US History  Instructor: Eric Gifford Grades: 11-12 Fall and Spring Semester: June 8 to July 17, 2026 Daily: 8:00 AM to 12:20 PM A six week, four-hour daily class open to any incoming juniors. For initial graduation credit, students must enroll in both Fall and Spring semesters. Seniors who need to repeat Fall semester may sign up for only Fall semester. Fall tuition is required.  The course moves quickly and demands a great deal of reading and preparation outside of class. This course examines the major turning points in American history beginning with the events leading up to the American Revolution, the origins of our constitution, reform movements, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the impact of the frontier, the changing nature of business and government, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the growth of the United States as a world power, the Cold War and the struggle to achieve class, ethnic, racial, and gender equality. The course extends to the modern day. Contemporary world issues such as globalization, economic interdependence, terrorism and world cultures will also factor into our analysis of international conflict and cooperation. The California state standards provide both the framework and pace of this class. Students will maintain an organized binder or notebook that will showcase various skills required for successful completion of the course, including Document Based Questions activities and essays requiring document analysis, critical thinking and writing to allow for a deeper understanding of the content while providing skills in line with Common Core. Earns ten of ten required credits for the U.S. History graduation requirement. UC Approved. Students need to complete both summer sessions for credit. Each day of attendance represents one week of curriculum. Given the demanding nature of the curriculum, students are permitted only 1.5 days of absences per semester. Exceeding this limit may result in removal.