Advanced Placement United States History Syllabus s1

Advanced Placement United States History Course Syllabus Instructor: James Tiffany Availability: Before or after school and by appointment Textbook: American Pageant: 13 th Edition Phone: (209) 832-6600 E-Mail:[email protected] Course Overview: Our course will focus on the history of America from the pre-Colombian Native American societies and eventual arrival of Christopher Columbus and other European explorers/conquerors to the present day. One of our major goals of the course will be to provide a college level experience and curriculum as well as to prepare for the United States History Advanced Placement exam (cost to be determined but 90 dollars last year) that will take place on Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 8am. First semester topics include pre-European Native societies and their later relationships with European colonists, colonial society and thought, the Revolutionary Era, the making of the American Constitution and Republic, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy, 19th century reform movements and technological advancements, Manifest Destiny, Antebellum America and rising sectionalism, the Civil War and Reconstruction and Gilded Age politics. The 2nd semester will lead us into the 20th Century with Immigration and Modern Industrialism, Populism and Progressivism reform efforts, World War One, the Roaring 20’s, the Great Depression and New Deal, World War Two, the Cold War and modern reform movements including the Civil Rights Era and the post-Cold War era and the United States today. The content/material through the 1st Bush Presidency and the end of the Cold War must be covered by late April in order to leave a few weeks to review for the May 7th exam. After the AP exam, the last month of the course will focus on the study of contemporary America and include debates on modern issues.

It is important to remember that this is an advanced placement or college level course and there is a great deal of information to cover. There will be more of an emphasis on lectures, the textbook and primary source readings than one would find in a regular history course. Moreover, there will be a major emphasis on historical scholarship and interpretation.

Expectations: I expect you to offer your full commitment to this course and the added responsibilities as stated above. We will create several historical projects and activities throughout the year and you are required to take an active role in them in order to earn a solid grade. Some of these activities include: book talks, movie talks, mini-dramas… I will provide you with information about these activities as the year progresses.

Materials Used and Required: We will use the textbook American Pageant:13 th Edition. You are responsible for your textbook and its condition and need to take care of it properly so you do not receive a fine from the Library. Much of your work with the textbook will be completed at home but you will probably need to bring it to class a few times per quarter. Also, on a daily basis, please bring the following materials: pen, pencil, binder, and paper and a highlighter set with at least 3 different colors. All essays and written work to be turned in must be completed in blue or black ink.

Movies in the Classroom: I plan to show movies or movie segments both during class and after school (optional and extra credit) throughout the school year. Some titles and their content connection include: Episodes 1 and 2 from the John Adams Series (American Revolution), Glory (Civil War), The Great Debaters (Great Depression and Civil Rights), Cinderella Man (Great Depression), Saving Private Ryan (World War 2), Walk Out (Chicano Youth Movement and Modern Civil Rights) and “Letters Home from Vietnam” (Vietnam War). Since many historical events portrayed in movies contain some violence, the movie ratings are above a “G” rating thus I have attached an additional permission slip below that MUST be signed.

Notebook Recommendation: A quarterly 3 ring binder is recommended for this class. You should purchase dividers (4-5 of them) for this binder in order to keep it organized and much more user friendly for you. I will go over instructions to set up your notebook next Monday.

Grades: Grading will be based on the percentage system, 90-100= A, 80-89.99= B, 70-79.99 = C, 59-69=D, below 58.99=F. Your final percentage will be calculated from the number of points you earn during the semester. Exams, homework, essays, group presentations, projects and other assignments will all count towards this grade. Exams and essays will make up the majority of your grade. Also, remember that you will receive an extra grade point for an A (5) B (4) or C (3) earned in this course because it is of advanced placement level.

Summer Assignment: I have given all students access to the summer assignment through the KHS website as well as edmodo. Students will read the first 7 chapters from the text “American Pageant” and answer the handouts guided questions.

