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The word history comes from the Greek “HISTOREO,” which means to learn by inquiry. The study of history at Loyola will help students to develop within them the ability to inquire intelligently about the human experience. The student studying history must achieve more than the accumulation of facts and information. The study of history at Loyola will enable students to continue independent learning and to relate their classroom experiences to their daily lives. It is the department’s conviction that the primary function in the study of history is the cultivation of values; to this end we strive to enable students to identify and form their own value assumptions.

As a department we aim to make students aware of the pluralistic nature of today’s world. The mores, roles, and expectations of cultural, social, national, and political groups other than their own must be identified and their implications and merits explored. True historical understanding demands that all events be viewed not in isolation, but within the context of time and space. Regarding time, Loyola students will grasp the historical trends of the human experience, the collision of the great forces of history that in their aftershocks have produced our world. Regarding space, Loyola students will understand the affects, the limitations and opportunities that the physical world has imposed upon these forces. Loyola students will also gain an appreciation for the human factor, the “wildcard of history,” the personalities that have affected the events and the landscape of our world.

A hallmark of Jesuit education is the emphasis on the “cura personalis,” the importance of the individual above all else. As a department we are committed to meeting each student where they are and tailoring our teaching styles to accommodate the diverse and individual learning styles among our students in an effort to maximize individual learning and growth.

COURSE OFFERINGS

Global Studies - 9th year
This survey course addresses four major regions of the world -- Africa, Asia (East, South and Southeast), Latin America, and the Middle East. The geography of each region as well as its cultural, historical and political development is investigated.

Modern European History - 10th year
This course is a survey of the major movements, events, and people from the Reformation through contemporary time. Highlights include the Enlightenment, 19th Century liberalism and nationalism, imperialism, the interrelationship between World War I and World War II, the outbreak and end of the Cold War, and the post World War II emergence of nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

AP European History - 10th year, Elective
This Advanced Placement course in European history is a chronological study ranging from 1450 to the present, the Renaissance through the current events in modern-day Europe. The course brings together a three-pronged approach covering intellectual and cultural history, political and diplomatic history, social and economic history. The course emphasizes primary and secondary sources to enrich the study and understanding of each historical period. Prominent historical writings are utilized to provide diversity of opinion and variety of interpretation. Emphasis is placed on developing good analytical writing skills, on participation in class discussions, and on collaborative interaction in cooperative learning exercises.

American History - 11th year
This survey course provides an overview of the main currents in American history from the earliest colonization of America to the present day. A chronological approach is followed to point up more accurately the causality found in American history and to enable students to see how the present is directly affected by the events of the past.

AP American History - 11th year
This Advanced Placement course in American history is an in-depth topical study of conflicting interpretations of great issues in American history from the earliest colonial period to the present day's problems. Emphasis is placed on developing the student's ability to work with primary sources and to engage in historical analysis and critical thinking in both small and large group discussions. Students are expected to be able to draw upon factual knowledge to make evaluations of, and judgments on, the various topics, authors and theories studied.

Global Perspectives and Insights - 12th year, Elective
In this course students are exposed to culture, customs and traditions from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. This survey course gives students an appreciation for the political, social and economic conditions prevalent in these regions of the world and focuses attention on contemporary events and problems that afflict these regions. Students use a series of books dedicated to a particular region.

Economics - 12th year, Semester Elective
The course is a one-semester introduction to basic microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international principles. The course mixes theory with application, utilizing discussion of current economic conditions and phenomena.

Political Science - 12th year, Semester Elective
The course is a one-semester introduction to the principles, practices, and institutions of government and politics as these pertain to the United States. It seeks to make students realize that all nations are affected by the actions of other nations and that the United States, through its policies, influences other nations and is, in turn, influenced by the decisions of other nations.

Racial and Ethnic Relations in the U.S. - 12th year, Semester elective
This one-semester course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to racial and ethnic studies, and help them understand and explore the issues confronting a variety of ethnic groups in the U.S. The course will begin with a thorough introduction to how sociologists think about race and ethnicity, and then move on to each major group, examining the group's history and exploring the group's current situation as well as concerns as we move into the 21st century. Topics covered include prejudice, discrimination, ethnicity, and religion. Groups examined include Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Jewish Americans.

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