A survey of the political, economic and intellectual history of the United States from the period of Reconstruction until the present. Emphasis is on the rise of industrial America and the growth of the country as a world power in the Twentieth Century. This Honors course fosters high-achieving students' growth towards learning outcomes such as: problem solving, often with creative approaches; critical reading and original text analysis; forming judgments based on evidence, often from alternative modes of inquiry or integrative learning; clear, persuasive research writing; oral presentation; and articulate reflection on personal growth. Honors courses are more likely to utilize student-driven active learning, emphasizing exploration and discovery, rather than the acquisition of specific knowledge; faculty might provide projects with no pre-determined conclusion, but with real-world application.