COURSE DESCRIPTION: AP UNITED STATES HISTORY AP United ...

COURSE DESCRIPTION: AP UNITED STATES HISTORY AP United States History is a two-semester course that offers an issue-oriented approach in the study of the people of the United States and their history. Major themes and traditions that make America exceptional will be explored in great detail. The course is designed to acquaint students with core characteristics and values found throughout the history of the United States and its people. An analysis of those events and significant individuals will be done on a continuous basis. By the end of this course, students should have completed the following course objectives: •An understanding of the social, economic, and political forces that have shaped the people of this nation from the early Eighteenth Century to the present day. •The ability to locate American cities and states whose particular histories have contributed to the development of the United States. •An analysis of the roles of various important and influential individuals, including women and minorities, that have contributed to American history. •Develop a framework for understanding modern day issues and problems based on their respective histories. •An examination of the forces and issues that currently dominate the American political arena and the historical relevance of current events and issues. COURSE EXPECTATIONS: •Readings: Students will be expected to read assigned passages from the required reading list prior to class meetings as well as outside materials as is necessary. Students should also be prepared to read on a regular basis (6-10 hours per week). •Assignments: All assignments and exams will be due on their assigned dates. In all cases, other than an excused absence, late work will only be accepted for half credit (I still reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of the late work turned in). Missed assignments are due the next day you are back from that excused absence. Sloppy, cluttered, or inappropriately formatted assignments will not be accepted. Although students are expected to see the instructor about missed or late work, a study partner is encouraged. Finally, being absent the day of an assignment or exam does not excuse a student from taking that exam. •Methods of Evaluation: All work will be graded on a point system. Reading quizzes are worth the number of questions on each quiz. Reading quizzes will be assigned under “Homework.” Seminars and seminar notes are worth 25 points each and will be assigned under “Learning Activities.” End of unit tests (multiple choice, Free-Response Questions, and DBQ) are worth 10 points each and will be assigned under “Assessments”. There will be projects assigned throughout the school year that will also add to the total points for the grade. •Class Participation: Studies have consistently shown that students who participate in class discussions and activities are more likely to grasp learning objectives. Class participation, or a lack thereof, will make a difference in one’s grade. “Wallflowers” will be at a disadvantage if they are fearful of vocally participating in class. Daily participation will be graded and closely monitored.

•Attendance: Regular class attendance is strongly recommended since a majority of the course will involve group discussions and activities that will aid in the understanding of the material. Know your priorities and schedule all school activities accordingly! •Formal Projects: The importance of formal projects cannot be understated. In addition to daily course activities, students should be prepared to argue a formal debate, create a student made DBQ, and other project ideas that may arise. •Parental Input: This instructor recognizes parents and guardians as the primary educators of students. As such, parents and guardians will be used as resources making students motivated and successful learners. PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION: Grades will be based on discussions, seminars, seminar notes, unit exams, quizzes, essays, DBQ, and projects. All grades will be assessed on a point system. THERE IS NO FORMAL ENTITY KNOWN AS EXTRA CREDIT IN LIFE. I WILL NOT BEGIN TO MAKE YOU THINK THERE IS BY OFFERING EXTRA CREDIT – SO DO NOT ASK! Students who do not show up for the scheduled exam as well as the scheduled make up exam will receive zero points. Grading Scale: 90% - 100% = A 80% - 89% = B 70% - 79% = C 60% - 69% = D 0% - 59% = F 1. 10% Learning Activities (LAs)—Learning activities can best be defined as those assignments that are not considered assessments or homework. This includes, but is not limited to warm up’s, paragraph writing, short constructed responses, quick writes, worksheets, vocabulary lists, group assignments, partner assignments, etc. 2. 30% Homework—Work expected to be completed outside of the classroom. Like learning activities, this may take many forms. This includes reading quizzes, seminar notes, and any other prescribed assignment the instructor deems necessary. YOU MUST COMPLETE HW IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AN A! 3. 60% Assessments—Assessments include projects, unit tests, end of semester tests, essays, etc. Basically, the assessment will cover the entirety of a topic of study and signifies some form of closure on one topic with the intent to begin the next topic. Assessments are where students will demonstrate and apply their learning and therefore are the largest part of the overall grade.

Seminar

Advanced Placement American History Syllabus Semester One First Semester Topic Reading

1.1

Unit 1 Aug. 17 Aug. 21, 23, 27

Exploration and Colonization Intro to AP; Collect assign. Ch. 1 and 2 Planting Colonies in N. America Chapter 3

Aug. 29, 31

Slavery and Empire

Sept. 5, 7

The Cultures of Colonial N. Amer. Chapter 5 UNIT 1 ASSESSMENT SEPT. 11TH

Unit 2 Sept. 11, 13, 17

Empire to Independence From Empire to Independence

Chapter 6

Sept. 19, 21

The American Revolution

Chapter 7

2.1

Sept. 25, 27, Oct. 1

The New Nation, 1786-1800 Chapter 8 UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT OCTOBER 3rd

