United States History

Master Teacher: Robert Spinney, PhD
Duration: Yearlong course offered in fall/spring (32 weeks).
Suggested High School Credit Value: 1 credit.
Suggested Grade Level: 12th grade level.
Tuition: $625 for HSLDA Members/$725 for non-members.  

Description: AP^® United States History examines the history of America from the pre-Columbian period to the present. The course challenges students to analyze political, social, cultural, and economic developments and to consider issues in U.S. history from a Christian worldview.

Watch a sample clip of an Academy live class session.

Frequently Asked Questions 
about AP^® United States History

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• What topics will I learn about in United States History?

  United States History examines the entirety of United States history, beginning with the pre-Columbian period and extending to about 2000. The subjects, events, trends, themes, and historical debates that comprise a typical college-level U.S. history survey course are covered. While America’s political history provides an overall narrative structure for this course, special attention is paid to social, cultural, and economic issues. The essay assignments permit students to explore issues prompted by a Christian worldview.

  The rigor, assignments, and workload of this course are comparable to those of typical freshman-level college history courses. United States History includes weekly textbook reading assignments, primary-source reading assignments, written lectures, and class participation requirements. Students will also write two analytical essays during the year, with each essay based upon an assigned monograph. Students will also complete six exams during the course, each covering five to six weeks of course content.

  During this course, students will learn to:

  • Examine the political institutions, diplomacy, economic trends, and sociocultural developments in United States history from the pre-Columbus era to the late 1990s,
  • Think conceptually about the past and focus on historical change over time,
  • Analyze the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship,
  • Analyze and interpret primary sources such as documentary material, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic materials,
  • Write analytical, interpretive, and thematic essays,
  • Respond to document-based questions, and
  • Consider how a Christian worldview affects the study of American history.

• How much homework is in U.S. History?

  AP^® United States History is a rigorous, college-level course. The Academy recommends this course and corresponding AP^® exam for advanced 12th grade students and up.

  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:

  • 60–90 minutes of live class instruction
  • Audio lecture 
  • 1 chapter textbook reading
  • 1 chapter of documentary reading
  • Primary source reading
  • Discussion forum post

  Throughout the year, students will also complete the following tasks:

  • Test every 5 weeks
  • 2 book quizzes covering course texts
  • 2 book essays discussing course texts

• What books will I use in United States History?

  The official AP^® U.S. History Booklist is now available. In the official booklist, you will find information about the editions, book descriptions, and ISBN numbers.

  You can order course materials for competitive prices through our Christian Book Distributors bookstore. Use the Textbook Finder to locate the required resources for your courses. Please note that while most books are available through Christian Book Distributors, some titles are not carried and will need to be purchased elsewhere.

• Am I ready to take United States History?

  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, as this course requires them to write several formal academic essays and answer essay questions on exams. Please visit the College Board page about AP^® U.S. History for more information about the material and skills students will study in the course and will need to master for the AP^® exam in this subject.

  Still have questions about whether you are ready for an AP^® course? Please visit our Academic Readiness page for more information.

• What is a Live Online Class Session in U.S. History?

  In every HSLDA Academy course, students meet weekly with their instructor and classmates in an online classroom for additional teaching, discussion, Q&A, or group activities. The class sessions are interactive and are conducted using a web meeting software with video, audio, chat, and application sharing capabilities.
  
  Scheduled, real-time sessions in the online classroom are not the only form of instruction available in a HSLDA Online Academy course, but are offered in addition to lectures or other instructional materials that students are able to access online at their convenience.
  
  When they register, students will need to select a particular class section and live class meeting time. Additional class sections may be added to the schedule at a later point in the course registration period. Registered students will be notified of any changes to the live session schedule.

• What if I have a schedule conflict with listed U.S. History class times?

  All live class sessions are recorded for later viewing. While it is recommended that students attend each live class session, students can make arrangements with their instructors to watch the recordings and receive full participation credit.
  
  Students should contact their instructor at the start of their course to inform the instructor of any foreseen schedule conflicts.  

• What is the tuition for United States History?

  Please visit our tuition and discounts page for a full summary about course costs.

  HSLDA members save $100 on yearlong AP^® courses!