Teaching
I’ve taught a variety of courses in US History and World History. Below are the courses I’ve taught, along with their course descriptions. These courses include core classes, as well as electives. Syllabi are available upon request.
Survey Courses
US History to 1861
This history course will analyze life and culture in early British America, the founding of the United States, and the development and expansion of the United States to the start of the American Civil War. The course will focus on primary source documents, people, and events for in-depth analysis of Early America. Students will develop skills in thinking, reading, writing, and researching like a historian. Topics will include, but are not limited to: Exploration of the Americas, Colonial Society, American Revolution, Creation of the Constitution, A New Nation, Era of Good Feelings, Age of Jackson, and the Road to the Civil War.
US History from 1861-1945
This course explores key events, movements, and figures in United States history from the Civil War era through World War II. Students will examine the causes, consequences, and legacies of the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. Emphasis will be placed on understanding political, economic, social, and cultural developments, as well as the impact of these events on diverse populations within the United States. Through critical analysis of primary and secondary sources, discussions, and projects, students will develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of this transformative period in American history.
US History Since 1945
This course covers the period post-World War II to the present day, exploring key events, societal shifts, and political developments that have shaped the contemporary United States. Topics include the Cold War and the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial equality, the Vietnam War and its impact on American society, the counterculture of the 1960s, the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, the end of the Cold War, economic transformations, technological advancements, and the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how historical forces have influenced the nation’s trajectory, fostering critical thinking and analysis of the complex issues that define modern America.
Civics & Leadership
This comprehensive course examines our system of government on the national, state, county, and local levels. Students are required to comprehend and analyze constitutional concepts and the workings of government. The course also focuses on contemporary national and international politics, including New Hampshire’s political impact. This is a writing intensive course which incorporates critical thinking and problem solving. At the conclusion of the course, students are required to demonstrate Mastery on the United States Citizenship Exam.
Modern World History
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of major events, movements, and transformations that have shaped the modern world from 1500 to the present day. Students will delve into key themes such as globalization, imperialism, revolution, and the rise of nationstates. Through analyzing primary sources, engaging with historical interpretations, and examining case studies, students will gain a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of societies, economies, and cultures across continents. By critically examining historical developments, students will develop essential analytical, research, and critical thinking skills necessary for understanding and navigating the complexities of the modern world.
Seminar Courses
AP European History
In AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from approximately 1450 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development, national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations.
AP United States History
In AP U.S. History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change. The course also provides eight themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; work, exchange, and technology; geography and the environment; migration and settlement; politics and power; America in the world; American and regional culture; and social structures.
Holocaust and Human Behavior
This course leads students through an examination of the history of the Holocaust, while fostering their skills in ethical reasoning, critical thinking, empathy, and civic engagement. By focusing on the choices of individuals who experienced this history—through primary sources, eyewitness testimonies, personal reflections, poetry, and images—students are given a lens to thoughtfully examine the universal themes and questions about human behavior inherent in a study of the Holocaust. Students will engage in Socratic Seminars and Harkness discussions based upon complex primary and secondary source texts. Students are also prompted to draw connections between history and the world today. Students and parents should be aware that this course will cover mature and/or disturbing topics which will involve graphic material found in some of the documentaries, photographs, and texts.
History of the American Presidency
This course will examine the American Presidents from George Washington to Joe Biden. Looking at their administrations from a historical and political perspective will allow students to gain a deeper appreciation of the people who have held the office of the presidency. Plus, see American History through an entirely different lens than ever before!
History of the Cosmos
This course is an interdisciplinary journey that weaves together the story of the universe, from the Big Bang to modern society, through the lens of science, history, and culture. This course explores the grand narrative of existence, connecting pivotal thresholds in cosmic, biological, and human evolution. Students will investigate topics ranging from the formation of stars and planets to the rise of life on Earth, the development of complex societies, and humanity’s role in shaping the future. This course invites learners to reflect on their place in the unfolding story of the cosmos.
Horror Literature
This course examines how writers have used fear, the supernatural, and the unsettling to explore human psychology, social anxiety, and moral conflict. Students study classic and modern horror texts to understand how different historical moments produce different kinds of fears, from the Gothic tradition of the nineteenth century to twentieth century psychological and social horror. This class emphasizes close reading, symbolism, and historical context. Students analyze how horror reflects concerns about science, religion, race, gender, power, and the unknown. Readings include short stories, novels, poetry, and film excerpts, with an emphasis on interpretation, discussion, and analytical writing.