History and Geography 800 Course Overview

History and Geography 800 continues the process of developing in students an understanding of and appreciation for God’s
activity as seen in the record of man and his relationships. The course focuses on American History, covering the subject from
early exploration through the present day, with special emphasis given to the Civil War and to inventions and technology of the
19th and early 20th centuries. These areas of focus target three major content strands: History, Geography, and Government
and Citizenship.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to do the following:

• Identify significant explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, Francisco Coronado, Sir Francis Drake, Ferdinand
Magellan, Henry Hudson, Jacques Cartier, and Samuel de Champlain, noting their accomplishments.

• Understand how conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain led to American independence

• Understand political, economic, and social changes that occurred in the United States during the 19th century,
including changes resulting from the Industrial Revolution, and explain how these changes led to:
     o movement into the western frontier, and
     o conflict among sections of the United States.

• Describe the causes and effects of the Civil War and its aftermath.

• Describe the causes and effects of both World Wars.

• Understand some of the key challenges facing American society in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Additionally, students will gain practice in report-writing, covering topics like the thirteen colonies, the U.S. Constitution, the
Civil War, inventors, and more.