History of the Americas

Year 1

IB History of the Americas HL is a history of the United States and the Americas from a global frame of reference based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history. Students will qualify for the IB exam in History of the Americas at the conclusion of the second year of this higher-level course. Students will study historical aspects of North America, Central America, South America, The Caribbean and the island nations and principalities of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond gaining factual knowledge, students will learn to think critically about history and develop the ability to understand multiple interpretations of history. The study of U.S. history will be enriched by comparisons to different regions of the world using specific case studies. Students will prepare for the Regents exam in U.S. History at the conclusion of this first year. This course will fulfill the NYS U.S. History requirement in this first year. Students who may have passed the U.S. History Regents will have alternative assignments to prepare for the IB exam in History of the Americas while the class is focusing on Regents exam preparation. Students must sit for the IB Exam to receive IB weighting.

Year 2

Students will qualify for the I.B. exam in History of the Americas at the conclusion of the second year of this higher-level I.B. course. Students will study 20th century themes concentrating in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In addition, students will analyze the rise of authoritarian states and their influence during the Cold War Era. Students will qualify for the I.B. exam in History of the Americas at the conclusion of the second year of this HL course. Students must sit for the IB Exam to receive IB weighting.