This is a survey of U.S. History from the eve of the American Revolution to the present day, focusing on the political, social, economic, diplomatic, and cultural trends that have existed over the past three centuries. While the principal focus of the course will be on the birth, development, and growth of the United States, we will also look at the interaction between the United States and the world. Through the extensive study of primary sources (speeches, documents, Supreme Court decisions, political cartoons, paintings, photographs, advertisements, songs, newspaper articles, etc.), as well as a thorough and varied historiography (textbook and secondary sources), each member of the class will become a historian who develops his or her own original ideas and arguments about the past. Assessments in this course cultivate discussion, public speaking, research and time management more than they cultivate memorization and recitation of facts. Perspective-taking and healthy discourse are the pillars of this fast-paced Advanced U.S. History class. Furthermore, and perhaps most significantly, through an analysis of the past, we will become more informed citizens and begin to develop a clearer understanding of the world we live in today.

Departmental approval is required for this course.