APUSH: SEVEN COURSE THEMES

OVERARCHING QUESTIONS IDENTITY (ID) MAIN IDEA OVERARCHING QUESTIONS Focuses on the formation of both American national identity and group identities in U.S. history. Student should be able to explain how various identities, cultures, and values have been preserved or changed in different contexts of U.S. history. 1) How and why have debates over American national identity changed over time? 2) How have gender, class, ethnic, religious, regional, and other group identities changed over time?

WORK, EXCHANGE, and TECHNOLOGY (WXT) OVERARCHING QUESTIONS MAIN IDEA 1) How have changes in markets, transportation, and technology affected American society from colonial time to the present day? 2) Why have different labor systems developed in British NA and the US, and how have the affected US society. 3) How have debates over economic values and the role of government in the US economy affected politics, society, the economy, and the environment? Focuses on the development of American economies based on agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. Students should examine ways that different economic and labor systems, technological innovations, and government policies have shaped American society. i.e., the relationships among social class, racial, ethnic, and gender groups

OVERARCHING QUESTIONS PEOPLING (PEO) MAIN IDEA OVERARCHING QUESTIONS Focuses on why and how the various people who move to, from, and within the US adapted to their new social and physical environments…also noting how borders affected people. i.e., European arrival, slave trade, waves of immigration, urbanization, suburbanization, etc… 1) Why have people migrated to, from, and within North America? 2) How have changes in migration and population patterns affected American life?

POLITICS AND POWER (POL) MAIN IDEA OVERARCHING QUESTIONS Focuses on ongoing debates of the role of the state in society and its potential as an agent for change. Including creating, implementing, or limiting political participation. Also focuses on the changing relationship between branches of government. 1) How and why have different political and social groups competed for influence over society and government in what would become the United States? 2) How have Americans agreed on or argued over the values that guide the political systems as well as who is a part of the political process?

AMERICA IN THE WORLD (WOR) MAIN IDEA OVERARCHING QUESTIONS Focuses on the global context in which the US originated and developed as well as the influence the US has on world affairs. Particular focus on American foreign policy. 1) How have events in North America and the US related to contemporary developments in the rest of the world? 2) How have different factors influenced US military, diplomatic, and economic involvement in international affairs and foreign conflicts, both in North American and overseas.

ENVIRONMENT AND GEOGRAPHY (ENV) MAIN IDEA OVERARCHING QUESTIONS Focuses on the role of the environment, geography, and climate in both constraining and shaping human actions. How did Americans choose to survive and thrive? Also explore efforts to interpret, preserve, manage, or exploit natural and man-made environments within particular historical context. 1) How did interactions with the natural environment shape the institutions and values of various groups living on the North American continent. 2) How did economic and demographic changes affect the environment and lead to debates over use and control of the environment and natural resources.

IDEAS, BELIEFS, and CULTURE (CUL) MAIN IDEA OVERARCHING QUESTIONS Focuses on the roles that ideas, beliefs, social mores, and creative expression have played in shaping the US. 1) How and why have moral, philosophical, and cultural values changed in what would become the US? 2) How and why have changes in moral, philosophical, and cultural values affected US history?

Discussion: What insights have you gained about the course and the study of history from these themes? How will you approach your learning in this course to understand these themes?

Activity—Understanding themes C:\Users\BruninkKr\Desktop\7 Themes.pdf