AP United States History
Mr. Silva
2014-2015 Syllabus
Room: D102
Phone: 610.627.6394
Email: ssilva@rtmsd.org; ssilva@rtmsd.net
Free Period: 1st Period
Materials:
Hewitt, Nancy A. & Lawson, Steven F. Exploring American Histories: A Brief Survey with Sources.
Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2013.
Additional primary sources, articles and handouts will be used throughout the year as appropriate.
Students should also have with them every day:
a notebook specific to the course (this class only)*
a folder or binder for handouts and all previous tests and quizzes
a pen or pencil
iPad
* I know some students will prefer to use their iPads for note taking. Understand that all homework
reading assessments will require hand-written notes for use. Notes on the iPad will NOT be allowed
for homework assessments; I recommend you keep a standard notebook for this course.
Course Overview: AP United States History will resemble a freshman college introductory course to
American history. It will be a challenging experience and students should expect the workload to be
comparable to what college demands. As it is taught at a high school, this course meets five days a
week. It is assumed that students have a high level of interest and competence in history prior to
beginning this course. The focus will be on providing students with the analytical skills and factual
knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. History. The
application of those skills will culminate with the AP United States History examination in May.
Students will work to improve reading and writing skills through nightly reading assignments and
consistent writing assignments. Students will be expected to participate daily in class discussions of
assigned readings. The skills students enhance during this course will assist them during their college
years and in lifelong learning.
AP United States History includes components of political, social, economic, cultural, diplomatic, and
intellectual history. The goals of this course are to provide multiple mechanisms to make connections
from the past to the present as well as contemplating the experiences of the varied and diverse
perspectives of the people in the United States. Ultimately, students are preparing to take the AP
United States History Exam given each year in May. By developing the above-mentioned skills,
students will prepare for the four components of the Exam. On a regular basis, students will
experience Multiple-Choice exams, Free- Response essays (FRQs), Short-Answer Questions, and
Document Based Questions (DBQs).
As students study and prepare for the AP U.S. History Exam, they will cover various themes during
the discussions of our nation’s history. As these themes are also highly recommended by the College
Board, the student’s ultimate goal is to look at a well-rounded and developed view of our past. These
themes include the following:
1. Work, Exchange, and Technology
2. Peopling
3. Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture
4. America in the World
5. Environment and Geography - Physical and Human
6. Politics and Power
7. Identity
It is only by incorporating these concepts into our studies can we truly appreciate our own history .
As most students have already taken at least one American history course, basic factual knowledge is
assumed. We will work toward perfecting the “art” of history – interpretation of sources, analysis of
conflicting viewpoints, and persuasive writing.
Course Units: The list below indicates a general plan for the course regarding time and material. Be
advised that materials or amount of time spent on each unit may change during the course of the
year.
Period 1: 1491-1607 (approximately 7 instructional days)
Period 2: 1607-1754 (approximately 14 instructional days)
Period 3: 1754-1800 (approximately 17 instructional days)
Period 4: 1800-1848 (approximately 14 instructional days)
Period 5: 1844-1877 (approximately 19 instructional days)
Period 6: 1865-1898 (approximately 19 instructional days)
Period 7: 1890-1945 (approximately 23 instructional days)
Period 8: 1945-1980 (approximately 21 instructional days)
Period 9: 1980-Present (approximately 7 instructional days)
After the exam, the class completes a major research project and then prepares for the high school
final examination given in June (if students choose to not take the AP exam in May).
