History
Chair, Mr. Downes

Course Listing
Department Faculty

History provides the vibrant link between the objective world of natural law and science, and the subjective universe of literature and language.  The narrative of our own past, from family and community to world civilizations and faiths, is an ongoing attempt to discover the stories of the past: who did what, why it mattered, and what it means for our lives and our future.  From the growth of Western ideas to the parallel development of Asian and other civilizations, from heroic biography to the lives of the vast majority of “ordinary” people, from the American ideal of freedom to the complexities of modern life, Tabor history classes aim to develop an active understanding of the modern world.

History at every level requires and develops core skills.  In order to improve reading and writing, each stage of the curriculum stresses effective editing, accurate observation, and an ability to identify and rebut an opinion.  All four levels of history teach research skills using the Tabor Research Paper Manual, and the best student paper from each class is published annually in the Tabor Historian.  Freshmen study Ancient World History and build a foundation of skills in geography, writing, observation, and primary sources.  Sophomores in Modern World History and juniors in United States History survey courses learn essential concepts and connections to modern life through note taking, debate, role-play, essay writing, research, and speaking exercises.  Senior electives and Advanced Placement courses expose students to areas of advanced historical or current interest.