Starting with a brief discussion of the pre-European American situation, this course proceeds to examine history from 1492 until 1992, both chronologically and thematically. During the Pre-Revolutionary period students examine how America came to be and how this history shaped the country she later became. Reading original documents, the students learn to engage historical figures, rather than merely memorize dates and names. Progressing through the War Between the States to the First World War and beyond, we track both the changes in American government and society and those aspects which remain constant.
Advanced Placement® students meet for one additional section every week. Because they are preparing for the AP® exam, they have more in-depth study of documents and regular practice writing a “Document Based Question.”