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AP European History/IB History of
Europe and the Middle East
Instructor Information
Instructor: Ms. McDermott
Tutorial Times: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday after school and by appointment. Feel free to
schedule an appointment time.
Email: sarahmcdermott@trinityes.org
Office Phone: 327-3124
Course Information
Test Days: Tuesdays and Fridays
Exams:
• Mid-year exam on Friday, December 13. This will be a 3 hours exam.
• The AP Exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 12:00
• All students enrolled in this class are expected to take the AP exam in May.
Assignment Posting
Assignments will be posted on the class webpage http://europeanhistoryap.weebly.com
Unless otherwise noted, assignments are due at the beginning of class. Please note that you
can access my weebly site from my Trinity teacher page.
Course Description
Advanced Placement Course Description
The description below is from the AP European Course Homepage and can be accessed at http://
apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-european-history-course-description.pdf
The study of European history since 1450 introduces students to cultural, economic, political,
and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live .
Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for under- standing the development of
contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics,
and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse .
In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of AP European
History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European
history, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an
ability to express historical understanding in writing.
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IB History
In addition to addressing the Advanced Placement course goals, this course also serves as the
first of the two year IB HL sequence. The IB sequence of history Trinity students follow is
Route 2, which focuses on the 20th century with some topics for paper 3 also covering the topics
from the French Revolution through the 20th century. Students taking the IB sequence will
receive a copy of the IB curriculum. As we reach content that is part of our IB route 2 sequence,
this content will be highlighted.
We will also address IB the history aims. The course aims are designed
to:
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promote an understanding of history as a discipline, including the nature and diversity of
its sources, methods and interpretations
encourage an understanding of the impact of historical developments at national, regional
and international levels
encourage an understanding of the present through critical reflection upon the past
We will also be integrating the following IB assessment criteria
1: Knowledge and understanding
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Recall and select relevant historical knowledge
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Demonstrate an understanding of historical context
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Demonstrate an understanding of historical processes: cause and effect; continuity and
change
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Understand historical sources
2: Application and interpretation
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Apply historical knowledge as evidence
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Show awareness of different approaches to, and interpretations of, historical issues and
events
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Compare and contrast historical sources as evidence
3: Synthesis and evaluation
• Evaluate different approaches to, and interpretations of, historical issues and events
• Evaluate historical sources as evidence !
• Evaluate and synthesize evidence from both historical sources and background knowledge.
4: Use of historical skills
• Demonstrate the ability to structure an essay answer, using evidence to support relevant,
balanced and focused historical arguments
• Demonstrate evidence of research skills, organization and referencing
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Required Texts
Hunt, Lynn, et al. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/
St. Martins, 2009. Print.
This is the primary textbook for the class. Should you prefer and you bring a laptop to
class, you may want to get the digital copy.
Strickland, Carol. The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History from the
Prehistoric to Postmodern. 2nd ed. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel, 1992. Print.
If you have a copy of the first edition, which has a white cover, that will also work.
Viault, Birdsall S. Modern European History. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1990. Print.
This book is a very helpful and relatively inexpensive reference tool. It is also available
in digital format. For those of you continuing on to Mr. Phillips’ IB HL History, this is a
resource that I think you will find helpful this year and next year. I realize that this was
not on the list you accessed online. It is generally readily available from online sellers.
If you are having any trouble locating it, please let me know. It would be helpful if you
could get a copy in the next two weeks.
There are a number of AP review books available. I have some available for you to look at. If
you have questions or are looking for suggestions, please feel free to come and see me. If you
are looking for a VERY BASIC review guide you might find AP European History: Crash
Course by Larry Krieger helpful.
Grading
Your grade will be calculated using a point system. A weekly preparedness and participation
grade will also be entered. Feel free to come talk to me about any question you may have
about your grade. Since grades are an individual matter, it is usually easier to discuss them
during tutorial or another mutually convenient time. You will be able to access your current
grades on PowerSchool.
