At Seven Hills, students do the work of real historians, reconstructing the past through a deep investigation of primary and secondary sources.
Linking the Modern and Historical
The Upper School history curriculum is designed to offer students an understanding of the historical context of the complex, globalized world they live in. With an emphasis on analyzing sources, critical thinking, and writing, these classes not only give students the tools they need to be engaged, informed citizens; they also equip them with the skills to navigate and evaluate the mass of information and opinions they are exposed to. Through hands-on experiences that put them in the shoes of people from different cultures and eras, students come to understand the human experience as it has been lived in a multitude of places, times, and contexts.
Accordion
World History I is an introductory level college preparatory course. This course studies the world’s major societies from the dawn of civilization to the 14th century. Students will focus on the development of world religions, economic networks, social systems, and political structures in the ancient and medieval world. This course also stresses the development of the analytical, reading, and writing skills necessary for the successful study of history.
This course continues the history of civilizations from the medieval to the modern era. Course content focuses on global political, economic, social and intellectual developments through the 21st century.
In this course, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in world history from 1200 to the present, with an emphasis on historical interpretation and cross-civilizational comparison. Students will focus on employing historical reasoning skills and working deeply in primary and secondary sources to build an understanding of the major forces shaping the modern world. This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement World History examination.
Taking a thematic approach to American history and government from the colonial period to contemporary times, this course asks big questions about the American past in order to better understand the roots of today’s American society. The course stresses the development of the reading and writing skills necessary for the analysis, criticism, synthesis, and interpretation of material related to the nation’s past. Successful completion of several research-based projects is a course requirement.
AP U.S. History explores the complex forces that forged the American experience. In order to better understand how America’s present has been shaped by its past, students wrestle with challenging questions about power, identity, and democracy. There’s a particular focus on analyzing primary sources, examining multiple perspectives, and considering how different lenses shape our understanding of our shared heritage.
This college-level course examines the history of the world since the second world war. We will study major developments in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America with an eye toward understanding international relations in today’s world. We will also look at major themes in recent world history like terrorism, globalization, and gender relations. Students should expect to read a variety of texts, write analytical essays, and participate in round-table discussions.
This course offers an introduction to the fundamental concepts of economics and how these concepts help us understand real-world issues. Topics covered include personal finance, supply and demand, markets, taxation, gross domestic product, the stock market, and monetary and fiscal policy. Students can expect to read about basic concepts, solve economic problems, follow current economic news and trends, complete short projects, and take tests and quizzes.
The History of Cincinnati is a semester-long course that examines the city’s development from Indigenous settlement to the present, using Cincinnati as a lens for understanding broader regional and national trends in American history. Students build historical thinking skills, while balancing scholarly historical inquiry with popular and cultural history. Students explore Cincinnati through a range of narratives and historical themes including industrialization, immigration, abolition, global crises, civil rights, social movements, and urban change. A central component of the course is a cumulative, student-driven research project in which students investigate a Cincinnati-focused topic, create a visual representation of their findings, and deliver an oral presentation. By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of Cincinnati’s history and its place within broader national and global history.
This course is designed to be an interdisciplinary investigation into crucial environmental issues, combining the study of science, history, and culture. It is designed to be as hands-on and exploratory as possible, with a number of projects and field trips into the community. Students will learn about how people think about the environment and have interacted with it throughout history, how science informs the ways in which we interact with the environment, and the major environmental issues facing society today.
This senior elective history course examines the Cold War in Europe from 1945-1990. Topics covered include: post-World War II reconstruction, everyday life and politics in Eastern and Western Europe, secret agents and spying, and the end of Communism in Europe. Students will examine a range of sources, including memoirs, archives, monuments, and historical films. They will engage in debate and discussion, write short responses, and complete creative projects.
This senior elective history course examines Nazi Germany and the Holocaust in Europe from 1930-1950. Topics covered include: the end of democracy in Germany and the rise of the Nazi Party, Nazi culture and policy, Germany’s role in WWII, and the Holocaust and its aftermath. Students will examine a wide variety of historical sources and will gain a better grasp of our era’s challenges in regard to democracy’s threats, discrimination, and genocide. They will engage in debate and discussion, write short responses, and complete a final multimedia project.
This dynamic course invites students to explore key ideas in feminist theory and gender studies while critically analyzing their influence on pop culture. Through the lens of television, film, music, and social media, students will uncover how gender shapes pop culture, societal narratives, and power structures. The course also examines the intersections of gender with national laws, politics, and cultural movements, providing a deeper understanding of its evolving role in today’s world. Students will apply their learning through interactive discussions, media analysis, and a culminating project that challenges conventional perspectives.
This course introduces the discipline of African American studies by exploring the seven principles of the field: Black History, Black Sociology, Black Religion, Black Economics, Black Politics, Black Psychology, and popular culture. Students will experience authentic food traditions, speakers, and interactive lessons to get immersed in black culture.