SYLLABUS
The AP U.S. History course, unlike the standard junior-level history course, begins not with the post-Civil War era, but goes back to examine the history of the United States from early European exploration all the way to the present. With a focus on the major social, political, cultural, economic, and religious developments, in this course students will gain an understanding of some of the principle themes and trends in U.S. History and will hone their ability to analyze historical evidence and to analyze and express historical understanding in writing and other forms of communication.
Since AP U.S. History is a rigorous, fast-paced and challenging course designed to be the equivalent of a full-year, college-level, U.S. History survey course, students should possess strong reading and writing skills AND be willing to devote substantial time to study and the completion of class assignments. Emphasis is placed on class discussions, the use of primary and secondary sources, critical reading, and analytical writing. This course prepares students to take the College Board Advanced Placement United States History examination and possibly receive college credit.
Books:
Henretta, James A., et al. America's History, 8th ed. Bedford/St. Martin, 2014.
Newman, John J., U.S. History: Preparing for the AP Examination. Amsco School Publications, 2016
Zinn, Howard. The People’s History of the United States. Harper & Row, 2009.
Tutoring Schedule:
Tutoring is available at the following times or by scheduled appointment.
Grading:
Homework & In-Class Assignments: 30%
TESTS: 30%
ESSAY: 20%
PROJECT: 10%
QUIZZES: 10%
School Supplies:
Please acquire the following supplies as soon as possible:
What to Expect in APUSH:
Reading Homework: Reading assignments from the textbook can be expected EVERY week and will be assigned to span a weekend. Reading the textbook will typically take 2 hours per chapter. Need help with reading the book? Try this site from Cornell College.
Other Homework and In-Class Assignments: Additional assignments are assigned occasionally and may include primary and/or secondary sources to prepare for in-class activities, such as Socratic Seminars or discussions. Students also will need to spend extra time to prepare for essays, tests, and projects at various times throughout the year.
Binder: Binders will be collected on test days and should contain all work completed during the unit, both in-class and out-of-class. The notebook will be assessed on completeness, content, and organization.
Tests: Students can expect 1 test each grading period. Most students find their test scores lower than what they may have seen in previous Pre-AP social studies classes. Tests significantly impact a student's grade for the six weeks so studying, both individually and in groups, is highly recommended. AP tests are very challenging and it is very difficult to PASS the exams without studying...it is practically impossible to get an A or B without a lot of studying, including HELP activities (see below)!
Quizzes: Weekly quizzes over the chapter reading can be expected. These SAQ (short answer questions) are very challenging. Students will have the option to redo their SAQ quizzes for partial points back.
Essay: One essay will be assigned each grading period and will be similar to those seen on the College Board's AP test. Rewrites are available for partial points back and will always be due on Mondays.
Late Work Policy:
In order to keep up with the pace of our class, you must keep up with deadlines. Assignments are designed to correspond with our in-class studies and if you aren’t prepared you hurt both your own learning and the learning of your classmates. The Late Work Policy follows the guidelines established by AHS’s Social Studies Department.
1 Calendar Day Late= -10
2 Calendar Days Late= -20
3 Calendar Days Late= -30
4 Calendar Days Late= -40
5 or more Calendar Days Late= -50
Make-up Work:
Make-up work is the student’s responsibility. Students have one block to make-up work, plus an additional day (not block) for each additional day absent. Afterwards, the late policy goes into effect.
TURNING IN ABSENTEE WORK: To turn in absentee work, write ABSENT at the top of the page and place it in the IN-BOX by the teacher's desk.
H.E.L.P. (History Extra-Credit Learning Points)
Exams are not curved and corrections will only allow for a score up to a 75. Exam HELP activities provide an opportunity to improve exam scores while exploring resources beyond the daily homework and in-class activities. See the Exam HELP webpage for more detailed information.
Watch review videos:
Since AP U.S. History is a rigorous, fast-paced and challenging course designed to be the equivalent of a full-year, college-level, U.S. History survey course, students should possess strong reading and writing skills AND be willing to devote substantial time to study and the completion of class assignments. Emphasis is placed on class discussions, the use of primary and secondary sources, critical reading, and analytical writing. This course prepares students to take the College Board Advanced Placement United States History examination and possibly receive college credit.
