Join this course for a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of North American history. From the monumental 1492 discovery to the transformative events of the early 1970s, students will explore the fascinating narratives of major civilizations, cultural movements, and influential ideas that shaped both the United States and Latin America. We’ll also examine the pivotal role of the Catholic Church and its faithful.
Total classes: 14
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 8th to 11th grade
Suggested credit: One full semester of American History
Special notes: This course starts before Labor Day. This is Part One of a two-part course. Students are expected to also sign up for Part Two offered in the Spring semester.
This course examines the history of the major civilizations of North America from the discovery of America in 1492 to the early 1970s. We will discuss the events, cultural movements, and ideas that led to the founding of the United States and contributed to its development as both a major power and influence both in North America and the world as a whole. The course examines the development of Latin America after the 18th century by examining concurrently the history of Mexico – and thus provides a counterpoint to U.S. history by looking at how the ideas that predominated in Anglo-America worked themselves out in a very different social and cultural context. In addition to the common themes discussed in standard American history courses, this course highlights the role of the Catholic Church and the Catholic faithful in U.S. and Latin American history and how Catholics adjusted themselves to a civilization that in many respects was very different from what they had known in Europe. The course is divided into two parts. Part I (first semester) begins with Columbus’ discovery of America to the beginning of the Civil War in the United States. Part II (second semester) continues the story, beginning with the Civil War and concluding with the beginnings of our contemporary world in the early 1970s.
Explorers and Conquistadors
France Settles the New World
England Comes to America
The Struggle for a Continent
Spanish America (17th -18th Centuries)
Causes of the American Revolution
The American Revolution
Midterm Review
A New Nation
The First Test of the Union
Revolution in New Spain
Revolution in the Caribbean
Good Feelings and Hard Times
Final Review
Materials: The text for the course (both Part One and Part Two) is Lands of Hope and Promise, A History of North America, published by and available from www.catholictextbookproject.com.
Homework: Students read assigned portions of the text. Lectures focus on those events and ideas that are the keys to understanding the historical periods under consideration. There will be weekly short quizzes to demonstrate comprehension of the material.
Class dates: Wednesdays, August 28th to December 11, 2024 (No class Oct. 30 & Nov. 27) (Rain Day December 18th)
Starting time: 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central; 12:30 Mountain; 11:30 Pacific)
Duration: 55 minutes