Please note

When selecting a School Level and Department, the courses for that School Level / Department will display below and the faculty will display to the right. For Logic/High School levels, the faculty to the right represent the faculty for the entire department and are not specific to the school level but the course are specific to the level.

Select A Department

School Level

Department

History

Coram Deo Academy students prepare to transform culture not only by a thorough study of human history, but also by a thorough understanding of “the hope that lies before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

Winston Churchill once said, “Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.” Although we hope that some of our students will become great statesmen and stateswomen, it is not the sole purpose of the history program at CDA. Why do we study history? Some Christians learned to love history by reading the Old Testament as children. The amazing people, battles, miracles, and the story of God’s people inspired us. It is not until later in life that we put the pieces together and saw how amazing God’s hand is throughout history.

We emphasize that God’s hand was and is in history, and that the glory of the world in which we live is only a shadow of what He has planned for his people. Contrary to what many believe, we do not study history to avoid “repeating” it, as that implies that we live in a circular historical framework, but to see the course of history as one that is guided and directed by God. We make similar mistakes, but history never repeats itself. One cannot study the Holocaust without realizing that we live in a fallen world. The Holocaust does not deny the existence of God; it shows students that humans desperately need God. By studying history, we see the greater story of God redeeming and restoring his people and creation. This realization allows us to rest in the truth that God is greater, wiser, and more just than we can imagine. As we examine history, we understand how events in our lives shape our character and direct our paths.

The history program at Coram Deo Academy is one that reaffirms this. By teaching the history of Western Civilization in chronological order and repeating it three times at ever-deepening levels (grammar, logic, and rhetoric), we emphasize that God’s hand was and is in history, and that the glory of the world in which we live is only a shadow of what He has planned for his people. C. S. Lewis said it best in Mere Christianity.

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. ~C.S. Lewis

AP European History [Western Civilization]: 11

Throughout this course, you will encounter many controversial issues and conflicting views on major historical issues. You should not expect the instructor or the textbooks to give you the “correct answers” to these questions, since there are no such “correct answers.” In fact, the instructor will introduce conflicting interpretations. One of the important purposes of this course is, therefore, for you to come to your own independent and informed judgments on these questions based on your understanding of the issue. In other words, the larger goal of this course is to help you to develop critical thinking through examining these questions. This critical thinking, however, must be based on a grasp of historical facts. Memorization of names and dates is not the most important goal of this course, but to the extent that the grasp of basic facts is a precondition for critical thinking, this course expects the students to grasp basic concepts, names, events, dates, and their sequences.
AP United States History: 12

A.P. United States History covers the entire scope of United States history from the colonial era to the present. The learner will develop strong critical thinking skills and view history through a Christian worldview. Throughout this course, students will encounter many controversial issues and conflicting views on major historical issues. One of the important purposes of this course is, therefore, for he or she to come to his own independent and informed judgments on these questions based on his understanding of the issue. In other words, the larger goal of this course is to help students develop critical thinking through examining these questions. This critical thinking, however, must be based on a grasp of historical facts. Memorization of names and dates is not the most important goal of this course, but to the extent that the grasp of basic facts is a precondition for critical thinking, this course expects the students to grasp basic concepts, names, events, dates, and their sequences.
AP World History: and Missions 10

Description: This course is an overview of the traditions, cultures, peoples, and events that shaped the history of the world with a special emphasis on the spread of Christianity. As we train ethical servant-leaders and wise thinkers who will shape culture for the glory of God, this culture is increasingly a global culture. As a result, education must include a knowledge of the nations and peoples that we wish to affect. â€œNow the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, â€˜All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.â€™â€ (Matthew 28:16-20, ESV) This course will help us better understand the world cultures that we intend to reach and will show us how the generations before have approached missions, all with an aim of better responding to the Great Commission. Students will craft historical arguments from evidence- Understanding history is not primarily about memorizing and reciting names, dates, and places. These things are only useful insofar as they help construct and support an argument or position. Students will use worldview as a lens through which to evaluate history- History is interpreted and written by people, who cannot help but be affected by their own worldview. The course will examine how we should use our own Christian worldview to interpret world events as revealing a fallen world in need of a Savior. The Advanced Placement (AP) version of this course will require significantly more reading and analysis than the non-AP course.
Western Civilization & Early Church: 9

In History 9, students will study the history of Western Civilization from approximately 3000 B.C. through approximately 1601 A.D. Students will learn the key dates of this period; the major individuals, nations, and events that shaped it; and the social, geographic, economic, political, and philosophical underpinnings of the era. World-view perspectives will be addressed as students develop their ability to discern and discuss reality as the peoples of this time period--both Christian and non-Christian--saw it, including their perception of the nature of the external world, human nature, the good that occurred in the world around them, and their outlook regarding the meaning of history. Students will also develop the ability to apply the knowledge and lessons of the Classical and Early Church to the challenges and issues of their own lives and world.
World History and Missions: 10

Description: This course is an overview of the traditions, cultures, peoples, and events that shaped the history of the world with a special emphasis on the spread of Christianity. As we train ethical servant-leaders and wise thinkers who will shape culture for the glory of God, this culture is increasingly a global culture. As a result, education must include a knowledge of the nations and peoples that we wish to affect. â€œNow the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, â€˜All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.â€™â€ (Matthew 28:16-20, ESV) This course will help us better understand the world cultures that we intend to reach and will show us how the generations before have approached missions, all with an aim of better responding to the Great Commission. Students will craft historical arguments from evidence- Understanding history is not primarily about memorizing and reciting names, dates, and places. These things are only useful insofar as they help construct and support an argument or position. Students will use worldview as a lens through which to evaluate history- History is interpreted and written by people, who cannot help but be affected by their own worldview. The course will examine how we should use our own Christian worldview to interpret world events as revealing a fallen world in need of a Savior.

Faculty

Traci Heitschmidt

History Dept Chair; RS History, English, Athletics - FM
Bio
Dr. Traci Colston Heitschmidt joined CDA ten years ago, agreeing to teach just one section of tenth grade English while her children were little. Won over by the impressive curriculum, students, and especially the Christian worldview, Dr. Heitschmidt joined the staff full-time in 2010. She currently teaches 11^th grade A.P. European History, 12^th grade A.P. United States History, and 12^th grade American Literature. She also serves as our History Department Chair.

Dr. Heitschmidt earned her PhD in Modern European history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also holds a master’s degree in Modern European history from UNLV and a bachelor of arts in both English and history from Texas Tech University.

She has been married for 25 years to college sweetheart, Jason Heitschmidt, and they have two children, Jarren (10^th grade) and Kacey (8^th grade), both attending CDA.
Justin Bass

RS History - CC
Brooke Bryant

LS History, Science, Bible, English- FM
Eric Bryant

History Asst. Chair, RS History - Dallas
Allison Crowder

LS Music & Art, History - CC
Leng Ea

LS History, Science, Bible, English, English; Athletics, Electives - FM
Libby Feray

LS/RS History, LS Speech, RS Theology - Dallas
Hannah Galvan

LS Bible, History, English, Science, Writing - Dallas
Tyson Guthrie

Theology Asst. Chair, LS History; RS Theology; Electives - FM
Kevin Harris

LS/RS History, Athletics, Electives - FM
Luke Hatteberg

Dallas Dean of Students
Cyrus Hayat

LS/RS History, Electives - CC
Drew Hicks

LS History, LS/RS English - Dallas
Kimberly Townsend

LS Bible, History, Science; Electives - CC
William Victor

History Asst. Chair; RS History; Electives - FM
Shannon Vowell

LS History; LS/RS English