Welcome to United States History
Throughout this course, students will explore US History with an emphasis on the late 19th Century to the present. The course will begin by reviewing the American values expressed in the founding documents (i. e. Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution) including democracy, liberty, equality and the individual pursuit of happiness. Students will study the fight to expand the promise of these values to marginalized groups (ethnic minorities, women, sexual minorities, and immigrants) throughout history. Students will also examine cultural developments (religion, literature, art, music, drama, architecture, education, and the mass media) which shaped the US cultural landscape. Students will learn the importance of geography and how it helped shape developments throughout American history. The course will also enable students to observe the transition of the United States into a modern political and economic superpower. Major themes include the expansion of the Federal Government’s power, the growth of corporations and the fight for labor and consumer rights in response, economic challenges (i.e The Great Depression), US foreign policy (i.e isolationism, imperialism) and the US response to foreign and domestic forces which threatened the US and American values. The course will conclude by examining current challenges and issues for the US and the American people.
As stated in the California History Social Science Framework, “as students learn American history from the late 1800s through the 2010s, they should be encouraged to develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills that will enhance their understanding of the content. Students should be encouraged to read multiple primary and secondary sources; to understand multiple perspectives; to learn about how some things change over time and others tend not to; and they should appreciate that each historical era has its own context and it is up to the student of history to make sense of the past on these terms by asking questions about it.” Students will be challenged to “think like a historian” by learning and applying historical thinking skills (sourcing, contextualization, corroboration, close reading). Students will be encouraged to sharpen their critical thinking skills in preparation for future college and career plans and in order to help students meaningfully participate and engage in civic responsibilities (voting, civic debate, community service, jury duty, military service, etc.)
McLane Common Syllabus
YouTube Videos
Crash Course
Hip Hughes History
Discovery Channel
History Channel
Full Documentary
PBS Presidents
PBS
American Experience
HISTORY BOOK
As stated in the California History Social Science Framework, “as students learn American history from the late 1800s through the 2010s, they should be encouraged to develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills that will enhance their understanding of the content. Students should be encouraged to read multiple primary and secondary sources; to understand multiple perspectives; to learn about how some things change over time and others tend not to; and they should appreciate that each historical era has its own context and it is up to the student of history to make sense of the past on these terms by asking questions about it.” Students will be challenged to “think like a historian” by learning and applying historical thinking skills (sourcing, contextualization, corroboration, close reading). Students will be encouraged to sharpen their critical thinking skills in preparation for future college and career plans and in order to help students meaningfully participate and engage in civic responsibilities (voting, civic debate, community service, jury duty, military service, etc.)
McLane Common Syllabus
YouTube Videos
Crash Course
Hip Hughes History
Discovery Channel
History Channel
Full Documentary
PBS Presidents
PBS
American Experience
HISTORY BOOK