Course Description/Purpose
APUSH is a survey course in United States History from its origins to 1992. The course seeks to explore major issues, turning points and people in U.S. history. This introductory college level course will challenge students to develop their historical skills through reading, speaking, writing, debating and presenting.
Student homework and class activities are geared toward developing the skills necessary for success on the AP U.S. History exam, given in May of 2012. Just as important, homework and activities are designed to expose students to a depth of U.S. history knowledge. Students are exposed to broad content knowledge through the textbook, the American Pageant 13th ed. (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006). Seminar discussions and debates on scholarly secondary source works help to develop more specific knowledge of the various themes of U.S. history.
APUSH lays a special emphasis on the examination of historical perspective. Every effort will be made to avoid a dogmatic approach to history, and to challenge past assumptions and stereotypes. Most
importantly, history will be presented as themes and issues, where the burden is on the student to answer the questions, and develop their own perspectives, as well as an understanding of perspectives that they might not agree with or share.