Class overview

Many people view history merely as a set of dates and facts to be memorized, but history is much more than that. History  is an organic and ever-changing discipline, periodically discovering new evidence and revising old commonly held  beliefs. It’s not enough to learn history itself; one must learn from history the true essence of the human experience. This  course is designed for that purpose. 

The ultimate goal of this course is preparation for the AP Exam in May. Through this course, students will be provided  with content, practical knowledge of U.S. history, practice in critical thinking activities, and experience in effective  writing techniques that will better prepare them for not only the AP Exam but also their future educational areas. This  course is divided into periods of time and emphasizes themes throughout American history. These themes include the  American identity, economic evolution, and American foreign policy. This will be a rigorous college level course, but it  will also be enjoyable. Hard work and dedication will be essential to success.

Units of Study:

•  Unit 1: Period 1, 1491–1607

•  Unit 2: Period 2, 1607–1754

•  Unit 3: Period 3, 1754–1800

•  Unit 4: Period 4, 1800–1848

•  Unit 5: Period 5, 1844–1877

•  Unit 6: Period 6, 1865–1898

•  Unit 7: Period 7, 1890–1945

•  Unit 8: Period 8, 1945–1980

•  Unit 9: Period 9, 1980–Present