AP U - anderson.k12.ky.us



AP U.S. History

Room 137

Mr. Sayre

Background Information

This course will cover United States history from the European Invasion through present. It will satisfy the third of your three social studies credits. Throughout the entirety of this class we will be exploring many themes and ideas. It remains essential that you keep an open mind. Diligence in your work is expected, as is your total cooperation. You will most likely have an assignment every night, be that a reading or writing assignment. You will find this course very challenging and hopefully quite fun. If you ever have a problem my door is always open.

Class Procedures & Rules

❖ The Class Rules are marked in the classroom. I do not expect any behavior problems, but those that do occur will be handled quickly and efficiently so to interrupt class as little as possible. I know that we’ll get along.

❖ RESPECT EVERYONE IN CLASS (ESPECIALLY YOURSELF)!

❖ Please be in your seat and working on the bell ringer or article when the bell rings.

❖ Students will be counted tardy who are not in their seat when the bell rings.

❖ Don’t be scared to try new things or talk about different ideas.

❖ Do not interrupt someone when he or she is speaking. This is very rude and will not happen.

❖ Late work is not accepted. All late work will be a zero. GET YOUR WORK IN ON TIME.

❖ Students have three days after an excused absence to make-work up. Those with unexcused absences shall not have their work count on the missed day.

❖ Students get 1 bathroom break per nine weeks. No others will be given & those students who leave will be given a referral. A note from a doctor will be needed for students who need to go more often. Be sure to use the restroom only when in an emergency.

❖ Most importantly: Have Fun. You learn more when you’re having fun.

Class Essentials

❖ You will have assignments from many different sources, but your official textbook is American Pageant: 11th Edition. You will also be reading A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn and From Slavery to Freedom by John Hope Franklin. W.E.B. DuBois’ The Soul of Black Folk wiIl be handed out early in the 2nd semester. In addition, you will have primary source readings and at least one extra book.

❖ Paper and pencil (or pen) are expected. I have no pens or pencils for you.

❖ Each student should have a binder to keep journals, assignments, tests, and readings in.

Major Themes

❖ We will be uncovering America’s changing faces and ideas.

❖ Political, Cultural, Social, and Economic changes

❖ Critical examination of our past

❖ Diversity

Objectives

The objectives for this course are several fold. They are as follows:

1. Gain an in-depth knowledge of US History

2. Explore the arguments that has made our past unique.

3. Take (and hopefully pass) the AP exam in May.

Grades

Grades will be based on a strict point basis.

You will have a major paper due this semester; it will be turned in during the 2nd nine weeks. I will give you more information about this as the semester unfolds.

Outline of Class

1. You will be given an assignment list each month. This will remain your assignment list unless I specifically change it.

2. When the textbook (Bailey) is assigned, I expect you to outline the chapter (no more than a page). In addition to this I expect you to list connections and arguments along the way. This will act as your daily grade on the days that Bailey is assigned.

Example of an argument or connection: National Bank: Hamiltonian Federalists support bank as it relates to a stronger central government (loose interpretation of constitution) while Jeffersonians are opposed on the basis of a devaluing of State’s rights and their strict interpretation of the constitution.

3. The quizzes at the end of the chapters will be very hard at times. Don’t freak out at first when you struggle. You’ll get better.

4. If we miss for snow days you are still responsible for the homework due the day we return. There will be no exceptions.

5. AP Exam: The AP exam is broken into three parts.

a. Part I. (50% of total score) 80 multiple choice questions. 55 minutes to complete

b. Part II. (55 % of ½ the total) 2 Essays covering any number of topics

c. Part III (45% of ½ the total) 1 DBQ essay question – we will deal with DBQs during the 2nd semester (together the essays & DBQ count for ½ of the total score)

d. 115 minutes to complete all three essays

6. The immediate point of this class is to pass the AP exam. Those who pass will receive college credit. Most schools accept a score of 3, others accept only a 4 or higher.

7. The long-term goal of the class is to make you think and prepare you for higher level analysis. This will be a challenging course. Get ready.

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