AP® U.S. History
Overview
Course Description
AP U.S. History covers the subjects, events, trends, themes, and historical debates that are found in a typical college-level survey course. Although America’s political history provides an overall narrative structure for the course, special attention is also given to those issues and habits which form a culture—that is, religious practice, social milieu, economic concerns, etc. Students are taught to think conceptually about the past and focus on historical change over time. They consider course content from a biblical worldview, and some essay assignments allow them to engage in thoughtful analysis of these topics from a Christian perspective. Students also write analytical essays based on assigned monographs, which help prepare them for the AP exam.
Prerequisites
This is a rigorous, college-level course. Lectures and assigned readings assume that students already possess high school-level familiarity with the major events of American history. Students should also have strong reading and writing skills. Please visit the College Board’s website for more information about the material and skills students will study in the course and will need to master for the AP exam.
Students Will Learn
- How to analyze the evidence and interpretation presented in historical scholarship
- How to analyze and interpret primary sources such as documentary material, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic materials.
- How to write analytical, interpretative, and thematic essays that are appropriate for the academic discipline of history
- How to respond to document-based questions
- How to consider how a Christian worldview affects the study of American history
Live Class Sections
AP U.S. History is a yearlong course. Registration opens in late February.
What to Expect Weekly
We estimate that the course workload will take 10+ hours per week. During a typical week in this course, students will complete the following coursework:
- 90 minutes of live class instruction
- Audio lecture
- 1 chapter textbook reading
- 1 chapter of documentary reading
- Primary source reading
- 1 short prompt reviewing one of the week’s reading assignments
- Discussion forum post, short activity, or short practice
Throughout the year, students complete six exams, two book quizzes covering course texts, and two book essays discussing course texts.
Course Materials
Advanced Placement United States History by AMSCO, 4th edition
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Description
This is an AP United States History textbook that prepares students for the AP exam. It provides an overview of American History and the AP US History exam, equipping students to know what to expect on the exam.
Reason For Teaching
The text offers several practice moments to prepare students and help them understand the application of the course to the exam.
Disclaimer
The textbook is not written from a biblical perspective Christian; however, the instructor and the textbook by Dr. Spinney will be framing the text in the context of a biblical perspective.
For the Record, Volume 1, 5th edition
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Description
These volumes reprint actual documents and speeches from American history, including primary source examples like Jonathan Edwards’ explanation of the first Great Awakening revivals, George Washington’s Farewell Address, the majority opinion in the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision, statements made by Malcolm X during the Civil Rights Movement, and several of Ronald Reagan’s speeches.
Reason For Teaching
This book is included in this course because it is important for students to understand, interpret, and analyze primary source documents. Students will gain a more robust understanding of American history by examining firsthand the types of documents that historians use when writing history textbooks. Learning to analyze primary source documents will help prepare students for their AP exams and strengthen their research and writing abilities—abilities that are key to any college degree or career.
Disclaimer
The book does not comment on the original documents; it only reprints them. No scandalous, vulgar, R-rated, or prurient documents are included.
For the Record, Volume 2, 5th edition
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Description
These volumes reprint actual documents and speeches from American history, including primary source examples like Jonathan Edwards’ explanation of the first Great Awakening revivals, George Washington’s Farewell Address, the majority opinion in the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision, statements made by Malcolm X during the Civil Rights Movement, and several of Ronald Reagan’s speeches.
Reason For Teaching
This book is included in this course because it is important for students to understand, interpret, and analyze primary source documents. Students will gain a more robust understanding of American history by examining firsthand the types of documents that historians use when writing history textbooks. Learning to analyze primary source documents will help prepare students for their AP exams and strengthen their research and writing abilities—abilities that are key to any college degree or career.
Disclaimer
The book does not comment on the original documents; it only reprints them. No scandalous, vulgar, R-rated, or prurient documents are included.
Jacksonian Era, 2nd edition
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Description
This brief book is an overview of Andrew Jackson, the Jackson Administration’s policies, and American culture during the Jackson Era. Remini is the preeminent Jackson scholar today.
Reason For Teaching
This text will provide students an overview of the Jackson Era’s policies and American culture during that time.
Disclaimer
The book does not provide a Christian interpretation of the period, but neither is it critical of Christianity.
Righteous Cause: The Life of William Jennings Bryan (1994)
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Description
This is a sympathetic biography of William Jennings Bryan. Bryan was one of the most influential national-level politicians from 1895 until his death in 1925. He was also very public about his evangelical Christian faith and determination to let the Bible rule in whatever matters it addresses. It is not an uncritical biography—even our Christian heroes have sins, warts, and blemishes—but its overall message is one of praising Bryan.
The History of the United States: A Christian Perspective
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Description
This college-level history book was written by Dr. Robert Spinney to provide students an understanding of the themes, patterns, and worldviews woven throughout history while they study historical events, individuals, and decisions throughout American history.
Reason For Teaching
Studying history as a Christian goes beyond memorizing dates and names. The understanding of the past allows Christians to better respond to the present, plan for the future, and be knowledgeable of the beliefs this country was founded upon.
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Master Teacher
Kerri Mohr
Kerri graduated with a bachelor of science in social studies and secondary education. She also earned a certificate in Historic Preservation from Northern Virginia Community College. She spent time working with high school students... View full bio »
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