ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY
Course Description/Requirements
Teacher: Mr. Ryan Lindbuchler
Textbook: R.R. Palmer and Joel Colton, A History of the Modern World, McGraw-Hill, Inc.,
New York, NY, 1995.
Course Description:
The current Advanced Placement Program in European History corresponds to the most recent
trends in curriculums at the college undergraduate level. The honors course is offered to meet the
needs of the most able student, and is recommended only to those students that have a high
degree of self motivation, as this is a very demanding course.
In addition to providing a basic exposure to the factual narrative, the goals of the AP program in
European History are to develop:
(a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European History
(b) an ability to analyze historical evidence (handle primary source materials and conflicting
interpretations critically in order to arrive at conclusions).
(c) An ability to express that understanding and analysis in writing (express ideas clearly and to
support and defend ideas and interpretations both in writing and orally).
A major goal is for students to prepare to take the college-level examination in May which, if
passed, can earn a year’s college credit in European History. The cost of the exam is about
$85.00.
All sections of the examination reflect college programs in terms of subject matter and approach.
Therefore, questions in intellectual and cultural, political and diplomatic, and social and
economic history form the basis for the examination. Students are expected to demonstrate a
knowledge of basic chronology and of major events and trends from approximately 1450 to the
present, that is, from the High Renaissance to the recent past. The entire chronological scope and
a range of approaches are incorporated throughout the exam.
Advanced Placement Examination Format:
The exam is three hours and five minutes long consisting of a 55-minute multiple-choice section,
and a 130-minute free response section.
Section I, the multiple-choice section, consists of 80 questions designed to measure the student’s
knowledge of European history. Approximately one-half of the questions deal with the period
from 1450 to the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Era (about 1815), and one-half from 1815
to the present. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of the questions focus on cultural and intellectual
themes, 35 to 45 percent on political and diplomatic themes, and 30 to 40 percent on social and
economic themes. Of course, many questions draw on knowledge of more than one
chronological period or theme. Students should also have some familiarity with those aspects of
the late medieval period which have an impact on post 1450 events, but there will be no essay or
multiple-choice question that will have pre-1450 material as its focus.
Section II, the free response section, begins with a mandatory 15-minute reading followed by Part
A, in which students are required to answer a document-based essay question (DBQ) in 45
minutes, and Part B, in which students are asked to answer two 35-minute thematic questions
with 5 of the minutes per essay spent on planning (70 minutes). Students will choose one essay
from each to the two groups of three essays. The 30-minute thematic questions will be grouped
to ensure that students consider a range of historical periods and approaches. Students are to
spend the introductory 15-minute reading period of Section II analyzing the documents of the
DBQ; outlining their answer; and considering the choices of questions offered in Part B.
Within the free response section, the 45-minute DBQ essay will be weighed 45 percent and the
two 30-minute thematic essays together will be weighed 55 percent. For the total examination
score the multiple-choice and the free response sections will be weighed equally.
Grading System: Grades will be based on a point system. Each assignment will be given a
point value. Each quarter, a student can add up the points they earned and divide it by the
possible points they could have earned. This will give the student an average. Grades will be
based on the following:
(a) Tests/Quizzes – objective/essay questions – usually constructed in the same style as the
actual AP exam – for practice.
(b) Oral reports/essays/current events/projects
(c) Homework – consisting of reading, completion of unfinished work, review, research,
writing, observation, current event, etc…
(d) Class Participation – it is essential that students come prepared to each class, having read the
assigned material and done the assigned homework. You will be called upon during class
discussions – be prepared.
Time: WORK MUST BE TURNED IN ON TIME. Work that is one day late will receive
50% credit. Work will not be accepted after one day, and the student will receive a zero for the
assignment. If a student is absent one day, they have one day to make it up, if they are out 2 days,
there is a two-day grace period, etc.
Attendance: Regular attendance is expected. When students are out, they are expected to get
the makeup work and complete it in a timely manner (see above). As per district policy, 16
unexcused absences will result in a withdrawal from the class with no credit earned. If a test is
missed, the student is expected to make it up the day they return to class. In some cases the tests
will be given before or after school to avoid interfering with class sessions. Being absent on the
day before the test does not excuse one from taking the test when scheduled. According to
district policy, each student has 10 school days to make up a test. If it is not made up in that time,
the student will receive a zero.
Behavior: Use good judgment and common sense and the time spent in class will be rewarding
for everyone. Working on other subjects, reading material unrelated to the class, not bringing
materials to class, excessive pass requests, sitting idly, excessive talking, swearing, roaming the
room, defiance, rudeness, disrespect shown to myself and others, and littering-all reflect
inappropriate behavior on behalf of the student and will be taken care of swiftly with disciplinary
actions. You are expected to have your notebook and your textbook with you for EVERY class,
even during test periods.
Cheating: Cheating, or an attempt to cheat, is categorically unacceptable and will result in zero
points for the assignment with no opportunity to make it up. Offending students will also be put
up for disciplinary action by the administration and parents will be notified.
A Final Word: Good common sense and respect for ones’ fellow classmates, teachers, and
school is essential. Come to class eager to learn, to listen, to question and to enjoy history. I am
looking forward to a great school year.
Mr. Lindbuchler
STUDENT NAME (Print) ________________________________________________________
I have read, understand, and promise to follow Mr. Lindbuchler’s course requirements and
explanation of the academic and behavioral requirements. I understand time commitment is
necessary and I agree to prepare to take the AP European History Exam.
STUDENT SIGNATURE/DATE:___________________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE/DATE:_________________________________________
***Return this paper (detached from the other page) for the first homework grade (20
points).***