History Courses

The study of history seeks to explain the when? and why? of events from the past. Through the interlocking realms of the examination of changes in political systems, economic doctrines, social structures, religious institutions, and the major events that shaped them, it is possible to give a clearer picture as to how human society has progressed to its current form. Historical reasoning and thinking skills are used to examine available resources to understand interactions, and form a better understanding of the human experience.

AP European History

AP Euro is an in-depth survey of Europe History from the High Renaissance (about 1450) up until the present era. AP classes are the equivalent of a freshmen or sophomore level university class, and are designed to challenge the students with complex concepts and strenuous workloads. The course is designed to prepare students for the AP exam; passing of which enables students to receive college credit.. The first half of the year will focus on the intellectual/political/and social history of Europe from the Renaissance until the death of Napoleon. The second half will focus on the political development from the Industrial Revolution until 2011. 

AP World History

AP World History is an intensive study of Human history from the dawn of civilization, up until the modern age. Advanced Placement classes are the equivalent of a freshmen or sophomore level university class, and are designed to challenge the students  with complex concepts and strenuous workloads. Upon completion of the course students will be given the chance to take the AP Test, which if they pass will qualify them for college credit. The first half of the year we will focus on the social/political/intellectual history of the World from the very beginnings of Human history up until the beginnings of the Renaissance. The second half of the year will focus on the development of the world from a factionalized and broken set of regional and individual powers, to the interconnected and co-dependent globalized World that we live in today.

Art History

This one semester covers the developments of artistic expressions from its first uses to contemporary artistic expression. Student will examine art’s transition from being a form of communication, to methods of personal, religious, political, and social expression. By examining different artistic movements and trends, across space and time, students will gain an understanding of the different changes in the form and function that art has undergone. Throughout the course of the semester we will be examining Architecture, and visual (paintings and photographs) pieces from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe. This one credit class fulfills the Art credit and is required for the Arts Certificate. ​

Minnesota History

​This upper-level high school survey course was designed, but never taught. Individual lessons have been used in a number of practicum lessons during my pre-service teacher training. What is included below is the entirety of my senior level social studies methods curriculum development project. I'm hoping that these resources might be helpful to anyone looking to develop a course of their own, or wishing to incorporate materials about Minnesota into their own lessons. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, I would love to help in any way towards the inclusion of more local historic connections in the teaching of history.

United States History

Welcome to this survey course on the history of the United States from its first settlement by American Indians up to the Modern Era. This course will introduce students to the basic principles of the American Democracy, and the significant historical events that have shaped the United States to become the country it is today. Specific emphasis will be laid on the social, economic, political, and environmental factors that influenced the path to development for the United States, and how those factors have impacted separate groups within the United States differently. Through studying the historical developments of the United States the overarching goal is to help students gain an appreciation of the different factors that went in to the formation of the modern United States as a country, and as a people. 

World History

In Semester One we will examine Human History from the first nomads who roamed the earth, until the beginnings of modern civilization. We will look and the growth and development of societies and civilizations, and their  influence on the course of history. By examining Asiatic, African, European,  South American, North American, and Australian civilizations we will compare  and contrast factors in their growth and development. By looking at historical figures and events we will also seek an understanding of how and why the world has developed to its’current state. Through out the course of the year students will be analyzing primary and secondary sources in order to expand their historical knowledge and develop necessary skills.  
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Second semester of World History will focus on the world since the year 1400. The world has undergone a massive transition in the modern era from a group of mostly isolated cultures spread out across the different corners of the globe, to an increasingly interconnected patchwork of states connected by languages, religions, economies, and political systems. The modern era is a tale of unification and consolidation of the world's territories into nation-states and empires By looking at historical figures and events we will seek out an understanding of how and why the world has developed to its’ current state. Throughout the course of the year students will be analyzing primary and secondary sources in order to expand their historical knowledge and develop necessary skills.