The course in Medieval and Modern History covers the period from A. D. 800 to the present, and is a continuation of the course in Ancient History. Its purpose is to trace the continued development of our modern civilization, and to understand the origin and character of the nations of today. Attention is devoted to economic and social conditions, as well as to political events. Especial emphasis is placed upon the period since Napoleon Bonaparte. A study is made of the governments of the principal European nations, and contemporary problems are discussed in the light of their history. Considerable use is made of current newspapers and periodicals.
English History.
The fundamental principles of our American government, the idea of local independence, of jury trial, of representation, are traced back to English institutions; showing at the same time that these privileges are the result of the persistent contest waged for over six hundred years, which struggle, in fact, is still going on. The conditions in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and on the Continent of Europe are discussed in connection with the constitutional development, and the economic, political, social, and religious conditions in England. The British Empire is studied in its relation to the other nations of the world, and in the economic and political condition of its colonies and subjects.
United States History and Civics.
The study of the earliest period is planned to show that the work of discovery and exploration has been going on for over four centuries and is still in progress. Economic, political, and religious conditions in Europe are discussed, and related to conditions in America. During the colonial period the principles and the traits which characterized us now as a nation were developed. The importance of the idea of local independence maintained by the colonists against the idea of imperialism held by England is discussed, and followed by a consideration of the significant facts of the Revolution and the process by which the loose confederation of states became the constitutional republic, tending toward a vigorous national growth. The problems of transportation, the removal of the Indians, the disposal of the public lands, the struggle of free and of slave labor for the control of the territories, the Civil War; these subjects and others related to them are treated, bearing in mind that today the United States is no longer in isolation, but linked to other nations. The study of the Constitution of the United States, and of the actual workings of the city, state, and national governments, is designed to bring out clearly that the citizen today has new duties and new responsibilities; that the intelligent citizen should be informed concerning the tariff, the trusts, the labor unions, equal suffrage, the peace movement, and other current questions. The Constitution of the State of California, and the Charter of the City of Oakland are given special attention, and visits are made to the City Council, the Board of Supervisors, the Courts, and the State Legislature.
Economics.
Economics deals with the social activities and institutions that result from men’s efforts to procure a livelihood. It studies the means by which nations become rich, and the effects of riches upon the public welfare. The policies of modern government have so much to do with economics that an understanding of economic laws is essential to wise citizenship. The aim of this course is to teach enough of accepted economic theory to enable the student to understand the laws that govern the larger economic questions of today. Mere abstract theories, however, are avoided. A study is made of the evolution of industrial society and the application of economic laws. Emphasis is laid upon the study of consumption, i. e., the best expenditure of the personal and public incomes, and on such dominant questions as Labor, Tariff, Monopolies, Socialism, Taxation. The student is led to realize that as the industrial and economic life of today is the outgrowth of past tendencies, so the wise solution of present vexed economic questions will determine the economic character of the decades to come. Moreover, it is believed that the study of economics, while dealing with matters of great practical importance, tends also to quicken the love of justice and to encourage sanity and moderation of view concerning the value of material wealth.
MATHEMATICS.
NINTH YEAR.