Books:
Henretta, James A., et al. America's History, 8th ed. Bedford/St. Martin, 2014.
Newman, John J., U.S. History: Preparing for the AP Examination. Amsco School Publications, 2016
Zinn, Howard. The People’s History of the United States. Harper & Row, 2009.
Tutoring Schedule:
Tutoring is available at the following times or by scheduled appointment.
- F.I.T. time
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8:20-8:50 am
- Mondays 4:25-5:00 pm
Grading:
Homework & In-Class Assignments: 30%
TESTS: 30%
ESSAY: 20%
PROJECT: 10%
QUIZZES: 10%
School Supplies:
Please acquire the following supplies as soon as possible:
- 1" Binder (this must be separate from other classes, not a section of a binder, because you will be turning it in for a grade and it will get very full by the end of the year)
- 8 Dividers
- College-ruled paper
- A supply of writing utensils (blue or black pens for essays)
What to Expect in APUSH:
Reading Homework: Reading assignments from the textbook can be expected EVERY week and will be assigned to span a weekend. Reading the textbook will typically take 2 hours per chapter. Need help with reading the book? Try this site from Cornell College.
Other Homework and In-Class Assignments: Additional assignments are assigned occasionally and may include primary and/or secondary sources to prepare for in-class activities, such as Socratic Seminars or discussions. Students also will need to spend extra time to prepare for essays, tests, and projects at various times throughout the year.
Binder: Binders will be collected on test days and should contain all work completed during the unit, both in-class and out-of-class. The notebook will be assessed on completeness, content, and organization.
Tests: Students can expect 1 test each grading period. Most students find their test scores lower than what they may have seen in previous Pre-AP social studies classes. Tests significantly impact a student's grade for the six weeks so studying, both individually and in groups, is highly recommended. AP tests are very challenging and it is very difficult to PASS the exams without studying...it is practically impossible to get an A or B without a lot of studying, including HELP activities (see below)!
Quizzes: Weekly quizzes over the chapter reading can be expected. These SAQ (short answer questions) are very challenging. Students will have the option to redo their SAQ quizzes for partial points back.
Essay: One essay will be assigned each grading period and will be similar to those seen on the College Board's AP test. Rewrites are available for partial points back and will always be due on Mondays.
Late Work Policy:
In order to keep up with the pace of our class, you must keep up with deadlines. Assignments are designed to correspond with our in-class studies and if you aren’t prepared you hurt both your own learning and the learning of your classmates. The Late Work Policy follows the guidelines established by AHS’s Social Studies Department.
- Work that is not ready to be turned in at the beginning of the period is considered late, including make-up work due from an absence.
- Projects and essay due dates cannot be avoided by not attending class. A late penalty will be applied unless those assignments are emailed to the teacher or dropped off by the time of your class period.
- Once the test day arrives, no more work for that unit will be accepted.
1 Calendar Day Late= -10
2 Calendar Days Late= -20
3 Calendar Days Late= -30
4 Calendar Days Late= -40
5 or more Calendar Days Late= -50
Make-up Work:
Make-up work is the student’s responsibility. Students have one block to make-up work, plus an additional day (not block) for each additional day absent. Afterwards, the late policy goes into effect.
- If a test or in-class essay is scheduled the day a student is absent, the student must email, call, or text the teacher a notification of when the test and/or essay will be made up. This includes school-related absences, such as field trips or competitions.
- Any project due the day of the absence should be dropped off or emailed to your teacher or it will be late.
TURNING IN ABSENTEE WORK: To turn in absentee work, write ABSENT at the top of the page and place it in the IN-BOX by the teacher's desk.
- Smaller assignments may be turned in upon return to class.
- Remember: an excused pass is required to make-up assignments without a late penalty.
- Students who are absent should check the class website and the assignment board in the classroom to find out about assignments they missed. Handouts are available in class.
H.E.L.P. (History Extra-Credit Learning Points)
Exams are not curved and corrections will only allow for a score up to a 75. Exam HELP activities provide an opportunity to improve exam scores while exploring resources beyond the daily homework and in-class activities. See the Exam HELP webpage for more detailed information.
Watch review videos:
- 1 point per 30 minute clip or per Crash Course video
- Requires 1 page of notes per 30 minutes or video questions
- Must be on the approved list
- Maximum of 20 points per exam