Evaluation:
Homework: Every student starts each marking period with a perfect homework grade of 100 points
and your final total counts towards twenty percent of your marking period grade. Even when no
written homework is assigned, you are responsible for reviewing any previous work (notes,
handouts, etc.). I will evaluate each homework based on a four-point rubric. Should you miss an
assignment, in order to gain one point back, you will be required to submit the assignment by Friday
of the week I give the assignment. If you do not submit the assignment (including showing me
reading notes) by Friday, no credit will be given. If you have a good reason as to why you cannot get
to the homework that night (family emergency, worked late, etc.), it is your responsibility to either
call me or e-mail me and let me know in advance. Failure to do so will mean regular deductions. This
is intended to apply only once in awhile; do not abuse the privilege. You should also be checking my
webpage when you are absent.If you are absent and do not have the materials to complete the
assignment, you must contact me either by email or voice mail and let me know in advance. All made
up work will earn credit when it is presented to me on your own in a timely manner. Staying on top
of homework is essential to success in this course. Due to the sheer volume of information we are
going to cover, there will be lots of reading assigned. Students start again with a 100 at the beginning
of each marking period.
Class Participation: Every student starts each marking period with a perfect class participation grade
of 100 points and your final total counts towards twenty percent of your marking period grade. This
evaluation is the most subjective of the course, in that I will be the final determinant of the grade.
History is best understood when you practice it and discuss it. Therefore, it is essential that you ask
questions, enter into debate, and vocally challenge another’s point of view (and sometimes your
own). Proper participation also includes arrival to class on time, preparation, and focus during class.
You will be evaluated every day. You must participate!
Quizzes: Every two weeks, you will be given a quiz to make sure you are keeping up on material.
The quiz average accounts for twenty percent of your marking period grade. The format will usually
be ten short answer questions. If you miss a quiz, you will be expected to take the quiz upon your
return to school. If you are unable to take the quiz upon your return, it is your responsibility to notify
me in advance and make proper arrangements. The deadline to make up a quiz is one week from the
initial date of the quiz. After one week, you will receive a grade of 0 for that quiz. There will be no
reminders to make up the quiz.
Tests: Every two weeks, you will have a test, the average of which will count as forty percent of your
marking period grade. They will be designed to make sure you master a variety of skills and
concepts. The percentage they comprise is evidence of their importance. Be sure to study. The same
policy for making up quizzes applies for tests. Again, there will be no reminders.
Essays: Like tests, you may have an essay at the end of each unit and possibly
some mixed in throughout the semester. Their average will count towards your test or quiz average
for each marking period grade. A rubric on how I will grade essays will follow.
AP Exam and Final Exam: All students are encouraged and expected to take the AP Exam in May.
The whole course prepares you for that experience and the exam in an integral part of the course.
Colleges award college credit for qualifying scores on the exam. For all AP courses, students who
take the AP Exam in May will be exempt from the final course examination in June. Students who do
not take the AP Exam in May will be given an AP equivalent final exam in June without exception.
Web Page: My web page is the primary source for accessing homework assignments and any
handouts/links, etc. you may have missed or lost. You should consult the page before you ask what
you missed while you were out. Assignments will be posted by Monday afternoon, therefore there
should be no excuse for not knowing the homework. To access my page:
Go to the district website (www.rtmsd.org) Select the PHS site (across the top)
Select eFaculty (across the top)
Select my name
Lateness: I expect that you will arrive to class on time and be prepared to start when the bell rings.
After a third lateness to class without a pass, I will assign an after-school detention with me. Any
excessive lateness without a pass (over one minute), may automatically earn a detention and will be
handled on a case by case basis.
Extra Help: Extra help is available any time you feel you need it. However, it is your responsibility to
come see me. An appointment must be made and kept. You must cite specific issues you want to
work on when you make the appointment, otherwise do not bother asking for extra help.
Occasionally I will offer group help sessions before a test. Participation could warrant extra credit
points.
Questions: There is no such thing as a stupid question. If you do not understand something or are
unsure of something, ask. Remember, you are responsible for your own education.
Cheating: I expect honest, independent work from all students at all times. Any academic dishonesty
(homework included) will result in a zero for the assignment in question and an automatic zero in
class participation for the marking period. Refer to the academic honesty link on the PHS home page
if you have any questions.
Technology: Your use of iPads will be essential to this course. Make sure you have them with you
each day. Inappropriate use of technology will result in loss of privileges in class and could
potentially constitute academic dishonesty. See the policy above. Phones are to be kept away at all
times.