History Program Overview
History is philosophy teaching by example.
— Thucydides, The History of the Peloponnesian War
Scholars have argued for centuries as to how best to study history. One approach is to memorize facts, dates, names, and biographies of significant figures. Another is to view history as a movement towards some end, or goal (Karl Marx was certainly not the first writer to try this, but he might remain the most significant). The approach favored by the faculty of Scholars Online is to study history and government by immersing oneself into the cultural, social, and intellectual movements of the time. The faculty believe that it is not necessarily the place of modern man to judge history through some abstract standard of the day, but rather to understand the great events and great men who have influenced our own time.
Individual courses
The History curriculum at Scholars Online is actually not a “sequence” of courses, at least not in the way that that term is commonly used, but is instead composed of five courses, some of which naturally flow from one to another, and others which can be taken strictly as electives. Students are encouraged to take World History I and II in sequence, and it is recommended that American History be taken prior to enrolling in American Government.
We are working with teachers to determine course offerings for 2008. If you would like to see a couse not yet listed, please let the current teacher know, or use the EMAIL US link below to contact Scholars Online Administration with your course request.
After April 1, 2008, course information for 2006 will no longer appear on these pages, but will be available from the student's unofficial transcript, which can be reached from your Account Management Center.
Government
To see details about an individual course, click on the black triangle to the left of the course name
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American Government • Offering for 2008 • Grade 10 or above
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
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| | Section 1 Instructor: Paul ChristiansenClasses meet from September 8, 2008 to May 18, 2009Monday 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | There is currently no teacher website for this course.
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Description
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| | This course will study the government of the United States from two perspectives: through the Constitution, and through current events. We shall address questions such as, What is Government? What role does it serve in our lives? How did the Founding Fathers answer these questions, and how closely have we kept to the Founder's design? We will focus each branch of the United States Government in turn, concluding with attention to the various so-called "Fourth Branches" of government: the news media, the military, the lobbyists, etc.
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Meetings
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| | This course meets once a week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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Homework
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| | Every student will be required to read, watch, or otherwise consult a news source, as reviewed and approved by the instructor, on a daily basis. Any text-based news medium will likely be acceptable. Students will prepare a brief summary and analysis of news items pertaining to the Government of the United States every week.
From time to time the instructor may provide the class with brief further readings.
There will be four papers written in this course, each pertaining to a branch of government.
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Prerequisites
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| | American History. (Students need not have taken American History with the current instructor.)
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Recommended background
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| | A vague understanding of the US Constitution would be helpful, but is not a necessity. Also, it would be highly useful if students began following the news prior to the first day of the course.
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Instructor's Notes
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| | This is a new course, taught by an instructor new to Scholars Online, and as such it is in essence an experiment. Your patience will be greatly appreciated.
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Textbooks and Materials
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Constitution of the United States of America. (Edition: 1)
James Madison et al.
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: None
Publisher's website: Constitution of the United States of America.
Best sources: Online
Other information: Obviously this text is widely available, including full-text online versions. Any version will serve, so long as the student can refer to it easily. Annotated versions, in any form, are welcome but not required.
See course description for further details on course materials.
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History
To see details about an individual course, click on the black triangle to the left of the course name
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American History • 2007 listing - for reference only • Grade 10 or above • History Sequence
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
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| | Section 1 Instructor: Sandra HowardClasses meet from September 4, 2007 to May 27, 2008Tuesday 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM ET • Thursday 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | There is currently no teacher website for this course.
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Description
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| | This course covers the general themes in intellectual, political, and social history from the time of colonization through the Cold War era. The course may be used to prepare students to take either the Advanced Placement or CLEP exams in U.S. History, upon consultation with the instructor. Additional work will be offered to aid in this preparation if desired.
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Meetings
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| | This course meets 2 times per week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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Homework
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| | There will be a variety of regular written assignments and four exams (a combination of objective questions and written essays) during the year; students will also complete a research paper on a subject to be chosen by the student upon consultation with the instructor.
