United States History

Master Teacher: Brian Trimmer
Duration: Yearlong course offered in fall/spring (34 weeks).
Suggested High School Credit Value: 1 credit.
Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade level and up.
Tuition: Early registration tuition (ends 6/19): $475 $525 for HSLDA Members/$525 $575 for non-members.

Description: In studying the past, students in this course will master specific skills, gain an appreciation for and an interest in United States history, understand who we are as Americans, and learn how God has revealed himself in the history of our nation. This course will be presented from a Biblical worldview and will challenge students to develop a higher level of critical thinking with respect to cause-and-effect, bias, and perspective.

Sign up for United States History and other courses

Watch a sample clip of an Academy live class session.

Frequently Asked Questions 
about United States History

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

  Students in U.S. History will:

  • Explore the various motives for English colonization in North America, including religious freedom, economic opportunity, and representative government.
  • Examine the conflict between the British government and the colonies.
  • Dissect and examine the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
  • Explore the structure and purpose of the three branches of Government.
  • Understand the importance of the first three presidential administrations and the way politics shaped the new government.
  • Identify the causes of the American Civil War, its key figures, and significant battles.
  • Examine the uniquely American culture created in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
  • Dissect the “Roaring 20’s” and the causes of the Great Depression.
  • Understand the relevance and impact of World War Two and the following Cold War.
  • Trace the cultural and social developments from the 1960s to the present day.

• How much homework is in United States History?

  We estimate that the course workload will take 5-7 hours per week.

  During a typical week in this course, students will complete the following coursework:

  • 60-90 minutes of live class instruction
  • 1 recorded lecture
  • 25-40 pages of reading

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

  • Respond to discussion forums every 2-4 weeks
  • Unit exams every 5-6 weeks
  • Complete a project every 5-6 weeks

• What books will I use in United States History?

  The official booklist for United States History 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?

  Students should be able to read and write at a 9th grade level, and should be able to work independently and meet deadlines. Please visit our Academic Readiness page for more information.

• What is a Live Online Class Session in United States 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 the listed United States 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 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 $50 on yearlong high school courses!