2015-2016
Advanced Placement United States History Syllabus
Course Objective: To gain a comprehensive understanding of the history of the United
States and complete preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam, which takes place
in May (Friday May 6, 2016 at 7:30 am). The AP U.S. History course focuses on the
development of historical thinking skills through an understanding of themes in U.S.
History while examining a chronological survey of U.S. History.
Text: The American Pageant, Bailey-Kennedy-Cohen, 13th Edition – NOTE: We have
posted PDFs of each chapter on our website, however, these PDFs do not include some
of the visual source material and therefore IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR THE ACTUAL
TEXT IN CLASS, but a resource nonetheless 
Mandatory Supplies: 3-Ring Binder (2-3 inches), college rule paper, spiral notebook, No.
2 pencils, and blue or black pens, dividers for assignments to fit in binder***
****Textbooks, Notebooks, Supplies, and Computers are mandatory to
have in class each day.
*****All work done for our class will be done by hand (pen/pencil on
paper). This mirrors the process by which you will be tested by the College Board in
May.
New Grading Scale for ALL CLASSES in 2015-16
90 – 100
=
A
80 – 89
=
B
70 – 79
=
C
60 – 69
=
D
59 and below
F
***NOTE: If you get more than 6 ABSENCES IN A SEMESTER –YOU MUST MAKE
UP TIME…ALL TIME WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE MADE UP THROUGH THE LNHS
OFFICE (NEW PROCEDURE THIS YEAR)… AND IF NOT DONE SO…THE GRADE
ENTERED FOR THE SEMESTER WILL BE AN “FA.” THE TEACHERS HAVE NO
DISCRETION IN THIS MATTER ANY LONGER.
**LNHS will only offer makeup time during specific time periods during the
year …manage your makeup time well!!
Contact Information
Mr. Jonathan C. Busch: (704) 799-8555 (1505) jbusch00@iss.k12.nc.us
CELL # 704-652-1836, Twitter - @LAKEapus
****NOTE: to communicate with me (Mr. Busch) it is best to text…use e-mail, but
understand I will not be able to reply immediately…most often the next day  I will
not answer telephone calls and messages left by calling…TEXT or E-mail….if we
need to talk I will suggest either I call you or you call me in a text or e-mail.
Mr. Mark Carson: (704) 799-8555 (1507) mcarson@iss.k12.nc.us
***Note: Email is best but I will answer messages left on my school phone within 24
hours.
** CLASS WEBSITE AND CANVAS---most questions about assignments, test dates,
etc. can be answered by visiting Mr. Busch or Mr. Carson’s class webpage and/or
canvas page.
**HELP!! Mr. Busch and Mr. Carson offer help during SMART Lunch. Our tutorials
are offered during tutorial B on Tuesdays and tutorial A on Thursdays. We are also
available before and after school.
AP WORK
1. Homework-various assignments such as reading questions, online primary
source readings, Concept Outlines, Turning Point Events… can be mandatory,
and if they are not turned in on time and complete… points are taken off your
test grade…Points deducted from the test depends on length and difficulty of
assignment…From 5 to 50 points per assignment (out of 400) All work will be
posted on our websites 
2. Quizzes-based on the textbook (Value will be from 5-10-20-30 points)
3. Concept Outlines: Students as you read will supply evidence from your resources
to support the concepts listed, as well as, define any terms or questions that are
included at the end of the outlines. These are due at the end of each Unit on
Test Day and must be handwritten.
4. TURNING POINT Events -you must have a written paragraph that includes
identification AND, in complete sentences, list two (2) causes of the event and
two (2) effects of the event.
5. Multiple Choice Test: (Questions can be from the textbook, primary document
readings, and past AP exams) 400 points
6. Short Answer Questions: are meant to illustrate various types of questions.
These DO NOT require a thesis statement usually 50 Points per Q.
7. Document-Based Question Essays: The main focus will be a specific skill:
causation, change and continuity over time, comparison or periodization. YOU
MUST HAVE A RELEVANT THESIS 400 Points
8. Long Essay Questions: Requires students to demonstrate historical
argumentation and patterns of continuity and change over time. YOU MUST
HAVE A RELEVANT THESIS 400 Points
******Opportunities to improve your grade:
You have unlimited opportunities to improve your grade through extra credit activities.
Points will be allotted under the teacher’s discretion. You are encouraged to seek out
opportunities from your teacher!!
The APUSH Curriculum can be found on the APUSH Course page:
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-history
How to be successful in APUSH 2015-16
*** Important Note: According to ISS…new*** this year
is a requirement that all APUSH students will have to
take and pass the NC Final Exam in American History I
given at the end of the 1st semester. While our
curriculum mirrors the American History I curriculum
to some degree, our AP class is more detailed and
rigorous. The NC Final exam WILL COUNT TOWARDS
20% OF YOUR 1ST SEMESTER GRADE AS THE FINAL
EXAM !!!
WE WILL NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE AMERICAN
HISTORY II EXAM IN THE SPRING; THE APUSH TEST IN
MAY WILL TAKE PLACE OF THAT EXAM.
Class Norms1. Be respectful to me and each other at all times.
2. If you have a questions ask.
3. All work is due on the date assigned regardless…If you have a problem and for
some reason have not completed an assignment that is due…TALK TO US BEFORE
CLASS/SEND ME A TEXT/AN E-MAIL FROM YOU -----NOT YOUR PARENT(S) I
EXPECT TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU ALL YEAR LONG… give me a chance to
process…sometimes I can be disappointed, never angry, but disappointed… let me
think… Most of the time if you have communicated with me prior to class or at the
beginning of class I will give you an extension…BUT IT IS MY CHOICE.
