This college level course is a comprehensive survey of American history from the 1400s to the recent past, this course is designed to match the rigors of a first-year college course. Students will study not only traditional political history, but also social history with attention to race,  class and gender. A variety of readings in primary and secondary sources outside the textbook will be assigned. Since there is too much information to memorize in this course, students must learn to determine and select what is most important for study. Students must also learn to understand actions and ideas in their broader context, that is, they must be able to connect related pieces of information.  There is great emphasis on document analysis; frequent writing assignments and discussion are required. Students will take the AP exam in May.

This course is modeled after macro- and microeconomics courses in college. In addition to the basic mechanisms by which society creates and distributes wealth, this course covers the emergence of a free-market economy, the writings of various economists, and everyday economic activity that occurs in domestic and foreign markets. Familiarity with terminology and methodology of economic science is a major concern, as is mastery of the basic vocabulary of the stock market, national and international business. Outside speakers and simulation of stock market investment allow students practical contacts with themes which otherwise would be abstract textbook materials.

This course will examine the theory, constitutional background and implementation of the current United States government and its political process. Much of the class will be devoted to the organization of the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government, but will spend some time on state and local governments as well. Students will learn about the formal and informal rules of political parties, campaigns and elections, and the fourth branch of government: bureaucracy. Students also will learn to analyze and interpret specific data (election returns, for example) regarding American politics.