U.S. History 11

Brief Course Description:

This semester,  the U.S. History course will consist of an in-depth examination of the political, social, and economic changes of the twentieth century allowing the students to better understand the complexity of the difficult issues that face our nation today.

Semester I Units of Instruction:

During the first semester, the course begins with a review of the nation’s beginnings and the important influences that Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke has on US democratic institutions and ideals. Students continue their tenth grade study of industrialization to understand the social and cultural impact of new technologies and a corporate economy.  They will trace the change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power, up to the era of World War I.  The emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and courts as well as the continuing tension between the individual and state.  All this, while attempting to relate the past with current issues.

Semester II Units of Instruction:

During the second semester, the course begins with a unit pertaining to the causes and results of the United States’ participation in WWII and the Cold War.  It continues with an analysis of the expansion of federal civil and voting rights to  Americans previously denied those rights and a study of major social problems and domestic and foreign policy issues in contemporary American society.  The emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and courts as well as the continuing tension between the individual and state.  All this, while attempting to relate the past with current issues.

Obtain a copy of current course syllabus: