Thornton Academy Program of Studies 2-24- 25 | Page 20

AP US History
Modern US History Foundations ( or ) Modern US History Core
Modern US History Honors
AP US History
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AP US History

1 Credit Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation
Great historians ask great questions . Why did the first American colonists resort to eating their dead ? Was Lincoln really “ The Great Emancipator ” or did the slaves actually free themselves ? Why did the Ku Klux Klan reach 4 million members in the 1920s ? Was the dropping of the atomic bomb in WWII a military necessity or geo-political calculation ? In tackling these essential questions and more , students in AP US History will follow the history of the nation from 1492 to present , confront the dominant themes of American history , and develop an understanding of why America has become the nation it is today . Students in this challenging college-level course will learn the critical reading , writing , and historical thinking skills necessary to develop an advanced understanding of US history and succeed on the AP US History exam . At the AP level , students should expect significant outside of class reading , writing , and research , similar to that of an introductory history course at the collegiate level . Students are required to take the AP US History exam .

JUNIORS

An in-depth understanding of American history , and the nation ’ s role in the modern world , is essential for any student studying in the United States , as well as a graduation requirement by the State of Maine .

Modern US History Foundations ( or ) Modern US History Core

1 Credit Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation
This course will explore the history of the United States chronologically , from the mid-19th century to the present , to help students understand both the development of the nation ’ s history over the past 150 years , as well as its role in the world today . Students will refine the process of historical inquiry through the development of both written and verbal expression , and examine primary and secondary sources for validity , point of view , and historical context . In addition , students will be expected to build competent and appropriate connections to issues in the contemporary world .

Modern US History Honors

1 Credit Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation
This course will explore the history of the United States chronologically , from the mid-19th century to the present , to help students understand both the development of the nation ’ s history over the past 150 years , as well as its role in the world today . Students will refine the process of historical inquiry through the development of both written and verbal expression , and examine primary and secondary sources for validity , point of view , and historical context . In addition , students will be expected to build competent and appropriate connections to issues in the contemporary world . At the Honors level , students should expect a challenging academic experience that focuses on developing the college-level historical thinking and academic skills necessary for continued study at the Honors and Advanced Placement level , including extensive outside of class reading , writing , and research requirements .

AP US History

1 Credit Prerequisites : School counselor and teacher recommendation
Great historians ask great questions . Why did the first American colonists resort to eating their dead ? Was Lincoln really “ The Great Emancipator ” or did the slaves actually free themselves ? Why did the Ku Klux Klan reach 4 million members in the 1920s ? Was the dropping of the atomic bomb in WWII a military necessity or geo-political calculation ? In tackling these essential questions and more , students in AP US History will follow the history of the nation from 1492 to present , confront the dominant themes of American history , and develop an understanding of why America has become the nation it is today . Students in this challenging college-level course will learn the critical reading , writing , and historical thinking skills necessary to develop an advanced understanding of US history and succeed on the AP US History exam . At the AP level , students should expect significant outside of class reading , writing , and research , similar to that of an introductory history course at the collegiate level . Students are required to take the AP US History exam .

20 www . thorntonacademy . org