Learn post-American Reconstruction history (Progressivism, the Depression, World Wars I and II, and up into Reagan’s presidency) with dynamic “guests” who “appear in person” -- including Theodore Roosevelt and more.

How to get the most out of  American History, Part Two: Reconstruction to Present Day 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: This is Part Two of a 2-Part course. However, students are welcomed midyear if there are seats available.

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 11th to 12th grade (or advanced 9th to 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 semester will begin with the end of Reconstruction. Topics after that will include the age of industrialization, populism and the labor movement, the new manifest destiny and the Spanish-American War and its aftermath, the progressive era, the American entry into World War I, the 1920's, the Great Depression and the New Deal, isolationism and the American entry into World War II, the onset of the Cold War and the war in Korea, the 1950's, Vietnam and the 1960's, from Nixon to Reagan, the end of the Cold War to the end of the 20th century, early 21st century America. Once again, there may well be a guest appearance by a figure or two from the American past, including Theodore Roosevelt.

Course Outline:

  • Week 1: The New South and the Industrial North

  • Week 2: The 1890s

  • Week 3: Progressivism

  • Week 4: America and World War

  • Week 5  The Aftermath of War and the 1920's

  • Week 6: The Great Depression and the New Deal

  • Week 7: The Road to World War II

  • Week 8: America and World War II

  • Week 9:The Era of Truman and Eisenhower

  • Week 10: The 1960s

  • Week 11. From Nixon to Reagan

  • Week 12: Reagan and After

Course Materials: The Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay. ISBN 978-1594039379.

Homework: Students will read approx. 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 approx. 400 words each. Expect to spend three to four hours per week on reading and homework outside of class lectures.