HigleyHigh School

Advanced Placement United States History 2013-2014

Mr. Farrlley

Room 502

480-279-7452

Course Outline

Course Design:
AP U.S. History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman level college course. It is a two-semester survey of American history from the age of exploration and discovery to the present. Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study, are necessary to succeed. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, interpretation of original documents, and historiography.

Course Objectives:
Students will:

  • Master a broad body of historical knowledge.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of historical knowledge.
  • Use historical data to support an argument or position.
  • Identify different schools of thought in U.S. history.
  • Interpret and apply data from original documents, including cartoons, graphs, letters, etc.
  • Effectively use analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect, compare, and contrast.
  • Work effectively with others to produce products and solve problems.
  • Prepare for and successfully pass the Advanced Placement Exam.

Required Materials

  • The required text for the course is American History: A Survey by Alan Brinkley. The text will be provided to you for your own use at home.
  • Supplementary readings will be distributed throughout the year. It is your responsibility to bring these readings with you to class throughout each unit. A list of supplementary readings is included in this syllabus.
  • Students are required to be prepared each day with the following items:

Pens and pencils

A notebook or binder with paper

An iPad will be assigned to you for use in class

Classroom Decorum

Advanced Placement U.S. History is a voluntary,tier one, college-level course; therefore, you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with college students. It is imperative that students demonstrate maturity and respect in the way in which they address the teacher and other students. Failure to conduct your self in such a manner will result in a decrease in your participation grade and possible withdrawal from the class.

  • Attendance in class and punctuality is extremely important. Cutting and excessive lateness will not be tolerated.
  • Students are expected to do all required readings and be ready to actively contribute to class discussions and seminars. Quizzes will be given to ensure students are keeping up with the required reading and work outside of class.
  • Late work will only be accepted under extenuating circumstances for reduced credit. Habitual lateness will not be tolerated.
  • If you are absent for an exam, you must make an appointment the day you return to make up the exam within two days. Failure to do so will result in a zero on the exam.
  • If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the missed assignments and notes.
  • If you can foresee and absence (ie. School related absences) you are not excused from the class work or homework assigned that day.
  • Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarized work will be given a zero and may result in withdrawal from the course. Please consult your student handbook for the school’s policy on plagiarism.
  • All projects and other work done outside of class are to be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt font, with standard margins and double spaced. All work should have your name and period number in the upper left hand corner.
  • Often times when projects are due, a mysterious virus attacks all of the computers and printers throughout the valley. It is therefore your responsibility to either get your work done early to avoid the mysterious virus, or make use of the school or public library to print out your work. Always back your work up on a disk!
  • Small writing assignments will be submitted to Edmodo, and major writing assignments will be submitted to turnitin.com.
  • When a paper is due, it can be submitted to me by 11:59 p.m. of the due date unless you are told otherwise. Since this gives you the option of waiting until the night the paper is due to hand it in, any papers submitted after 12am will be given a zero.
  • Edmodo and Turnitin.com will be used extensively. It is your responsibility to make sure you can login, and have access to them. If you foresee any problems with gaining access to your accounts, please see me within the first week of school so we can find solutions.
  • No food, drinks, gum, or hats are permitted in the classroom with the exception of water in a clear, sealable container.

ABSENCES

  • Definition: An absence is defined as a student's non-attendance in the student's assigned classroom during an assigned period. The difference between an excused absence and an unexcused absence is parents have followed procedures to excuse a student by calling the attendance line. However, the accumulation of excused and unexcused occurrences will result in potential consequences. ALL absences accrue towards the limit of 10 per semester.
  • Higley Unified School District has implemented a limit of ten absences per semester. If the student acquires ten or more absences during a semester, the student will lose credit in those classes. To earn credit while auditing a class, the student must submit an appeal to administration, attend all classes after the appeal is presented, and pass the semester final exam with a minimum of 75%. Subsequent appeals can be appealed to the School Board.

Grading Procedures

This year you will have the ability to check your grade online anytime via Synergy. School computers are available for use between the hours of 6:45 A.M. and 3:30 P.M in the Library.

Your grades will be categorized as follows:

Tests: 30%

Assignments/Papers/Projects

Homework/Quizzes: 45%

Midterm/Final 20%

Participation: 5%

  • The primary means of student evaluation will be through Unit tests given at the end of each unit. Tests will consist of AP style multiple-choice questions and essays/DBQ’s.
  • Quizzes on required readings may occur at any time.
  • Short analysis papers and projects will be given throughout the year.
  • Participation: It is required that students be prepared for class by having done the required readings, volunteering information, and asking knowledgeable questions. Often times the class will be conducted in a seminar setting and students are expected to participate well and often. Participation is a cumulative grade and will play a role in determining the semester average. Disruptions to class, excessive absence, and not being prepared can all negatively impact your participation grade.
  • It is expected that all students will take the AP exam in May.

