AP Art History
Course Syllabus 2015-16
Mrs. Leslie Kepner
Email: lkepner@ucvts.tec.nj.us
Phone: (908) 889-8288 Ext 357
Teacher Site: http://ucvts.schoolwires.net/Domain/618
Office Hours: Co-Curricular Period 5 or by appointment
Course Description
The Advanced Placement Art History course explores the diverse artistic traditions of cultures from prehistory to
the present, fostering an in-depth and holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective.
Students will develop and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of
art works in painting, sculpture, and architecture. This course emphasizes understanding works of art within
their historical context by examining issues such as politics, class, religion, patronage, audience, gender,
ethnicity, and utility. AP Art History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college art
history survey course.
AP Art History Exam
This course prepares students for the AP Art History exam. The College Board® AP Art History exam is scheduled
for Tuesday, May 3, 2016. In addition to in-class preparation, Intensive exam review sessions will be offered
during co-curricular and/or after school during the weeks leading up to the exam. Post-exam enrichment
activities will be provided between the exam date and the end of the school year in June.
Grading Policy
This full year class consists of four marking periods, a midterm, and a final exam. Students will be evaluated
through a variety of assessment techniques including tests, quizzes, homework, quizzes, essays, research
projects, presentations, and class discussions. Grades will be weighted by:
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Tests 30%
Projects 25%
Essays, Homework, and Quizzes 20%
Art Cards/Reading Checks 15%
Participation/Organization/Preparation (POP) 10%
Tests will be given at the end of each major unit, and may include additional formative assessments during each
unit. Test dates will be posted in class and on Google Classroom, and will include review and/or study guides.
Tests or quizzes missed due to absence will be made up on the day the student returns to school, unless other
arrangements were agreed upon between teacher and student.
Projects include written research projects, creative projects, and group projects or presentations. Project
deadlines will be posted in class and on Google Classroom.
Art Cards are “flash cards” that students will create and use for AP exam review, including all 250 images in the
AP Image Set. Art Cards will be checked for completion at various stages throughout each unit. Completion
dates & deadlines will be posted on Google Drive.
Reading Checks are formative assessments that will quiz students on essential understandings from the previous
day’s homework and/or reading assignment.
Participation/Organization/Preparation (POP) includes active participation in class discussions, in-class
assignments, and equitable participation in partner or group work. Students are expected to arrive on time and
be prepared for class by completing the assigned homework or reading activity. Class discussions are essential to
the visual analysis of artworks, and students are expected to actively engage in the questioning, debate, or
group discussion of works of art. Participation grades will be posted weekly. Students may be marked down for
or tardies, lack of participation or preparedness, or distracting/disruptive behavior (including inappropriate cell
phone or laptop use.) Please see attached rubric for expectations regarding class participation.
Late Policy
Projects, essays, homework, and other assignments are expected to be submitted on time and will be marked
down for each day that they are late:
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10% (1 letter grade) for every CLASS day late (B Day to next B Day)
5% (1/2 letter grade) for every calendar day (B day to the following A day)
Students absent on the date an assignment is due are expected to hand in the work on the day they return.
Students may be granted an extension based on days missed if previously agreed upon with the teacher.
Assignments may be submitted remotely using Google Classroom.
Class Rules & Procedures
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No food or drink in the classroom!
Keep your desk space organized & clean.
NO cell phone use (talking OR texting) during class
Laptops and classroom computers are NOT to be used in class for:
o Gaming
o Social media
o Videos/entertainment
o Homework for other classes
o Web surfing (unless for classwork)
o Any violation of UCTech’s Acceptable Use Policy
Do not download software or alter computer settings on the classroom PCs without teacher permission
Respect teacher & classmates at all times through active listening and mutual respect
Absences: Students need to provide a note from a parent, doctor, or home district in order for an absence to be
excused. Students are responsible for making up all work missed during an absence. Check Google Classroom for
any missed assignments. Extra help for makeup work is available during co-curricular period 5.
Tardies: Students late to class must have a note or a Swipe pass. Students with 3 or more tardies will receive a
verbal warning and parental notification. Students with 5 or more tardies with earn a LOP.
LOP (Loss of Privileges) are a consequence for repeated infractions if you choose to break a class rule or school
policy. Students who receive a LOP will be assigned to a designated classroom during co-curricular period.
Seriously disruptive behavior will be rewarded with a trip to the main office that may result in detention or
other administrative consequences.
Class Supplies
1. BINDER/NOTEBOOK: 1½” or 2” binder notebook (including loose-leaf paper) for taking notes, lot of notes!
Notetaking on laptops or other devices is not allowed. You will need several folders for handouts, readings,
instructions, and other paperwork. I recommend at least 10-12 section dividers for the major
cultural/chronological units in this class.
2. FLASH DRIVE to transport & back up digital work (writing, research, images, etc.). Students are also
encouraged to use Google Drive as a remote server to store and back up their work. Laptops, Chromebooks,
or other student devices may be brought to class on an as-needed basis, but are not required for this course.
PCs for student research are available in the classroom.
3. INDEX CARDS: Every student will need to buy a set of 300 5” x 8” index cards to create “Art Cards” for exam
review. Students may choose white or color-coded index cards. Storage boxes or file folders designed to
hold 5x8” index cards are strongly recommended (although the right size shoebox will suffice!)
4. WRITING UTENSILS: Pen or pencils will be needed every day!
AP Art History
Mrs. Leslie Kepner
Email: lkepner@ucvts.tec.nj.us
Phone: (908) 889-8288 Ext 357
Teacher Site: http://ucvts.schoolwires.net/Domain/618
Office Hours: Co-curricular Periods 5 or by appointment
Please sign & return this acknowledgement by Friday, September 11, 2015
Student Agreement
I have read and understand the grading policy, rules and procedures for AP Art History, and will do my best to
follow these guidelines.
Print Student Name:
Student Signature:
Date:
Parent Acknowledgement
I have reviewed the Grading Policy, Rules and Procedures for AP Art History and will support my student in
abiding by these guidelines.
Parent Name:
Parent Signature:
Date:
PARENTS, please let me know how best to reach you, and indicate your preferred method of contact:
o
Home Phone:
o
Cell or Other:
o
Email:
A reminder that Back-to-School Night is Thursday, September 24th!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to a positive & productive school year!
Mrs. Leslie Kepner
UCTech School of Design