Advanced Placement U.S. History: 1400 – to the Present
Ms. Burns, Instructor
Room 207
Phone: 812-421-1820 ext. 4365
Email: sarah.burns@signature.edu
Ms. Burns’ Website: http://msburnssocialstudies.weebly.com
Welcome to AP U.S. History. This is a college-level class which follows the format of many undergraduate survey classes. College credit
may be obtained if a student scores a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Exam in May, 2016. The course emphasizes a critical approach to the study of
history. The use of critical thinking skills plus the application of comprehensive, persuasive writing are integral parts of this study of
United States History. Reading is assigned in blocks to be completed by the motivated, responsible students. Discussions are far-ranging
and do not replace the necessary independent reading. The major goal of the course is to instill in students a deep understanding of the
flow of history, allowing them to score well on the national examination in May.
Important Dates to Remember:
Unit One Exam: September 3
Unit Two Exam: October 8
Unit Three Exam: November 12
Midterm Exam: TBA
Friday, May 6 – AP Test
***Always keep the grading period dates in mind.***
First Semester Units:
 Unit I – Chapters 1-5
 Unit II – Chapters 6-11
 Unit III – Chapters 12-18
Major Themes:
These themes are woven throughout unit discussions, with assessments (quizzes, essays, and exams), being structured around them.
Native Americans
American Identity and Citizenship
The U. S. Constitution
Party Politics and Government
Religion in American
The American Land – Ecology and Cultural Geography
American Immigration and Nativism
Labor and Capitalism
America on a World Stage
American Reform Movements
Women in America
Struggles for Civil Rights
American Economic History
Popular Culture and the Arts in America
Grading Scale:
90-100% - A
80 – 89% - B
70 – 79% - C
60 – 69% - D
Below 60% - F
*** I do not automatically round up
grades***
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Assignments:
Below are the assignments which will make up the bulk of your grade:
 Reading Quizzes – You will be assigned reading from the textbook several times during the course of a typical week.
There will be random reading quizzes based on the information from the assigned reading. At times, the students will turn in
their notes for additional credit; I will not accept a word for word copy from the book.
 Essays – You will be assigned to write essays that require them to link information from across the curriculum.
 Tests – Each test will cover information from lecture, class discussion, reading, and any other method of instruction. The
tests are designed to prepare you for the AP exam in May; therefore, all tests will be timed.
Late Policies:
 Late homework will not be accepted.
o If you are absent, homework will be due the day you return.
 Test Makeup
o If a student is absent the day of a scheduled test or quiz, the student will be required to take the test the day he/she
returns.
o Missing a review day/day before an exam does not allow the student to push back his/her test.
Required Materials:
 Textbook: The American Pageant
 Plenty of paper or a notebook
 Writing materials
 A 3-ring binder (I would suggest 3”, with dividers)
 Please purchase a test prep book to refer to it throughout the year. These are very helpful when preparing for the test.
Conduct Reminders:
o Sharing test topics, copying reading notes, and other forms of plagiarism is considered cheating. Any instance of
cheating will be handled swiftly.
o All students are expected to participate and equally contribute to group projects.
o Students are not allowed to leave the floor or talk in the hallway during class breaks.
Final Thoughts:
Your first semester at Signature and your first AP courses can become overwhelming. Remember,
however, that you are not alone. We are in this together, and you can do it. Please make sure you talk to me as
soon as you begin to feel confused or overwhelmed; waiting too long will only make it worse. YOU CAN HANDLE IT.
You know more than you think you know, and are much more capable than you often give yourself credit for. I
know how to go about this, and how to get you where you need to be. So don’t worry, you’ll be taken care of, and
you’ll do fine… that’s what we do here. 
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