Course Description and Competencies

What to Expect

This course is organized into four modules. Each module covers a specific timeframe of U.S. history. And each module is broken down into a number of units. The units are the basic building blocks of the course. Within each unit you will find:

  • An introduction to the unit
  • A textbook chapter based upon American Yawp
  • Hyperlinks in the text to supplementary videos, interactive timelines, and maps
  • Knowledge Checks to help you verify your progress
  • Primary Sources, which are documents from people who witnessed the history
  • A conclusion to the unit
  • Flash cards of important events, terms, and people to help you study
  • A Reflection question to help you think about the main theme of the unit

Course Competencies

This course covers the following competencies:

  • The learner identifies the social, political, and economic organization of the British colonies.
  • The learner identifies the major causes and outcomes of the American Revolution.
  • The learner identifies slavery and territorial expansion as causes of the Civil War.
  • The learner recognizes the changing nature of freedom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The learner explains the evolving role of the United States in the world.
  • The learner describes the diverse social and cultural issues of the late 20th century.

Assessment

The assessment provides an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the competencies in this course. You may attempt the assessment two times before additional support is necessary. If you require further attempts, please contact your Student Experience Team.

While the quizzes are open book, the midterm and final are not.

4 Quizzes
1 Midterm Exam
1 Final Exam
3 Competency Units

Course Outline

ModuleUpon completion of this module, you will be able to:
1: A Colonized Country
  • Colonial Society
  • The American Revolution
  • A New Nation
  • Identify how the colonies relied on slavery
  • Recognize how race, gender, and religion affected the colonists
  • Identify the source of the colonists' sense of independence and desire for Revolution
2: A Divided Country
  • The Early Republic
  • Democracy in America
  • The Sectional Crisis
  • The Civil War
  • Contrast the social and economic differences between the North and South
  • Recognize the tension between slavery and the expanding nation
  • Identify the causes of the Civil War
3: A Reforming Country
  • The Reconstruction Era
  • American Imperialism
  • The Progressive Era
  • World War I & Aftermath
  • Identify how African American life was different after slavery ended
  • Recognize the causes of Progressive reform
  • Recognize the outcomes of U.S. involvement in World War I
4: An Evolving Country
  • The Great Depression
  • World War II
  • The Cold War
  • The 1960s
  • Conflicts and Power Shifts
  • The War on Terror
  • Identify the causes and social impact of the Great Depression
  • Explain American involvement and leadership in World War II
  • Recognize tactics and accomplishments of the civil rights movement
  • Describe how the social and economic changes of the 1970s gave rise to a new political order

Technology Requirements

We want you to have the tools to succeed! Since this course includes at least one proctored test, please be sure to have a working microphone, speakers, and an external webcam. Unfortunately, an internal webcam (built into many laptops) is not acceptable. (Note: The external webcam is required only for exams that have proctors. You do not need one for practice tests and other non-proctored assessments.) If you haven't already, be sure to download the Meazure Learning Guardian browser, which you will need for the proctoring system.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you haven't already, download this free software. You may encounter an interactive form that contains fields that you can select or fill in. Review how to fill in a PDF form.

For other details about the technology you'll need, review the Computer System and Technology Requirements. If you have questions about your setup, contact support@academy.wgu.edu.

Key Contacts

Course Connect
Check out this online community to take advantage of course resources, including videos and tips from your educators. You can ask and answer questions, provide feedback on your progress, and interact with fellow students. You will find this platform in the Student Resources section of the course. Log on and do some exploring!

Technical Support
If you encounter technical issues, be sure to contact the Help Desk. Just submit a Support Request for assistance.

Program Support
Do you have questions about your account? Student Support has answers. They can help with billing, switching courses, and other requests. You can contact them at (888) 320-0540 or support@academy.wgu.edu.

Accommodations

WGU provides compliant and accessible learning experiences. If you require accommodation, please contact us at the start of the course. You can email disability@academy.wgu.edu.

We are committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have equal access to WGU's services and materials. We strive to use best practices for accessibility. Our goal is to conform to existing U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Our learning management system (LMS) platform is Open edX. Open edX’s commitment to accessible content is published in their Website Accessibility Policy.