Teaching Method

The class will follow an alternating pattern of survey and seminar. At the beginning of each new topic, the instructor will use lecture and discussion to introduce the new material. Each night, students will continue reading and taking their own notes on the chapter and supplementary readings. This lecture/discussion will usually take 3 days out of the week, reserving the final two days for student seminars and other activities that will require the students to discuss the topics. In these seminars, I am looking for your analysis of the topic and readings; not a regurgitation of what we did in the previous lectures. Students will be given particular assignments during seminar activities to ensure all students can be evaluated on their performance.

While the task at hand may seem arduous, I can assure you that you will be amazed at what you can accomplish and I hope that your mind will open to new thoughts and ideas. The skills you will learn in this class will be with you long after you leave my classroom. While there is a lot expected of you, I also hope that we will be able to have a sense of levity and enjoy the time we all spend together each day.

Technology in the classroom and Ipad expectations:

The following rules and expectations will be in effect throughout the school year and are subject to change.

•Students must abide by all school rules as outlined in the Student Handbook and Acceptable Use Policy.

•Students agree to participate in all class activities and assignments as directed by the teacher. All students must obtain and use an Edmodo Account.

•Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to the following:

a. Visiting inappropriate websites.

b. Sending inappropriate email.

c. Possessing inappropriate pictures and/or media files.

d. Cheating.

e. Installing apps.

f. Setting alarms

g. Using sound at inappropriate times

h. Pulling or fraying plugs or not plugging device in properly

•Students acknowledge that Higley Unified Schools may search school issued iPads at any time.

•iPads will be kept in plain view at all times. Intentionally holding an iPad in such a way that the teacher cannot see the screen may result in discipline. The teacher shall not be kept from seeing what is happening on the screen when requested.

•Students are only allowed to use the iPad assigned to them. Other electronic devices will be confiscated if used during the class and turned into the school bookstore for safekeeping until it can be retrieved by a parent/guardian.

•Consequences for misuse of the iPad may result in:

a.Loss of iPad use for one or several class periods. It is possible that students may be directed to sit quietly without the iPad when loss of iPad has occurred.

b.Students will be expected to complete work on their own time after school if they temporarily lose iPad privileges.

c.Disciplinary referral with possible in/out of school suspensions.

Edmodo.com is an online learning tool. It is a secure learning environment and no one can gain access to the class site without a user code. The site gives teachers and students the ability to blog, analyze resources, submit homework, and take tests and quizzes with instant feedback. It also allows students to instantly respond to polling and review questions by the teacher. All students MUST create an account with Edmodo.com. Your user ID and password will be used daily, so please do not pick something you will forget.

Edmodo guidelines are as follows:

1.Student usernames MUST be your name (no nicknames, but Joe instead of Joseph is fine).

2.Students MUST link their Edmodo account to an email that is checked frequently, as announcements will be posted on the site and also show up via email. Free email accounts can be created at Gmail.com.

3.Student loaded Profile pictures MUST be appropriate, and must either be an acceptable graphic, or a picture of ONLY the student.

Parents:Please follow this link to learn how to join Edmodo and follow all of your student’s assignments in the class:

This will give you detailed instructions on how to create a parent account to view all of your child's activity on edmodo.Once you link your account to their account, you will have access to any edmodoclass they join. Please emailme r call 480-279-7452 if you have any questions.

Grades in Edmodo are not indicative of your student’s actual grade. For the most up to date grade please use Synergy/Parentvue.

Cell phones and iPads:

Each day, you will check out your assigned iPad, and place your own cell phone/smartphone in the slot in the iPad cabinet. To retrieve your electronic device, you must put back the iPad. Please be sure to put your cell phone on silent or turn it off prior to putting it in the cabinet. At the conclusion of each period, nobody will be dismissed until all of the iPads are back and everyone is in possession of their own device. If anyone is found using an electronic device in class other than their assigned iPad it will be confiscated and sent down to the bookstore. Your parent or guardian must then come to sign it out for you.

DIVERSITY

All individuals have a right to an educational environment free from bias, prejudice and bigotry. As members of the Higley High School educational community, students are expected to refrain from participating in acts of harassment that are designed to demean another student’s race, gender, ethnicity, religious preference, disability or sexual orientation.

