Advanced Placement United States History (APUS)---Course Syllabus

J. Harper
ADC Academy

2016 2017
harperapus@gmail.com | @HarperAPUSH

Text/Course Materials:
Kennedy, David and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant: A History of the Republic. 16th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company,
2015.
Various primary and secondary source readings as well as short videos throughout the year
Dedicated 3-ring binder, 2 inch or larger with dividers

Course Description: This weighted college-level course is an in-depth study of United States history from the Age of Exploration
to the present. Students who are selected for this course will be expected to read a college-level United States history textbook,
participate in discussions on a regular basis, and write essays and papers which will demonstrate analytical skills and knowledge of
subject area content. Upon completion of this course, students choosing to take the advanced placement exam, scoring three or above,
may receive college credit from participating colleges and universities and will receive a refund of their AP Test fee.

Curriculum: The APUS History course is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to
deal critically with the problems and materials in US history. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college
courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students should learn to
assess historical materialstheir relevance to a given interpretive problem, reliability, and importanceand to weigh the evidence
and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. An APUS History course should thus develop the skills necessary to arrive at
conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format.

Key Themes: National Identity | Work, Exchange, and Technology | Migration and Settlement | Politics and Power | America in the
World | Geography and Environment | Culture and Society

Key Eras: Early European Colonization | British Colonization in Focus | Independence and Early Republic | Economic, Political,
and Cultural Development | Civil War and Reconstruction | The Gilded Age | America on the Global Stage | The US Post War | 21 st
Century Challenges

Historical Thinking Skills: Historical Causation | Patterns of Continuity and Change | Periodization | Comparison |
Contextualization | Historical Argumentation | Appropriate Use of Relevant Historical Evidence | Interpretation | Synthesis

Attendance: Daily attendance is vital for success! Whether a student is absent or tardy, that student is responsible for all
assignments made in his or her absence. Experiences such as class discussions, interactions with peers, group work, etc., are
impossible to replicate/make up. Missed quizzes/tests will be made up before or after school by appointment in a pre-designated
classroom and likely will not be the same as was given in class. It is the students responsibility to reschedule their make-up test or
quiz. Make-ups will not be given unless an absence is excused. Please see the student handbook for absences that will be excused.

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Class Participation: It is understood that students will be active participants in class discussions, as well as be attentive and
respectful of others in class. Questions are encouraged, but the student must be recognized before speaking. RAISE YOUR HAND
AND BE RECOGNIZED! Do not blurt out comments unless invited to do so. Disruptive and annoying behavior (talking with
peers, texting on cell phones, passing notes, flirting, sleeping, putting on makeup, etc) will not be tolerated. Dishonesty (cheating--whether on the giving or receiving end, plagiarism, etc.) will result in immediate disciplinary action of the student(s) involved, as per
Board policy.

Grading: This class is structured to give you skills required for success on the AP United States History Exam and life-long
learning. Time in class will be devoted to learning how to analyze and evaluate AP-type multiple choice questions as well as how to
effectively respond to Free Response Questions (FRQ) and Document Based Questions (DBQ). Much class time will be devoted to
learning how to think like a historian.
While much of our work will take place in class, all assignments have a due date. Late work will rarely be accepted, and the grade
may be heavily reduced. Not turning in your work is a poor option. Should a student check in/out of school on the day an
assignment is due, it is the responsibility of the student to submit that assignment to the teacher after checking in or before checking
out. Missing class due to a check in/out does NOT give the student an additional day to submit an assignment.
Be sure to have extra ink cartridges and paper so that you do not end up in a pickle. I will not accept technical errors as an excuse
for late or missing work. Back up all files on a flash drive or to your email so that you can access them elsewhere if necessary.

Tests and Quizzes: Tests will generally be constructed to replicate AP testing conditions. This will include multiple choice and
free response questions. Tests will be evaluated similar to the evaluation of AP Exams.

General Information:
The academic misconduct policy of the school will be followed..see student handbook.
The attendance policy of the school will be followed.see student handbook.
The dress code policy of the school will be strictly followed see student handbook.
Any student who receives failing grades during this course is urged to discuss this with the teacher.

Classroom Policies:
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Students are expected to show respect to teachers and fellow students, dress appropriately, and use appropriate language at all
times.
All rules in the student handbook will be enforced.
Students must bring textbook, notebook, and pencil/pen, to class each day.
All work must be neat, on time, labeled correctly, and in black or blue ink, unless otherwise specified.
Students are responsible for arranging all make-up work the day they return from being absent. A due date for missed work
will be given at that time.
All students are expected to participate in class. Participation will be considered in the grade.

Consequences for non-compliance with classroom and school rules:

Student teacher conference

Parent teacher conference - phone
Parent teacher student conference
Referral to administrator

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Student/Parent Contact Information: (Print clearly)
Student Name: ____________________________________________________
Fr

Soph

Jr.

Sr.

Email: ______________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name(s): __________________________________________________

Contact Number & Email: (indicate which parent/guardian, home, cell, and work)