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11th Grade AP U.S. History Syllabus |
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Eleventh Grade AP U.S. History Beginnings to the Present Syllabus
Instructor: Mrs. Gina Nix
Contact Information: 256-734-3923; gnix@cullmancats.net Course Description: AP U.S. History is a challenging course that is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. It is a two-trimester survey of American history that takes students on a journey from the age of exploration to the present. This is a large amount of material to cover in a short period of time, so students must be willing to devote a considerable amount of time to homework and study to be successful. Time management is a necessity for success. This course is also intended to prepare students to take the AP U.S. History Exam in order to earn college credit. Course Objectives—Students will: § Master a broad body of historical knowledge § Demonstrate an understanding of historical chronology § Evaluate change over time § Use historical data to support an argument or position § Effectively use analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect, and compare and contrast § Demonstrate an understanding of the historical themes discussed Course Texts and Readings: Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey The American Pageant Thirteenth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. [classroom-set and take-home set provided] Kennedy and Bailey The American Spirit Tenth Edition, Volume I, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. {Collection of Primary Documents} [classroom-set provided; can be checked out for at home use] Kennedy and Bailey The American Spirit Tenth Edition, Volume II, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. {Collection of Primary Documents} [classroom-set provided; can be checked out for at home use] John J. Newman and United States History: Preparing for the Advanced John M. Schmalbach Placement Examination, Revised Edition, Amsco School Publications, 2006. Upton Sinclair The Jungle, Penguin Group, 1986. Hymowitz and Weissman Excerpts from The History of Women in America, Bantam Books, 1984. Solomon Northup Excerpts from Twelve Years a Slave, Dover Publications, 2000. Richard Hofstadter Excerpts from Great Issues in American History Vol. II, Vintage Books, 1958. Richard Hofstadter and Excerpts from Great Issues in American History Vol. III, Beatrice K. Hofstadter Vintage Books, 1982. John Hope Franklin and Excerpts from From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Alfred A. Moss, Jr. African Americans, 8th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2000. All excerpts and other various handouts as addressed on the Course Outline will be provided. Organization: A general course outline will be provided at the beginning of the class. General reading assignments will be included. Additional reading assignments may be given out during each unit. Students are responsible for completing all reading assignments. Reading assignments will be discussed periodically during class and questions from the readings will appear on tests. Therefore, students must take notes while reading. Students are required to turn in Chapter Notes the day before every unit test. Also, students are required to complete the APPARTS strategy (will be given a handout and discussed in class) for each supplemental reading assigned per unit. This will also be due the day before every unit test. Students will be quizzed periodically on their reading assignments. Readings, along with analytical exercises, will help students learn how to interpret and analyze numerous kinds of sources to aid in their writings of free-response essays and document-based essays. Students will be responsible for defining and explaining the historical significance (the who, what, when, where, and why it matters in history) for each item listed on the Key Names, Events, and Terms Lists located in the Amsco Publication for every unit. Students will also be responsible for summarizing in three to five sentences per theme how each unit addresses the general AP themes. Students will turn in both of these assignments and the APPARTS and Chapter Notes on the day before each test for a grade. These assignments must be handwritten. Students will be responsible for completing a Bellringer that will appear on the SmartBoard every day. The bellringer will lead us into the day’s topic, review a previous day’s topic, or review possible test questions. Students are responsible for keeping up with reading assignments and being ready for quizzes, tests, and discussions. This class will be a combination of lecture and discussion. Students will write essays often. All essays will be scored according to the nine-point rubric they will be given. Tests: Tests will consist of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay questions. On every unit, students will take a short-answer/multiple-choice test one day and an essay test (sometimes will be DBQs) the next day. These tests will be timed. The AP Exam is a timed test, so this will help prepare them. The multiple-choice questions and essay questions will be formatted like questions on the AP Exam. Key Names, Events, and Terms Lists: These will help students master the factual knowledge necessary to be successful on the tests. These are due the day before every unit test. Summaries of Themes: These will help students understand change over time and why the study of history is so valuable. These are due the day before every unit test. Chapter Notes: These will help students participate in discussion and understand lectures. These are due the day before every unit test. APPARTS: This is an analytical exercise to be completed on each supplemental reading for each unit. These are due the day before every unit test. Quizzes: Periodically, I will give reading quizzes to check to see if students are doing their reading and also comprehending what they are reading. There is so much content that we cover in this survey course that students must complete all their reading assignments in order to be successful. Projects: Students will complete one project per trimester. These projects are listed on the Course Outline. Details will be given by handout in class in advance. Miscellaneous Assignments: Throughout the course, I will assign review exercises to help students prepare for the AP Exam and my exams. All students are required to complete review exercises. Exams: At the end of the first trimester, students will take a comprehensive exam. Prior to the AP Exam, students will take a comprehensive test worth 200 points on all the material covered in the class (both trimesters). As the final exam, students will complete an Oral History Project. Details will be given in advance. Grades: I grade on a point system. Tests and essays will count more than Key Names, Events, and Terms, Chapter Notes, APPARTS, Summaries of Themes, and quizzes. If students do not have their assignments on the due date, they will be required to fill out a Student Responsibility Card explaining why they do not have their assignment and whether or not they request an extra day. Late work will be accepted for ½ credit one day after it is due if requested on the Student Responsibility Card. Students will receive the additional ten points for the class at the end of each trimester. Class Expectations: RESPECT is the most important expectation in this class. Have respect for yourself, teachers, others, and their property. Treat others better than you would treat yourself. Participate during class discussions. However, do not talk while someone else is talking. Follow all school rules. Be on time! You should be in your seat when the bell rings working on your daily bellringer. You are only allowed two passes out of the classroom per six weeks. Use them wisely. Also note that the teacher dismisses you--not the bell! BE POSITIVE! No whining is allowed. Always have a positive attitude. Be prepared every day. Always have all your assignments and class supplies with you and be ready to work. No one may ever put his/her head down in the class. Materials: You will need a 1 ½ inch, three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper, one set of dividers, an ink pen (black or blue ink only), and pencil. Study Techniques: The reading load is considerable. The amount of time required for homework for this class will vary with your reading speed. Assignments will vary in length. Use the general course outline to plan ahead for readings. Things will become easier as you become accustomed to the course format and text. You grades may seem low in the beginning but do not get discouraged! Attendance: Attendance in this class is essential. Much of the material for success is provided through lecture/discussion. Missing class can create problems. However, if you do miss class, it is your responsibility to consult with a fellow classmate and find out what you missed. AP Exam: The AP Exam is given in May. Registration for the exam takes place around March. Although the exam is not required, it is highly recommended that you take the exam. All students will be required to take a comprehensive test for me prior to the AP Exam. It will be worth 200 points. Resources: Don’t forget about the school library and the public library throughout this course. Both places have a variety of valuable sources to help you succeed in this class. Also, remember that the Internet has a wealth of information as well. However, remember to always analyze the source for validity. The following is a list of great historical websites that may be of use to you during this class.
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Last Modified: Tuesday July 31 2007
