This course provides an in-depth exploration of American history, spanning from the nation’s founding through the modern era. Students will examine pivotal events, influential leaders, and social movements that have shaped the United States, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and America’s role in global conflicts. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing primary sources, understanding historical context, and evaluating the impact of key decisions on the nation’s development.
Through a biblical perspective, students will explore themes such as liberty, justice, and moral responsibility, considering how faith and Christian principles have influenced the course of American history. Discussions will encourage students to see history as God’s story, recognizing His hand at work in triumphs and challenges alike. This course inspires students to become informed, Christ-centered citizens who seek to impact their communities and nation for God’s glory.
College Credit Enrollment Add-On
Equip 210 has partnered with Kairos Pacific University (KPU) to offer select high school courses for dual-enrollment college credit. If your student would like to earn 3 college credits toward an Associate’s Degree with KPU, they must also register for the College Credit Add-On course in addition to the regular high school class.
This add-on is purely administrative—it does not involve any extra assignments or additional work beyond the core course. Its sole purpose is to process enrollment through KPU so your student can receive official college credit upon successful completion.
The College Credit Add-On is a $300 separate payment to KPU
It must be selected in addition to the core class during registration
To opt in, simply add the "College Credit Add-On" to your cart when enrolling. Your student will remain enrolled in the main course whether or not you choose the college credit option.
This course is one of eight Equip 210 high school classes now eligible for dual-enrollment credit through KPU.
Students will deeply engage in a thorough study of one of the most powerful and influential nations in human history: the United States of America. Taking a chronological approach, the course begins with an examination of the foundational value systems of the three major cultures interacting in the “New World”—Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans—whose worldviews ultimately converged to form what would become “American” identity.
Students will identify and analyze the core ideological beliefs that continue to shape American culture today. Alongside the development of traditional academic skills such as critical reading, analytical writing, articulate speaking, and effective note-taking, students will be challenged to question assumptions, evaluate sources, and think independently.
Central to the course is an exploration of the American “experiment”—the unprecedented distribution of economic, political, and spiritual authority to the people through the nation’s founding documents. This vision will be juxtaposed with the profound transformations in American history that have led to the cultural, political, and moral challenges facing the nation today. Students will examine the causes and consequences of these shifts, assessing both the benefits and costs of change over time.
Through Socratic discussion and exposure to perspectives often excluded from traditional historical narratives, students will investigate how and why the United States has diverged from its original foundations. The course acknowledges that the nation began as a deeply spiritual society, anchored largely in the teachings of Christ, and that this worldview significantly shaped early American values and institutions. Students will study the gradual erosion of this spiritual foundation and evaluate its impact on American culture and identity.
Additionally, the course will examine the transformation of government itself—from a system designed to be small and limited to one wielding expansive and often centralized power. Students will analyze the major events, movements, and historical figures that both contributed to and challenged this transformation.
By the conclusion of the course, students will view American history through a more critical, nuanced, and informed lens. Recognizing that much of the modern narrative rests on partial truths—and at times outright deception—students will be intellectually, historically, and spiritually equipped to identify these distortions. Ultimately, they will be prepared to thoughtfully engage with the principles that once made the United States unique among the nations of the world and consider what it means to preserve the original intent of the American experiment.
United States History Course Sequence and Syllabus
Part One: Introduction
Welcome to this comprehensive college-level survey of American History. This class is designed to provide committed, focused and motivated students with the experience of mastering college level material in US History. The committed Christ centered student will read and analyze historical writing, scriptural texts, reflect upon historical evidence, participate in discussions and write about central themes and ideas in America’s past in conjunction with the ideal Christ like Christian world view. At this time I’d like to review the expectations and requirements of the course.
USH is an intensive study of the history of the United States from 1600-present. It makes the same academic demands that a full-year college survey course would involve. In general, you will be asked to:
Ø Read 30-60 pages from a college-level history textbook per week; outline or take reading notes from the textbook; read additional, supplemental sources
Ø Take written exams that cover a substantial amount of information, some of which will NOT be covered in class
Ø Establish relationships among facts and be able to formulate concepts and generalizations about people, events, and ideas in American history
Ø Exhibit strong organizational and time management skills; take notes from class lectures; consistently and actively participate in class discussions and activities
Ø Understand and analyze primary sources including documents, cartoons, charts and graphs
Ø Think “spiritually” & “historically”—that is, determine validity, point of view, and bias; weigh evidence; evaluate conflicting positions; and make inferences
Ø Frequently write coherent, persuasive, analytical essays that utilize primary source materials along with relevant outside information
Optional: The benefits of taking the AP United States History Exam?
Ø By qualifying on the AP exam, you may receive college credit while still in high school—effectively testing out of History 101. This can be a significant reduction in college tuition!
