History: Comparative Religion One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None Why are we here? What’s the purpose of our existence? How do we make sense of the unknown? These questions have been at the heart of belief systems since humans developed the ability to think in the abstract. Belief systems, in turn, become an important part of religion, which has had an enduring influence on global culture and politics. This course will examine the origins of major belief systems and religions around the world, with special attention to the political and cultural contexts in which they grew, as well as how they have changed over time. Through engaging in a comparative analysis of these belief systems and religions, students will contemplate the impact religion has had on division and unity in the modern world. Texts: Holloway, Richard. A Little History of Religion. Yale University Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-0300228816
they represent a specific European state and navigate social, cultural, economic, political, and diplomatic events based upon their study of the period. Text: Simpson, William and Martin Jones. Europe: 1783-1914 , 3rd Ed. New York: Routledge, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-138-78653-0 History: American Electoral Process One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: None This class will offer a unique perspective on the study of American Government as the country enters another election season. By interacting with local and state elections, documenting their rules and regulations, and closely following the campaigns of significant elections around the country, students will gain a special understanding of the issues that motivate every citizen to vote for certain candidates or causes. The core content of this class will be tied into the political issues that shape every discussion at the family dinner table and in the workplace, the power of the two-party political system, and the current events that can cause drastic change in a campaign at any time. Throughout the semester leading up to the election, students will follow a particular candidate or election of interest and complete project-based assessments involving research, simulations, and facilitating group discussion to give the class a holistic understanding of a political scene that exists every year, not just presidential elections.
History: Dramaturgy of Shakespeare One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None
Dramaturgy is the study of theater and the onstage representation of dramatic art. In this course, we will intensively study a single major work by Shakespeare, reading it twice — first for comprehension, plot, and character; second for language, historical context, and interpretation. Each English student will present a research paper on literary interpretations of the play. Each social studies student will present a research paper on the play’s performance history. As this course is part of the Liggett Shakespeare Project, students will collaborate with classmates in the Shakespeare: Stagecraft course and the Liggett Players. Students in Dramaturgy will be responsible for forming a cohesive interpretation of the text, creating an abridged play script based on their analysis, researching the historical background and context of the text, and aiding the actors and designers in understanding the language and themes of the text. Special guests to the class will include professional actors, directors, and playwrights. Seniors who opt to complete all three parts of the Liggett Shakespeare Project (Dramaturgy, Stagecraft, and Production) in a single year may be approved to waive enrollment in ARP 12. Each year, a new play is selected. This course may be taken multiple times.
History: Byzantine Empire One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: None
While the last western Roman emperor was deposed in 476 AD, the Roman Empire lived on for another thousand years around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Today referred to as the “Byzantine Empire” by historians to distinguish it from ancient Rome, this society carried on the cultural, political, and religious traditions of the Roman Empire into the medieval period. This course will explore the evolution of the Roman Empire in Europe, North Africa, and Southwestern Asia through an exploration of the collapse and reconquest of western Europe, the institutionalization of Christianity throughout the empire and beyond, and the interactions between Roman, German, and Islamic societies between the fifth and fifteenth centuries. Students will examine popular and scholarly secondary sources, analyze primary source materials, and engage in extended research projects to better understand this period in European history and practice their historical thinking skills. Text: Brownworth, Lars. Lost to the West. New York: Crown, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-307-40796-2
2024-2025 ULS Curriculum Guide
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