A major focus of this course generally places American history in the larger context of western civilization. A constant emphasis is placed on understanding the big picture. The goal is to give the student not only a firm grasp of American history but also a solid understanding of why these events were, and still are, important. The course often examines these developments chronologically, with particular emphasis placed upon foreign and domestic political, economic and military policies, as well as the evolution of industry and society.
In this course, the major figures in American history and their significance are studied. The major foreign policy goals of the various presidential administrations are identified. America's relationships with other nations are recognized and examined. The students discover the internal and external forces that altered American foreign policy from independence to 1877. The student learns the major economic cycles and the causes of economic change, along with the key points in the evolution of American industry and society, in addition to key economic organizing principles of American history, such as the market and industrial revolutions. The student develops skills in analytical thinking and historical writing while integrating all of the people, places or events into the larger context of American history.
In this course, students examine the historical development of the United States since the Reconstruction period and identify the major figures in recent American history and their significance. They identify the major foreign policy goals of the various presidential administrations and recognize America's relationships with other nations. The external forces that have altered American foreign policy since 1877 are usually studied. Students identify the major economic cycles and the causes of economic change, along with the key points in the evolution of American industry and society, in addition to key economic organizing principles of recent American history, such as Keynesian economics, New Deal liberalism and Reaganomics. The student continues to develop skills in analytical thinking and historical writing while integrating all of the people, places or events into the larger context of American history.
This course typically identifies and recalls the literature describing American history from 1877 until today. Students gain an understanding of the results of industrialization in the formation of American society. Students are expected to describe and understand the causes leading to the First World War and the results on the global economy, and to describe the reasons leading up to World War II. Another objective is gaining an understanding of the explanations for the rise of "limited war" in America's history in Korea, Vietnam and El Salvador. Students gain an understanding of the Reagan years, the conflict with Iraq and the causes of the Global War on Terror.