AP United States History (1491-Present)
Course Overview
This course is designed for the serious and dedicated student who has a strong interest in understanding American History. The course is specifically designed to provide students with an in-depth study of United States history from 1491 through the modern day. Students should possess strong reading and writing skills and be willing to devote substantial time to study and the completion of class assignments. Students successfully mastering the course material may earn college credit by passing the annually administered AP United States History Exam; the individual college or university determines how many, or, if any credits will be granted for the AP exam score.
Communication
All course materials will be available at my website. It is highly recommended you bookmark it on your computer. You may access the site at:
MrsBedard.weebley.com
Important items, such as grades, projects, assignment sheets, presentations, and other helpful tools will be updated frequently. If you are absent, check the site to see your make-up assignment which you could complete while you are out.
If you have any important questions, you may email me at [email protected]
Resources
Text: Boyer, Paul S., Clark, et al. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People, 7th edition.
Expectations
Advanced Placement United States History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a college freshman course and can earn students college credit. This course should develop a student’s ability to understand major events, policies, and outcomes in American history from the colonial era through the present.
In order for everyone in this course to learn, class preparation & participation are tantamount to the success of all. Since A.P. U.S. History will be evenly divided between lecture and simulations, discussion, & debate, be sure to have completed all tasks/homework for each unit Assignment Sheet by the appropriate date. By time this course is completed, everyone will have the knowledge and skills to understand the major events in the history of the United States.
Types of Assignments & Activities
The workload in this course will be a blend of at-home assignments and time-on-learning activities. Types of assignments you may encounter include: textbook readings & assignments, discussion questions, practice A.P. exam questions, primary source analysis, policy debates, analysis of policy decisions, historical simulations, student presentations, and extensive discussion.
Grading
Your grade will be computed in the following manner:
70% Tests
15% Quizzes
15% Binders & Pop Quizzes
(20%) Quarterly Exam (This will be calculated just like a final exam: 20% of the entire quarter average)
You will receive an Assignment Sheet for each unit, and since this will be treated like a college class, it is expected you will complete it by time it is “due.” I assume some of you may be thinking, “Alright, this is going to be so easy now!!” Be forewarned: those who are not prepared for class will find it very difficult to participate and score well on tests. Additionally, I am also requiring everyone in this class to sign a Personal Responsibilities Contract, which will also be signed/endorsed by a parent.
Quizzes will be administered throughout the year. Quizzes will encompass small-scale material that you should know, such as The Bill of Rights, The Presidents, Major Legislation of the New Deal, etc. Quizzes may also be on larger concept material you should have completed via reading and/or completing Assignment Sheets.
Tests will be administered according to the A.P. U.S. History Test Schedule Calendar. Please note this is the exam schedule for all sections of this course, regardless of the teacher. If a snow day arises on the day of a scheduled test, any scheduled exam will be the day we return to school. The format of exams will be geared to emulate actual A.P. Exams. Practicing this format will help you succeed on the actual A.P. Exam at the end of the year. Everyone is required to take the A.P. Exam in May, but that grade does not factor into this course.
Class Participation will be assessed using a rubric that not only relies on frequent participation but also on the value & accuracy of a student’s contributions. If you do not keep up with your reading and complete your work, you will have a difficult time contributing to discussions.
Additionally, there will be a cumulative Quarterly Exam that will assess ALL material you have learned up to that date. These exams will be factored into your grade, just as a Mid Year and Final Exam have been during your years at PVMHS: 20% of the quarter grade. The purpose of the Quarter Exams is to assess your progress and to continuously practice for the A.P. Exam while remastering previously learned content.
THIS WILL BE TREATED JUST LIKE A COLLEGE CLASS:
I will not collect any assignment (unless you are given a “special assignment”). If make up work is due, send it in with someone or email it to [email protected] Please note: All make up work emailed must be time-stamped by 9:15 A.M. on the day it is due or it will be considered late. All documents must be saved as a Microsoft Word file. If you do not follow these simple instructions I will not be able to read it and your assignment will be considered late.
1. If you are absent the day before an assessment, YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED FROM TAKING IT ON THE SCHEDULED DATE.
