A journey through the competing visions, bold ambitions, and nation-defining choices that formed our world today.

What kind of country will America become—and who gets to decide?

This second year of a two-part exploration of American history continues the story of the United States as it solidifies its place as a political, economic, and cultural leader in the world. We pick up the narrative in the mid-1800s—after the founding era, but before our modern world has taken shape—and trace the choices, conflicts, and new ideas that led to the America we live in today.

Transformation is central to this course—not only of land and law, but of values and purpose. As Americans spread across a continent, industrialized, entered the world stage, and welcomed unmatched numbers of immigrants from across the world, they argued fiercely about what their country was and what it should become. Again and again, the question arose: what did the ideals of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness mean?

This course will explore debates about the following topics (among many):

• The legacy of slavery, from the attempted reconstruction of the South to the modern day

• The question of whether America is, fundamentally, a secular or religious society

• The meaning of equality

• The relationship between the individual and society

• America’s responsibility to itself and the world

As with US History Part 1, this is a class for students who are hungry for a deeper understanding of history—who want to go beyond names and dates, to experience history as it was lived, and to get an inside view of the minds that formed the foundation of the world we live in today. 

Ages: Middle school through high school (with upper elementary possible for advanced and/or highly motivated students)
Format: Meets twice weekly online via Google Meet (times and dates TBD)
Approach: Story-driven, discussion-based, interactive. Emphasis on conceptual understanding and historical problem-solving.
Cost: Currently $75/week; cost will be reduced for all families if enrollment exceeds 8 students.
Enrollment: Maximum of 10
Materials: Families will need to purchase A Little History of the United States by James West Davidson, which is used periodically; all other readings will be provided.
Work expectations: There will often be readings between sessions, and I plan lessons on the assumption that these are completed. I will also provide work suggestions for students who want to delve deeper.

“There is nothing in Greek civilization that does not illuminate our own.” — Will Durant

Ancient Greece is often called the cradle of Western Civilization. Thousands of years later, we still tell the tales of their legendary gods and heroes: from Disney movies about Heracles to college seminars on the Iliad and the Odyssey, some people may know the stories of the Greek religion better than those of their own.

But these were only a small part of the Greek achievement. By the Golden Age of Athens, their curious minds were focused as much on the world around them as on the imagined heights of Mount Olympus—and what they accomplished in just a few hundred years is astonishing. Philosophy, biology, scientific medicine, geometry, and even theatrical drama were all pioneered by the Greeks. Without them, our world would be unimaginably different.

In this course, we’ll explore how the Greek civilization came to be, how its people lived, and how their accomplishments were passed down through the ages. We’ll see their day-to-day lives, their experiments, their fierce arguments and debates. Most importantly, we’ll ask the same question the Greeks asked themselves: What is the best way to live? By the end of the course, students will not only know Greek myths and history, but will have practiced thinking like the Greeks: debating, looking for evidence, seeking new perspectives, and making meaningful connections.

Optional writing workshop: Students interested in practicing or developing their writing can also enroll in our weekly workshop. In it, students will have the opportunity to brainstorm, plan, share, and receive feedback on all sorts of historically-inspired writing, including summaries, essays, and historical fiction. (Of course, if a student has a non-historical piece of writing they’re passionate about developing, we’ll make time for that too!)

Ages: Upper elementary through early middle school. (Interested students outside that age range are welcome to inquire, of course!)

Format & Schedule:

• Ancient Greece: Tuesdays, 2:00-3:00 CT.

• Writing Workshop: Thursdays, 2:00-2:45 CT. (We may extend to a full 60 minutes as the group grows.)

• All classes meet online via Google Meet.

Approach: Story-driven, discussion-based, interactive. Emphasis on conceptual understanding and historical problem-solving.

Cost: As the class grows, the price will be discounted for current and new families alike. Contact me to find out up-to-date details.

Enrollment: Maximum of 10

Materials: Currently, no purchased materials are required.

Work expectations:

• Ancient Greece will be a work-light class. I may occasionally ask students to read something between classes or offer work options, but in general it will be self-contained.

• For the writing workshop, we will set deadlines collaboratively so that they match what each student is capable of. The only real expectation is that they meet those self-imposed deadlines.