For AP/IB courses, your semester exam counts for 1/3 of your semester 1 grade. You will
NOT be required to take a final exam in addition to the AP Exam, so your second semester
grade will be calculated using the averages from grading periods 3 and 4.
Term Grade Calculations
Semester 1
Q1 33.33%
Q2 33.33%
F1 33.33%
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Semester 2
Q3 50%
Q4 50%
Year Grade
S1 50%
S2 50%
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Materials
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Large binder (at least 2”) and dividers— for 1)class notes, 2)reading handouts,
3)primary source materials, 4) returned assignments, 5) tests and quizzes, 6)AP exam
review materials, 7)IB specific course information (the final section is required only for
IB students.) You should have a table of contents in the front of your binder.
College ruled composition book or sketchbook with sewn in pages (100 pages or
more). You will be using this as your writer’s notebook.
3x5 cards. You will need more than one pack during the year, but just replenish as
needed. It will help if you hole punch a number of them. Whether you punch the holes
in the top center or closer to a corner is up to you. You will have at least 2 major
notecard stacks if you are an AP student and 3 if you are an AP/IB student. (That doesn’t
mean that IB students have more terms to keep track of, it just means that I want IB
students to also be able to color code terms that relate to IB objectives.) If you are a color
coding fanatic, you may want to get different colored notecards. You can certainly come
up with a coding system that does not involve anything other than plain notecards.
At least 2 notecard rings for your notecards. (AP students will have two “required”
stacks, and AP/IB students will have 3.)
At least two different colored highlighters.
Glue stick. (I will have some in class, but you might want one in your bag.)
Self-adhesive notes (Post-Its)
Digital Accounts
You will receive instructions for setting up each of these accounts.
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Gmail account and google docs
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NoodleTools (You should have one from last year.)
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Turnitin.com (You may have one from last year.)
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Diigo.com this is a tool for bookmarking and annotating items you read online. We will
be using online sources for a number of the primary source documents we will analyze
this year.
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Video streaming through TES account. I will give you a copy of the username and
password you need for this.
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Remind 101 Signing up for this account is optional. If you choose, you can receive class
reminders via text message. I will not be able to see your phone number. To sign up,
send a text @tesapeuro to (754) 227-2442.
Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy
You must request permission to use an electronic device in class.
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Expectations for Class
Europeans had over 450 years to create the history we need to learn this year. Work ethic and
preparation will be key. I am always more than happy to help.
You can expect me to
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be honest and fair
be available to meet with you to discuss your work
push you to do your best while being mindful that this class is not your only obligation
to be prepared and to work hard to ensure you are prepared for your AP exam.
I expect you to
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work hard--which means going beyond just “completing” assignments
be engaged and participate
keep up with assignments--even if there isn’t necessarily a point value
commit to regular review
be on time and respect that class time is important
ask questions
Honor Expectations
Tests and Quizzes
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All tests and quizzes are pledged. Phones and electronic devices are not permitted.
They must be in the yellow electronic device bin or in your closed bag.
Bags must be at the front of the room.
You must write the pledge out and sign your name.
“Final Draft” Written Assignments--such as FRQs, DBQs
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Assume that all take home essays are pledged. Under no circumstances can you
present other work as your own. If you have questions, please ask me about the
parameters of group discussion.
That being said, I may often indicate that I am OK with students discussing the
question with classmates or with me.
If you have permission to consult outside sources, make sure that you properly cite all
quoted or paraphrased information. All ideas should be appropriately attributed.
Homework Assignments
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While discussion and sharing ideas with people is a key way to develop our understanding
of a concept, it is also important to identify when something you turn in is supposed to be
“your own” work.
You should NEVER take someone else’s work, copy it, and turn it in.
If you talk about homework questions or topics, that is generally OK. Just make sure that
you have generated your own written assignment.
If you have questions about the extent to which you may work together, please ask.
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