2. If you are absent and miss an assessment, YOU MUST TAKE IT THE NEXT DAY.
AP Exam Info
Date: Friday, May 11, 2012
Part I: 80 objective questions. 55 minutes to complete the section. 50% of your score.
MATERIAL COVERED
· 40% Social Change, and Cultural and Intellectual Developments
· 35% Political Institutions, Behavior, & Public Policy
· 15% Diplomacy & International Relations
· 10% Economic Developments
PERIOD COVERED
· 20% Pre-Columbian to 1789
· 45% 1790 to 1914
· 35% 1915 to the present
Part II: DBQ & Two Essay Questions. 130 minutes (15 min reading & 115 min. writing). 50% of your score. You must answer the mandatory Document Based Question and two essays (one each from 2 groups of 2 essays) essay questions in 100 minutes (25 minutes per essay).
General Policies
By now you should be familiar with the school attendance policy. In a quick overview: If you miss class for any reason, you must make up your missed work within 10 school days. Otherwise, you will lose 2 points off your quarter average. There are no exceptions except possibly in the case of a major illness or severe injury, in which case the exception will need approval by an administrator. There will be no teacher-student bartering on this policy. If you miss class and need to get the makeup assignment, CHECK THE WEBSITE. I always post the day’s make up assignment by the end of that school day. This is your responsibility to keep track of your absences and turn in make up assignments within the ten school day time frame.
Please follow the dress code. PVMHS is not the beach or a night club.
No food or drink, except water is allowed in any classroom.
I am no-nonsense and unapologetic when it comes to disrespecting anyone in this building. Foul language, insults or ridicule directed at others, class interruptions, and any likewise infringements of the respect of school staff & fellow students is unacceptable and will result in immediate consequence. Simply put, disrespect is rude and flies in the face of the goal of educating all to become model citizens and positive contributors to society.
I expect to never see any forbidden electronic devices, especially mobile phones. The first time I see or hear one it will be confiscated and we can discuss the return of the item after school that day.
Extra Help/Make-Up
I am available on Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00 in room D4 or by appointment.
This course is designed for the serious and dedicated student who has a strong interest in understanding American History. The course is specifically designed to provide students with an in-depth study of United States history from 1491 through the modern day. Students should possess strong reading and writing skills and be willing to devote substantial time to study and the completion of class assignments. Students successfully mastering the course material may earn college credit by passing the annually administered AP United States History Exam; the individual college or university determines how many, or, if any credits will be granted for the AP exam score.
Communication
All course materials will be available at my website. It is highly recommended you bookmark it on your computer. You may access the site at:
MrsBedard.weebley.com
Important items, such as grades, projects, assignment sheets, presentations, and other helpful tools will be updated frequently. If you are absent, check the site to see your make-up assignment which you could complete while you are out.
If you have any important questions, you may email me at [email protected]
Resources
Text: Boyer, Paul S., Clark, et al. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People, 7th edition.
Expectations
Advanced Placement United States History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a college freshman course and can earn students college credit. This course should develop a student’s ability to understand major events, policies, and outcomes in American history from the colonial era through the present.
In order for everyone in this course to learn, class preparation & participation are tantamount to the success of all. Since A.P. U.S. History will be evenly divided between lecture and simulations, discussion, & debate, be sure to have completed all tasks/homework for each unit Assignment Sheet by the appropriate date. By time this course is completed, everyone will have the knowledge and skills to understand the major events in the history of the United States.
Types of Assignments & Activities
The workload in this course will be a blend of at-home assignments and time-on-learning activities. Types of assignments you may encounter include: textbook readings & assignments, discussion questions, practice A.P. exam questions, primary source analysis, policy debates, analysis of policy decisions, historical simulations, student presentations, and extensive discussion.
Grading
Your grade will be computed in the following manner:
70% Tests
15% Quizzes
15% Binders & Pop Quizzes
(20%) Quarterly Exam (This will be calculated just like a final exam: 20% of the entire quarter average)
You will receive an Assignment Sheet for each unit, and since this will be treated like a college class, it is expected you will complete it by time it is “due.” I assume some of you may be thinking, “Alright, this is going to be so easy now!!” Be forewarned: those who are not prepared for class will find it very difficult to participate and score well on tests. Additionally, I am also requiring everyone in this class to sign a Personal Responsibilities Contract, which will also be signed/endorsed by a parent.