2.2

Unit 3 Oct. 3, 5, 9

Nationalism and Sectionalism An Agrarian Republic, 1790-1824 Chapter 9

Oct. 11, 16

The South and Slavery

Oct. 18, 22, 24

Growth of Democracy, 1824-40’s Chapter 11

Oct. 26, 30

Industry and the North, 1790s-40’s Chapter 12 UNIT 3 ASSESSMENT NOVEMBER 1st

3.1

Unit 4 Nov 1, 5, 7

American Renaissance Coming to Terms w/ the New Age Chapter 13

4.1

Nov. 9, 13, 15

Territorial Expansion, 1830’s-50’s Chapter 14 UNIT 4 ASSESSMENT NOVEMBER 15th

4.2

Unit 5 Nov. 19 - 23

The Civil War The Coming Crisis, The 1850’s

Chapter 15

Nov. 27, 29

The Civil War, 1861-1865

Chapter 16

Dec. 3, 5

Reconstruction, 1863-1877 Chapter 17 UNIT 5 ASSESSMENT DECEMBER 7th

Unit 6 Dec. 7, 11, 13

The New American West Conquest/survival in the West Chapter 18 UNIT 6 ASSESSMENT DECEMBER 14th

1.4

2.3

5.2

Chapter 4

Chapter 10

Seminar

Advanced Placement American History Syllabus Semester Two Topic Reading Empire and WWI American Imperialism Ch. 20 The First World War Ch. 22 UNIT 7 ASSESSMENT JANUARY 22ND

6.1 7.1

Second Semester Unit 7 Jan. 3, 7, 9 Jan. 11, 15, 17

8.3

Unit 8 Jan. 22, 24, 28

WW II War at home and abroad Ch. 25 UNIT 8 ASSESSMENT JANUARY 30TH

9.2

Unit 9 Jan. 30, Feb. 1, 5

Vietnam Problems at home and abroad Ch. 29 UNIT 9 ASSESSMENT FEBRUARY 7TH

5.3 5.4 6.2

Unit 10 Feb. 7, 11, 13 Feb. 15, 20, 22 Feb. 26, 28, Mar. 5

Populism, Progressivism, Reform Industrial Impact on America Ch. 19 A Cooperative America Ch. 20 The Progressive Era Ch. 21 UNIT 10 ASSESSMENT MARCH 7TH

7.2 8.1

Unit 11 Mar. 7, 11, 13 Mar. 15, 19, 21

The 20’s and Depression The Twenties Ch. 23 Great Depression / New Deal Ch. 24 UNIT 11 ASSESSMENT MARCH 25TH

9.1 10.1

Unit 12 Mar. 25, 27, 29 Apr. 1-5 April 9, 11, 15

Cold War America Creation of a Cold War Culture Ch. 26 The 1950’s Ch. 27 The Civil Rights Movement Ch. 28 UNIT 12 ASSESSMENT APRIL 17TH

Unit 13 April 17, 19, 23 April 25, 29, May 1

Contemporary America Grass Roots Conservativism Transitional America

10.2

Ch. 30 Ch. 31

UNITED STATES HISTORY ADVANCE PLACEMENT COLLEGE BOARD EXAM IS: WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH, 8:00 AM APP. B APP. C APP. D

TBD TBD TBD

THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY INSTRUCTOR IS TO HIS/HER STUDENTS. PLEASE SEE THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF PROBLEMS ARISE. IN NEARLY ALL CASES, THEY CAN BE WORKED OUT TO THE SATISFACTION OF BOTH THE STUDENT AND THE INSTRUCTOR

Advanced Placement United States History

STUDENT NAME (please print)

STUDENT SIGNATURE

PARENT SIGNATURE By signing this form, we (student and parent) acknowledge that we have read the course syllabus and understand the content/films to be studied, the grading scale, and the other policies listed herein. If we have any questions, we will contact the appropriate instructor by email or phone. Below is a list of movies that may be shown in short clips or in their entirety. By signing the form above, I acknowledge the rating and give permission for my student to view them. By highlighting those films below, I am indicating that I do not want my student to view these films in clips or in their entirety. I am requesting an alternate activity of equal credit and rigor in lieu of the assignment associated with the film. Bowling for Columbine (2 min. clip) (2002) (R) The Century: America’s Time (1999) (NR) Iron Jawed Angels (2004) (NR) America, The Story of Us (2010) (NR) All Quiet On the Western Front (1979) (NR) Cinderella Man (2005) (PG-13) A Time of Fear (2005) (NR) Saving Private Ryan (1999) (R) Band of Brothers (2002) (NR) Letters From Iwo Jima (2006) (R) Flags of Our Fathers (2006) (R) The Atomic Café (1982) (NR) Thirteen Days (2000) (PG-13) Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) (PG) Eyes On the Prize (1987) (NR) Pleasantville (1998) (PG-13) Raisin In the Sun (2008) (PG-13) Dear America: Letters from Vietnam (1987) (PG) Forrest Gump (1994) (PG-13) Across the Universe (2007) (PG-13) The American Experience (1988) (NR) The Road to 911 (2005) (NR) The Presidents (2005) (NR)