Course Objectives and Themes and Historical Thinking Skills:
Students will:
Demonstrate a mastery of a broad body of historical knowledge
Use historical evidence to defend and support basic arguments and positions
Differentiate between various schools of historical thought and interpretation
Interpret and draw conclusions from various pieces of historical data including original documents, cartoons, graphs, etc.
Demonstrate an effective use of analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect relationships, and compare and contrast
Work effectively in groups to produce products, make presentations, and solve problems
Prepare for and successfully pass the AP US History Exam
Themes
The course follows a narrative structure supported by the textbook, primary sources, secondary sources including historiographical essays and a variety of multimedia materials. The following seven themes are woven throughout the course:
Identity
Work, Exchange and Technology
Peopling
Politics and Power
America in the World
Environment and Geography
Ideas, Beliefs and Culture
Historical Thinking Skills
Chronological Reasoning
Causation
Continuity and Change
Periodization
Comparison and Contextualization
Historical Arguments
Historical Argumentation
Appropriate Use of Historical Evidence
Historical Interpretation and Synthesis