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American Studies Units

Trimester 1: Origins & Foundations
    This trimester focuses on the origins and foundations of US government and society.  Topics covered span from pre-Columbian societies in North America and European colonization to an in-depth study of the US Constitution.  Additionally, the 2008 presidential election will be examined in light of the themes and values explored during the study of the origins and foundations of the United States.

9/3 – 9/5 - Course Introduction
  • Class Goals & Expectations
  • What is history?
  • American Ideals
9/8 – 9/30 - Native Cultures & Colonization
What can be learned about our current society from tensions between native cultures and European settlers?
  • Current Events Journals Due 9/15 and 9/29
  • Colonial Travel Guides Due 9/29
  • Colonial Travel Guides Presentations 9/29 and 9/30
10/1 – 10/22 - The Revolutionary War
How was the American character established through the events and people of the Revolutionary War?
  • Current Events Journals Due 10/15
  • War Museum Exhibition Due 10/22
10/23 – 11/6 - The 2008 Election
How do the candidates and media frame the presidential election using American values and traditions?
  • Current Events Journals Due 10/27
  • Candidate Position Paper Due Date TBD
  • “You’re the Strategist” Campaign Report Due 11/3
  • “You’re the Strategist” Oral Arguments 11/3 and 11/4
11/7 – 11/26 - Founding of the American Democracy
In what ways were the rights, liberties, and responsibilities insured by the US Constitution shaped by the values held by the founding fathers?
  • Current Events Journals Due 11/10 and 11/24
  • Short Research Paper on Founding Father Due 11/17
  • Constitutional Debates 11/24 and 11/25