Course Description

The course is a chronological and thematic survey course in the United States covering the time period from the Colonial Era (1607) to contemporary America (present). The primary focus of the course will be upon the experiences and people of the twentieth century examining the major turning points in American history. Topics will include the a brief overview of the founding and the United States through the Civil War and Reconstruction, followed by a more detailed analysis of Industrialization, Progressives, Immigration, World War One, the1920's, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout this course students will engage in primary source document analysis, traditional textbook and outside readings, a variety of classroom activities, and critical, analytical and interpretative writing assignments. These lessons encourage students to think conceptually about the American past and to focus on historical change over time.

Essential Concepts/Skills

1. Students will compose strong claim statements that answer the prompt and demonstrate higher level thinking skills.
2. Students will compose strong claim statements that answer the prompt and demonstrate higher level thinking skills.
3. Students will compose strong claim statements that answer the prompt and demonstrate higher level thinking skills.
4. Students will demonstrate key tenets of American democracy.
5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the modernization of the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the modernization of the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
   
   

Units of Study

FALL SEMESTER
Tenets of American Democracy
Immigration, Industrialization and Progressive Era
Age of Imperialism and World War I
The 1920s

SPRING SEMESTER
The Great Depression
World War II
The Cold War
Civil Rights
Modern American History