Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH)
2014-2015
Mater Lakes Academy
Ms. Charles/ acharles.MLA@gmail.com
Course Description
This comprehensive college course will approach the study of United States history both chronologically and thematically. Emphasis
will be placed on the political, social, economic, and cultural changes our nation has experienced. By focusing on these broad themes,
students will learn the significant factual information in order to provide contextual meaning to a myriad of events. They will also
develop a general understanding of historical concepts, perspectives, and arguments. The textbook, videos, primary resources, and
other supplementary materials will be used throughout the school year to enhance knowledge and understanding. The cultivation of
critical thinking skills is another essential component of this class. Students will apply Bloom’s Taxonomy in order to approach
American history from an analytical rather than superficial perspective.
Course Text: The American Pageant. 2013; 15th Edition. Wadsworth.
Supplementary reading: United States History; Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination (AMSCO); 2015 Edition.
Newman & Schmalbach (ISBN: 978-0-7897-8904-2)
Additional supplementary reading coursework will be assigned throughout the year and will be posted on-line at Materlakes.org.
Course Supplies: One 3-ring binder (2” preferred), Loose leaf paper (for binder), Tabs, Highlighters in different colors, Blue or black
pens, Post-it Notes.
Course Requirements
1. Attendance, participation, and completion of the reading assignments BY CLASS
TIME is expected and essential for success. Completion of all written assignments
upon their given due date is also required and expected.
2. Students must use the Cornell Note Taking technique on ALL take home readings and
note taking assignments. These will be due at the beginning of each class and collected on the day of exams. Students must bring
Cornell Notes to class to add lecture notes and enhance content understanding. Current Events will also be assigned and due on the
last class meeting of the week (either Thursday or Friday depending on the block schedule). Graded assignments from the AMSCO
readings will also be assigned regularly as we move throughout the different US History periods.
3. This course will not cover all of the pertinent historical material due to time constraint. Thus, examinations
and assessments are not relegated to items and issues solely covered in class. Students will be responsible for synthesizing ALL of
the relevant information to effectively prepare for any assessment. Exams may consist of exclusively multiple choice
questions, essays, fill-in-the blanks, or a combination thereof.
4. All tests/ exams will be announced ahead of time. All evaluations will be formatted to meet AP and College Board standards (for
AP students only). However, quizzes may be given at any time without advance notice. Quizzes will assess students’ reading
comprehension from the assigned readings
5. Students will become familiar with the Core Structure writing method used by
the College Board to assess responses for their Document Based Questions (DBQs), Long Essay Questions (LEQs) and Short
Answers (SAs). Writing assignments will be assigned routinely throughout the year.
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6. Students are responsible for checking the classroom websites DAILY (even when absent) to ensure that all assignments are
completed by their due dates.
Absences/ Late Work Policy
It is the responsibility of each student to find out what assignments were missed. Students are responsible for making up all work that
is missed when absent (for any reason). Assignments will be posted daily on the school’s website, therefore, it is the student’s
responsibility to bring in the completed assignment when returning to class. Students are responsible for presenting their excused
absence. Students with unexcused absences must also comply with the same rule; however, there will be a deduction of 10 points per
day if the assignment is late. Any assignment not submitted will be averaged in as an F. Excessive unexcused absences are ground for
receiving No Credit for the course.
Cell Phone/ Electronic Device Policy
While in class cell phones and/or all electronic devices must be turned off and completely put away at the “cell phone” station in class.
Use of your cell phone and/ or electronic devices is strictly prohibited (this includes, but not limited to- talking, texting, recording,
camera, use of internet, social websites and/ or any apps). If for whatever reason an electronic device is not put away in the cell phone
station, I will confiscate the cell phone and/or electronic device and hand it over to administration. PLEASE NOTE: Security guard
reserves the right to confiscate cell phone and/or electronic devices at ANY time that it is being used during class. If the student is in
need of using the cell phone in case of an emergency, student must discuss this with me.