Ø If you are exempt from introductory college courses, you can begin studying in your major field of interest earlier and/or you can explore other academic areas of interest.
Ø With AP credits, you increase your opportunity for double majors, and to participate in extra-curricular programs without jeopardizing your timely progress toward graduation.
Ø On the transcript, AP courses serve as an indicator to college admissions officers that you are dedicated, hard-working, and willing to accept challenges in your education.
Part Two: Course Sequence
Below is a basic outline of the major units we will be covering and the corresponding textbook chapters. I suggest you keep a separate folder for each major unit, keeping track of all notes, handouts and homework assignments. Just a heads up; this sequence may be modified.
Helpful Websites
http://www.historyteacher.net/ The world’s greatest APUSH website—for students AND teachers! Go to “AHAP Main Page”, then dig around. Particularly useful are: Mr. Montouri’s final review sheets and the practice quizzes form ALL historical eras.
http://www.landmarkcases.org Great site for important Supreme Court Decisions.
http://www.apstudent.com/ushistory/ Good documents. Particularly useful are the “Flashcard” pages.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/ The official College Board site; this has information about the exam, test taking tips, course outlines, etc.
First Semester
Ø Colonial America (1607-1763)
American Pageant, Ch. 2-5
Ø The American Revolution and Confederation (1763-1787)
American Pageant, Ch. 6-8
Ø The Critical Period and Early Republic (1787-1814)
American Pageant, Ch. 9-10
Ø Nationalism, Sectionalism and The Era of Good Feelings (1814-1828)
American Pageant, Ch. 11-12
Ø The Age of Jackson (1828-1840)
American Pageant, Ch. 13-14
Ø Age of Expansion: Reform, Manifest Destiny, and 19th Century Indian Policy (1814-1860)
American Pageant, Ch. 15-16; 18
Ø Slavery and the Sectional Crisis (1840-1860)
American Pageant, Ch., 17, 19-20
Ø The Civil War, Reconstruction, and the New South (1850-1896)
American Pageant, Ch. 21-23; 26
Second Semester
Ø The Industrial Revolution and Unionism (1862-1900)
American Pageant, Ch. 24-25
Ø Gilded Age Politics and the Populist Revolt (1872-1896)
American Pageant, Ch. 24, 27, 28
Ø Immigration, Urbanization and Progressivism (1890-1917)
American pageant, Ch. 26, 31-32
Ø Foreign Policy and Imperialism (1898-1920)
American Pageant, Ch. 29-30; 33
Ø The Jazz Age and The Depression (1915-1929)
American Pageant, Ch. 34-36
Ø The New Deal and WW II (1929-1945)
American Pageant, Ch. 36-38
Ø The Cold War at Home and Abroad (1945-1960)
American Pageant, Ch. 39-40
Ø The 1960s: Vietnam and Reform Movements (1960-1968)
American Pageant, Ch. 40-41; 44
Ø The Limits of American Power (1968-1980)
American Pageant, Ch. 42
Ø Conservative Resurgence (1980-Present)
American Pageant, Ch. 43-44
Part Three: Course Syllabus
Required Texts:
Bailey, Thomas A. The American Pageant
Course Requirements
Ø You will need a notebook and folder devoted exclusively to this class.
Ø Your full-time and on-time attendance is essential to your success in this class. Tardies and truancies are frowned upon, and will negatively affect your grade.
Ø Many take-home assignments will be typed, so make sure your printers are in good working order.
Ø Participate in class activities and discussions! Get involved and speak your mind, because a portion of your quarter grade is based on participation. Credit can be lost due to lack of participation or effort in class, being unprepared, disruptive, tardy, or truant.
Grading and Make-Up Work
Ø This class works on a cumulative point system. Each quarter is worth approximately 40% of your semester grade, and the final paper is worth approximately 20%. Your semester grade is weighted; the grade scale is as follows:
100-90%= A, 89-80%= B, 79-70%= C, 69-60%= D, 59-0%= F
Ø In addition to general homework requirements, your assignments will consist of tests, quizzes, essays, projects, and class activities. Because we have so much material to cover, expect homework nightly.
Ø If you miss class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. See me or another student to find out what you need to make up. In addition, daily activities will be posted on the board, and homework assignments will be placed in the bin.
Ø If you are absent (excused) on a due date, you must hand in your work the day you return to class.
Academic Honesty
IMPORTANT!! You are expected to do all of your own work and not “share” with others, not plagiarize, not cut and paste from the internet, etc. If you are in violation of this policy you will receive ZERO credit for the assignment. Ignorance is not an excuse! At universities, plagiarism results in failing the course and/or expulsion.
The Final Word
If you need extra help, or have any questions about the course, please see me!
Email: [email protected]
LET’S HAVE A GREAT YEAR!