Health - Fifth Form

In the Fifth Form, history courses are U.S. history based. Students pursue American Government, American History: Civil War to WWI, or American History: 20th Century and Today. All offerings directly connect to and grow from the Fourth Form Colonial History curriculum. The goal is to allow Fifth Form students to be able to choose which course is most appealing to them. At the same time, the courses are designed so that an incoming Fifth Former does not need the background material covered in Fourth Form and will be exposed to an area of post-American Revolution history.

This course explores the structure and function of the US government. Students examine the three branches of the federal government as well as the role of state governments, paying particular attention to the process of passing legislation, the Electoral College, and historic Supreme Court decisions. The course also includes a study of American politics today, as students will learn about the two major parties and explore some of the key issues in the national conscience from multiple perspectives. 

This course is an examination of the people, places, and events that shaped the country from the end of the Civil War to the early 20th century. Topics include reconstruction, developments in the American West, immigration, and industrialization. The USA’s expanding role on the international stage will also be explored as students seek to understand how American history fits in the broader global context. 

 

This course traces the USA’s role in international affairs throughout the last century, from WWI and WWII to the Cold War and the modern war on terror. The course will also explore important political, social, and economic developments domestically, paying particular attention to civil rights in the 20th century and today.