US History 1 Full Course - Teacher Moderated

Course Description

U.S. History 1 is a course in which students examine the economic, social and political development of the United States, concentrating primarily on the twentieth century. During the course certain themes will be emphasized: the role of religion in the founding of the nation; principles of freedom and how to defend them; the expanding role of the federal government; the continuing tension between the individual and the state; the emergence of a modern corporate economy; the impact of technology on American society and culture; change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movements toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power. Throughout the course students will explore American culture, literature, the arts and the mass media. Students will demonstrate competency in questioning, critical thinking, research and writing as it applies to the discipline of history. This is a high school level, college preparatory course.  Students are expected to complete U.S. History 2 after the completion of this course.

Teacher Moderated

This course is self-paced and may be purchased and completed at any time.  A credentialed Social Science and Education Specialist teacher teaches this class.  The teacher grades and leaves feedback on each assignment and assessment and provides an overall grade and certificate of completion upon completion of the course.  The teacher communicates with both students and parents on student progress.   

Required Materials:

• Laptop or desktop computer with high speed internet connection
• Web camera with the ability to show a 360 degree view of the room
• A Google account (to complete assignments using Google Drive)
• A Zoom account (to take proctored exams)
• Books:
  • A Historical Fiction Novel
    • Click here for details
  • A Nonfiction book
    • Click here for details 
• Access to watch the History Docuseries "America The Story of Us".  Currently* available on:
  • Amazon Prime
  • Sling TV
  • Roku TV
  • History Vault
  • DVD
    • Used (around $10 with shipping)
    • New (around $16)inks to an external site.

*Please double check that this series is available before purchasing a new subscription.  Sometimes series are added and removed from different platforms.

Course Outline

Unit 1: National Foundations

Unit 2: Westward Expansion and the Civil War

Midterm Exam (covering units 1 and 2)

Unit 3: Reconstruction and the Progressive Era

Unit 4: Imperialism to the Great Depression

Final Exam (covering units 3 and 4)

Each unit of study includes a combination of:

• Activities
• Lecture Notes
• Video Notes
• Writings
• Short term projects
• Article Reading and Analysis

Class Pacing:

Student Choice: Students have 1 year from point of purchase to complete the course.  Students may complete the course at their own pace. 

Recommended Pacing: The course is designed as a 12-week course.  The recommended pacing to complete in 12 weeks is 5 hours a week, or 1 hour a day.  This is about 2 assignments, 1 presentation, or 1 assessment a day.

Completion:  Course will be considered complete upon the execution of the final exam and completion of all projects.  Within 2 weeks of completion, students will receive a digital certificate including their final grade in the class.

Grades are composed of the following:

Assessments (30%) of total grade: Students will take a midterm and a final exam.  Each exam will be proctored by the instructor using Zoom and has a 60 minute time limit.  There will be an optional study guide for students to complete before each exam.  Students will only have access to exams once all assignments in the preceding units are complete. Exams can only be taken once.

Projects (30%) of total grade: Students will complete 6 projects in this course; 2 long term projects and 4 short term projects.  The long term projects require reading books; 1 historical fiction novel of choice and 1 nonfiction book of choice.  Students are encouraged to work on their long term projects throughout the course. The long term projects may be submitted once for a final grade. The 4 short term projects are included in each unit may be redone for full credit up until the exam is taken.  

Writing (30%) of total grade: Throughout the course, students will be writing summaries, analyses, critiques and connections based on material learned through the assignments.  Each of these writings will be graded on a rubric and may be redone for full credit up until the exam for that unit.

Assignments (10%) of total grade: Students earn points for completing assignments.  The assignments will be graded according to a rubric and may be redone for full credit up until the exam for that unit.  Students must complete all the assignments in a unit before moving on to the next unit.  

Grade Breakdown:

1. 89.50-100%    A
2. 79.50-89.49% B
3. 69.50-79.49% C
4. 59.50-69.49% D
5. 0-59.49%        F