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Prerequisites
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Recommended background
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| | It is recommended that students have some background in world history before registering for American History.
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Textbooks and Materials
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The American Pageant (Edition: 13)
David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas A. Bailey
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 0-618-47927-9
Publisher's website: The American Pageant
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
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World History I • 2007 listing - for reference only • Grade 9 or above • History Sequence
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
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| | Section 1 Instructor: Sandra HowardClasses meet from September 5, 2007 to May 28, 2008Monday 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM ET • Wednesday 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | Please review more extensive materials at the teacher's World History I website.
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Description
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| | World History I covers the history of the world from the earliest days through the 17th century. The course provides a basic overview of social, political, and economic history.
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Meetings
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| | This course meets 2 times per week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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Homework
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| | There are weekly reading assignments from the textbook, as well as occasional primary source material provided on the website. There will also be a variety of written assignments during the year, both short- and long-term, giving students the opportunity to learn to think and write about history in ways that require more than memorizing historical facts. There will be 3-4 exams during the course of the year, and a final exam at the year's end.
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Prerequisites
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Recommended background
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Textbooks and Materials
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A History of World Societies (Edition: 6)
John P. McKay, Bennett D. Hill, John Buckler, Patricia Buckley Ebrey
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 061830195X
Publisher's website: A History of World Societies
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
Other information: The textbook is also available in two soft-cover volumes which may be used if preferred. The 6th edition must be used.
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World History II • 2007 listing - for reference only • Grade 9 or above • History Sequence
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
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| | Section 1 Instructor: Sandra HowardClasses meet from September 5, 2007 to May 28, 2008Monday 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM ET • Wednesday 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | Please review more extensive materials at the teacher's World History II website.
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Description
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| | World History II covers the history of the world from the scientific revolution to the present. The course provides an overview of social, political, and economic history.
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Meetings
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| | This course meets 2 times per week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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Homework
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| | There are weekly reading assignments from the textbook, as well as occasional primary source material provided on the website. There will also be a variety of written assignments during the year, both short- and long-term, giving students the opportunity to learn to think and write about history in ways that require more than memorizing historical facts. There will be 3-4 exams during the course of the year, and a final exam at the year's end.
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Prerequisites
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| | Students enrolling in World History II should have taken World History I or some equivalent course covering world history through the Renaissance and Reformation.
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Recommended background
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| | Some previous study of world history through the Renaissance and Reformation, and preferably including some study of non-western cultures.
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Textbooks and Materials
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A History of World Societies (Edition: 6)
John P. McKay, Bennett D. Hill, John Buckler, Patricia Buckley Ebrey
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 061830195X
Publisher's website: A History of World Societies
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
Other information: The textbook is also available in two soft-cover volumes which may be used if preferred. The 6th edition must be used.
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American History • Offering for 2008 • Grade 10 or above • History Sequence
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
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| | Section 1 Instructor: Paul ChristiansenClasses meet from September 3, 2008 to May 27, 2009Wednesday 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | There is currently no teacher website for this course.
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Description
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| | This course will focus on three periods of crisis in United States history: the Revolution and Founding Era, the Civil War, and the 1960s. Through these periods, we will focus such questions as, What is the purpose of government? How has the United States approached such issues? How has the United States lived up to its ideals? Intervening eras, and the recent past, will be covered but not in such detail; one objective of the course is to instill in students both the desire and the ability to discover other areas and times for themselves. The discerning scholar and parent will note that this course may approach controversy, but students are encouraged, indeed required, to come to their own conclusions based on wise assessment of the evidence. No agenda will be pressed, and all perspectives will be granted at least a hearing.
