Course Description:
This course will explore major trends, changes, and themes in the United States from the period before the Civil War to the Vietnam conflict. This country has been based on certain principles and ideals. But as we will see the “facts” never simply speak for themselves. All history is written from a viewpoint, and a major goal of this course is to convince you of this elementary, but usually under-emphasized point. You will be constantly encouraged to analyze and discuss critically the readings. Essay writing will also be emphasized and you must be able to defend your own position with historical evidence and persuasive argumentation.

Mission:

As a teacher of the Social Studies department, our primary mission is to prepare students to develop the ability to become informed and engaged citizens of a culturally diverse and globally interdependent 21st century world. Our focus is to ensure that social studies is meaningful, real, and authentic for all students.  Inquiry is at the core of this curriculum as students are challenged to ask questions, investigate, analyze, and critique before they draw conclusions about history and the world around us.
 

Vision:

It is our vision that every student leaves WLHS with an ability to apply civic and historical thinking to become life- long learners and active participants in their community. Graduates of WLHS will have the ability to appreciate other cultures, beliefs, and perspectives through appropriate and meaningful interactions.

Themes Of The Course:
1.      America as a multicultural nation; conflict and cooperation between divergent racial, gender,ethnic, class groups.
2.      America’s natural environment and its effect on social, political, economic development.
3.      American technological change and its effect on daily lives, work, and community.
4.      War/ Depressions as times of crisis and effects upon development.
5.      Conflict between the individual and the community; between liberty and authority. 

TOPICS AND UNITS OF STUDY TO BE COVERED
·        Sectionalism, The issue of Slavery, and John Brown
·        The Civil War
·        Reconstruction
·        Westward Expansion
·        The Gilded Age- Populism
·        Industrial Revolution
·        Imperialism
·        World War 1
·        The Great Depression and The New Deal
·        World War 2 and The Holocaust
·        Civil Rights Movement
·        The Cold War and Vietnam
·        1970's
·        Issues with the Middle East