America's Promise: American History from WWI to the Present Day
The Great Depression … World War II … Civil Rights … 9/11 … These events (and many more) have shaped our nation over the last 100 years. And along the way, the promises made at the founding of our nation have been continually tested, creating generations of heroes out of everyday men and women.
Starting with World War I and ending in our current day, this class will help you explore how our country went from an isolated experiment in government to a dominant world super-power. You’ll gain new perspectives of modern pivotal events as you read first-hand accounts and listen to riveting speeches, watch the first talkies of the 20s and listen to 60s protest songs. You’ll discuss what caused experiments in governments and economics and culture to succeed and fail. And you’ll catch a glimpse of living in these moments through activities and simulations.
For the English writing part of the class, you’ll also learn how to research and write a full-length, college-level paper. Finding valid sources (online and offline), note taking, citations, avoiding plagiarism, outlining, and rewriting will be covered.
NOTE: For this class, we will be using Book 9 & 10 of Joy Hakim’s History of US. This series will also be used in Foundations and next year in the American History 2 class. If several students are taking the class or you plan on taking multiple American history classes at ASA, it may be more economical to purchase the entire set all at once.
Click here to purchase the entire History of US set.
Additional fiction and topic history books are still being decided. There will be between 4 and 6 for each semester.
Time 1:00-3:00 | Ages 15-18 | Class Blog |
Mentors Brookie Cowles | Level Depth or Breadth? Depth | Tuition $40 Winter Semester $30 |
Prerequisites
You must be at least 15 to take the class.
Materials Required
Each student must have access to the following:
* a laptop they can bring to class to do research
* consistent access to the internet
* a library card
Homework
Homework will be approximately 5-7 hours a week spread between required reading, class preparation, personal research, and writing. Homework time will depend on how fast you read, the speed at which you can find and assimilate information, and how quickly you write.
Notes
There may be some class time provided for you to work on your research and writing in class. You will need consistent access to a laptop during class to take advantage of this time.
As a master level student, you will also be required to have a writing mentor (not a parent or older sibling) who can review and comment on your writing and research paper (drafts and final).
This class is not designed for students younger than 15. If you would like to be considered for an exception, please contact Sister Perkey.
Books Students Provide
Fall Semester:
Title: History of US - Book 9
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon. (Here's the link if you want to buy the entire set: Purchase SET from Amazon.)
Title: Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood by Nathan Hale (due on the 1st day of class)
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Title: The Hiding Place
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Title: Hiroshima
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Title: Bomb
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Winter Semester:
Title: History of US - Book 10 (current version only or you won't have all the chapters)
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Title: Warriors Don't Cry
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Title: Most Dangerous
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.
Title: Ground Zero
Required: yes
Own or share with sibling? can share
Notes: Purchase here from Amazon.