Class Responsibility/ Expectations: Personal accountability is essential. These entails student’s arrival to class on time. Student must
bring all necessary materials to class daily. Additionally, each student is responsible for completing reading, Cornell notes and written
assignments prior to class. Students will be constantly assessed formally and informally to evaluate comprehension. If a student
detects any confusion, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to make an appointment with me. Disrespect of the teacher and/or peers
will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly. It is essential for the student to constantly check the school’s website
regarding all missed material due to an absence.
Grade Distribution
Tests/ Quizzes: 50%
Homework/ Classwork: 30%
Participation/ Binder: 20%
Grading Scale: 100-90%
A
89-80%
B
79-70 %
C
69-60%
D
59%- below F
PLEASE NOTE: Class Participation Points is not an indication of how much information a student inputs during class discussion
regarding the topic being discussed. Rather, it assesses quality contributions by a student as he/she responds to prompts made by
either the instructor or peers, respect towards the instructor during lecture and classwork time and personal accountability in every
aspect.
Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty is defined as an
intentional act of deception in one of the following areas:
 Cheating: use or attempted uses of unauthorized materials, information or study aids
 Fabrication: falsification or invention of any information
 Assisting: helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty
 Tampering: altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents
 Plagiarism: representing the words or ideas of another person as one’s own.
All proper measures will be taken if a student is found to have done any of these things.
Classroom Rules: PLEASE NOTE: Failure to comply with rules and syllabus will result in a lowered participation grade- given DAILY.
1. Follow instructions first time given.
2. Respect your peers and instructor at all times (paying full and undivided attention to instructor at all times- this means absolutely no
private/ separate conversation during lecture AND classwork time).
3. Be prepared for class.
4. NO cell phones or electronic devices. Cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off when in class and placed in cell phone station.
5. Arrive to class on time. This means be in your seat, working on the assignments posted on the board.
6. Turn in ALL assignments on due date.
Course Sequence:
Period 1: A New World of Many Cultures, 1491-1607
Period 2: The Thirteen Colonies and the British Empire & Colonial Society in the 18 th Century, 1607-1754
Period 3: Imperial Wars and Colonial Protest, American Revolution & Confederation and The Constitution and The New Republic, 1787-1800
Period 4: Age of Jefferson, Nationalism and Economic Development, Sectionalism, Age of Jackson and Society, Culture and Reform 1800-1848
Period 5: Territorial & Economic Expansion, The Union in Peril, Civil War and Reconstruction, 1848-1877
Period 6: The Rise of Industrial America, The Last West and the New South, The Growth of Cities and American Culture and the Politics of the Gilded Age,
1877-1900
Period 7: Becoming A World Power, Progressive Era, WWI and Its Aftermath, The Modern Era of the 1920s, The Great Depression & The New Deal, and
Diplomacy and WWII, 1898-1945.
Period 8: Truman and the Cold War, The Eisenhower Years, Promise and Turmoil, Limits of a Superpower, 1845-1980.
Period 9: Conservative Resurgence and the Challenges of the 21 st Century, 1980- Present.
*The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus during the school year.
AP U.S. History Agreement
Please print out syllabus, Sign and return to me FOR A GRADE by August 21st, 2014.
I have read the AP US History course syllabus and understand that this is a college level class replete with a number of challenges. It
will require tremendous dedication and commitment on my part to be successful. I understand that the purpose of this course is to
prepare me for the national AP US History exam that I will be taking in May. To the best of my ability I will:
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Keep up with my assignments and readings
Maintain my integrity by placing my name only on the work that I have done
Pay attention in class and be mindful of my level of participation
Be respectful towards myself, others, and the instructor
Student Name & Period # :______________________ Student Signature: ________________________ Date: ________________
Parent Name: ____________________ Parent Signature: _____________________________ Date: ________________
Parent contact info:
Phone number:____________________
Email Address: ______________________________
Parent’s preferred method of contact (please check one):
__phone call
__via email