American sTudies HONORS

American Studies is designed as a two-period Humanities course that links the U.S. History and the English 11 requirement: students will receive the same grade for each period of this course, and the course maintains one gradebook.

U.S. History offers a thought-provoking look at our nation’s history while junior English explores the American Dream and its reality in our past and our present. The linkage between the two courses allows for many opportunities to emphasize the connections between American literature, history, art, music, and architecture through team-teaching, joint assignments, and projects, emphasizing the roots of our past and their ongoing impact on today’s politics, writing, and culture.

The course demands active student participation, intensive outside reading, and experiences beyond the classroom (i.e. field trip, projects) in addition to reading, writing, research, speaking, and listening skills that will prepare students for college.