Advanced Placement United States History
Course Syllabus and Expectations
Course Design:
Advanced Placement United States History is equivalent to a freshmen level college course offered in the junior year of high
school, with the opportunity to earn college credit. The course is designed to be strenuous in nature and it is important to
understand the objectives and expectations for this course of study.
Course Objectives- Students will:
 develop an appreciation for the study of history;
 develop an understanding of historical chronology;
 interpret and apply data from original documents, including graphs, letters, etc.;
 use historical data to support an argument or position;
 improve writing, and critical reading skills;
 effectively use analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect, compare and contrast;
 prepare for and successfully pass the Advanced Placement Exam in May.
Major Themes of the Course:
Throughout the course, various themes will be incorporated in lecture discussion, essay, independent assignments and
exams. These themes include; National Identity and Citizenship, America on a World Stage, Political Change, Continuity,
Pluralism and Group Identity, and Free Markets and Economic Transformation. Our focus will be on historical changes and
their impact on social, political, economic, religious, and intellectual institutions.
Course Expectations:
In order to be successful, students are expected to maintain pace with the required readings and writings along with a
willingness to devote a considerable amount of time to other homework assignments. Class participation and preparedness
will be evaluated on a daily basis. Students are expected to abide by the ethical standards when preparing and presenting
material that demonstrate their level of knowledge. Such standards are found on the basic concepts of honesty and integrity.
The Code of Conduct policy on cheating will strictly be enforced. Make up work can be submitted by students with
legitimate reasons (i.e., illness death in the family, family emergencies), with parent or guardian note. It is the student's
responsibility to initiate plans for make-up work with the teacher. Assignments not submitted by established due dates will
not be accepted.
Organization:
Structure of the class consists of lecture and discussion, collaborative group activities, and essay writing. Students will
receive a syllabus with reading assignments, and other relevant information. It is the student's responsibility to keep up with
reading assignments and be prepared for quizzes and tests. Every student will be required to keep a portfolio (three ring
binder) for note taking, assigned readings, and for illustrated charts, graphs and maps. Students are to keep a separate spiral
notebook for vocabulary and outline assignments. Each unit will be organized around an essential question or essay question
related to the content. Test will be a combination of objective -and essay question. All essays will be scored according to the
College Board 9 point rubric scale.
College Information:
All of the students enrolled in AP US History will take the national exam in May. This is a three-hour exam, consisting of 55
minute multiple choice section; one-hour document based question essay requiring students to answer a question using a
series of relevant primary sources; and a one-hour section consisting of two shorter essays, one from the period before 1865
and the other since 1865. The test are scored by readers for the College Board and ETS the following June and final scores are
mailed in early July. Score range from 1 to 5, with 3 or better is considered "passing." Those students who score 3 or better
may be able to receive college credit or advanced standing for their AP work.
Grading:
Students will be graded by the following guidelines. All major exams will consist of multiple questions and historical essays
which include the Document Based question and the Free Response essay. Essays and tests are equally weighted at 70%. All
other independent assignments will be weighted 30% of the student’s grade. These independent assignments include short
writing assignments, quizzes, interpretive readings, and analysis of political cartoons and primary source documents. A
midterm exam will be administered which is weighted 20% of the student’s grade for the first half of the course. There will be
a final exam that will be weighted for 25% of the student’s course grade. Absolutely NO late assignments will be accepted.