History

The History Department wants students to gain insight into the connection between significant historical events and today’s complex world. Our courses develop each student’s appreciation for and understanding of the past and its impact on the present by engaging students in discussions, debates, simulations, primary and secondary sources, and research projects. Particular emphasis is placed on historical thinking skills, analysis, and interpretation. Innovative assignments challenge students to recreate historical eras through a variety of cooperative projects.

Requirements. In Grade 8, students enroll in Ancient & Classical Civilizations. In Grades 9-12, three years are required for graduation: Modern World History (Grade 9), United States History (Grade 10), and two semester-long departmental electives in either Grade 11 or 12.
  • Ancient & Classical Civilizations

    This course tackles tough questions: What is a civilization and what can we learn from different civilizations? How do societies organize, unify, and share beliefs? What are the connections between the long-distance past and the present? The first third of the course focuses on the development of world ancient civilizations, and introduces fundamental historical thinking skills. Students are introduced to these civilizations through a variety of techniques and skill-building activities, such as project-based learning, simulations, presentations, debates, analyzing primary documents, and other group work. The remainder of the course covers a period beginning with the rise of Rome and concluding with European contact in the Americas, pausing at key moments to compare the development in the world’s great civilizations, including China, India, and the Mayans. Students regularly reflect on why they are studying historical topics, and their relevance to today is explored. The course aims to teach students to draw connections, learn from the past, and, from this vantage, try to predict where current trends will lead to in the future.
  • Economics

    How does economics touch our day-to-day lives? This big question guides the exploration of the history of economics, a close examination of current economic events and economic policy decision-making, and a practical start-up project. Beginning with a brief overview of the evolution of economic thought from the late 18th century until the modern era, the course’s emphasis is squarely placed on the philosophy and debates of modern micro and macroeconomics theory, utilizing case studies, debates, problem sets, and supplementary materials from economic policy makers, academics, lobbyists, and news media. Over the course of the semester, students will apply their theoretical understandings of economics to a start-up project, from a business proposal to the manufacture and sale of a good or service. The course goal is to provide the beginnings of a measured economic philosophy for the student, and a practical foundation for understanding the role of economics in our day-to-day lives.
  • History of World War II

    This class is an experimental and experiential course, co-created with the students who enroll. It will never be the same course twice! In past years, the course has focused on the lessons to be learned from the war, interpreting historical lessons as a “usable past," the examination of global theaters not typically covered in a high school course, exploration of cryptography, comparing war rationing around the global COVID shortages. The course offers students the opportunity to explore their own interests within the confines of the global nature of World War II, designing research questions, conducting an oral history project, and creating a museum exhibit by the end of the term. Students will be expected to bring their curiosity and enthusiasm for the study of history.
  • Modern World History

    This course offers students opportunities to gain insight into the connection between significant historical events and today’s complex world by using primary sources and student-centered inquiry projects. Particular emphasis is placed on historical analysis and interpretation, using multiple historical perspectives to build their understanding of events. The first semester wrestles with the causes and impacts of the Western paradigm shifts of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment, from the 15th to 19th centuries, emphasizing themes of exploration and revolution. The second semester tackles the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing transformations in industry, society, politics and the world order. Students examine African, Asian, and Latin American experiences of colonialism, neo-colonialism, and decolonization. Throughout the course, students build their historical thinking skills, paying close attention to historical comprehension, analysis, and interpretation. The course culminates in a research project and presentation, tracing the historical antecedents of a self-chosen current event. 
  • U.S. Government and Politics

    This course provides an analysis and understanding of American government and politics, and examines the framework and traditions that have shaped American politics. The class begins with an introduction to political and media bias. The class explores how public policy is made today, including the nature and influence of the political parties, branches of government, special interest groups, the media, government bureaucratic institutions, and constitutional controversies. At semester’s end students will have developed a critical, across the board understanding of American politics, with an appreciation for the nature of individual rights and responsibilities. Mirroring a college-level course, students will read primary source documents, full-length works, newspapers and magazines, blogs and other online resources, and data such as polls and statistical analysis. The classroom format features discussion (including a regular discussion of current events), lectures, debates, and presentations.
  • U.S. History

    This course develops a balanced and comprehensive understanding of United States history, addressing political, economic, social, and cultural U.S. History from the pre-Columbian period to the present. Beginning with a deep inquiry-based analysis of indigenous cultures, the class progresses through the United States’ political and social development as a colony, state, empire, and world power. Using discussion-based and inquiry-based approaches, the course provides students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of U.S. history. Students strengthen their historical thinking skills through practice in all forms of student literacy – listening, speaking, reading, and writing – and advancement of skills in note taking, research and analysis of primary and secondary sources, analytical writing, and public speaking.
  • U.S. History - YAS

    This course develops a balanced and comprehensive understanding of United States history, addressing political, economic, social, and cultural U.S. History from the pre-Columbian period to the present. Beginning with a deep inquiry-based analysis of indigenous cultures, the class progresses through the United States’ political and social development as a colony, state, empire, and world power. Using discussion-based and inquiry-based approaches, the course provides students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of U.S. history. Students strengthen their historical thinking skills through practice in all forms of student literacy – listening, speaking, reading, and writing – and advancement of skills in note taking, research and analysis of primary and secondary sources, analytical writing, and public speaking.
     
    In York Advanced Studies US History, students are offered opportunities to broaden and enrich their academic experience by way of additional readings and activities and more extensive projects and assessments. US History-YAS is designed for students who have a strong interest in history, and who are ready and willing to do the work necessary to dig deeply into the material.
  • World Religions

    Throughout this course, students can expect to explore many of the world’s religious traditions and engage with the big questions that they seek to ask and answer. Through respectful engagement, we will learn to better understand the various functions of religion and look at how specific belief systems cultivate differing worldviews and cultures. By seeking to understand the views and beliefs of billions of religious practitioners, this course aims to promote compassion, religious literacy, and respect for humankind. The course has seven major units: Indigenous Traditions, Jewish Traditions, Christian Traditions, Islamic Traditions, Buddhist Traditions, Hindu Traditions, and Chinese Philosophical Traditions (Confucianism & Taoism).  We will attempt to understand each unit in both historical and spiritual contexts. Please note, this course is designed to cultivate understanding of the world’s religious traditions, not to dissect and attack them.

Faculty

  • Photo of Elizabeth Siarny
    Elizabeth Siarny
    History Department Chair; Director of Global Programs & Service Learning
  • Photo of Michael Borrowman
    Michael Borrowman
    History; 9th Grade Dean
    Bio
  • Photo of Dan Gurska
    Dan Gurska
    History; 9th Grade Dean

York School

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Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: 831-372-7338
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