During their time at North Yarmouth Academy, history students may:

• Defend (or prosecute!) Socrates during his trial for “corrupting the youth”
• Advise President Truman about whether to drop the atomic bomb on Japan
• Debate and vote in the US Constitutional Convention
• Re-draw the map of Europe at the Congress of Vienna
• Defend their possession of Chinese literature to a group of “Red Guards”
• Draw and label a map of the world from memory
• Make a speech in Parliament either for or against a law on child labor
• Brief President Obama on how and why to change policy toward the Middle East
• Unravel the strands of Watergate along with Woodward and Bernstein

      
Students at NYA study history to gain a sense of context for their lives by understanding the events, controversies, and ideas that have shaped the world.  Since these forces continue to shape the world today, the study of history at NYA equips students to become articulate and engaged global citizens both during their time here and after they have graduated.

All history courses at NYA are rich in content, but the goal is not merely to stuff a student full of facts.  Instead, the department aims to nurture clear analytical writing, to cultivate critical thinking, and to instill an approach to historical inquiry that blends skepticism with curiosity.  The History Department works closely with the English Department to coordinate readings and to reinforce critical thinking and writing skills.  Students have many opportunities to practice these skills and habits of mind in close readings of primary and secondary source material, analytical and research essays, debates, mock trials, discussions of current events in historical context, and other class activities.

Middle School courses help NYA students to establish a set of foundations for historical inquiry and understanding.  In the 6th grade, students use maps, games, and art to master world geography.  In 7th grade, students learn the basics of the American economic and political systems and compare them with those of other countries around the world.  Eighth grade history focuses on the main political, economic, and social developments of the United States after the Civil War.

In the Upper School, students extend their studies to include Great Questions in World History, Modern World history, and US history.  Beginning in the sophomore year, students may elect to take Advanced Placement courses.  The department offers AP European History (10th grade), AP US History (11th grade), and AP Art History (12th grade).  In addition to the AP courses, the department offers a number of electives that permit students to specialize in various historical topics or approaches.  Throughout these courses, NYA students build on the knowledge and skills they have acquired in previous years of study.

A graduate of NYA, equipped with these skills, provided with a solid background of historical knowledge, and fired with enthusiasm and curiosity, will be prepared to become a broad-minded, articulate civic leader.