AP United States History 2

 

Course Overview

AP U.S. History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. It is a survey of American history from the Progressive Era 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, and interpretation of original documents.

 

This course relies primarily on daily homework, quizzes, and AP style multiple choice and essay exams. This course relies heavily on college-level resources including but not limited to: secondary sources, primary sources, maps/charts/tables/images and scholarly articles. These resources are designed to develop the skills required to analyze point of view and to interpret evidence to create solid, well-evidenced, historical arguments.  Students will also be required to participate in class discussions, prepare class presentations and be actively involved in reading and writing in and out of class.

 

A considerable amount of time will be spent preparing for the AP exam focusing on test taking techniques, short answer questions, free response essays, and document-based essays (DBQs). In order to be successful on the AP test students will be expected to study on their own in addition to attending weekly study sessions beginning in February. Test strategies will be covered in depth during these weekly study sessions.

 

Course Objectives

• Master a broad body of historical knowledge
• Demonstrate an understanding of historical chronology
• Differentiate between historiographical schools of thought
• Use historical data to support an argument
• Interpret and apply data from original documents
• Prepare for, and successfully pass, the AP U.S. History exam

 

Course Outline

AP US History covers American history from the Age of Exploration and Discovery to the present. AP US 2 will start at the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. The College Board has divided U.S. history into 9 periods. In AP US 2 we cover periods 7, 8, and 9. If you take the AP US test you will be responsible for material throughout all 9 periods of US history.

 

Period 1: 1491-1607                                                   Period 6: 1865-1898

Period 2: 1607-1754                                                   Period 7: 1890-1945

Period 3: 1754-1800                                                   Period 8: 1945-1980

Period 4: 1800-1848                                                   Period 9: 1980-Present

Period 5: 1844-1877

 

 

Classroom Expectations

1. Respect yourself and others.

2. Be punctual. We have a lot of material to cover so plan on working from bell to bell.

3. Cell phones should be silent and out of sight unless we are using them for a classroom assignment.  It is important that you pay attention to the work, each other and to the instructor.

4. We will be taking a LOT of notes during the semester so you will need to have a notebook. You may organize it anyway you choose and plan on bringing it to class everyday.

4. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain your work.

5. If you are absent the day of a previously announced test or quiz you will be expected to take that test upon your return unless otherwise discussed by the teacher.

6. You are expected to turn all assignments in on time. Late assignments will be penalized 10 points for every day late. Exceptions will be made only in extenuating circumstances. All homework is due at the beginning of the block. Any work turned in after the start of class will be counted as late work.

7. If you miss this class but are in school at some point during the day due to a school sponsored activity or field trip you must still turn in any assignments or projects that are due that day.

 

 

Grading

Assessments – 50%:

-    Tests and quizzes based on AP Exam style questions from readings, lectures, sources, etc. and projects.

-    Projects – building historical thinking skills and content knowledge

-    Essays – There are two long essays on the AP Exam in May – we will spend a LOT of time working on building the skills to write these successfully.

Assignments – 50%:

-    Questions/Terms based on each chapter

-    Primary Sources

-    Reading checks

 

 

Preparation

In Class: The entire success of this course, both from my standpoint and yours, is that you get involved, get interested and get motivated to study the history of a world in which we currently live. You will be challenged to think, discuss and craft logical, evidence based arguments both verbally and in writing. In order to be successful, you need to have the mindset to be CONSISTENT in your effort on a daily basis – take notes, participate in discussions, think critically and learn, learn, learn.

Outside of Class: You are responsible for ALL out of class readings and assignments. Take notes, do the homework, read carefully and you will be fine.

 

Plagiarism

A student displaying integrity understands that plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, programming, ideas and/or thoughts of another person and passing off the same as your own original work. Such acts include, but are not limited to…

• Having a classmate, parent or other person write an assignment (including the purchase of works on-line) or do a project which is then submitted as one’s own work,
• Internet cut and paste
• Summarizing, paraphrasing or quoting without proper documentation

Plagiarism is not acceptable, will receive no credit and can result in disciplinary actions.

 

 

I am available most days after school for extra help as long as I know ahead of time. Please see me if you need assistance. It is my goal for every student to be successful in this course. If you are struggling DO NOT hesitate to ask for help!