FAQ’S
Can I have the movie list?
The movie list will be provided to registered families before the start of the class.
Is this class easier than a class with a textbook?
Students will find this class equally challenging to one with a textbook. Although the media may differ, students are still expected to complete assignments that demonstrate mastery and comprehension of the content.
My child struggles with reading and writing. Is it a good fit for struggling learners?
Most of the assignments in American History in Film are designed to provoke critical thinking. There are limited quizzes, but there is weekly written work comparable to any high school course.
American History in Film
$679.00
American History in Films
High School, 1 Credit Course
Meets: Day: Monday Time: 2:00-3:00 pm CST
Instructor: Angie Ferrell
Required:
- Access to films listed for the course
- All written work for this course must be constructed, edited, and submitted as Google Documents.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a class that will help you learn how to compose thought, make debates, and learn history. Best class I have ever taken and I have taken many.” – Caleb Heinemann, student
Mrs. Ferrell enjoyed a long career in Human Services before answering the call to become a home educator. She successfully schooled her two children to graduation, founded a local home school support group, and created a non-profit classical co-op. Additionally, she enjoyed tutoring high schoolers in the classics and teaching Special Education at a cottage school. She has a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology and a master’s in Education focused on eLearning, curriculum design, and training program development.
True North Academy’s American History in Film aims to cultivate a meaningful understanding of America’s ethos throughout the ages, emphasizing the virtues that have shaped our nation and fostering a deep love of country, all within the framework of a Christian worldview, while developing critical thinking and media literacy, essential skills in a shifting digital landscape.
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Most families pay their tuition in full at checkout. If spreading it out would help your family, a monthly payment plan is available (a 5% service fee applies) — just choose “Pay Monthly” in your cart.
American History in Film | True North Academy
Course: American History in Film
Full Name of Teacher: Angela Ferrell
Semester or Full Year: Full Year
Age Group/Grades: 9th-12th grades
Day: Mondays
Time: 2 pm to 3 pm CST, 2026
Required:
- Access to films listed for the course
- All written work for this course must be constructed, edited, and submitted as Google Documents.
COURSE OVERVIEW
What if studying American history felt more like watching history unfold?
In American History in Film, students explore the major events, movements, and cultural shifts of the United States through the lens of film. Using award-winning feature films, documentaries, and educational shorts, students analyze how politics, economics, war, religion, sports, and technology have shaped — and been shaped by — American life.
This isn’t a “movie class.” It’s a full-year, high school-level U.S. History course taught by Angela Ferrell, designed to help students think critically, discuss deeply, and connect visual storytelling with historical accuracy. Students learn to distinguish entertainment from evidence, compare cinematic portrayals to primary sources, and evaluate the power of media to influence our understanding of the past.
Through weekly viewings, lively discussions, research, and creative projects, students will discover that history is more than dates and facts — it’s the story of people, ideas, and values that continue to shape our nation today.
WHAT YOUR STUDENT WILL LEARN
Key Focus Areas:
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Analyze historical accuracy, bias, and perspective in film
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Connect cultural trends, politics, and technology across time periods
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Develop observation and interpretation skills through visual media
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Build chronological understanding with a year-long timeline notebook
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Strengthen written communication through essays and online discussions
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Engage in collaborative dialogue that encourages empathy and reasoning
💡 Counts as a full high-school U.S. History credit and is part of the True North Academy Dual Degree Program.
CURRICULUM SNAPSHOT
Students Will Explore:
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The founding and formation of the United States
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The Civil War, Reconstruction, and Industrial Revolution
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The World Wars, Great Depression, and cultural revolutions of the 20th century
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The Civil Rights Movement, modern conflicts, and contemporary America
Learning Activities Include:
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Weekly historical film analysis and discussion forums
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Interactive timeline notebook of major events
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Periodic quizzes and study guides
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Semester exams on major themes and eras
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Year-end multimedia Film Analysis Project
Required Materials:
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Access to a DVD player, public library, or streaming service for assigned films
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Internet connection for online discussions and assignments
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Google Docs for writing, editing, and submitting all coursework
Evaluation:
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Class participation – 20%
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Homework, timeline, study guides – 72%
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Exams & final project – 8%
HOW WE USE TECHNOLOGY TO BRING HISTORY TO LIFE
At True North Academy, technology helps students experience history dynamically and think critically about how stories are told. In American History in Film, students use digital tools to research, analyze, and create their own multimedia interpretations of the past.
