St



Saint Ignatius College Prep

A.P. United States History

2018-19

Mr. McPherson

Office 220

Email: nathan.mcpherson@

Free Periods: I, C, F

Welcome to A.P. U.S. History! You have been recommended and approved to take this course by the Social Studies department. This course will be one of the more challenging courses you take during your sophomore year. Please be prepared to work diligently and stay up to date with assignments.

The Advanced Placement United States History is a two-semester college level course. The course work will include a significant level of reading (both primary and secondary sources) and writing. Class time will be used for lecture, discussion, writing and group work.

In order to acquire a multifaceted perspective of the United States, we will often utilize the following seven themes:

-Peopling

-Work, Exchange, and Technology

-Identity

-Politics and Power

-Environment and Geography

-Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture

-America in the World

As we study historical content, we will:

--use primary and secondary sources to interpret historical facts,

--analyze and evaluate historians’ interpretation of historical facts and

--express conclusions clearly and accurately in writing and speaking

Expectations

Notebook – All AP US History students in my course are required to keep a notebook for the course We will take notes from the textbook in our notebooks, and often utilize hard copy documents in our studies.

Academic Integrity – Please do your own work. If you utilize an outside source, give the author credit. All issues of plagiarism or cheating will be punished using the school handbook.

Kindness – One of the expectations of the course is that you form your own opinions about topics. We will often incorporate debates and discussions in our study. Although you may philosophically disagree with another member of the class, please be respectful and kind.

The course curriculum consists of:

Semester One

Period #1-Pre-Columbian Contact (Ch. 1) 1491 - 1607

Period #2-American Colonization (Ch. 2-6) 1607 - 1754

Period #3-Revolution & Early Republic (Ch. 7-10) 1754 - 1800

Period #4-Jeffersonian & Jacksonian Democracy (Ch. 11-15) 1800 - 1848

Period #5-Sectionalism, Civil War & Reconstruction (Ch. 16-21) 1844 - 1877

Semester Two

Period #6-Gilded Age & Industrialization (Ch. 22-26) 1865 - 1898

Period #7a-Imperialism & the Progressive Era (Ch. 27-30) 1890 - 1929

Period #7b-Boom & Bust and WWII (Ch. 31-35) 1920 - 1945

Period #8-Cold War Era (Ch. 36-38) 1945 - 1980

Period #9-Modern Era (Ch. 39-41) 1980 - Present

All SICP A.P. U.S. History students are required to take the A.P. exam on May 10th, 2019.

Following the AP Exam we will have a unit on the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution test.

Following are the types of assignments for which you will be responsible and the part they will play in your grade:

Type of Work: Approximate Point Values

Unit Objective tests 50 points each

Unit Essay tests 25 points each

Typed essays 20 points each

Unannounced quizzes (notes on the ipad will not 10 points each

be able to be used during the quiz)

Participation—class discussion and group work 50 points per semester

In-Class & Homework Assignments 5 points each

Semester Final Exam (1st Semester only) 100 (approx) points

Late assignments lose 50% and will not be accepted after two class days.

These are the materials you will need:

The American Pageant by Bailey, Kennedy and Cohen, updated 16th edition

Documenting US History on Copia Class app

A notebook dedicated to only A.P.U.S.H.

Optional Material

Past A.P. students recommend the purchase of one of the AP U.S. history review guides. There are several by publishers such as Princeton, Barrons, Cliff Notes, Amsco, REA. Most students said these review guides were of some help during the year, especially in preparation for the AP test. Also, the review guides do not take the place of your own notes. You may use notes you find on the internet, but they should not replace your own note taking.

There are also excellent youtube channels dedicated to AP review. Adam Norris has some informative videos, but again, these are not intended to replace your reading. They are designed to SUPPLEMENT!

Reading assignments for each unit will be handed out at the beginning of every unit. Written assignments will be announced or handed out in class. If you are absent, you are expected to do all the assignments that you missed. Be sure there is a classmate whom you can call in case you are absent. If you are absent on the day of a unit test or in-class essay, see me to schedule a time to make it up outside of class time. See me after class on the day you return from an absence to set due dates for missing assignments and tests.

Policies and procedures in our class are intended to help all members of the class reach the intended goals of the course. An atmosphere of respect will be maintained in the classroom, including respect from the teacher to the students, the students to the teacher and, most importantly, from students to students. Respect is earned by staying focused on the task at hand. Follow the Golden Rule and you’ll be just fine! Always remember, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

Reading, writing and taking part in class discussions are the basic activities of the class. Students are to be in their seats and ready to begin the activities for a given class period when the bell rings. Be sure you have your textbook, primary reader, notebook and a pen & pencil for every class. All school rules and regulations, including those concerning academic dishonesty and acceptable technology use policy, as outlined in the student handbook, will be strictly enforced.

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