MODERN WORLD HISTORY (2006-2008)

Modern World History begins with a study of world cultures in the 16th century and ends with an analysis of challenges facing the world today.  Because world history is clearly a massive subject, we will be highlighting the major events, ideas and people that have worked together to shape the world into what it is today.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ISSUES (2000-2008)

This course is meant to strengthen students' understanding of contemporary American culture as well as encourage students to hone their analytical and oratorical skills. Students spend the previous year taking a survey US history course, giving them the historical context for the topics we will be discussing in this course. Contemporary American Issues offers students the opportunity to study in-depth contemporary issues that are facing our country. The class is set up similar to a college freshman seminar. Students are expected to complete a reading assignment each day and should be prepared to discuss the topic at hand. This discussion-based curriculum allows students to work on their oratorical skills in terms of articulating sometimes very complex and controversial ideas.

MODERN WORLD HISTORY (2003-2006)

• Worlds Together, Worlds Apart (How are different regions, cultures, historical time periods in the world similar and how are they different?)
• Exchange and Migration of Culture, Ideas, People, and Products (CuPIP)
• Conflict and Resistance (What causes conflicts, and why is war often the result of conflicts?)

WESTERN STUDIES (1997-2003)

Although this class is entitled "Western Studies," the scope of the course will not be limited to Western Europe. We have chosen to use a World History textbook because we want you to learn about the impact Europe has had on the rest of the world. Several themes will emerge as we move through the course. These themes include: change over time vs. the more things change the more they stay the same, the roles of race, gender, and class in societies, the relationship between history and the present, and the significance of perspective.

ETHICAL ISSUES (1998-2003)

Ethical Issues in Contemporary Society asks you to think deeply about some of the major ethical dilemmas of the modern world. Topics we will address include ethical traditions, ethics and community, and ethical issues raised by business, medicine, media and personal choices. By semester's end you will have acquired an appreciation for how ethical dilemmas are woven through every life path. You will also be able to clearly perceive where ethical dilemmas exist in daily life; you will also develop language and critical thinking skills to make the pondering of ethical issues part of your own lives.

ETHNIC STUDIES (1998-2000)

In this class, students are confronted with fundamental questions about the society in which they live. Questions explored, include: What does it mean to be "American?" What holds us together? Why is Ethnic Studies taught in high schools and universities? Why are perspective and communication both integral to the study of ethnicity? How has a critical awareness of issues of ethnicity changed the way you view your local community? Greater society? Media? Politics? Economy? What is the future for America in terms of ethnicity and culture?

Send comments and questions to: sportman@menloschool.org