Here’s how:
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Watch & Discuss: Multimedia resources replace traditional textbooks for immersive learning.
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Research & Verify: Students use online databases to confirm historical accuracy and context.
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Collaborate & Create: Virtual discussions and peer feedback foster deeper understanding.
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Present & Reflect: Students design digital film-analysis projects using interactive tools like Canva, Google Slides, or video editing software.
By merging cinematic storytelling with historical analysis, this course develops both academic depth and digital literacy — preparing students for college-level critical thinking.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
“This class made learning history so much better. The films give you unique perspectives and help you truly understand the events you learn about.”
— Aiden H., Student
“Amazing class! It helped me learn how to compose thought, make debates, and learn history. Best class I’ve ever taken.”
— Caleb H., Student
“The teacher was kind, knew what she was teaching, and was generous to those who needed help.”
— Hunter F., Student
RELATED PATHWAYS
Continue the Journey:
Expand your student’s understanding of culture, communication, and worldview with these complementary courses:
Foundations of American Liberty & Government → Study the documents and ideas that inspired the films.
World Literature & Composition → Explore how storytelling shapes civilizations and values.
Time Travelers: An Adventure in World History → Trace global events that intersect with American stories.
Psychology 101 CLEP Prep → Analyze the human motivations and behaviors behind historical moments.
Ready to See History Come Alive?
Help your student rediscover America’s story through the power of film. American History in Film combines rigorous historical study with creative, visual exploration — turning passive viewing into purposeful learning.
Which American studies class is right for your student?
At True North, you'll find three standout courses on America's government and history — each with a different focus, all taught within a Christian worldview. Here's how to choose (or combine them):
Start with the ideas. Foundations of American Liberty and Government explores the biblical principles behind the nation's founding — the why beneath the documents. Best for students ready to think deeply about liberty, faith, and self-government. (Full year · 1 credit · History, Government, or Bible.)
Learn how government works. Civics gives a focused, half-credit grounding in the structure of American government, founding documents, and the responsibilities of citizenship — right down to the U.S. Citizenship Exam. (One semester · ½ credit.)
See the story on screen. American History in Film walks through the full sweep of U.S. history using award-winning films and documentaries, building both historical understanding and media literacy. (Full year · 1 credit · U.S. History.)
Not sure which fits? Take one — or stack all three. They meet on different days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), so your student can build a complete picture of America's ideas, institutions, and story. Schedule a free advising session and we'll map it out with you.
Additional information
| Choose Section | Session 1 Monday 2:00 pm CST, Session 2 Monday 12:45 pm CST |
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16 reviews for American History in Film
H. Owen –
“Mrs. Ferrell is a great educator! My son really enjoyed her as a teacher and her class!” – H. Owens (parent
– N.B., May 2024 –
“I learned more about how to think for myself and how to word my thoughts well with the discussion posts. I also learned more about American history [than] I had ever known before, even when I have taken a U.S. history course before.”
L.R. –
“This course has a very reasonable amount of work, with a good teacher, and you can watch movies for school credit! The most valuable part of the course was the discussions. As an Okay writer, this was also an excellent addition that helped me improve my communication with others through writing.” – L.R., May 2024
S.G. –
“A very well crafted class that gives students a good grasp of all eras of US history. Though be warned, don’t expect this to be a film analysis class, the focus is mainly on the history.”
