The American West (The Great Courses Series)

What is The American West History Course for Teachers?

Fresno Pacific’s American West History Course offers an in-depth exploration into the truth about westward expansion and the American frontier, offering both the grit and grandeur of this epic time and place in American history. With stunning storytelling and visuals from The Great Courses, FPU’s American West History course combines your love of learning and history with practical teaching tools you can use in your classroom immediately. Assignments address the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for History.

This history course offers teachers the chance to earn three graduate-level credits from an accredited university. Learn through the eye-catching videos of The Great Courses with the expertise of Fresno Pacific University’s instructors.

What Will You Learn in This PD Course?

In this course you’ll explore the era of American history spanning from the American Revolution to the beginning of the 20th century. Students will uncover new historical angles and perspectives about events and themes ranging from the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Indian Removal Act and the creation of America’s first national parks.

• Project-based learning to meet your own unique interests
• Create and use materials suitable to teach these concepts in your current or future classroom
• Learn about the many conflicts that defined the boundaries in the Western U.S.
• Understand the mutual atrocities between the whites and Indians
• Appreciate the role of women in taming the west
• Recognize the origin of pop culture myths embedded in the history of the Wild West Continuing education courses are facilitated by Fresno Pacific University Staff providing guidance and classroom expertise.

Instructors strive to stay current on recent trends in education and provide prompt feedback and support for teachers, even after completion of the CE course.

The Great Courses Video Content

FPU’s The American West History Course provides a lecture series of 24 videos of 30 minutes each. You’ll learn from award-winning professors who present the information in a practical and accessible format that allows you to apply new concepts in your classroom. Students can reference period maps, artwork, photographs, diary entries and more along with the stunning video visuals that provide a balanced look at the achievements and sufferings of a time and place as important as it was wild. There is no required textbook, but a course guidebook is included with the cost of the course.

This course is applicable towards the United States History Certificate.

Note: Course guidebook is included with the cost of the course.