US History

These resources are discussion post prompts designed for use in online classes or for class discussions. Each focuses on a topic from a specific chapter in the OpenStax US History textbook beginning with chapter 17. As such, all topics and themes are designed for the second half of the US History survey course.Each prompt is designed to center on a specific topic from each chapter and then connect it to the context of a theme or idea in modern or contemporary times.In this way history is taught so students can understand that it is relevant to their own lives, rather than merely a series of events surviving in their own insulated past.

Material Type: Assessment

Author: Christopher Gerdes, M.A.I.S and Lauran Kerr-Heraly, PhD.

Our Story: An Ancillary to US History

A US history ancillary/textbook that examines some traditional some non-traditional aspects of American social, cultural, gender, racial, political, and military history. Most chapters include content provided by community college students.

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Jim Ross-Nazzal

US History II

U.S. History II covers the chronological history of the United States from Reconstruction through the beginning of the 21st Century.

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Pima Community College

HST 201 - US History: Colonial & Revolutionary

This course provides an overview of the United States from pre-Columbian North American and European antecedents to colonization, Colonial America, Revolutionary America; development of U.S. government, economy, and society to 1840. Course Outcomes: 1. Articulate an understanding of key historical events from pre-Columbian North America and European antecedents to colonization, the development of slavery, Native American history, Colonial America, Revolutionary America and the development of U.S. government, economy, and society to 1840. 2. Identify and investigate historical theses, evaluate information and its sources, and use appropriate reasoning to construct evidence-based arguments on historical issues. 3. Construct an historical argument integrating both primary documents and secondary sources.

Material Type: Full Course

Author: Linn Benton Virtual College

Why study US history, government, and civics?

John Dickerson shares his views about the importance of studying US history, government, and civics with Sal. John Dickerson is co-host of CBS This Morning. He was previously CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent, Political Director and anchor of Face The Nation. Dickerson is also a contributor to Slate's Political Gabfest and to The Atlantic. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Dickerson moderated CBS News' two presidential debates. Prior to CBS, Dickerson was Slate Magazine's Chief Political correspondent and covered politics for twelve years for Time magazine.

Material Type: Lesson

Authors: John Dickerson, Sal Khan

Women in US History (HIST 215)

The heritage of women represents one-half of the history of the United States; for that reason alone it is worthy of closer scrutiny than it has received in standard history courses. The movement of women for social, political, and economic equality represents the longest and most far-reaching civil rights movement in U.S. history, yet it is a movement that has received minimal space and attention in standard history courses. This class is an attempt to bring to the foreground a history that we all share but perhaps have until now lacked the opportunity or information to focus on. It is a history that I find both maddening and inspiring, and one whose study is challenging, difficult, and ultimately so rewarding that it is worth every bit of effort, and then some.

Material Type: Assessment, Full Course, Reading, Syllabus

Law and Society in US History, Spring 2003

Most socially significant issues from America's past were brought before the nation's courts. Subject introduces the themes and events of American law since 1787, focusing on three recurring themes in American public life: liberty, equality, and property. Readings consist mostly of original court cases, especially from the US Supreme Court. Subject also focuses on the historical connections between cases and broader social, political, and cultural trends.

Material Type: Full Course

Author: Capozzola, Christopher

The US Constitution

The US Constitution established three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. In this video, Kim discusses how the Framers employed the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances to limit the power of government.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: Kim Kutz

Activity: Module 12 (With Technology) -- Slavery and US Laws

Activity for HIST 1301: United States History I (Module 12)

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Jessica Herzogenrath, Kaitlyn Ross, Regan Murr

What Art tells us about Gender

There is a huge range of ways that gender has been understood and represented in the history of art. We look at a few examples that show us gender is a concept that has never been fixed: Hermaphroditos by the ancient Greeks, Titian's Venus of Urbino, Baule portrait masks, the photographs of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, and Maya stone carvings.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: The Art Assignment

Activity: Introduction (With Technology) -- Finding History (A Scavenger Hunt)

Activity for HIST 1301 United States History I (Introduction) 

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Jessica Herzogenrath, Kaitlyn Ross, Regan Murr

Creating History

Our final reflection grows out of a sampling of comments from some of the truly outstanding historians who have enriched this course. History has always mattered. It is based on choices. Every generation can shape America and what it means to be an American. As you listen to the historians' comments, reflect on what studying the past teaches us. How can you create history? Why does it matter?