B.A. –
“You should do it. The teacher is fantastic, and the discussions and related movies add a lot to the class.” – B.A., May 2024
Aiden Harley, student –
“Overall, I enjoyed the course. History is not something I’m completely interested in, but this class made learning about history a lot better. The movies give you unique perspectives and a better understanding of the events you learn about. Ms. Ferrell gives you a detailed, in-depth journey through American History. I recommend this course to anyone who enjoys History, or even those who don’t, because anybody can learn something new and valuable in this class.” – Aiden Harley, student
Caylee Rodenbaugh, Student –
“This is an amazing class. I would tell other students who might be considering taking this class would be to make sure you structure your homework for the week and do at least 150 words for history discussions, or whatever the word count is for that week.” – Caylee Rodenbaugh, Student
Caleb Heinemann, student –
“This is a class that will help you learn how to compose thought, make debates, and learn history. Best class I have ever taken and I have taken many.” – Caleb Heinemann, student
Hunter Franklin, student –
“It was a great class. The teacher was kind, knew what she was teaching and was generous to those who needed help.” – Hunter Franklin, student
Kate Sievers, parent –
American History in Film is an engaging class that I believe should be taken by all high schoolers. History has never been my son’s favorite subject, but he loved this class. It sparked thought-provoking conversations and encouraged my son to think critically about what he was learning. History came to life for him in a way that it never had before. Also, Mrs. Ferrell is an exceptional teacher. She sets clear expectations, encourages the students, and always responds in a timely manner to questions.
TNOA Parent –
As a parent, I’ve been very impressed with this course, especially for students who learn best visually. The class is well-organized, and the way history is presented makes it easy for students to follow and understand. Each week, new material is introduced in manageable portions, which helps prevent students from feeling overwhelmed.
I really appreciate the use of videos instead of relying solely on textbooks—they kept my children engaged and made the content more accessible. The weekly discussion assignments were also very valuable. They not only helped strengthen my children’s writing skills but also encouraged them to form opinions and support them with what they learned.
This class has truly been a breath of fresh air for our family and has worked especially well for my visual learners. Mrs. Ferrell is an exceptional teacher who genuinely cares about her students. She listens, communicates well, and is always willing to help when needed.
J. Gomes, student –
American History through Film is a wonderful and amazing class. Especially if you love history. The homework is easy to follow along, and resources are provided in the bulletin board which explain and help with the assignments. Written discussions are so much fun to do, especially reading everyone else’s thoughts on certain topics. The class is very interactive, and Mrs. Ferrell is a marvelous teacher. She keeps in-class hours very interesting and engaging. The World Wars are slightly summarized, especially World War II, since a great amount of history happened during them (they could have their own semesters entirely, especially WW2). But overall, a HIGHLY recommended class.
Gavin Nirrengarten, student –
This is a masterclass in a Christian view of American history, from the Mayflower to the 250th anniversary. Thought-provoking weekly discussions and study guides, occasional movie reviews, presentations, and projects make this course a challenging yet fun tour of American history.
Richard Cassar, parent –
My son loved this class, was challenged academically, but did fantastic. Mrs. Ferrell is a fabulous teacher and person. Covers from the revolution to the current administration, the history of America. The more you participate, the more you are going to learn.
True North Parent –
As a parent, I’ve been very impressed with this course, especially for students who learn best visually. The class is well-organized, and the way history is presented makes it easy for students to follow and understand. Each week, new material is introduced in manageable portions, which helps prevent students from feeling overwhelmed.
I really appreciate the use of videos instead of relying solely on textbooks—they kept my children engaged and made the content more accessible. The weekly discussion assignments were also very valuable. They not only helped strengthen my children’s writing skills but also encouraged them to form opinions and support them with what they learned.
This class has truly been a breath of fresh air for our family and has worked especially well for my visual learners. Mrs. Ferrell is an exceptional teacher who genuinely cares about her students. She listens, communicates well, and is always willing to help when needed.
Gracie Sowers, student –
I really loved this class. It was hard at times. But it made me really think and challenged my learning.