Unit Tests: Often, we will have an exam at the conclusion of the unit we study. The test format will consist of multiple choice and essay and will be completed over a two day period. Multiple choice exams will be closed notes and usually 80 questions. In the First few Units the exams will consist of 50 multiple choice questions then build up to 80 questions as is the case with the AP exam.

Edmodo page: This year in an effort to reach out to students, I have set up an Edmodo account for my class. Edmodo.com is a website much like Facebook but created strictly for educational purposes. With my Edmodo page, I will be able to post assignments electronically, Post comments and reply to student comments. Students will be required to set up an account and connect to my Edmodo page via the internet. Parents are also invited to join as well. I will go over this with more detail as the first week progresses.

Advanced Placement Exam: Students are not required to take the Advanced Placement Exam as part of this course but I highly encourage you to do so. As we get to closer to the exam date, you will be required to take a practice AP exam regardless of your decision to take the AP exam. Even if you choose not to take our AP exam, this process will help prepare you for other AP exams and finals in college. The exam cost $90 dollars last year as stated earlier. If that cost is a problem for your family, please let me know and we will see if we can get a qualification for a fee reduction. The exam consists of three sections: 80 multiple choice questions, one document based essay question (DBQ) and 2 of 4 free response essay questions. A final score is assigned on a 5 point scale as shown below. 5= extremely well qualified, 4= well qualified, 3= qualified, 2= possibly qualified, 1= no recommendation The vast majority of universities award unit credits for scores of 4 and 5 on the exam and most give credits for 3’s as well. Achievement on the exam (and other AP exams) can save you and your family money on college costs and also make your college life easier because you will all ready have units when you enter making your course load less intense. There will also be extra opportunities to continue our study of the course and prepare for the AP exam. As we get closer to the exam during the second semester, optional study sessions will be offered. Please pay close attention to daily agendas for the announcement of specific dates for optional outside study meetings.

Cheating Policy: Cheating and dishonesty will not be tolerated in this classroom. Put ideas and concepts into your own words when using resource material for reports. If you copy a source word for word, make sure you quote the source and cite where you found it. We will discuss this process more throughout the year. Do your own work on individual assignments. Cases of cheating and plagiarism will result in a score of zero points for that assignment and an out of class conference with you and your parents.

Homework/latework: We will have homework throughout the year including weekends and holidays. The content demands of our course require this level of intense study. Late work will be accepted for one day after the due date, but lowered to half credit. After that day, no work on that assignment will be given credit. Those with excused absences are allowed to makeup work without a penalty. You will receive one additional day for each day absent to make up missed assignments. After an absence, please come talk to me (before or after school). Also, it is very important to note that students not present due to an unexcused absence or suspension cannot makeup missed work. Students with excused absences that miss an in class exam or essay must make up that assignment within one week of the day of that assignment.

District Board Policy 6154 requires that I mention the following statement that the school board adopted in regards to nightly homework. “Per night, 9-12th grade students will typically average 2 hours of homework. Students may be given limited homework on holidays and weekends to meet course objectives and acquisition of skills. Students in advanced classes may receive more homework, including summer reading. Unfinished classroom work may be sent home to be completed but should not be required in addition to homework. Unfinished classroom work can be done at lunch and after school. Regular reading at home on a nightly basis is encouraged but nor required in addition to assigned homework.”

Tardy Policy: I follow the tardy policy of the school. The policy can be found in the student handbook (as well as below) that you will receive from the school administration. Please be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings. Kimball High School has decided that your teachers can set their own consequences for your 1st two tardies. Here are mine. Please note that you also will not be allowed to make up work missed due to an unexcused tardy.

1. A tardy is defined as arrival to class within the first ten (10) minutes after the tardy bell rings. Students must be in their seats when the bell rings. Arrival to class 10-29 minutes after the tardy bell will constitute a late. Arrival to class 30 minutes or later will constitute an unexcused absence. 2. Students receiving an admit after the 8:30 bell has rung will be marked accordinginly.

