Popular History Courses

US History

United States History covers the economic, political, and social transformation of the United States from 1491 to the present, with a focus on early (1491 to 1607) and modern (post-1980) history. Students are taught to think of the history of the United States in terms of eras, while keeping in mind that such distinctions are imperfect and that events in previous eras necessarily influence and shape subsequent ones. Topics covered include Colonization through the Constitution, New Republic to Reconstruction, Industrialization, Reform and Imperialism, Establishment as a World Power; and the Modern Era.

Students spend a considerable amount of time reading primary and secondary sources. They must learn how to examine and interpret these historical documents and a must be able to explain how they fit into the broader context of American history. The AP version of United States History places special emphasis on these skills, pushing students to truly think like historians.

World History

World History is a broad survey class covering developments from the prehistoric to modern eras. Events are covered both in chronological order and within the content of major geographical regions. The pre-modern histories of Europe, Asian, and South America are broken down into a series of empires, comparing and contrasting their differences and similarities. Developments in religion, philosophy, the arts, science and technology, and political history are also covered within the context of various civilizations. The relative isolation of early civilizations necessitates covering a broad range of developments over many regions and years, with the histories of the various disparate regions becoming increasingly interconnected from the Age of Exploration onward.

The Learning Island provides private one-on-one tutoring in all aspects of the social sciences. Our tutors work with students and their parents to assess where each student is right now and to develop a customized lesson plan tailored to his or her needs. We help by streamlining historical narratives and breaking down complex historical and political concepts into manageable pieces that students can easily understand. Tutors take apart daunting economic models and explain them in clear, straightforward ways.

We provide students with the tools to read smarter and more critically, study better, and make the most productive use of their homework time. Tutors also help students learn how to research, write, and revise papers and other assignments. Finally, we provide comprehensive reviews and study sessions for exams. Whether a student is seriously struggling or simply needs a little extra help with a difficult class, we can help them improve and grow to be their best.