It emphasizes the contact points between civilizations by examining themes such as international trade, technology, warfare, diplomacy, and religion. The course highlights the development of critical reading, writing and oral presentation skills, and prepares students for subsequent work in history. United States History is required for fifth formers . This course is a chronological survey attentive to the political, economic, cultural, social, and constitutional developments by which the United States achieved independence, became a nation and grew into a world power since 1898 and to superpower status since 1945. While all teachers follow a core curriculum that covers the essential topics of American political, social, economic, intellectual, and diplomatic history, a variety of methods are employed in the many sections of the course.
Many teachers use standard books and documentary sources, while others use CD-ROM texts.
This interdepartmental course is an alternative to AP U. S. History and is for fifth form students who wish to pursue a detailed study of United States history, literature, and culture. Students are recommended for the American Studies program by their previous teachers and must meet the honors criteria of the English and history departments. The program fulfills the fifth form English and the United States history requirements. The course is taught in double periods and earns one course credit in both English and history. The following courses are open to fifth and sixth formers.