Advanced Placement United States History Course Syllabus
Instructor: Elizabeth (Beth) Roberts
Room #: 1010
Course/Semester: Advanced Placement United States History
Plan hour: 4th hour
Work phone: 224-1315
Email address: eroberts@bssd.net
Textbook: America’s History Eighth Edition; Replacement Cost: see me for replacement
Course description: This is a survey of United States history from pre-Columbian societies to
contemporary events. Its goals are to instill an appreciation of democracy in the United States, and
increased knowledge and understanding of constitutional, political, economic, and social developments of
the United States. Students will have a required summer reading assignment, be expected to read 30-50
pages of material per week, and should plan to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week outside of class on
this course. All course materials are written using a college-level vocabulary. Students will learn the
skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgment and to present reasons and
evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. Students will prepare for and take the Advanced
Placement Exam in May. An additional weighted/honor point may be earned for each semester passed of
this course. Students who successfully complete this course can fulfill the 11th grade U.S. History
graduation requirement. All students are expected to take the AP exam and pay the examination fee.
Major components of the course: The first semester of the course includes material from the preColumbian cultures through Reconstruction. The second semester of this course begins with the Gilded
Age and follows the development of the United States as a world leader through both World Wars and
into the 21st century.
Grading scale: Course grades are cumulative. This course uses the standard grading scale as printed in
the student handbook. Grades are earned through quizzes, tests, presentations and writing assignments.
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Attendance policy: This course follows the attendance policy as outlined in the student handbook.
Students absent for 12 days or more will require a doctor’s excuse to receive make up work, per the
student handbook policy.
Tardy policy: This course follows the tardy policy as outlined in the student handbook.
Make-up policy: Make-up work for excused absences will follow the policy in the student handbook.
Late work will be accepted one day late for half credit. Work turned in more than one day late will
receive zero credit.
Major assignments: Assignments will be due on the date assigned regardless of whether the student is
in attendance on the due date. Major assignments turned in after the due date will be accepted for half
credit. Email may be utilized for turning in assignments.
Plagiarism - Plagiarism will not be tolerated in A.P. US History. One of the primary purposes of the class
is to prepare students to perform well on the AP US History exam in May 2015. Plagiarizing work during
the course of the year is not the way to pass the exam and, most importantly, plagiarism is dishonest. You
may complete work in electronic format and email it to me; however, any work that is plagiarized will be
returned for a one-time chance at correction. Work plagiarized thereafter will receive a zero. Please be
aware that this includes terms, as well as all other work.
Course objectives:
1. Learner will examine and analyze economic trends and conflicts throughout US history.
2. Learner will examine and analyze social/cultural trends and conflicts throughout US history.
3. Learner will examine and analyze geographic trends and conflicts throughout US history.
4. Learner will examine and analyze political trends and conflicts throughout US history.
5. Learner will examine and analyze foreign policy throughout US history.
6. Learner will understand and use the tools of social science inquiry (surveys, statistics, maps
political cartoons, primary and secondary sources) to analyze and make predictions.
Course Expectations:
Rigor – This class is the most rigorous option for the US history requirement. In choosing this
class, you acknowledge the work load and quality expected will be highly rigorous and will take a
significant amount of time. There is no downtime in this class until after the test in May. You can
expect to work on history every day. This class must be of equal importance as other rigorous
classes in order to be successfully prepared for the AP test.
Materials: Students are encouraged to utilize their own best practices for organization in this
class. On a daily basis, you will be required to have appropriate writing utensils, paper for notes
or assignments, and a folder or binder where all work can be kept in an organized manner.
Expectations: This class will require a significant amount of time outside of class, including
weekends. Time management will be essential for your success in this course. Arrive
prepared to take part in class; your participation is vital to your success. Class discussion cannot
happen without your input!
All students are encouraged to take the A.P. test in May.
Extra Credit – because of the accelerated nature of this course, extra credit is not regularly offered.
Phones – Phones must be silenced and completely put away in backpacks during class unless
specific permission is given to use calendars or reminders. Students will receive two warnings,
before disciplinary action.
Students are encouraged to use the Remind 101 application as demonstrated in class for
reminders and pertinent information.