The history and social sciences curriculum is designed to help you appreciate and understand the global community in which you live, as well as the diversity of the American culture and heritage. Not only will you learn about the challenges and complexity of recording and interpreting history, but you also will learn to examine assumptions, biases, and hypothesis in your sources. By studying the past, you’ll be preparing to lead in the future.
Graduation requirements
4 credits including U.S. History or AP U.S. History, World Religions, and Ethics and Social Justice Research Seminar
An introductory course designed for most first-year international students. Topics covered in this course include basic geography, culture, history, government, and civic issues concerning the United States. Often, these topics are broached with some comparison with the students’ native countries. Current events and the manner in which they affect the United States and other countries is also a major focus of the course. These issues are vital to an understanding of the contemporary United States and reviewing them is, therefore, the main objective of Social Studies for International Students. Through tests and papers, students must learn to use evidence wisely, and extract unifying themes often hidden in the mass of detail and material. International students continue to become investigative thinkers in SSIS by exploring several topics of interest through oral presentations. These oral presentations are assigned each semester in order to reinforce public speaking and leadership. The group may travel to places of historical importance in this country.
Journalist Tom Brokaw used the phrase “Greatest Generation” to describe those who were born at the end of World War I and came of age during the Great Depression and World War II. From flappers to fundamentalists, from the “New Negro” to the New Deal, and from the Four Freedoms to the Manhattan Project, this course is a critical examination of the American experience between 1918 and 1945. Using a wide range of texts and historical thinking skills, students will analyze the fierce culture battles that raged within many communities as mass culture became dominated by new secularism and consumerism. Students will also consider how domestic and international events powerfully enhanced as well as undermined basic American freedoms. What was the national response to such threats: an economy that grew as dramatically as it later constricted before becoming a military-industrial complex, a national tug-of-war between the forces of Americanization and ethnic pluralism, and the challenge of fighting a war to defend deeply held American values abroad while the marginalization of those outside the social mainstream continued at home. The centerpiece of this course is a research paper in which students will examine the new boundaries of American freedom and America’s role as an international security force. Through their blood, sweat, and tears, this generation permanently altered the nation’s social geography and crucial definition of self.
This course examines the political, economic, cultural, and intellectual development of nations across the world in the years since 1900, as well as the emergence of non-governmental centers of power such as terrorist groups and international corporations. Topics include The Scramble for Africa, World War I, the increasing importance of China and India in the Far East, the evolution of Israeli/Arab hostility, the independence movements in Africa, and global interrelations of the 21st century.
Year-Long Course – 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Standing, and submitted application; students will be notified of their acceptance into the class.
This course serves as an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Women’s and Gender Studies including relevant beliefs, practices, and debates within the field. The purpose of this course is to help students obtain an understanding of issues related to identities, education, media, sexualities, and the environment through the various lenses and theories found within Women’s and Gender Studies. Throughout the course, we will also be looking at various branches of feminist and gender theory including Black feminism, Chicana feminism, indigenous feminism, and transnational feminism in order to understand the complexities, importance, and application of intersectionality.
Business and Economics students gain fluency in foundational economic principles and explore business planning, development and management. Students study the fundamentals of microeconomics, including supply and demand, incentives, pricing and production, followed by macroeconomic concepts such as economic indexes, The Federal Reserve and financial markets, as well as trade agreements and globalization. This is an ideal survey course for students considering a college degree in economics, business or management. By the end of the semester, students will have a working foundation to analyze current events in the corporate world and the international economy. This course is offered through One Schoolhouse, an on-line school for students in independent schools.
In 2018, John Kingery joined the Chatham Hall community as a history teacher. He studied history while pursuing both a bachelor's from the College of William & Mary and a master's from George Mason University. A proud Purple Team member, John's favorite thing about Chatham Hall is the students and how they make him laugh and teach him so many new things. In addition to spending time with his family, he loves classic movies and touring National Parks.
ChristaAnderson
English & History Teacher; CAMS; Coach; Dorm Advisor
Local independent school graduate Christa Anderson joined the Chatham Hall community in 2022 after spending two years as an intern at her alma mater, Virginia Episcopal School (VES). While at VES she lived on dorm, coached four sports, and learned a lot about the teaching profession. Christa earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in government from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. At Chatham Hall, she teaches English and history, works with the CAMS program, lives on dorm, and coaches. Outside of teaching and coaching, Christa enjoys singing and playing the ukulele, watching anime, and hanging out with her dog.
BethBarksdale
Dean of the Chapel & Spiritual Life, Director of Entrepreneurship
Beth Barksdale is a graduate of Salem College, Harvard Business School's OPM program, University of the South’s EFM program, and has her MDIV from Wake Forest University. She is a candidate for the position of Teaching Elder with the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and the Doctor of Ministry cohort at Union Presbyterian Seminary (fall 2020). In addition to being the School's chaplain, Beth leads the entrepreneurship program, calling upon her many years experience as CEO of Encore Exchange, a leader in healthcare patient communications and self-pay management.
Laura Daniel graduated from the College of William & Mary with a bachelor's degree in business and psychology and a master's degree in counseling. She completed her Ph.D. in counseling and counselor education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to serving as director of academic support, she worked as a counselor and teacher at Danville Community College, primarily responsible for coordinating services for students with disabilities. Laura lives in Danville with her husband and three daughters.
DeborahGlymph
Chief Diversity Officer; History & English Teacher
Deborah Glymph received a B.A. from the State University of New York-Stony Brook and a M.Ed. from Mary Baldwin College, among other teaching certificates. In addition to teaching at Chatham Hall since 2015, Deborah serves the School as chief diversity officer. She also has decades of experience teaching locally in the Danville area.
MaraJarrett
History & English Teacher; CAMS; International Student Coordinator; Coach
Mara Jarrett, who has most recently worked in South Korea where she taught ESL and history electives, returned to the U.S. in 2022 to join the Chatham Hall community. She holds a BA and MA from Arkansas State University and has a background in a wide variety of topics such as Middle Eastern and Asian studies, geography, philosophy, and ancient history. At Chatham Hall, she is a member of the duty team, coaching staff, and faculty advisors. Mara is a former rugby and softball player and loves music and theater.
Zach Smith joined the Chatham Hall community as a history teacher in 2021. He studied at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and has worked at numerous schools, including St. Margaret's School, Goodwin University, Quinnipiac University, and the University of Connecticut. In addition to being a father to a daughter and two dogs, Zach is a coach and former international rugby player. His favorite tradition is singing the alma mater.