History

History emerged as an academic subject in order to teach practical virtue. To that end, Foundations 1 is a survey of world history from the earliest civilizations to the global trade of 1700 that asks students to reflect on the virtues and vices of historical figures.  Along the way, students will use analytical tools to examine world civilizations, learn the principles of historical writing, and seek to understand how others have flourished in a broken world.  As they analyze different civilizations, students will use historical thinking skills, support their comprehension with specific historical evidence in writing and class discussion, and identify the good and bad moral habits found in individual figures that have affected human flourishing.  This class emphasizes writing and introduces historical sources.

Honors Foundations 1 is a survey of world history from prehistory to 1700 that follows the same basic course content as Foundations 1 with a deeper dive into the material.  Class discussions and projects are rigorously geared for the student who is committed to growing academically and is comfortable working independently and in groups and desires to deepen his or her knowledge and critical thinking about significant events in history that help explain human interaction and its effect on human flourishing in our world today. This course requires students to read regularly from a variety of sophisticated historical sources and to convey and support their insights with historical evidence, both in speaking and in writing. Throughout the course, students are asked to study and reflect on as an agent of history, one person acting with virtue or vice--either alone or with like-minded people--has affected the flourishing of others in the past, and what that teaches us about living virtuously in the present.

Foundations of History II is the second part of MC’s two-year Foundations of History sequence. It is driven by key questions about what it means to be a human person, what it means to be civilized in our modern world, and how our study of history can give us hope as it teaches us how to live virtuously and promote human flourishing in our world today. It begins with an analysis of four interlocking movements: the scientific, intellectual, political, and industrial revolutions that drove Europe beyond traditional society into the modern era. As students move through this course, the topics will become increasingly global in nature, from industrialization and imperialism in the 19th century, through the two World Wars, the rise of totalitarian regimes, and the Cold War in the 20th century. The post-war period will be devoted to examining significant topics related to non-western countries. Students are frequently given the opportunity to reflect on and discuss how, as an agent of history, one person acting alone or with like-minded people, with virtue or vice, has affected the flourishing of others in the past, and what that teaches us about living virtuously in the present.

Honors Foundations of History II is the second part of MC’s two-year Honors Foundations of History sequence. The course content of Honors Foundations of History II is aligned with that of Foundations of History II. Students in this Honors class will delve deeper into the topics at hand by reading more advanced and complex primary and secondary sources, taking more responsibility in researching and presenting historical information on selected topics of study, and developing a substantial research and writing project during the second semester. Independent and group work will focus on honing historical and critical thinking, analytical, research, writing, and presentation skills. All students who enjoy history and its analysis should consider taking this challenging course. Prerequisite: Academic GPA of 3.5 or higher. An A- average in Foundations I or a B+ average in Honors Foundations I.

This course focuses on the major cultural, political and social institutions as well as the contributions and struggles of the people during the growth and development of the United States. It is distinguished by an emphasis on historiography, comparison of historical interpretations and analysis of primary sources. Students are required to read a variety of materials, some over the summer, and to pursue independent study. The course requires a great deal of writing, the use of analytical techniques, and the interpretation of data and points of view. Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP exam at the end of the year. Prerequisite: Academic GPA of 3.5 or higher. An A- average in Foundations II or a B+ average in Honors Foundations II.

The History Department Senior Seminar course is designed to be a culminating experience for Marin Catholic students. The core components of the course require student curiosity, inquiry, and analysis.  Students will apply their knowledge and historical thinking skills from the first three years to a turning point in either World or American history.  While students will have examined various turning points in their first three years, during the fourth year they will choose one and conduct research on the question: To what extent does a turning point impact history?

All students will have the opportunity to opt into an Honors experience at the beginning of each semester. Students who opt for Honors will be required to write more in all assignments. More details regarding this process will be provided in the first week of class. 

All students will have the opportunity to opt into Honors during the course request process. Students who opt for Honors will be required to write more in all assignments and will be graded on a different rubric. In addition, they will be required to present on more occasions. This commitment is for the entire year. Students are not able to drop at any time. 

The study of art history offers students the unique tools to explore the visual and tangible objects that humans have made through the ages. This course is an introduction to the discipline of art history with an emphasis on western art. Beginning with ancient art  and ending with contemporary times, students will examine different architecture, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles, of the western world. Students will learn the key vocabulary and questions necessary to use and ask when formally analyzing art. While students will cover the main chronology of art history, there will be special emphasis on themes and key artists throughout the course.  This course is an elective and is open to any junior and senior wishing to explore this discipline.