AP United States History Syllabus

Mr. Stonebraker

Office: B-194

Email:

Description

AP United States History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college course and college credit can be earned. This is a full-year course that follows the United States experience from European Exploration to America in the Global Age. Students will examine the social, political, economic, and cultural developments throughout the course. 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. At the end of the school year students will be required in May to take an AP Exam and in June the Regents United States History and Government Exam.

Course Objectives—Students will:

  • Master a broad body of historical knowledge
  • Demonstrate an understanding of historical chronology
  • Use historical data to support an argument or position
  • Differentiate between historiographical schools of thought
  • Interpret and apply data from original documents
  • Effectively use analytical skills
  • Work effectively with others

AP Exam

The exam is an extensive test of your knowledge of US History. It consists of approximately eighty multiple-choice questions, two free response essays, and a document based question (DBQ). The DBQ is an extended essay in which the student is given several documents (writings, charts, graphs, etc.) and must answer a question using these documents and their knowledge of US History. In addition, there is a fee to take the exam. The AP Exam is scored 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and college credit will be determined by the university.

5=Extremely Qualified

4=Well Qualified

3=Qualified

2=Possibly Qualified

1= No Recommendation

Regents Exam

Students are also required to take the New York State Regents exam in June. This exam is also an assessment of student knowledge of United States History. This exam consists of fifty multiple-choice, a thematic essay, and a document based question.

Textbook

By the People: A History of the United States

Materials

Below is a brief explanation of what is needed for this class. Students will be required to bring their textbooks, spiral notebooks, three ring binders and writing utensils to each class. Failure to be prepared will result in a negative impact on their grades.

Three Ring Binder

  • Students need a three ring binder to organize handouts, tests, quizzes, and essays.

Two Spiral Notebooks

  • Students will use these notebooks to take class notes and complete chapter outlines.

Other Materials

  • Students will need loose-leaf paper for various assignments, blue or black pen for all assignments, and #2 pencils for multiple-choice tests.

Student Expectations

  • Come to class prepared -- This means having all assignments completed prior to the beginning of class and being seated and ready to begin when the second bell rings. Students are expected to read and outline each chapter in their textbook. Students are expected to spend many hours during the week preparing for upcoming assessments and other various assignments.
  • Respect the rights of others -- Only one person talks while everyone else listens. Treat others with dignity and respect. Students should feel safe to exchange ideas.
  • BE POSITIVE--This course is extremely challenging, you must believe in yourself and be willing to accept a few setbacks along the way in order to grow as a young scholar and as a person. Learn from your mistakes and setbacks, make adjustments, and try again.

**No Late Work Will Be Accepted**

Grading Policy

Tests and Projects: 40%

  • Tests will often involve student’s ability to answer questions including vocabulary, critical thinking skills, multiple choice questions, fill in the blank questions, and matching questions. Tests will typically cover multiple units.

Quizzes: 10%

  • Quizzes will typically consist of multiple choice questions. Quizzes will be normally announced and will be shorter in length than tests.
  • Homework and Classwork will count for a quiz grade.
  • The instructor will drop ONE of the lowest grades from this category per quarter.

DBQs and Essays: 20%

  • Long Response Essay and Short Answer Essays—Students will be expected construct analytical and descriptive essays on given historical topics.
  • Document Based Questions—The DBQ is an extended essay in which the student is given several documents (writings, charts, graphs, etc.) and must answer a question using these documents and their knowledge of US History.

Reading Quizzes: 30%

  • These quizzes will assess your knowledge of the chapters you have read. These quizzes will consist of a few short response questions and occur at the beginning of each chapter.
  • The instructor will drop ONE of the lowest grades from this category per quarter.

**No late work will be accepted**

Final Course Grade

  • First Quarter—20%
  • Second Quarter—20%
  • Third Quarter—20%
  • Fourth Quarter—20%
  • Regents Exam—20%

Handing in Essays/Projects/DBQs

  • Essays and projects must be written in blue/black ink or typed.
  • If you need to hand in an essay/project late because of a computer problem, you must do one of the following in the morning.

1. E-mail me the work prior to when it is due.

2. Hand me a note from a parent/guardian explaining the problem.

Absences

  • It is your responsibility to make up work that is missed during absences. You need to see me to make arrangements to get missed work. The best time to do this is before or after school. If there was a test or assignment due the day you were out, it is due they day you return. You will receive no credit for assignments and tests that are not made up in a timely manner upon your return.
  • Quizzes—If you are absent for a quiz you need to make it up the following morning during activity period. If you don’t attend activity period a grade of ZERO will be given
  • Missed work due to an extended absence will be discussed on an individual basis.

Participation

  • All students are expected to contribute to classroom discussions.
  • If you want to respond in class, you need to raise your hand to make a comment.
  • Be respectful to other people’s ideas and comments.
  • The instructor will factor in a participation grade for each quarter.

Hall Passes

  • Requests for passes (lavatory, locker, etc.) often will not be granted. Students are expected to use the lavatory and get their materials between classes.

Entering/Exiting the Room

  • Enter the room prior to the bell with all necessary materials and proceed to your assigned seat.
  • Students must remain in their seats until the bell rings at the end of class

For class to be effective there needs to be some procedures for handling students who are disruptive in class. Below are the steps that will be taken for students who have problems following school and classroom rules.

Late to Class

  1. Warning
  2. Assign Activity Period and/or Call Parents
  3. Assign Teacher Detention and/or call parents (2:30-3:00)
  4. Behavior Referral sent to Main Office

Behavior Infractions

  1. Give a warning in class
  2. Discussion with student after class
  3. Assign Activity Period and/or call home
  4. Assign Teacher Detention (2:30-3:00) and/or call parents
  5. Behavioral Referral sent to Main Office

We understand the procedures and requirements outlined in this course, and we agree to adhere to these policies with the knowledge that doing so will help make this year a success.

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