American History: From Prehistory to 1865, Part I
Explore the history of America - from the origins and lives of the first people in America to the end of the Civil War.
Professor Zbysek Brezina, PhD
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(133)
What's included
15 live meetings
12 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
This introductory survey of American history focuses on the first people in America, the age of exploration and conquest, Colonial America, the American Revolution and the early Republic, American expansionism, and the Civil War. Topics will include the prehistoric migration, the creation of early civilizations in the Americas (the Olmec, Maya, Inca, Aztec, and Mississippian civilizations), the Native Americans, the European explorations and the Columbian exchange, slavery, the thirteen colonies, the American Revolution, the new government, the war of 1812, the new American borders, the Mexican American War, North versus South, and the Civil War. Furthermore, we will also pay attention to the ethics (i.e., values and morals) that shaped American history and the formal and informal systems of belief from multiple viewpoints, including historical viewpoints of marginalized groups of people such as the Native American communities. We will focus our attention on the following questions during the course: 1. What problems do scholars face in reconstructing the history of Native American civilization? 2. What were some of the main achievements of the Classic period civilizations in Mesoamerica? 3. What were the motives for the European voyages of discovery? 4. Why was the transatlantic trade so economically important? 5. What was the new sense of liberty that arose from the American Revolution? 6. Why did slavery become unacceptable in Western society? 7. How did westward expansion of the colonies lead to tension with both the British and the Native Americans? 8. What were the causes of the American Civil War? 9. What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg? 10. Who won the American Civil War? CONTENTS: Sessions I. - II. - the first people in America - the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations - the Native Americans - the age of exploration (Portuguese and Spanish expeditions) - the Conquistadores - the Columbian exchange Sessions III. - IV. - the European colonies in the Americas - the slavery in the Americas - the African American culture - the Jamestown settlers Sessions V. - VI. - the thirteen colonies - New England colonies - Middle Colonies - Southern Colonies - the American identity Sessions VII. - IX. - the Pre-revolutionary war - the British Parliament and the American protests - the First Continental Congress - Lexington and Concord - the Second Continental Congress - the Declaration of Independence - the American Revolution - Women in the revolutionary war - African Americans in the revolutionary war Sessions X. - XII. - the Articles of Confederation - the Constitution - Federalist and the Anti-Federalists - the Articles and the Amendments - the American expansion Sessions XIII. - XV. - North versus South - the election of 1848 - the election of 1856 - the election of 1860 - the Confederate States of America - the Civil War
Learning Goals
The class has two main goals. One is to provide you with a basic factual understanding of American history through 1865, including the development of various American civilizations from their earliest beginnings, the emergence of colonial America, and the establishment of the early Republic. Just as important, however, is the ability to use this information productively. Thus, this class will also stress the ability to integrate the mass of factual data into some basic understanding of how the “New” World arose, and of the issues which concern historical thinking about marginalization and marginalized people. In addition, the examinations are designed to develop the ability to think critically. Rote memorization is not as important as the ability to produce and evaluate arguments based on historical evidence. Please do not forget that the most effective learning occurs when you are actively involved.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The study of American history deals with some sensitive topics in history such as slavery, war, racism, and ethnic cleansing. Dr. Brezina takes great care to present the content in an age-appropriate manner.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
There are many sources that are used for teaching the American past in this course. Dr. Brezina studied various primary and secondary sources (articles, book, dissertations, etc.) during his years as a teacher and professor of history that will allow him to interpret American history objectively and address the full range of a variety of peoples' histories, including marginalized populations. For example, he will draw from two books, Ancient North America by Brian M. Fagan and From Colony to Superpower by George C. Herring, both of which are commonly used as objective and multi-cultural history textbooks in U.S. higher education. (However, Dr. Brezina does not require students to purchase or use these books.)
Joined March, 2020
5.0
133reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Doctoral Degree in History from Boston University
Dr. Brezina has taught American history at various university prep schools in Europe and the United States and as well as at several American colleges and universities. As a Ph.D. student he had the honor of working under Professor Robert Dallek, who is one of the most respected U.S. historians specializing in the history of the United States presidents. Furthermore, Dr. Brezina published a chapter on President William McKinley's foreign policy in a book titled U.S. Presidents and Foreign Policy from 1789 to the Present (2006). Reviews
Live Group Class
$375
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-10 learners per class
