The year of historical study has been broken down into seven thematic units (along with an introduction unit and final project) that will allow us a multifaceted evaluation of the forces, concepts, and ideals that have collectively influenced the course of American history. While we will continue to use our textbook as a major resource, this new focus will increase our utilization of databases, primary source documents, and scholarly journals. Each Unit will include individual and collective research work, a writing component, factual assessments, and an emphasis on presentation, collaboration and discussion. An electronic timeline will serve as the backbone for the course and will allow for student contribution of thematic elements as the year progresses. At the end of the year, group final projects which ask students to work in groups to assess and articulate how several major themes have interacted historically to shape our present environment will serve as a culmination of our work in US History. Our hope is that this emphasis on active learning will strengthen skill development (technology, research, historiography, communication), deepen the evaluative process by focusing our study on specific thematic concepts, and enhance our end of year cumulative process by creating a substantial final project. All of our work will be documented and sustained by our course website, micdsus.squarespace.com, which will allow for greater responsibility (and accountability) for personal learning onto the students.