4. Follow all school rules and procedures at all times.
5. Be on time… WE START EVERYDAY WITH THE STATEMENT: “DOES ANYONE
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?” Use that period effectively!!!
Technology Norms:
1. CELL PHONES: When I am talking…and expect your attention your cells should
be put away… I will remind you I promise…Yet… IF YOU VIOLATE THIS your phone
will be mine TEMPORARILY … FOR HOW LONG IS UP TO ME… When we are
working in groups and I expect you to be working YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE YOUR
CELLPHONE OUT… unless I allow it for research etc.
2. COMPUTERS: If you need technical assistance. ASK… You should have your
computer with you charged and ready to go each day. Laptops are to remained
closed and off your desk UNLESS I instruct you to open them and do work on them.
AP Class Assignment/Test Norms “Understanding is earned.
Learning takes time and effort”
1. Do your own work: Our expectation is that you will complete assignments etc.
on your own UNLESS I say that is may be collaborative (team, pair, etc.) CHEATING
WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT A
PARTICULAR ACTION IS CHEATING IT PROBABLY IS…SO DON’T DO IT…
2. ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE Posted ONLINE—our teacher
WEBSITES AND CANVAS (LMS NEW).
3. All assignments must be handwritten (pencil/pen) UNLESS I say otherwise.
4. READ—textbook, primary & secondary sources etc.—you will be
quizzed (verbal & written quizzes…my choice)
5. Take some form of notes, and ask questions…foster a desire to
learn!
****Absence Policy for Assignments/Tests/Projects
— ON WEBSITE AND IN SYLLABUS…
If you are absent for any reason… YOU HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH
ME VIA TEXT OR E-MAIL THAT DAY***
**if there is homework or project due on the day you are absent--- it is due upon
return, including any homework that is due on the day of return… NO
EXCEPTIONS*** (IF THERE IS A PROBLEM I EXPECT YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH
ME 
***Important: IF THERE IS A TEST OR MAJOR ASSIGNMENT DUE… YOU ARE
REQUIRED TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME THAT DAY if you are absent- VIA TEXT
OR E-MAIL…. (NO EXCEPTIONS!!!) OR----YOUR MAKE-UP WILL BE SCORED AT 75%
OF WHAT YOU EARN…
UNIT TESTS: WILL BE GIVEN FOR EACH PERIOD/UNIT AND WILL BE
THE LARGEST PART OF YOUR GRADE…THEY ARE TIMED AND COMPRISED OF
MULTIPLE CHOICE AND WILL ALWAYS ALSO INCLUDE A WRITING
COMPONENT THAT MIRRORS THE ACTUAL APUSH EXAM, saq-dbq-leq.
Please understand that I want ALL of you to be
successful…However, it is UP TO YOU! - “We are what we repeatedly do.”
Aristotle & “if you continue the same actions and expect different results you are
insane.” Einstein? --both paraphrased  Understanding is earned.
Learning takes time and effort… Success in this class for some will take less
time than it takes for others.. YOU will have to decide/prioritize… how YOU will
manage the very busy schedule that you have…your choices will dictate the level
of success YOU CHOOSE TO EARN…
We offer unlimited extra credit… which will be DOING HISTORY… it
can be your own notes for each chapter…it could be accomplishing the “optional”
assignments…Reading Guides, Reading Questions, Research Assignments, etc.… per
chapter, etc.… You will know and I will make clear the options available…BUT YOU
CAN COME TO ME ANYTIME WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT AN XC ASSIGNMENT THAT
YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DOING…
Books – A narrative… one perspective…factual and opinion, includes primary and
secondary sources, and is one view from which we will have a basis to compare to
other perspectives and to question as we examine other sources. YOU WILL BE
EXPECTED TO BRING YOUR BOOK TO CLASS EACH DAY! –the text is also
online but…not seen as a replacement for the actual text in class… (it
does not have all of the visual sources…sorry 
Syllabus – WE WILL REVIEW IN CLASS  ---IT WILL BE MANDATORY THAT ALL
STUDENTS AND PARENTS REVIEW AND RETURN FORM STATING THEY HAVE
REVIEWED CONTENT AND UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES
INCLUDED THEREIN. The SYLLABUS WILL BE POSTED ONLINE 
The AP Curriculum Framework…200+ pages that prescribe
the content taught in APUSH… We will be working with the content included to
ensure that students will be successful on the AP Exam given in May. I will post
to the website various parts for us to interact with periodically.
The AP Exam: Friday, May 6, 2016 - 7:30am –ALL students are required
to take the APUSH Exam…
Multiple Choice – 55 questions – 40% of Score
Short Answer Questions – 4 mandatory questions -20% of Score
Document-Based Question (essay) – 1 mandatory question -25%
Long Essay Question - 2 questions you choose 1 – 15% of Score
**Students who earn a score of 3,4,or 5 on the AP EXAM can get college credit
depending on the college you attend.
*We will review how the APUSH Test is scored & the Rubrics that inform scoring of
the SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ. (We will interact with the Rubrics consistently all year)
Organization: Periods 1-9, chronologically organized
Our class will be organized mirroring the periods that have been created by the
College Board and are described in the Curriculum Framework. Our Period/Unit
tests will mirror the APUSH Exam in timing and content.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at any
time 