Online American History Course Overviews

Individuals interested in studying the events and people who have influenced American history may benefit from the online courses offered through undergraduate and graduate history programs at several colleges.

Online American History Course Overviews

American history courses can provide both general and in-depth perspectives of American society, economics and politics. Courses generally highlight the major events which have shaped the country's development and discuss the personalities who have influenced these events. Several history courses are available online as part of Bachelor or Arts in History and Master of Arts in History programs and as elective liberal arts and general education courses.

Course Requirements

Students participating in online courses should have dependable high speed Internet access via a computer running on a standard operating system. An e-mail address, productivity software and multimedia tools may also be necessary, as is an intermediate level of skill in Internet research, typing and word processing.

List of American History Courses

The American Revolutionary Era Course

This course focuses on the events leading up to the American Revolution and the resulting effects on the birth of American government and politics. Topics include the English, French and Spanish involvement in the rising conflict, resistance movements in the colonies, major battles and leading figures, and the development of the American constitution. Class materials include readings from period pamphlets, political debates and constitutional documents.

Civil War and Reconstruction Course

An exploration of the rationale, courses of action and outcome of the Civil War, with the primary objective of comprehending the national, racial and societal effects of this historically significant event. Classes include a review of the economic and racial conflicts between the Northern and Southern states, the national issue of emancipation and the challenges of post-war reconstruction.

The Great Depression and World War II Course

This course provides an analysis of the events leading up to and during the Great Depression and World War II, and examines how these two major historical events altered American society and political structure. Class themes include the stock market crash of 1929, President Roosevelt's New Deal, and America's political and economic reasons for entering the second World War. Students will explore such topics as the Normandy invasion and the development and use of the atomic bomb and view these events through newspapers, film clips and other documents from the era.

Women in United States History Course

The emerging role of women and their contributions in the American social, political, economic and educational scene is the focus of this course. Topics include the suffrage movement and the 19th Amendment, women in the slavery emancipation movement of the Civil War era, and the entrance of women into the manufacturing workplace during wartime.

American History to 1865 Course

This course surveys the major events beginning with the first known European settlements and leading up to the Civil War's conclusion. Topics include the growth of the colonies, the development of states, American Indian relations, national identity and the Revolutionary War. Students will analyze the central political, social and economic events that led from the founding of a nation to the discord between states.

American History 1865 to Present Course

This course reviews the major political and economic milestones dating from the Reconstruction era through current events, including an examination of the effect that significant events such as emancipation, suffrage, war and immigration have had on America's cultural and socio-political landscape.