Every Monday throughout the year have reports at the beginning of the period, (1) on events of importance of the preceding week outside of the United States; (2) in the United States outside of California; (3) in California, especially local events of importance. Insist on discriminating selection and judicious condensation. Have subjects of importance expanded into special talks. Use also throughout the year reports on topics suggested by the literature work.
HISTORY.
The work in this department has a two fold purpose, namely, training and information. In the first place, the subject is taught with a view to developing breadth of vision, judgment, and an understanding of cause and effect in human affairs. Secondly, the aim is to enable the student better to understand the conditions and problems of the present day by knowing their historical connections. The work is conducted with the constant realization that the highest use of history is to prepare young people to discharge intelligently their many duties as citizens in a democracy.
The courses in the department are as follows:
- General History. For 9th and 10th grade pupils.
- Ancient History. For 9th grade pupils.
- Mediaeval and Modern History. For 10th grade pupils.
- English History. For 11th grade pupils.
- United States History and Civics. For 12th grade pupils.
- Economics. For 11th and 12th grade pupils.
General History.
This course presents, in the simplest way, an outline of the history of our civilization, from its origin to the present day. It aims to help the pupil to understand the causes, geographical, racial, etc., that have led to the rise and decline of nations, and to appreciate the services that these peoples have rendered to mankind. Much attention is given to the great characters of history. An especial effort is made to know the origin and history of existing nations, and to realize that the present is an outgrowth from the past. The course is useful also in helping the pupil to grasp the time and place of the characters and events that he meets in literature and science, and thus it supplies a background for his other studies.
Ancient History.
The courses in Ancient History and in Medieval and Modern History together cover the same ground as the course in General History, but do so more thoroughly and with much greater detail. They are recommended to those who expect to take at least three years of History in the high school. The course in Ancient History covers the period from the dawn of history to 800 A. D. It is designed to give the pupil some knowledge of the origin of our civilization. After a short discussion of prehistoric beginnings, a brief study is made of the ancient oriental peoples. The major part of the course is devoted to the history and civilization of Greece and Rome, with especial reference to their influence on the life of the present day.