1, 2 - Teacher consequence (Teacher discretion) 3,4 - One period suspension to Support Rooom. Parent notified by teacher. 5 - Same as 3-4 but Support Room for two days. 6 - Referral to Assistant Principal. One full day suspension to Support Room. Placed on contract (next tardy referral results in one-day suspension home and loss of off campus lunch privieges for remainder of quarter. Parents contacted by Assistant Principal. 7 - One-day suspension home for Defiance of Authority and loss of off campus lunch privieges for remainder of quarter. 8 - Revert back to 3-4 Consequences

Students 10 or more minutes late to a class will receive one hour of Saturday School and the specified tardy consequence.

TA Expectations: TA’s serve a vital role in the success of the course and need to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Teaching assistants are expected to arrive on time and ready to work on a daily basis. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: stapling and hole punching assignments, dropping off and picking up copy requests, assisting in group activities… Failure to follow established course and school rules will result in a lower grade and possible disciplinary action if necessary.

Expectations, Rules and Procedures: Every member of this class and I will demonstrate respectful behavior towards one another. Only positive interaction will be tolerated. We all must abide by the following rules in order to ensure that we have a successful and comfortable classroom environment. 1. Arrive to class on time and ready to work. 2. No food, drink, or gum in class. 3. Follow the no hats and dress code policy of our school 4. Have cell phones turned off and put away at all times. 5. Participate in all classroom activities. Please do not disturb our class by talking out of turn or working on assignments from other classes. Consequences for violation of these rules are as follows. 1st offense: Verbal warning 2nd offense: Student-teacher conference outside of class and call home to your parents. 3rd offense: Referral to the Assistant Principal. Must come and see me at the end of the day to make up missed work, or receive no credit for the time you missed. Realize that I reserve the right to send students to an administrator when I feel they are disrupting the learning process of others, or creating a dangerous situation in the classroom.

______Parents/Guardians: Please read this syllabus with your child so that you are clear of my expectations. I believe that it is very important to establish and maintain a strong and positive relationship with my student’s parents. Please feel free to contact me. Kimball High’s phone number is (209) 832- 6600. You can leave a message for me there. My e-mail address is jmtiffany@ tusd.net. I will try to respond to you as promptly as possible. I have read this syllabus with my child and understand the rules and procedures.

Parent Signature Date

Student Signature Date Movie Permission Slip Dear Parents/Guardians:

I plan to show movies or movie excerpts occasionally during the school year in our United States history course. Movies are very useful learning tools when presented properly and with guidance by a professional educator. Since many historical events portrayed in movies contain some violence, the movie ratings are above “G” rating. Some titles and their historical content connection include: Episode 2 from the John Adams Series (American Revolution), Amistad (Middle Passage and Slavery), Glory (Civil War), Great Debaters (Great Depression and Civil Rights), Cinderella Man (Great Depression), Good Luck and Good Night (1950’s Red Scare) Malcolm X (1960’s Civil Rights) and Walk Out (Chicano Youth Movement and Modern Civil Rights), Letters Home from Vietnam (Vietnam War). Please sign one of the three options below and have your son/daughter return this form to me by Friday, August 19th.

Yours in Education,

James Tiffany, United States History Teacher, Phone: (209) 832-6600 E-mail: [email protected]

Student Name ______(Please print)

Parent/Guardian Signature giving approval to view movies ______

Parent/Guarding Signature asking for more discussion and will phone or e- mail in the next few days. ______

Parent/Guardian Signature not approving the viewing of movies (Alternative assignment will be provided) ______Parent Syllabus Agreement:

Parents/Guardians: Please read this syllabus with your child so that you are clear of my expectations. I believe that it is very important to establish and maintain a strong and positive relationship with my student’s parents. Please feel free to contact me. Kimball High’s phone number is (209) 832- 6600. You can leave a message for me there. My e-mail address is [email protected]. I will try to respond to you as promptly as possible. I have read this syllabus (available on edmodo.com or have asked for a hardcopy) with my child and understand the rules and procedures.

Parent Signature Date

Student Signature Date