Helpful Hints

  • DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND CLASSWORK. Your grade in this class will depend on all of the work you do. Too often students have good test grades and complain when their grade drops significantly due to missing assignments, homework, and lack of participation.
  • SPEAK YOUR MIND. My goal is to create an environment in which every student feels free to give their ideas and discuss their views. While debates are encouraged, always remember that respect for other students is imperative. We live in a country where you have the freedom to speak your mind. Don’t take it for granted.
  • HELP MAKE THIS FUN. As your teacher, I promise to do my best to make this class both interesting and fun. However, misbehaving or zoning out makes it difficult for me to conduct the class in a manner that will be engaging. I can assure you that the time will fly if you pay attention and contribute to the class.
  • RESPECT and DIGNITY: I promise to treat you with the utmost respect and dignity. As long as we both adhere to this, it’s going to be a wonderful year.
  • KNOW THE LINES, AND DON’T CROSS THEM: I like to have fun, but I will never let it get in the way of my goals and objectives for each day. Follow my lead, and we’ll do fine.
  • YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU: I will do my best to help you keep your grades up, but in the end, only you are responsible for yourself. You are responsible for making sure that you get work when you are absent. You are responsible for setting times to make up exams. This is a college level course, and I will treat you like a responsible adult.
  • DO YOUR BEST. All I ask of you is that you do your personal best. If you give this and every class your best effort, you will do well.

Advanced Placement U.S. History Course Outline

The following is a summary of the topics that will be covered throughout the course. Supplementary readings will be given throughout each topic.

I. Discovery and Settlement of the New World, 1492-1650 AUGUST

A. Europe in the sixteenth century

B. Spanish, English, and French exploration

C. First English settlements

1. Jamestown

2. Plymouth

D. Spanish and French settlements and long-term influence

E. American Indians

II. America and the British Empire, 1650-1754

A. Chesapeake country

B. Growth of New England

C. Restoration colonies

D. Mercantilism; the Dominion of New England

E. Origins of slavery

III. Colonial Society in the Mid-Eighteenth Century

A. Social structure

1. Family

2. Farm and town life; the economy

B. Culture

1. Great Awakening

2. The American mind

3. "Folkways"

C. New immigrants

IV. Road to Revolution, 1754-1775

A. Anglo-French rivalries and Seven Years' War

B. Imperial reorganization of 1763

1. Stamp Act

2. Declaratory Act

3. Townsend Acts

4. Boston Tea Party

C. Philosophy of the American Revolution

V. The American Revolution, 1775-1783

A. Continental Congress

B. Declaration of Independence

C. The war

1. French alliance

2. War and society; Loyalists

3. War economy

D. Articles of Confederation

E. Peace of Paris

F. Creating state governments

1. Political organization

2. Social reform: women, slavery

VI. Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800

A. Philadelphia Convention: drafting the Constitution

B. Federalists versus Anti-Federalists

C. Bill of Rights

D. Washington's presidency

1. Hamilton's financial program

2. Foreign and domestic difficulties

3. Beginnings of political parties

E. John Adams' presidency

1. Alien and Sedition Acts

2. XYZ affair

3. Election of 1800

VII. The Age of Jefferson, 1800-1816 SEPTEMBER

A. Jefferson's presidency

1. Louisiana Purchase

2. Burr conspiracy

3. The Supreme Court under John Marshall

4. Neutral rights, impressments, embargo

B. Madison

C. War of 1812

1. Causes

2. Invasion of Canada

3. Hartford Convention

4. Conduct of the war

5. Treaty of Ghent

6. New Orleans

VIII. Nationalism and Economic Expansion

A. James Monroe; Era of Good Feelings

B. Panic of 1819

C. Settlement of the West

D. Missouri Compromise

E. Foreign affairs: Canada, Florida, the Monroe Doctrine

F. Election of 1824: End of Virginia dynasty

G. Economic revolution

1. Early railroads and canals

2. Expansion of business

a. Beginnings of factory system

b. Early labor movement; women

c. Social mobility; extremes of wealth

3. The cotton revolution in the South

4. Commercial agriculture

IX. Sectionalism

A. The South

1. CottonKingdom

2. Southern trade and industry

3. Southern society and culture

a. Gradations of white society

b. Nature of slavery: "peculiar institution"

c. The mind of the South

B. The North

1. Northeast industry

a. Labor

b. Immigration

c. Urban slums

d. Northwest agriculture

C. Westward expansion

1. Advance of agricultural frontier

2. Significance of the frontier

3. Life on the frontier; squatters

4. Removal of American Indians

X. Age of Jackson, 1828-1848

A. Democracy and the "common man"

1. Expansion of suffrage

2. Rotation in office

B. Second party system

1. Democratic Party

2. Whig Party

C. Internal improvements and states' rights: the Maysville Road veto

D. The Nullification Crisis

1. Tariff issue

2. The Union: Calhoun and Jackson

E. The Bank War: Jackson and Biddle

F. Martin Van Buren

1. Independent treasury system

2. Panic of 1837

XI. Territorial Expansion and Sectional Crisis OCTOBER

A. Manifest Destiny and mission

B. Texas annexation, the Oregon boundary, and California

C. James K. Polk and the Mexican War; slavery and the Wilmot Proviso

D. Later expansionist efforts

XII. Creating an American Culture

A. Cultural nationalism