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Meetings
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| | This course meets once a week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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Homework
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| | This is a fairly reading-heavy course, with two required textbooks and a series of other brief readings provided by the instructor. This being said, an hour of reading a night should be sufficient, and if this is an inaccurate assessment, accommodations can be made. The class will also be writing three papers, drawing on these sources, at the conclusion of each unit.
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Prerequisites
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Recommended background
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| | World History I is a helpful precursor.
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Instructor's Notes
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| | This is a new course, taught by an instructor new to Scholars Online. Some adjustments may be necessary as the instructor works out what is useful and what is not. Your patience is deeply appreciated.
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Textbooks and Materials
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A Patriot's History of the United States
Larry Schweikart, Michael Allen
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 1595230327
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
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A People's History of the United States (Edition: 5)
Howard Zinn
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 0060838655
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
Other information: Any edition of this book will serve.
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World History • Offering for 2008 • Grade 9 or above • History Sequence
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
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| | Section 1 Instructor: Sandra HowardClasses meet from September 2, 2008 to May 28, 2009Tuesday 2:30 PM to 3:50 PM ET • Thursday 2:30 PM to 3:50 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | Please review more extensive materials at the teacher's World History website.
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Description
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| | World History covers political, social, and economic history of all parts of the world, from ancient civilizations through to the present.
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Meetings
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| | This course meets 2 times per week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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Homework
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| | There are weekly reading assignments from the textbook, as well as occasional primary source material provided on the website. There will also be a variety of written assignments during the year, both short- and long-term, giving students the opportunity to learn to think and write about history in ways that require more than memorizing historical facts. There will be 3-4 exams during the course of the year, and a final exam at the year's end.
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Prerequisites
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Recommended background
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| | No special background required.
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Textbooks and Materials
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World History: People & Nations
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 0030533597
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
Other information: Used copies are fine for student use. Make sure the ISBN matches so the proper edition is purchased.
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World History II • Offering for 2008 • Grade 10 or above • History Sequence
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Primary Instructor
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Sections
[Enrolled students will be notified if teacher schedules change between course posting in April and start of classes in September. Please see Tuition and Fees for refund policy.]
| |
| | Section 1 Instructor: Sandra HowardClasses meet from September 3, 2008 to May 27, 2009Monday 2:30 PM to 3:50 PM ET • Wednesday 2:30 PM to 3:50 PM ETTuition: $400.00
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Website
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| | Please review more extensive materials at the teacher's World History II website.
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Description
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| | World History II covers the history of the world from the scientific revolution to the present. The course provides an overview of social, political, and economic history.
|
|
|
|
Meetings
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| | This course meets 2 times per week for discussion and review of assigned homework.
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|
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Homework
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| | There are weekly reading assignments from the textbook, as well as occasional primary source material provided on the website. There will also be a variety of written assignments during the year, both short- and long-term, giving students the opportunity to learn to think and write about history in ways that require more than memorizing historical facts. There will be 3-4 exams during the course of the year, and a final exam at the year's end.
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Prerequisites
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| | Students enrolling in World History II should have taken World History I or some equivalent course covering world history through the Renaissance and Reformation.
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Recommended background
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| | Some previous study of world history through the Renaissance and Reformation, and preferably including some study of non-western cultures.
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Textbooks and Materials
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|
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A History of World Societies (Edition: 6)
John P. McKay, Bennett D. Hill, John Buckler, Patricia Buckley Ebrey
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| | This text is required.
ISBN: 061830195X
Publisher's website: A History of World Societies
Best sources: Scholars Online Bookstore
Other information: The textbook is also available in two soft-cover volumes which may be used if preferred. The 6th edition must be used.
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| To enroll in any of the courses listed above, log into your Scholars Online Account Management Center using the login link at the bottom of any page and select the member you wish to enroll. If you do not have an account, you may create one using the Membership and Enrollment link in the SiteMap to the left of any page. |
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Who We Are |
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Fostering Community |
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What We Do |
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Tools |
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Courses Offered |
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⇒History and Government⇐
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Taking Part |
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