic and consequential of world events via a combination of engaging primary sources, secondary sources, films and videos.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

Step into the world of law and justice and explore the bedrock of American legal principles and the intricate workings of criminal law. Dive deep into the rights protected in our courts, uncover the layers of due process, and analyze key criminal offenses, from murder to other crimes against persons. Through the art of legal writing and experiential mock trials, students will sharpen their analytical minds and persuasive voices. This course is more than an introduction—it's an invitation to understand, question, and engage with the legal system that shapes the United States.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

Embark on a journey through the principles of Constitutional and Civil Law, uncovering the foundations of justice and individual rights in the American legal system. Explore the power of the Constitution, including landmark cases that have shaped civil liberties, while delving into the structure of civil law governing disputes between individuals and institutions. Through legal writing and mock trials, students will analyze key legal issues, from freedom of speech to civil liability, developing the skills to think critically and advocate effectively. This course offers a deeper understanding of the laws that uphold fairness and protect rights in our society.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

Because of its ability to both reflect on and shape current events, film has been a critical art form in linking people to their past since its inception. This course will provide students with the opportunity to study numerous popular films (like “Saving Private Ryan”) while considering how they encapsulate the beliefs, values, and struggles of their audiences and creators. Students will learn to closely analyze films, examining the social and cultural implications surrounding their production and reception. The films considered will also broaden students’ understanding of American history and society. Periods and themes to be discussed include “Early America,” “Civil War and the West,” “20th Century America,” “Contemporary American Society,” and “America and the World in the 21st Century.” Through these discussions, students will explore themes such as race, class, and gender in America’s past and present. They will also examine the historical context and accuracy of these films, as well as the historiography: how producers and directors use artistic means to present specific viewpoints.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

This course examines the complex phenomenon of witchcraft beliefs and prosecutions in medieval (c. 800-1200) Europe. It explores how gender, race, religion, politics, economics, and social hierarchies shaped the construction of witchcraft as both a spiritual and social crime. Through primary texts, historical scholarship, and case studies, students will interrogate how witchcraft served as a lens for broader cultural anxieties and power dynamics. The course culminates in a short research project that applies interdisciplinary analysis to a focused historical question.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

"Everything changed on 9/11" was a truism for at least a decade after the event. Why were the attacks made? What did Al Qaeda hope to accomplish? Then, how would America respond? The world? How would the new security apparatus erected in response to the attack change the lives of Americans? This course will read contemporary accounts and the works of scholars trying to interpret this multifaceted event in world history. Students will be expected to read at a high level and volume and be prepared to write research-based essays, as well as in-class work.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

Students in this course will consider the history of sport in America in order to better understand the complex and often contradictory relationship between sport and society. We will attempt to address the following fundamental questions: Why do people play sports? Is sport a microcosm of society? To what extent have sports mattered in the daily lives of Americans? Are sports and politics separate or interrelated? Do sports help to produce social change, and if so how, in what ways? We will work toward answers to these questions through an examination of various topics and issues such as race and inequality, commercialization, sport and nationalism, and sports gambling.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

Join the ultimate musical time travel with the History of Rock' n Roll course! From the rocking birth of the '50s to the rebellious '90s, stage dive into the beats, riffs, and stories that have shaped history. Uncover the secrets and culture behind famous (and not-so-famous) tunes through discussions, videos, readings, and a rockin' playlist that includes the birth of rock, the British Invasion, the psychedelic sixties, punk, new wave, heavy metal, grunge, and more.

Note: Available to grade 10-12.

Prerequisites: None.

