Course Syllabus: American Heroes and Villains
no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
Course Description
Just as there have been famous and infamous personalities that have arisen on the world stage through the ages, America has had its share of notable personalities--ranging from the very good to the very, very bad. While not always at the forefront of people's conscious, it would seem unlikely that America would be what it is today without its "good guys" and, yes, even its "bad guys".
So what makes a person a national hero or villain? What set of circumstances in a person's life and in the history of a nation need to coalesce in order to bring a person from obscurity to the level of fame or infamy where they are recognized by name? Why is George Washington famous? Why is Charles Manson? How about Jesse James or Linus Pauling? What makes each of them unique to such an extent that they are now household names?
This course will provide a brief biographical overview of many of America's most notable heroes and villains, along with an analysis of why each one is well-known in our history. Further, it will provide criteria for better understanding why and how each of these persons became who they are in our collective lives.
Course Requirements
This course will not require you to have previous experience in any particular area but you should have a high school reading level. No books will be required.
Course Topics
Lesson 1: An Introduction to America's Heroes and Villains
Lesson 2: Early America
Lesson 3: Colonial America
Lesson 4: Revolutionary America, Part I
Lesson 5: Revolutionary America, Part II
Lesson 6: The Young Republic
Lesson 7: Expansion and Reform Era
Lesson 8: Civil War and Reconstruction
Lesson 9: The Wild West and the Second Industrial Revolution
Lesson 10: World War I
Lesson 11: World War II and Korea
Lesson 12: Post War to the End of the Century, Part I
Lesson 13: Post War to the End of the Century, Part II
Lesson 14: The New Millennium
Course Materials
Grading Policy
Learning Outcomes
- Define what it means to be considered an American hero or villain.
- Know American heroes and villains in early America.
- Know American heroes and villains in the Expansion and Reform Era.
- Know American heroes and villains in the Civil War and Reconstruction.
- Know American heroes and villains in The Wild West and the Second Industrial Revolution.
- Know American heroes and villains in World War I, World War II and the Korean War
- Know American heroes and villains in Post War to the End of the Century
- Post War to the End of the Century, Part I, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Assessment Guide
| Lesson 1 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 1: An Introduction to America’s Heroes and Villains | 9 |
| Lesson 2 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 2: Early America | 10 |
| Lesson 3 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 3: Colonial America | 10 |
| Lesson 4 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 4: Revolutionary America, Part I | 10 |
| Lesson 5 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 5: Revolutionary America, Part II | 9 |
| Lesson 6 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 6: The Young Republic | 10 |
| Lesson 7 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 7: Expansion and Reform Era | 10 |
| Lesson 8 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 8: Civil War and Reconstruction | 9 |
| Henry Ford Racist? | 20 |
| Lesson 9 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 9: The Wild West and the Second Industrial Revolution | 10 |
| Lesson 10 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 10: World War I | 10 |
| Lesson 11 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 11: World War II and Korea | 9 |
| Lesson 12 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 12: Post War to the End of the Century, Part I | 10 |
| Lesson 13 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 13: Post War to the End of the Century, Part II | 10 |
| Lesson 14 Assignment | 25 |
| Lesson 14: The New Millennium | 8 |
| Total Points: | 504 |
