In this honors-level course, students survey the full sweep of United States history from colonial times through the present. The focus of the course is thematic, with an emphasis on how we should understand our history from a Christian perspective and how we should apply our biblical worldview and the lessons learned from history to the challenges of the 21st century.

Topics include: a brief introductory unit on pre-Columbian America, the English colonial period, conflicts that led to Independence and the adoption of the US Constitution, the early national period and westward expansion, the conflicts that led to secession and civil war, reconstruction and the industrial “gilded age” of the late 19th century, world war and conflict in the 20th century, and America’s role in the post-cold war era. The latter half of the course examines the personalities, trends and events that have fundamentally altered the America of the Founding Fathers.

Prerequisite: Completion of The Great Conversation 3 or current enrollment in 11th grade or higher.

Suggested Grade Level: 10–12