This course examines the history of New York City from its Lenape origins to the twenty-first century. While the founding and early years of the United States were guided by men who imparted the notion that agrarian society was the future for the young nation through an ethos of plantation and southern life, cities assumed a more important part in setting national priorities following the Civil War. Before long, urban life came to define American progress, and driving that narrative was New York City. Herald of twentieth-century modernity, New York made itself into the center of world capitalism and American culture. Topics Covered will be, Pre European Arrival/Lenape, Dutch New York, Colonial New York, Revolutionary New York, Erie Canal, Immigration, Social Mobility, Ghetto/Slums, Civil War, Tammany Hall, Labor; Manufacturing/Unions/unrest, Impact of New Deal, Industrialization, Decline of the City, Music: Birth of Hip-Hop/Punk Rock, Re-birth of NYC, 9/11, Gentrification, The Present.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

This course examines the complex phenomenon of witchcraft beliefs and prosecutions in early modern Europe (c. 1200–1740). It explores how gender, race, religion, politics, economics, and social hierarchies shaped the construction of witchcraft as both a spiritual and social crime. Through primary texts, historical scholarship, and case studies, students will interrogate how witchcraft served as a lens for broader cultural anxieties and power dynamics. The course culminates in a short research project that applies interdisciplinary analysis to a focused historical question.

Note: Available to grades 10-12.

Prerequisites: Mids (10th graders) who take non-honors history electives must be concurrently enrolled in GS220 and have departmental permission.

The political scientist Harold Lasswell defined politics as, “Who gets, what, when and how.” This definition will guide us in our study of race, gender, and sexuality in modern American society. We will begin by looking at a brief history of race, gender, and sexuality politics in the US. We will then turn to the modern political culture and climate, and we will examine how race, gender, and sexuality have affected the lives of everyday Americans. We will begin with the premise that racism and sexism continue to permeate through American politics and culture, but we will also examine ways to move towards a more equal, just, and free society.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

How does the government work? The government is defined as the institution that governs the lives of citizens. We will spend much of our time learning about many of the nuances of the American Government and how it functions or sometimes does not function. We will study the formal institutions of government: The Congress, Presidency, Executive branch, and the Judiciary. This course will equip you with the tools and knowledge to be an open-minded, active, and engaged U.S. citizen.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

This course will introduce students to some of the fundamentals of college political science courses, including political theory and the comparative method. It thoroughly explores the intricate dynamics inherent in global politics and governance systems. Through comprehensive analysis, students will examine the diverse political structures, ideologies, and institutions that define nations worldwide. Students will analyze case studies in both democratic and authoritarian regimes, applying them to current global events. Countries studied in the past have included Britain, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Russia, China, and Iran.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

The 1960s were the most tumultuous decade of the 20th century. The major themes of American history intersect throughout the decade and there is significant social and political upheaval across the country. American identity comes into sharp focus during this decade and is intensely debated from the streets of Birmingham to the airwaves of the nightly news to the halls of the Supreme Court. This course will offer the opportunity to examine the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the rise of Second Wave Feminism, Counterculture, music as a form of protest, and other topics.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

A president resigns in shame, the United States haphazardly withdraws from a foreign war, and a recession shutters the American economy. The fallout of the 1970s bears witness to the conservative tidal wave of the 1980s and the neo-liberal response in the 1990s. America unified to defeat the Soviet Union in the Cold War and then again in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks before becoming deeply polarized in the face of social and economic unrest. This course will offer students the opportunity to examine the social, political, economic, and diplomatic challenges faced by Americans in the last 50 years.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

Post-graduates and/or seniors will enhance their learning of historical inquiry and research. Each student will compose a significant research paper that takes and defends a position on a topic of his/her own choosing but with substantial teacher guidance and oversight.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

**Not Offered for the 2026-27 Academic Year**

Students will study the interactions, dynamics, and issues between countries in an increasingly integrated world. This course offers an in-depth exploration of these theories, institutions, actors, and events that define international relations in the contemporary world. We will look into how a country's domestic institutions shape how they function and tackle global problems of security, pandemics, economic crises, and more. Students will analyze historical and contemporary case studies to understand the causes and consequences of international conflicts, as well as strategies employed for conflict resolution and peacebuilding. By the conclusion of the course, students will emerge with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the global community and the complexities of international relations. 

Note: Available to grade 11-12.

