The Alaska daily empire., 1922-01-06
HISTORY COURSE
BROADENED MEET
TINES DEMAND
History Receives More Atten-
ton in School Than
Any Other Subject.
~ MISS ALICE MORRISON

There is probably no subject in our
High School curriculum that is re-
ceiving greater attention today tina
the subject of history The recent
war has emphasized the fact that a
reconstruction OF our history course
IS necessary. Heretofore the greater
emphasis has been placed on ancient
and medieval rather than on modern
history and the texts have considered
mainly the political and military
phases.
The new tendency is to reduce an
cient and medieval history to min
mum in order to give more time to
modern history and also to interpret
the term history more broadly, so as
to include the whole intcrgral life of
man in society-his industry, religion,
'cience, literature and art, as we'll
IS his wars and politics.
Course Is Reconstructed
The history course offered by the
juneau High School has been recon
5tructed to meet these new demands.
The first course is given in the
sophmore year and covers the history
of the ancient world from the earliest
times to the 18th century The per-
iod covered by this course has recent
~ been extended from the fifth cen
fury A. ID. to the 18th century in or
der to give moro time to modern his
tory.
The purpose Of the ancient history
course is to furnish a background for
the study of modern history.
aSome there are who would do away
with this course altogether but we
know that the present can be ex
planned and understood only in the
light of the past, and that for the
purpose of culture and finer judg-
ments, the longer view stretching
even to prehistoric days is still as
valuable as ever. ~
The second years work is a course
in modern history and is offered in
the junior year. This course begins
with a brief review of the period OF
transition from the middle ages to
modern timcs--the Renaissance and
the Protestant revolt the chief politi
cal events of the 18th century and
the conflicts which were brought to
a close by the peace of Wcstphalia.
| nthis course the. chief emphasis
is placed upon the events, conditions
and institutions of the last $50 years
This course includes detailed study
of the causes and the events leading
up to the great World War.
The purpose of the modern history
course is to furnish a background for
the study of American history
World War Changes
The World War has made us in
tcrIational in interests and relation
ships, hence We must in the future
know moro of the ambitions, plans
and activities of all peoples of the
civilized world Unless we know the
history of Middle Europe during the
ditions in those countries and the
characteristics Of those peoples, we
shall fail to understand why the
world has been involved in a great
war and what peace conditions are
likely to be permanent.
The conference on disarmament
now meeting IN Washington makes it
certain that the United States Is
destined to be a dominant factor in
shaping world politics and in ad-
ministering world problems of all
kinds. In order to become the wise
counsellor and tho efficient benefac-
tor which the circumstances require,
it is necessary that America shall
also be acquainted with the origin.
development and significance Of the
various social forces which have
operated to produce the situation of
today. For American students a
knowledge of English history is es
sential hence, in this course particu-
lar emphasis is placed on English
development
Work of Senior Year
The work OF the senior year is a