Welcome to Dr. Robbins's A.P. U.S. History class! You have chosen to enroll in a COLLEGE LEVEL course in U.S. history. It is a two-semester survey of U.S. history from the Age of Exploration through the beginning of the 21st century. (This is unlike the regular 11th grade course which surveys U.S. history after the Civil War.) The course offers close to one extra point of course credit. This additional credit is offered because the level of work expected of you is much greater than in a regular or honors history class.
The course will not only offer a survey of U.S. history, it will also help you to prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam in U.S. History. Your score on the Advanced Placement exam may earn you college credit at your chosen university (acceptable scores vary from school to school). You will be expected to sign up for and take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. (If finances are an issue in taking the A.P. Exam, assistance may be available. Please see the instructor or your counselor for more information.)
Course Themes
Through the year, the course will return again and again to some fundamental themes in U.S. history. These themes include:
· The ongoing evolution of an American identity formed by patterns of immigration and migration, geographic conditions, socio-economic circumstances and political ideals
· Political ideals and realities that have formed our democratic system; how that system has responded to changing social and economic conditions, and informed our evolving idea of citizenship
· Economic trends and policies as influenced by changes in trade, industry, technology, capitalism, and the role of labor, and how these have affected the lives of Americans
· The cultural diversity that is unique to American society and how we have handled the resulting challenges on issues of race, class, ethnicity, and gender
· Social and reform movements that have transformed American life, from abolitionism, temperance, and women’s rights to civil rights and anti-war protests
· The evolution of American culture and its expression through literature, art, architecture, philosophy, music, theater and film
· The role of religion in American life and its influence on our political system and our social and cultural diversity
· The international role of the U.S. from its colonial origins to modern globalization, including our economic, political, and military engagements with other countries, our colonizing efforts, and our rise to modern superpower status
For the complete syllabus and a current pacing plan, please download the document links below.
The course will not only offer a survey of U.S. history, it will also help you to prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam in U.S. History. Your score on the Advanced Placement exam may earn you college credit at your chosen university (acceptable scores vary from school to school). You will be expected to sign up for and take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. (If finances are an issue in taking the A.P. Exam, assistance may be available. Please see the instructor or your counselor for more information.)
Course Themes
Through the year, the course will return again and again to some fundamental themes in U.S. history. These themes include:
· The ongoing evolution of an American identity formed by patterns of immigration and migration, geographic conditions, socio-economic circumstances and political ideals
· Political ideals and realities that have formed our democratic system; how that system has responded to changing social and economic conditions, and informed our evolving idea of citizenship
· Economic trends and policies as influenced by changes in trade, industry, technology, capitalism, and the role of labor, and how these have affected the lives of Americans
· The cultural diversity that is unique to American society and how we have handled the resulting challenges on issues of race, class, ethnicity, and gender
· Social and reform movements that have transformed American life, from abolitionism, temperance, and women’s rights to civil rights and anti-war protests
· The evolution of American culture and its expression through literature, art, architecture, philosophy, music, theater and film
· The role of religion in American life and its influence on our political system and our social and cultural diversity
· The international role of the U.S. from its colonial origins to modern globalization, including our economic, political, and military engagements with other countries, our colonizing efforts, and our rise to modern superpower status
For the complete syllabus and a current pacing plan, please download the document links below.