Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

• Articulate an understanding of key events in the
history of early and colonial United States and use
critical thinking in order to evaluate historical changes
and their impact on current U.S. society.
• Recognize the historical contributions of different
groups (national, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual and
gendered) that interacted in the United States in order
to appreciate and evaluate current U.S. diversity.
• Identify culturallygrounded assumptions which have
influenced the perceptions and behaviors of people in
the past in order to assess how culture continues to
affect human behavior.
• Communicate effectively using historical analysis.
• Connect the past with the present to enhance
citizenship skills.

November 2009

• Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources
• Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own interpretation
• Think critically about the relationships between past and present events and issues
• Compare and contrast the experience of diverse groups in American society
• Demonstrate college-level communications skills which may include listening, speaking, and writing

Competencies and Skills:

• Connect evidence to its relevant historical context ]
• Analyze and evaluate written, artistic, or other evidence
• Assess the motivation and purpose of evidence

Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own interpretation:

• Identify a historian’s thesis and supporting evidence
• Evaluate the arguments used to support different interpretations of historical issues
• Develop your own thesis and historical interpretation and use evidence to support it

Think critically about the relationship between past and present events and issues:

• Recognize and identify historical roots and parallels to current issues

Compare and contrast the experience of diverse groups in American society

• Listen to and appreciate the experience of students from a variety of backgrounds
• Assess the contributions and experiences of various groups in American society

Communicate effectively in writing about a historical topic

• Communicate effectively in writing about a historical topic
• Communicate in writing an understanding of historical process and an evaluation of how concepts or values change over time

Clearly articulate thoughts and ideas to a particular audience which may include:

• Working collaboratively with other students to evaluate and understand historical events
• Working collaboratively with others in discussions, debate, or role plays
• Presenting information in oral presentations

Themes, Concepts, Issues

Indigenous cultures prior to European contact
Relationships between Europeans and indigenous Americans
Exploration and expansion
Colonization and imperial conflict
Development of political, economic and labor systems
Slavery
African Diaspora
Atlantic world
American Revolution and Independence
Other wars, conflicts and diplomacy
Constitutional development
Early Republic and nation building
Market Revolution

Gender
Class
Ethnicity
Religion
Sexuality
Racism and other systems of discrimination
Liberty and equality
Demography
United States in international context
Geography and the natural environment
Technology
Social, political and economic reform movements
Historiography