Quizzes will be administered throughout the year. Quizzes will encompass small-scale material that you should know, such as The Bill of Rights, The Presidents, Major Legislation of the New Deal, etc. Quizzes may also be on larger concept material you should have completed via reading and/or completing Assignment Sheets.
Tests will be administered according to the A.P. U.S. History Test Schedule Calendar. Please note this is the exam schedule for all sections of this course, regardless of the teacher. If a snow day arises on the day of a scheduled test, any scheduled exam will be the day we return to school. The format of exams will be geared to emulate actual A.P. Exams. Practicing this format will help you succeed on the actual A.P. Exam at the end of the year. Everyone is required to take the A.P. Exam in May, but that grade does not factor into this course.
Class Participation will be assessed using a rubric that not only relies on frequent participation but also on the value & accuracy of a student’s contributions. If you do not keep up with your reading and complete your work, you will have a difficult time contributing to discussions.
Additionally, there will be a cumulative Quarterly Exam that will assess ALL material you have learned up to that date. These exams will be factored into your grade, just as a Mid Year and Final Exam have been during your years at PVMHS: 20% of the quarter grade. The purpose of the Quarter Exams is to assess your progress and to continuously practice for the A.P. Exam while remastering previously learned content.
THIS WILL BE TREATED JUST LIKE A COLLEGE CLASS:
I will not collect any assignment (unless you are given a “special assignment”). If make up work is due, send it in with someone or email it to [email protected] Please note: All make up work emailed must be time-stamped by 9:15 A.M. on the day it is due or it will be considered late. All documents must be saved as a Microsoft Word file. If you do not follow these simple instructions I will not be able to read it and your assignment will be considered late.
1. If you are absent the day before an assessment, YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED FROM TAKING IT ON THE SCHEDULED DATE.
2. If you are absent and miss an assessment, YOU MUST TAKE IT THE NEXT DAY.
AP Exam Info
Date: Friday, May 11, 2012
Part I: 80 objective questions. 55 minutes to complete the section. 50% of your score.
MATERIAL COVERED
· 40% Social Change, and Cultural and Intellectual Developments
· 35% Political Institutions, Behavior, & Public Policy
· 15% Diplomacy & International Relations
· 10% Economic Developments
PERIOD COVERED
· 20% Pre-Columbian to 1789
· 45% 1790 to 1914
· 35% 1915 to the present
Part II: DBQ & Two Essay Questions. 130 minutes (15 min reading & 115 min. writing). 50% of your score. You must answer the mandatory Document Based Question and two essays (one each from 2 groups of 2 essays) essay questions in 100 minutes (25 minutes per essay).
General Policies
By now you should be familiar with the school attendance policy. In a quick overview: If you miss class for any reason, you must make up your missed work within 10 school days. Otherwise, you will lose 2 points off your quarter average. There are no exceptions except possibly in the case of a major illness or severe injury, in which case the exception will need approval by an administrator. There will be no teacher-student bartering on this policy. If you miss class and need to get the makeup assignment, CHECK THE WEBSITE. I always post the day’s make up assignment by the end of that school day. This is your responsibility to keep track of your absences and turn in make up assignments within the ten school day time frame.
Please follow the dress code. PVMHS is not the beach or a night club.
No food or drink, except water is allowed in any classroom.
I am no-nonsense and unapologetic when it comes to disrespecting anyone in this building. Foul language, insults or ridicule directed at others, class interruptions, and any likewise infringements of the respect of school staff & fellow students is unacceptable and will result in immediate consequence. Simply put, disrespect is rude and flies in the face of the goal of educating all to become model citizens and positive contributors to society.
I expect to never see any forbidden electronic devices, especially mobile phones. The first time I see or hear one it will be confiscated and we can discuss the return of the item after school that day.
Extra Help/Make-Up
I am available on Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00 in room D4 or by appointment.
ap_us_history_syllabus_2012-13_bedard.docx | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
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