Shanghai High School has a rich historical legacy, being founded in 1865 and establishing itself as the top school in Shanghai and one of the best in China. Shanghai High School International Division’s History and Geography Department is dedicated to continuing this tradition of educational excellence by extending its programs to the international community in Shanghai, creating a world-class learning community, and providing an enriching educational experience founded on the values, principles, and vision that has guided Shanghai High School for the past 159 years.

1、 Course Description

SHSID history and geography courses educate learners to develop a critical perspective of the world and to understand how their own identities and cultures relate to a larger global and historical context. The Department provides students with both a broad, comprehensive knowledge of the historical forces that have shaped the world’s civilizations, as well as detailed, focused courses that examine particular societies and time periods. Our curriculum encourages students to be critically aware of the multi-cultural, religious, social, ethnic, and global concerns that are necessary for global citizenship and develops the critical thinking skills necessary for active and informed participation as 21st-century learners. SHSID history and geography facilitate an appreciation among our students for cultures different from their own and create the understanding that the world is a “global community.”

The Department particularly prides itself on the diversity of its course offerings. SHSID offers studies in World History, World Geography, Physical Geography, Human Geography, Western Civilization, US History, American Government and Politics, Chinese History, and Philosophy at the Honors and Standard levels. Our curriculum encourages each student to challenge themselves, develop their abilities, and to reach their potential by offering Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses in Human Geography, World History, and US History.

2、 Teaching Methodology

The department faculty is committed to supporting each student’s learning. By applying diverse pedagogical approaches and dynamic instruction, Our teachers engage all learners. Through research projects, historical writing, class discussions, filmmaking, guided discussion, lectures, and historical analysis, students are able to not only learn history, but to apply its principles to their overall education. History and geography education at SHSID is designed around providing 21st-century skills-based knowledge, emphasizing critical evaluation, analysis, and application of history or geography. The Department strives for students to become active, discerning, responsible, lifelong learners and global citizens.

In addition to our formal curriculum, there are many opportunities for students to practice and experience history outside of the classroom. Shanghai High School is the former site of the WWII Lunghwa Civil Assembly Center. Since 2012, Betty Barr, the remaining survivor of the Lunghwa Civilian Assembly Centre still living in Shanghai, has come to our campus to speak to students about her life here as an internee from 1943 to 1945. Thanks to Ms. Barr, the history of SHSID has come to life, helping students understand the significance and historical impact of the camp, the role of the school during WWII, and how that history impacts the campus today.

3、 Student Achievement

The SHSID History and Geography Department prepares each learner with valuable knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success beyond the classroom. Regardless of the academic discipline or career path students pursue after high school, history builds a solid foundation for further study in all academic areas, enhancing their critical thinking, research, writing, and presentation skills. SHSID IB/AP history and geography students’ scores consistently outrank the global average. In addition to the academic opportunities, our students also show great enthusiasm in social studies programs after school, such as the History or Geography Club, ‘Campus History Tour’, and so on.

4、Teaching Staff

History and geography teachers reflect the rich educational and multicultural elements representative of SHSID. Teachers in SHSID represent China, the United States, Canada,  the UK, and Ireland. Nearly half of SHSID history and geo teachers have a master’s degree in history or geography, and the other half hold bachelor's degrees in history or geography, or social studies. The Department staff members also hold bachelor's degrees in education, and a few have bachelor's degrees in English literature. Our history and geography teachers bring a variety of educational experiences, with members having taught in universities or high schools in the US, Japan, and Korea before coming to SHSID, contributing valuable teaching experiences and knowledge to the department.