A.P. U.S. History Syllabus for 2015 - 2016

 Course Description

 A.P. U.S. History is meant to be a college level course taught in high school. In fact, it is harder than the average college history course since the textbook and all materials must be completed by late April (requiring a pace of 1½ chapters per week) and because it culminates with a rigorous, comprehensive, nationally administered exam. Most of the responsibility to pass the A.P. exam lies with the individual student. Only bright, motivated, disciplined students who enjoy history can expect to succeed in this course and on the exam. Students accustomed to getting A’s for simply showing up and doing all their homework may be in for a rude awakening. While good attendance and completing homework are essential to success, they are not enough. Content must be mastered and learning demonstrated on exams and essays. This will require a level of hard work and study that is foreign to many students. Most students struggle the first semester, particularly the first six weeks, as they attempt to adapt to college level work. However, students who persevere usually learn a great deal about U.S. history and the skills they will need to succeed in college. On the other hand, those taking this course for the wrong reasons (parental or peer pressure or to boost their G.P.A.) are likely to struggle and be disappointed with their choice. Those students involved in extracurricular activities, other A.P. classes, or who are employed should carefully weigh the demands of this course against their other commitments.

                                    The A.P. U.S. History Exam

 The Advanced Placement (A.P.) program is an opportunity for students to earn college credit while still in high school. To do so a student must take and pass the A.P. U.S. History exam. This exam, administered in early May, is 3 hours and 5 minutes in length. Half of the exam is a 55 minute, 80 question multiple choice section. 20% of the multiple choice questions are drawn from the years up to 1789, 45% of the multiple choice questions cover the years 1790-1914,and the remaining 35% of the multiple choice questions are taken from the 1915 and beyond. The other half of the exam is a 130 minute essay section. The first essay is a document based question (DBQ) and requires students to incorporate both their knowledge of the time period and their skill in analyzing primary source documents. All students are required to answer this question. The remaining four essay questions are free response questions (FRQs) divided into two sets: one set is from the first half of American history while the other set is drawn from the second half of American history. Students are to respond to one essay from each set. The College Board suggests students typically spend 60 total minutes on the DBQ (15 minutes preparing and 45 minutes writing it) and 35 minutes on each FRQ (5 minutes preparing and 30 minutes writing).

The A.P. U.S. History exam is graded on a five point scale. Generally, most public universities award credit to students who earn a 3 or higher while many private colleges require a score of 4 or higher. However, since each school is free to set its own policy, students are advised to check the policies of institutions they are interested in attending. All students enrolled in this class second semester are required to take the A.P. U.S. History exam. The approximate cost of each A.P. exam is $82. Any student who chooses not to take the A.P. U.S. History exam will be required to take a similar exam on the same day that will comprise 20% of that student’s second semester grade.

                                               Academic Objectives

 Students will be prepared for the Advanced Placement United States History Exam.Students will study selected historical themes and the context and significance of major interpretive questions.Students will be trained to analyze and interpret primary sources, including documentary material, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events.Students will learn how to approach history critically and be able to analyze and evaluate competing sources of historical information.Students will be able to express themselves with clarity and precision and know how to cite sources and credit the phrases and ideas of others.Students will learn test taking skills, including how to successfully take timed exams.Students will learn to take notes from both printed materials and lectures.

Student Behavior

 Punctuality and excellent attendance are required and necessary to succeed in this class. Therefore, the attendance policy will be strictly enforced. Specifically, students are allowed only the number of days they were absent (truancies not included) to makeup any work missed. All students are expected to behave in a manner appropriate to a college setting. No food or drink, except water, may be brought into the classroom. Students will need to come to class everyday with all the materials they need to succeed: their notebook, textbook, pen/pencil, assignments, other materials, and a positive attitude.

Cheating

 While students are encouraged to help each other and work together, cheating will not be tolerated.

                                                        Grading

 Because A.P. U.S. History is a college level class, grade inflation will not be present. Therefore, grades will reflect the measurable achievement of each student. Few students will earn an A. Most students earn B’s or C’s. Some may even earn D’s, or F’s. There are several major categories for grades given in this class.

Tests—Tests will be given every 2-3 chapters, usually every other week. Tests will usually consist of multiple choice questions. Each test will cover all readings, lectures, discussions, etc. since the last test. Students who know they will be absent on the day of a test must inform the instructor several days prior to arrange an alternate time. Otherwise, they will receive a makeup test which will be more difficult than the original, missed test.

Essays—The largest part of the Advanced Placement exam is the essay portion. Therefore, considerable time will be spend learning and practicing how to write effectively. Specific essay guidelines and expectations will be handed out at a later date. Those essay guidelines must be carefully followed. (Students also enrolled in A.P. English must take care to follow the A.P. history guidelines and not the

A.P. English guidelines when writing A.P. U.S. History exams.) Students will usually be required to write essays every other week. It is anticipated that all essays will be in class “timed writes.” These essays will be similar to the type given on the A.P. U.S. History exam and will be graded on the same nine point scale.

Textbook—Students will read The American Pageant: A History of the Republic Thirteenth Edition

Historical Primary Source—The American Spirit: Interpretations of America’s Past

Chapter Homework—Students will be given different types of activities to help them master the material in the assigned chapters. These exercises are designed to build students’ reading and comprehension skills Students should incorporate the helpful of these strategies into their regular study routines. No late work will be accepted, except as allowed under the school’s attendance policy.

Assignments—Students will receive various other assignments, such as secondary readings, maps, primary source materials, etc. All in class assignments are due at the end of the class period and all take home assignments are due at the beginning of the next class unless otherwise stated. No late assignments will be accepted, except as allowed under the school’s attendance policy.

Group Projects—It is anticipated that two or more projects may be assigned in the first semester. These may consist of, but are not limited to a formal debate, lecture, test review or essay review for the rest of the class. Projects will usually require a significant amount of research and preparation outside of class. Rubrics and detailed instructions will be forthcoming.

Final Exam—All students will take a cumulative, multiple choice final exam at the end of the first semester. Part of the final exam will include a test on the Presidents, their years served, and their political party affiliation. No students will be allowed to waive the final.

DBQ Project—Students will work in groups to create a document based question, essay, poster board, and related materials. This project will require significant research and teamwork outside of class. Groups will chose potential DBQ topics from an approved list. No groups will be allowed to cover the same topics. Rubrics and detailed instructions will be forthcoming.

Final Project—After the A.P. exam, students will work in groups to create a lesson on a post World War II topic that was not adequately covered in class. Each group will be responsible for teaching that material to the rest of the class. Topics, rubrics, and detailed instructions will be forthcoming.

Notebook—Each student is required to have a large three ring binder dedicated solely to A.P. History. Everything related to and a part of A.P. U.S. History should be kept in this notebook, for the whole year not just each semester. Everything in the notebook must be dated, properly located, and in chronological order. Each notebook must have the following dividers: Lecture Notes, Handouts, Chapter Homework, Assignments, and Essays (in that order). Notebooks must be kept clean and free from all unrelated material. Students who lose their notebook will be penalized and may be required to create a new one by copying all of the materials from another student. Notebooks will usually be checked near the end of each grading period.

Extra Credit—The instructor may occasionally offer extra credit activities if, and when, he deems appropriate. Any extra credit will be available to all students. There is no promise of extra credit.

Disclaimer—The instructor reserves the sole and complete right to modify this syllabus at any time and in anyway he sees fit.