US History

Students will examine the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s growing role in world diplomatic relations, including the Spanish- American War and World War I. Students will study the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive movement and the New Deal. Students will also learn about the various factors that led to America’s entry into World War II, as well as its consequences for American life. Students will explore the causes and course of the Cold War. Students will study the important social, cultural, economic, and political changes resulting from the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and recent events and trends that have shaped modern-day America. Additionally, students will learn the causes and consequences of contemporary issues impacting their world today. Students will continue to use skills for historical and geographical analysis as they examine American history since Reconstruction with special attention to Tennessee connections in history, geography, politics, and people. Students will continue to learn fundamental concepts in civics, economics, and geography within the context of United States history. The reading of primary source documents is a key feature of United States history standards. Finally, students will focus on current human and physical geographic issues important in contemporary America and the global society.

Students will be required to take a College Challenge Exam at the end of the cpurse to determine if they will receive a College credit for this course. Students must earn at least an 80 on the test to receive the college credit. Students who pass the course will meet the graduation requirement and earn an EPSO toward Ready Graduate status.

Available: CHS, MHS, UHS

The AP U.S. History program reflects a commitment to what teachers, professors, and researchers of history teaching and learning have agreed is the main goal of a college-level survey course in U.S. history: students should learn to analyze and interpret historical facts and evidence in order to achieve understanding of major developments in U.S. history.

To accomplish this goal, the AP U.S. History Curriculum Framework defines concepts, skills, and understandings required by representative colleges and universities for granting college credit and placement. With the goal of practicing the kinds of thinking skills used by historians, students must engage in study of primary and secondary source evidence, analyze a wide array of historical facts and perspectives, and express historical arguments in writing.

Available: CHS, MHS, UHS

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Exam Fee: $120.00 (approximately)

The IB History program at Cookeville High School is a two-year course. The course is designed to prepare students for either the standard or higher-level IB assessments. The first year will consist of 150 hours of instruction and will examine the following topics: the United States from 1876-1928, U.S.-Latin American relations from 1890-1928, World War I as it relates to the United States, African-Americans in U.S. 1870’s-1920’s, The Great Depression and response to it, U.S. role in WWII , and U.S. during Cold War era to 1962.

The second year of the course will consist of a wide variety of 20th century topics - including the causes, practices, and effects of war, and the Cold War, and the collapse of communism. Topics studied during the 2nd year will reinforce things learned during the first year ideally.

An auxiliary purpose of the two year program is to introduce students to historical thinking - formulating questions, basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. Students will also write research projects in accordance with IB regulations. A passing score on the IB Exam does not satisfy required US History course at the university level.

This two year course is open to any junior who wants to sign up for it, but it should not be a decision arrived at lightly. The students who typically perform well have strong reading and writing skills and a willingness to devote their time to their studies rather than part time jobs. Students who take the two year series will receive credit for U.S. History, Economics, and Government. Any senior may elect to take the second year of the course as a challenging elective. If you intend to take the second year as a senior elective, designate this as IB History of Americas SL, 2nd year option.

Assessments for the course include required IB internal and external assessments as well as locally required non-IB assessments.

Available: CHS