United States History

Recommend Prerequisite: Early U.S. History

Grade offered: 11

Credit: ½-1

SDE Course Code: 3405

MNPS Course Code: SST5305

Course Description

This course emphasizes the history of the United States from Reconstruction to the present. Students will explore the culture, economics, geography, governance and civics, history, and individuals, groups and interactions of each major period. Students will be administered an end-of -course exam which counts a percentage of the student’s grade. U.S. History, Honors U.S. History or AP U.S. History is required for graduation.

Course of Study

Brief review from Age of Exploration through the United States Civil War.
Industrial Development 1870-1900.

Industrialism
Corruption and Reform
Gilded Age
Westward Movement and Indian Wars
Populism and Grange Movement
Literary Works of the era, (e.g. Riis, Sinclair).

Emergence of Modern America 1890-1930

Presidential Administrations of the Era (McKinley-Hoover)
Imperialism
Progressive Movement
Art of the era
Literary Works of the era, (e.g. Fitzgerald, Hughes).
World War I
“Roaring Twenties”

The Great Depression and World War II 1925-1945

Causes, effects of Great Depression
New Deal Programs
Causes and significance of World War II
Origins of American involvement in World War II
Use of the Atom bomb

Post World War II 1945-1970s

Foreign policy since World War II
Cold War/ Berlin Wall/ Iron curtain
Civil Rights and Leaders of the Era
Counter Culture
Space Race

Contemporary United States 1968-present

U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia
Presidential Administrations from Nixon to present
U.S. in World Leadership

Reading: In addition to use of the textbook, students are expected to read from a variety of sources including essays, studies, newspapers/periodicals, maps, charts, graphs, political cartoons, and government documents. Students are expected to gain literal understanding of readings and also interpret, analyze, and evaluate information from readings.

Writing: Students are expected to write regularly and effectively in various domains including: narrative, descriptive, persuasive, analytical, and practical. Suggested written assignments include: essays, journals, book reviews, document based questions, journals and research papers.