HISTORY The study of history leads students to become critical thinkers. At Crossroads the history curriculum presents major trends in the historical, political, economic, and social development of the world. Students are encouraged to question and make connections between the facts and ideas surrounding these trends. Methodologies: Lecture, discussion, research, essays, debate, and film are the staples of history education at Crossroads. As a general rule, students are placed in history courses by grade level. WORLD CIVILIZATIONS 1 is a course that examines the cultural, political, and intellectual foundations of selected European, African, and Asian civilizations. This course expands students’ historical vocabularies and map skills; it also places emphasis on examination study techniques and general study skills. An honors option covers the same topics but at a more sophisticated level. TENTH GRADE STUDENTS may enroll in World Civilizations 2, which extends the study of world civilizations begun in the ninth grade course. This history of ideas course focuses on the deeper structure of the main political, philosophical, economic, and cultural movements in Europe, India, and Japan from the eighteenth century to the present. The honors course not only covers similar material, but also includes a greater emphasis on key issues in philosophy by examining the works of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Marx, and others. IN ELEVENTH GRADE, students participate in an integrated curriculum in history and literature. American Studies offers students varying voices in literature and a look at history from a dual perspective on both politics and culture. African-American, Jewish, Mexican-American, and women’s history provide the scope for allied readings in literature and history. Students begin the year with an introduction to formal research techniques, which they use to complete a significant research project in the second semester. All eleventh grade students may elect honors in either American Studies English or American Studies History, or both. ALL TWELFTH GRADE STUDENTS are required to take a one-year course in History, Society, and Ethics. Students may choose among the many sections offered, all of which consider social and cultural diversity, distribution of economic and political power, and the use of mass communications. Each course encourages students to ask fundamental questions about ethical choices as they emerge from contemporary and historical problems and events. Course offerings may include Cultural Diversity, Gender Studies, AP World History, Ethical Issues, Ethics of the 21st Century, and History of European Film (offered jointly with the Film Department).