AP US History Syllabus 2007-2008

AP US History Syllabus – 2014-2015 Ms. Hamer

The main purposes of the AP U.S. History course are for you to have the opportunity to learn college level American History and produce college level work in this topic while in secondary school, as well as to earn some advanced credit for that effort. The course covers America History from the Pre-Columbian Era to the Present Day including the prominent events and interpretive themes within its scope. The APUSH class has been substantially redesigned beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

The Newly Redesigned APUSH Course is Designed Around the Following:

I. Historical Thinking Skills APUSH will now focus on nine historical thinking skills, which are divided into four main categories. To master these skills students will work to investigate the past, focusing on interpretation of primary and secondary texts and historical argumentation in writing. Skill Type Historical Thinking Skill I. Chronological Reasoning 1. Historical Causation 2. Patterns of Continuity and Change over Time 3. Periodization II. Comparison and Contextualization 4. Comparison 5. Contextualization III. Crafting Historical Arguments from 6. Historical Argumentation Historical Evidence 7. Appropriate Use of Relevant Historical Evidence IV. Historical Interpretation and Synthesis 8. Interpretation 9. Synthesis

II. The Concept Outline APUSH has been broken into nine main time periods that reflect major developments in the history of America. The College Board has outlined how much instructional time should be spent on each period and how much of the AP Exam will be on each period.

Period Date Range Approximate Percentage of: Instructional APUSH Time Exam 1 1491-1607 5% 5% 2 1607-1754 10% 3 1754-1800 12% 45% 4 1800-1848 10% 5 1844-1877 13% 6 1865-1898 13% 7 1890-1945 17% 45% 8 1945-1980 15% 9 1980-present 5% 5%

AP US Syllabus – Hamer 2014-2015 Page 1 III. Thematic Learning Objectives While the APUSH course follows a chronological path of instruction, it is also organized under seven themes. These themes are topics of historical inquiry to explore throughout the APUSH course.

1. Identity 5. America in the World 2. Work, Exchange, and Technology 6. Environment and Geography – 3. Peopling Physical and Human 4. Politics and Power 7. Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture

Expectations for AP US History 1. To be successful in class discussions and to be prepared for exams, the reading must be done. Because much of this class is discussion based, you must complete the reading assigned for each day before coming to class that day.  Notes on the reading will be graded on thoroughness as well as explanation of the key terms and ideas, which will be given to you at the beginning of each unit.  Primary Sources are just as important (sometimes more important) as the textbook. Please make sure ALL reading is done for each topic.  See my Note Taking Guide for complete instructions 2. Our goal is to learn to think like a historian so multiple forms of learning will occur in the classroom and outside of it – your job is to be open to new ways of learning! 3. Questions and observations from you are always appropriate and encouraged.  Quality class contributions can help your grade. Negative class contributions or lack of participation can hurt your grade 4. During our class sessions, I expect you to be attentive to the task at hand, and to be responsible for and responsive to the subject matter. I expect you to respect each other, the school, and our class time. You will not, for example, do work for other classes or give attention to extraneous material while class is in session. As well, disturbances, disruptive or immature behavior will not be accepted or tolerated. A.P. courses are voluntary and made available for interested and motivated students. By taking one of them you are willingly submitting to discipline and work at a more demanding level. If you are not willing to meet its academic and behavioral standards, this particular course is not the way for you to satisfy your U.S. History or Social Studies credit. 5. Independent reading and study are important in this process, and, in keeping with the commitment of our department to research, you will conduct a research project after the AP test in May. To give you a “heads up,” you will also have work to do over Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Breaks! Keeping your notebook organized now will make those assignments easier… 6. At Wilsonville High School, we expect every student registered in an AP class to take the AP Exam in the Spring. Contact the counseling office for how much this costs and scholarship possibilities if needed. 7. Please consider my interpretation as one among the many that you shall confront for each of the units; do not think/feel that you are in any way required to internalize my views as your own. Ponder the data; assess its historicity. 8. Our time in class will help you develop an understanding of American History, but additional time will be needed to prepare for the AP Exam.  Make sure you acquire one of the recommended exam prep books no later than Spring Break.  Mandatory study sessions will begin in April for the exam. These will be scheduled to make your attendance as easy as possible. AP US Syllabus – Hamer 2014-2015 Page 2 AP US Syllabus – Hamer 2014-2015 Page 3 9. There is an extensive amount of information to be processed to succeed in both this class and on the exam. While you are required to take your own notes and do your own work – setting up a study group is recommended for test reviews. Please see me if you would like help setting up a study group or if you would like to use my room for its location. Last minute study groups typically happen in my room before school on the day of each test. 10. Makeup work: If you miss an exam you are expected to make it up the day of your return to school. Makeup for lengthy excused absences is negotiable. Please note that our computer system lets me know whether or not you missed any classes other than our own for any given day. A test "skipped" without excuse is, as far as I'm concerned, a "forfeiture" of that particular credit. 11. Late Work: I do not expect late work because it would mean that you weren’t prepared for a class. If you do turn an assignment in late it is -20% before the end of the unit. Late work turned in AFTER the end of the unit is -50% 12. Cheating or plagiarism are NOT accepted. I expect you to do your own work for the class. If you cheat on a test or plagiarize for an assignment, you will receive a permanent -100% (two zeroes) for that grade and forfeit any extra credit for the semester. Any additional acts will cause you to be removed from the class with an F. If you are under intense pressure that might lead to cheating, please come talk with me instead so that we can work out a schedule that will allow you to complete the work yourself.  In case you don’t understand: plagiarism means copying someone else’s ideas (or a book, website, encyclopedia entry, etc.) and presenting them as your own  Cheating means not doing your own work for an assignment and/or copying someone else’s in class 13. Basically: You are responsible for your success in this class – work hard and you will succeed. If you encounter a problem, please come talk with me immediately before it becomes a disaster!

Basic Information  You are responsible for all missing work. Check the notebook and tub on the sideboard for missing assignments AND THEN check with me  A day by day calendar of assignments for each unit will be given out when you take the test for the previous unit.  If you have any questions, please stop by to see me before school in room 125 or email me at [email protected] . My office hours are before school from 7:45-8:30am – if you need to meet with me during a different time, please make an appointment with me beforehand.

AP US Syllabus – Hamer 2014-2015 Page 4