Sidney Lanier High School
1201 Payton Gin
Austin, Texas 78758
(512) 414-2514
Lanier High School is committed to academic excellence with a tradition grounded in respect, responsibility and pride.
AP World History
Course Syllabus
Teacher: Layne Jackson Email:
Room: 256 Conference Period: 1st period on A days
Phone: (512) 841-2527 Tutoring Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 4:30—5:30
Course Overview
Advanced Placement World History is a challenging yearlong course that is structured around the investigation of selected themes woven into key concepts covering distinct chronological periods. AP World History is equivalent to an introductory college survey course. The course has a three-fold purpose. First, it is designed to prepare students for successful placement into higher-level college and university history courses. Second, it is designed to develop skills of analysis and thinking in order to prepare students for success in the twenty-first century. Finally, it is the intent of this class to make the learning of world history an enjoyable experience. Students will be able to show their mastery of the course goals by taking part in the College Board AP World History Exam in May.
Course Objectives
Students will master the following four historical thinking skills:
Ø Analyzing historical sources and evidence with regards to content, sourcing, and interpretation
Ø Making historical connections by comparing, contextualizing, and synthesizing
Ø Using chronological reasoning to establish historical causation, patterns of continuity and change over time, and periodization
Ø Creating and supporting historical arguments using evidence
Students will demonstrate understanding of five major AP World History themes:
Ø Social: Development and transformation of social structures
Ø Political: State-building, expansion, and conflict
Ø Interaction: Between humans and the environment
Ø Cultural: Development and interaction of cultures
Ø Economic: Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems
Materials Needed
All AP World History students will bring the following supplies to class every day:
1. 1 ½ or 2-inch binder with pockets
2. Paper
3. Subject dividers
4. Pen or pencil
5. Completed homework assignments (4-6 hours-worth/week)
6. A good attitude, intellectual curiosity, and a strong work ethic
In addition, each student will be responsible for bringing two of the following supplies for general classroom use at the beginning of the school year:
· Box of Tissue
· Roll of Tape
· Package of Sticky Notes
· Package of Index Cards
· Student Scissors
· Package of Notebook Paper
Classroom Expectations
· Show respect for yourself, all people, and all property at all times.
· Show pride through class preparation and participation. This includes listening actively, contributing to discussion, bringing supplies to class, doing homework, etc.
· Show responsibility by completing your assignments to the best of your ability by the due dates.
· Be responsible for your learning. Show pride ….Do your best work!
· Be responsible by being in your seat and ready to start work when the tardy bell rings.
· Show responsibility by following all classroom rules, Lanier school rules, and AISD policies.
Course Requirements and Grading
Students’ attendance, participation, classwork, homework, essays, and exams are all important contributors to the successful completion of this course.
Six weeks grades will be calculated according to the following percentages:
Assessment = 50%
Practice = 30%
Preparation = 20%
Semester grades will be calculated by averaging each 6 weeks grade with the semester exam. Another way to think about it is to add the grades together so that:
280 Points= 70% 320 Points = 80% 360 Points=90% 400 Points=100%
Attendance, Tardiness, and Hall Passes
Attendance is very important for this class! We move at a fast pace, and you can quickly fall behind. Be here!
You must be in attendance at least 90% of the course time to receive credit for the course. On the block schedule, this means you will need to appeal your attendance credit after 4 absences. On the 5th absence the student has lost credit.
If you come in after the tardy bell has rung, please enter the room quietly, sign the tardy log, gather needed materials, and move to your desk.
Students may use the restroom pass one at a time for emergencies except during the first and last 15 minutes of class. Signed hall passes are required for all other necessary business.
Make-Up and Late Work
IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET AND COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS MISSED. Ask a classmate for notes you missed and any missed handouts can be found in the designated folder. Make-up work completed within the number of days missed can be accepted for full credit. Make-up work that is not completed within that timeframe, though, will receive no higher than a 70%.
The maximum grade for late work will be 70%. If you do not turn in a late assignment in a timely manner, you will get zero credit for the assignment. Please turn in make-up and late assignments directly to the teacher.
This course moves at a very rapid pace. It is imperative that you keep up on your assignments. Nothing is assigned that is frivolous or unimportant. Every assignment is purposeful!
Assessments
Students will have at least two assessments each 6 weeks. Assessments will mirror the AP exam in that they will consist of multiple-choice and open-response questions. Open-response questions include short-answer questions and essays (document-based, comparison, change and continuity over time, causation, and periodization). You will be expected to analyze primary and secondary source documents in many of these test formats. In addition to these tests, students will take weekly quizzes that will count as “practice” grades and complete a research project at the end of the year. Test and quiz corrections for partial credit are available during tutoring.
AP Exam
Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of World History content and skills on the AP World History exam on May 11, 2017. The test is broken down as follows:
Question Type / Percent of TestMultiple-Choice
Short-Answer / 40%
20%
Document-Based Essay / 25%
Open-Ended Essay (comparison, change and
continutity over time, causation, OR periodization) / 15%
In preparation for this exam, students will be required to attend review sessions outside of class.
Students earning a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the exam will earn college credit at most colleges and universities, including ALL public institutions in Texas.
Extra Help and Contact Information
AP World History tutoring is available with me on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 in room 256. Tutoring is also available by appointment, so please make arrangements with me if these times do not work with your schedule.
Please contact me when you have questions. My email and phone number are listed on the front of this syllabus.
Also, please complete the attached contact information sheet and return it to me. I look forward to working with you this semester as we pursue the exciting adventures of AP World History!
*Please read the AP World History syllabus, then fill out and return this page to Layne Jackson. Thank you!*
Student: I have read the syllabus and understand its content.
______
(Student’s Name) (Signature) (Date)
Parent/Guardian: I have read the contents of the syllabus. My son/daughter will be expected to follow its contents.
______
(Parent’s Name) (Parent’s Signature) (Date)
Parent’s email: ______
Phone number where parents can be reached during school hours: ______
Phone number where parents can be reached after school hours: ______
Best time to contact: ______
**Parent Questionnaire**
1. Back to School Night is Wednesday, September 7 from 6:00—8:00 p.m. Are you planning to attend?
2. What do you think are your student’s strengths?
3. What do you think are your student’s struggles?
4. What activities or hobbies is your student involved in?
5. What goals do you have for your student in my class?
6. What can you do to help your student reach these goals?
7. What can I do to help your student reach these goals?
8. Do you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns?
From the Classroom of
Layne Jackson