Description: History is an intellectual pillar for students seeking a thorough education. Through the study of history, students have the opportunity to dialogue with the greatest minds from the greatest cultures of preceding civilizations. This course is an introductory to intermediate two-semester study intended for high school students, surveying Colonial American history to current events in the United States. Class discussions will include three major components: the history of ideas during this time period, biographical studies of important individuals, and an exploration of key cultural developments. We will explore themes such as the right to claim power and govern others, the role of religion in society, and the common elements of long-lasting cultures. This course, however, will not simply be a study of dates, names, and events. Students will learn to mine primary source material which provided intellectual motivation to social, economic, and cultural developments. The class will also learn to evaluate secondary source material to determine historical arguments, existing biases, and the existence or want of sufficient evidence to support an author's claims. Through the tools available to historians, students will utilize these methods of historical research to formulate reasoned and well-supported arguments, thus becoming intellectual leaders of the next generation.
Required texts: All American History, vol. 1&2 Student Readers (nothing else). A coupon code has been created to grant students registered in the course a 30% discount on these texts. The discount code will be posted at the top of the course page, accessible upon registration.
Suggested Age: Grades 9 and up
Class Chat Time: Thurs. 2:30 pm EST
Instructor: Mr. Ryan West
High School Course Credit: One full year high school credit


Enroll in U.S. History, Fall 2010-Spring 2011 ($449.95 for the year)