Material Type: Module

Author: William Black

Arts 1304 - Art History II

This is an Arts 1304 History of Art II course that compiles online OER resources primarily from Smarthistory.org, an OER art history textbook, and other online materials produced by art museums including videos and art historical essays.  Developed by Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Commerce, this is a Texas Core Course in Creative Arts designed to replace expensive commonly used textbooks with OER content adaptable for Texas art history instructors using various learning manage systems.*Unless otherwise noted all entries are licensed under Creative Commons-Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Material Type: Full Course, Reading, Textbook

Authors: Liz Kim, Melynda Seaton

HIST 1301 United States History I

The resources available here for HIST 1301 United States History I are part of the Digital Design for Student Success (D2S2) project, a collaboration between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Rice University, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. The materials available as part of this course include Guiding Questions, Lectures, engaged learning Activities, project-based Assessments, and Additional Resources for instructors. Incorporate these resources in any model -- face-to-face, online (asynchronous or synchronous), or hybrid -- as either the basis for an entire semester or as a menu from which you choose elements to supplement your course.

Material Type: Assessment, Lecture, Module

Authors: Jessica Herzogenrath, Troy Bickham, Kaitlyn Ross

History in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877

This textbook examines U.S. History from before European Contact through Reconstruction, while focusing on the people and their history. Prior to its publication, History in the Making underwent a rigorous double blind peer review, a process that involved over thirty scholars who reviewed the materially carefully, objectively, and candidly in order to ensure not only its scholarly integrity but also its high standard of quality. This book provides a strong emphasis on critical thinking about US History by providing several key features in each chapter. Learning Objectives at the beginning of each chapter help students to understand what they will learn in each chapter. Before You Move On sections at the end of each main section are designed to encourage students to reflect on important concepts and test their knowledge as they read. In addition, each chapter includes Critical Thinking Exercises that ask the student to deeply explore chapter content, Key Terms, and a Chronology of events.

Material Type: Textbook

Authors: Catherine Locks, Marie Lasseter, Pamela Roseman, Sarah Mergel, Tamara Spike

A brief history of religion in art

Before we began putting art into museums, art mostly served as the visual counterpart to religious stories. Are these theological paintings, sculptures, textiles and illuminations from centuries ago still relevant to us? Jeremiah Dickey describes the evolution of art in the public eye and explains how the modern viewer can see the history of art as an ongoing global conversation.

Material Type: Lesson

Author: TED

U.S. History III (HIST 148)

This course is the third in the introductory surveys of U.S. history. The course surveys the significant forces and people that have shaped American civilization from the Progressive Era to the present. This course starts at the beginning of the 20th century and explores how different people, including you, participated in the nation's transformation through that century until today. Those who would like to pursue their study of American history may wish to take Hist 146 (US History I) and Hist 147 (US History II).Login: guest_oclPassword: ocl

Material Type: Full Course, Homework/Assignment, Lecture Notes, Lesson Plan, Reading, Syllabus

United States History II

This text is a lower-division level introduction to US History from the Reconstruction Era to present day.

Material Type: Textbook

Authors: Mark Sample, Monroe Community College

History in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877

This textbook examines U.S. History from before European Contact through Reconstruction, while focusing on the people and their history. Prior to its publication, History in the Making underwent a rigorous double blind peer review, a process that involved over thirty scholars who reviewed the materially carefully, objectively, and candidly in order to ensure not only its scholarly integrity but also its high standard of quality. This book provides a strong emphasis on critical thinking about US History by providing several key features in each chapter. Learning Objectives at the beginning of each chapter help students to understand what they will learn in each chapter. Before You Move On sections at the end of each main section are designed to encourage students to reflect on important concepts and test their knowledge as they read. In addition, each chapter includes Critical Thinking Exercises that ask the student to deeply explore chapter content, Key Terms, and a Chronology of events.

Material Type: Textbook

Authors: Catherine Locks, Pamela Thomas Roseman, Sarah K. Mergel, Tamara Spike

History: 20th Century Capitalism and Regulation in the United States

In this 14-minute video lesson, Sal gives an overview of the cycles of regulation, de-regulation and government in 20th century US capitalism. [History playlist: Lesson 13 of 26]

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Salman Khan