Prerequisites: None.

We will study the informal or political aspects of government: Political Parties, the Media, Interest Groups, and Elections. The political scientist Harold Laswell described politics as “Who gets what, when and how?” Theodore Lowi, a former Cornell professor claims, “the purpose of politics is to influence what government does.” The way this occurs is vast and varied and we will attempt to understand the many ways politics and government intercede. This course will equip you with the tools and knowledge to be an open-minded, active, and engaged U.S. citizen.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

In 1776, Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, wrote to her husband and the then-assembled Continental Congress imploring them to "remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation." One cannot understand United States history without understanding the significant role all women have played in the past and the nation's politics. This course will survey how individual women and women's movements have impacted American culture, society, and politics. To that end, we will read college-level texts, narrative texts, and primary sources to understand women's stories and voices. We will also look at a wide range of media from film to advertising to understand the way women have been represented throughout history. Students will choose to research individual women, movements, and events of particular interest to them. We will examine all women's experiences, including race, age, socio-economic status, immigrant status, sexuality, and other identifiers.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

The Psychology of Politics course offers an engaging exploration of the intersection between psychology and political science. This interdisciplinary course examines how human behavior, cognition, and emotions influence political beliefs, decisions, and group dynamics. Students will delve into topics such as political polarization, partisanship, media influence, identity politics, prejudice, and the psychology behind leadership and voter behavior. By analyzing both individual and collective actions, students will gain insights into the psychological mechanisms driving political phenomena in the U.S. and globally. The course encourages critical thinking about how psychological principles shape democratic values, political institutions, and societal challenges.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

This course will examine the long fall and sudden rise of Modern China. We will begin with the humiliations of China’s last dynasty, the Qing, at the hands of outside powers and the subsequent attempts to govern China before 1949. We will then trace the efforts of China’s communist leaders through the tragic Great Leap Forward. the convulsions of the Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong, and China’s economic resurgence initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s. We will finish by considering the present-day social, economic, political, and military challenges facing China and Xi Jinping. The course will feature fortnightly “China Updates” which are brief four-minute student presentations focusing on current events of their choice.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

The rise and fall of the Soviet Union was one of the most important events of the 20th Century. At its greatest extent, the Soviet Union covered one-sixth of the Earth’s landmass, spanned 11 time zones, and contained over 100 distinct nationalities. In the 74 years from the October Revolution in 1917 to the fall of Communism in 1991, it dramatically influenced world events such as World War II, Sputnik, and the nuclear arms race. In this course, students examine the origins of the Soviet state, the main events and policies in the USSR, and its demise.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

From the high palace intrigue of Catherine the Great and Nicholas II to the vast reaches of one of the world’s largest empires, this course explores Russia’s history from the founding of the Romanov Dynasty in the 17th century to its fall in 1917. This period witnessed dramatic geographic expansion into Europe and Asia and raised profound questions about reform, reaction, identity, and culture. Students in this course will examine the role of autocracy in Russian politics and society, the legacy of serfdom, the forces of war and rebellion, and the origins of Russia’s complex and often turbulent relationship with Europe.

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission.

The Honors U.S. History course resembles the elements of an introductory undergraduate course. The course examines history with chronological and thematic lenses, as it explores the major currents of the political, social, intellectual, economic, and diplomatic history of the United States. The readings are drawn from a variety of sources, including a college-level text, documentary, and interpretive materials. A major goal is to develop the skills of historical thinking: understanding continuity and change over time, causation, and periodization. In addition, students will develop their analytical and interpretive skills; utilizing those skills in the writing process and through critical reading, and displaying those skills through in-class debates and discussions. This course is writing intensive and analytical writing is a foundation skill, necessary for the course. Evaluation is based on quizzes, announced period assessments, papers, research papers, and a cumulative semester examination. 

Note: Available to grades 11-12.

Prerequisites: 92 or higher in another Taft History and Global Studies course; Meets or Exceeds Taft academic habits; departmental permission.