B+ in Humanities II or Humanities II in Action, AP Language and Composition or Junior English.
Note: This course meets the American Studies recommendation.
Advanced Placement U.S. History is a college-level course that studies the history of the American republic from the colonial period to modern times. A heavy emphasis is placed on an analysis of the conflicting interpretations of the great events that comprise the American saga. Key primary and secondary sources are used in research.
Students will:
- Use key primary and secondary sources in their research.
- Become familiar with the major events that have shaped the American nation.
- Write interpretive and analytical essays.
- Debate, discuss and comment on the themes that comprise the story of the American nation.
- Read and understand college texts in American history.
- Master the chronology from the colonial settlements in North America to the turn of the new millennium.
- Develop critical thinking skills by participating in seminars and colloquiums on selected themes from American history.
- Listen to a lecture and take appropriate class notes.
Assessments will include:
- Quizzes and unit examinations
- Participation in class and group discussions
- Grafting of document-based essays
- Participation in debates and panel discussions forums
- Role-playing
- Multimedia presentations
- Mid-term examinations
"AP US History takes you through the story of how an unassuming settlement on the American seaboard transformed into the dominant world superpower we know today. It's very important to do the homework/reading before each class as most of class time is dedicated to discussions and various other activities which are centered around the reading. Aside from doing your homework and paying attention in class, I'd recommend taking APWH before you take APUSH as it eases you into the workload and allows you to develop your approach and strategy to the SAQ (short answer question), DBQ (document-based question), and LEQ (long essay question). Good luck!"
- Ryan How (Class of 2023)
"AP US History is one of the most fascinating courses I've had the pleasure of taking at HKIS. I believe the appeal comes from how each chapter is covered and each extra detail provided by your teacher in class weaves into a larger narrative that tells the story of a young nation struggling to live up to its own ideals. The workload is heavy, with most of your hours of preparation likely devoted to reading the textbook (which is highly recommended). However, what you'll gain from AP US History in addition to familiarizing yourself with some of the most famous (or infamous depending on your point of view) people, places, and events in Western history, are the analytical and argumentative skills needed to understand the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped the United States. TLDR: Interesting course, lots of reading, fun if you've watched Hamilton.”
- Mark Gikas (Class of 2023)