U.S. History Since 1900

This U.S. history course is centered upon the belief that historical events have social, economic and political consequences that echo into our present lives. The emphasis of the course is the inter-relationship among historical events, rather than simply a chronological study of isolated events or people. The scope and sequence of the course is designed to highlight themes, processes, and causal relationships between events, to communicate the idea that history is a process of continuity, as well as change. Utilizing this approach will result in an increased ability to recognize and analyze the connection between historical events and present circumstances and conditions. The National Council of the Social Studies (NCSS) validates the thematic approach through its own ten thematic strands of social studies and the goal of “adopting common and multiple perspectives” on historical events. Accordingly, the weekly discussions in this course are designed to further highlight these related historical themes, as well as their downstream consequences in our present world.