(Fall 2023) American History, Part One: Age of Exploration through the Civil War and Reconstruction with John "Chuck" Chalberg, PhD

In this upper-level American history course you will learn about the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Pre-Civil War times with a dynamic “guest” who may “appear in person” -- possibly Patrick Henry.

How to get the most out of  American History, Part One: Age of Exploration through the Civil War and Reconstruction with John C. "Chuck" Chalberg, Ph.D.:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.

  • Read assignments before class meetings

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Special Notes: Includes an optional writing component. This is Part One of a two-part course. Students are expected to also register for the Spring Semester course.

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes per class

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 11th to 12th grade (or advanced 9th and 10th grade)

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester American History

Instructor: John C. "Chuck" Chalberg, Ph.D.

Instructor Email: chuck.chalberg@gmail.com

Course Description: This course will cover American history from the late 15th century through the American Civil War and postwar reconstruction. We will cover colonial development, the road to the American Revolution, the revolutionary war and its aftermath, constitution building, the early national period, the War of 1812, the Jacksonian era, the pre-Civil War reform movements, the road to the Civil War, wartime issues, and postwar reconstruction. Along the way, there may be a few guest appearances by figures from American history, including Patrick Henry.

Course Outline:

  • Week One: Exploration and Early Colonization

  • Week Two: The Shaping of British North America

  • Week Three: The Road to the American Revolution

  • Week Four: The American Revolution and Its Aftermath

  • Week Five: The Experiment Begins

  • Week Six: From Jefferson to Jackson

  • Week Seven: The Culture of Democracy

  • Week Eight: The Old South and Slavery

  • Week Nine: The Gathering Storm

  • Week Ten: Secession and the Onset of the Civil War

  • Week Eleven: The Civil War

  • Week Twelve: Reconstruction

Course Materials: The Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay. ISBN 978-1594039379 (https://amzn.to/37YfKxp)

Homework: Students will read approximately a chapter per week. There will be weekly quizzes based on both the reading and the lectures, auto-graded by the computer for immediate feedback. For upper-level students or students who want to go the extra mile, Dr. Chalberg will assign an additional five writing assignments of 500 to 600 words each. Expect to spend three to four hours per week on reading and homework outside of class lectures. There will be an optional final exam, mainly essays and short answers, for interested students.