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 1 introduces 9th-grade students to ~4500 years of human history, from the dawn of the first civilizations to the end of the pre-modern period, through an examination of primary and secondary textual and material evidence. The course covers the foundations of world religions, economic networks, social systems, and political structures in the ancient and medieval world. World History 1 students develop the reading, analytical, writing, and presentation skills necessary for the successful study of history.
Students study modern world history thematically in this course. They work to answer five big questions — what happens when two worlds collide? how should people bring about political and social change? has economic development made us better off? why do empires rise and fall? and why is modern conflict so destructive? — by examining our recent past. Then, they apply that historical understanding to contemporary examples, such as developing a plan to solve a modern injustice or thinking through the potential costs and benefits of AI. All the way, they’re keeping their eyes on an encompassing central question: has the past 500 years of globalization made the world a better place or not? And as they’re doing this, students focus on sharpening their skills, from historical thinking to reading to argumentation and writing.
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. The course focuses on training historical thinking and writing skills, and prepares students to take the AP exam in May.
This college-level course tries to answer the question “How did we get here?” It explores pressing world issues in their historical context, focusing on the post-World War II history of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The course will also explore some of the most important themes in recent world history, including terrorism, globalization, women’s rights, and the tension between democracy and authoritarianism. The course includes frequent discussions of historical and current events; students should also be prepared to read a variety of texts and write analytical essays. Students will leave the course with a better understanding of the way the world works and how history has shaped it.
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 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 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, war, and genocide. They will engage in debate and discussion, write short responses, and complete in-class creative projects.
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.