Major topics presented for teaching an 11th grade U.S. history course are: the American people; government and politics; American economic life; American civilization in historical perspective; and the United States in world affairs. Major concepts, understandings, and generalizations are listed. For example, one of the concepts students should learn when studying about the United States in world affairs is that U.S. relationships with its neighbors in the 20th century reflect the growing involvement of the Western hemisphere in the total global picture. Students answer questions such as, What evidence is there that a change in emphasis in U.S.-Latin American relations has gradually evolved during this century? and What have been the motivations for change in U.S. role from protector to partner? Sample generalizations are: (1) crises in world trouble spots end more often in stalemates than in final solutions, and (2) national self-interest is the foundation of foreign policy. Also included in the syllabus is a flow chart of the K-12 social studies program. (RM)