LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC
A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss it, but we aim too low and reach it.”
--Michelangelo
Instructor: Mr. Eric Kuhlman
E-Mail: ekuhlman@lcchs.edu
Phone Extension: 2308
Planning Period:
2nd Period 8:55-9:40
Study Hall: 7th Period 1:25-2:10
Availability for Extended Help: 7:15-7:45 AM and 3:15-4:00+ PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION – textbook: Jackson J. Spielvogel – Western Civilization 5th Edition
This course analyzes European history from 1450 until present day. It is the goal of this course to
introduce students to cultural, economic, political and social developments that played a fundamental
role in shaping the world in which we live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for
understanding 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
dialogue. The course outline includes studying the following time periods:
The Late Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation
The Age of Exploration, Absolute Monarchy, Scientific Revolution and Age of Enlightenment
The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte
The Industrial Revolution
Romanticism and Realism
Nationalism and the Age of Progress
The Age of Imperialism and World War I
Europe Between Wars and World War II
The Cold War and Modern Europe
COURSE OUTCOMES
After taking this course, students will be able to…
Analyze the cause and effect relationships that shape the chain of events in European history.
Evaluate decision-making of historical leaders and their outcomes through differing perspectives.
Develop a sound knowledge of European geography including countries, cities and landmarks.
Analyze arguments, beliefs and bias in primary documents from throughout European history.
Conceptualize the information through a variety of skills including artistic and writing formats.
EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to BE PREPARED with their binder, paper, writing utensil and highlighter.
Students must have THEIR PLANNER to leave the classroom. (at the discretion of the teacher)
All students are expected to actively participate during class discussion and in group activities.
During class discussion or group activities students must be RESPECTFUL of their classmates.
Write your FIRST and LAST NAME on all collected assignments in the upper right hand corner.
All assignments should be typed unless otherwise instructed or given specific teacher permission.
NO student will prevent any other student from learning or the teacher from teaching.
LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC
GRADING SCALE
This course uses the Lima Central Catholic grading scale:
A+ = 100% A = 95%-99% A- = 92%-94% B+ = 89%-91% B = 86%-88% B- = 83%-85%
C+ = 80%-82% C = 77%-79% C- = 74%-76%
D = 68%-70% D- = 66%-67% <66% = F
PROCEDURES
Students will be expected to read material in their textbook as well as outside source material prior to the
class discussion on the topic. The role of the teacher in an Advance Placement (A.P.) course is to
facilitate student learning and aid in the organization of their knowledge. The student is ultimately
responsible for their learning and a strong ethic will be required to be successful in this course.
Students will be assessed on a percentage of “total points” utilizing a variety of methods including:
Mini Quizzes: (5 Points Daily = Estimated 25 Points per Unit)
o Students are responsible to read material prior to class discussion (five to ten pages).
o After the daily prayer, students will have five minutes to complete five questions over the
material in the assigned reading. In the first three minutes, students will answer questions
from their comprehension of the assigned reading, and in the last two minutes students
may use their textbook. After the quiz, the class will grade and correct their answers.
o Students are permitted to “skip” one mini-quiz per unit. Each unit is roughly two weeks.
Vocabulary Flashcards: (25 Points = Each Unit to Include Twenty-Five Terms)
o Students will create flashcards from the vocabulary list provided for each topic discussed.
o Students write the term on the front of the note card and a short definition on the back.
o The vocabulary flashcards are due on the date of the corresponding unit test. The teacher
will assess the accuracy of the flashcards and note any mistakes. Students receive half the
lost points for correcting invalid flashcards and will serve as study tool for the AP Exam.
Independent Projects, Reflective Writing and Document Based Questions (DBQ): (50 Points)
o Independent projects will include artistic design projects and power point presentations.
o In addition, the students will also complete reflective writings and several DBQ essays.
o Students should anticipate one independent project, reflective writing or DBQ per unit.
o Each student is permitted to use a one-day extension on a project or essay once per quarter.
Tests: (150 Points) In addition to midterms and finals, students will take 1st and 3rd quarter exams.
o Students will take an AP-level test at the end of each unit on their block schedule day.
o Students should expect a test every two weeks (schedule permitting) throughout the year.
o Tests are divided into two sections: multiple-choice and a free response question (FRQ).
o The multiple choice will include fifty advanced placement questions worth 100 points.
o In addition, students will also respond to one of several essay prompts worth 50 points.
GRADING PROCEDURES
o Students discovered cheating will receive a zero, a detention and a parent phone call.
o Late assignments lose 20% of the possible points and another 10% for each additional day.
o Students are responsible for all class work and assignments on days absent from class,
however students will be given one additional day to complete any provided assignments.
o Students who are absent on the day of the test are required to take the test before school,
after school or during study hall within one week of the test date or result in a zero.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Each student should have blue/black ink pens or pencils and college-ruled loose leaf paper.
Each student should have a three-ring 1”-2” Binder to be used just for AP European History.
LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Class Organization
I believe my role as an educator goes beyond teaching AP European History. I believe a teacher should
teach skills that will aid your student’s success long after Lima Central Catholic. One of these skills I
find extremely important in my own profession is organization. Therefore, I believe it is important that
my students develop strong organizational skills in my classroom. However, I can not accomplish this
alone. Only together can we motivate our young people to develop these organizational skills as well as
a strong work ethic that could determine not only their success in my classroom but their success in their
future endeavors after Lima Central Catholic. If there are any questions or concerns please contact me.
Please complete the following information and return with your student:
Student Name:________________________________________________________________________
Legal Guardian Names:________________________________________________________________
E-Mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone Number (s):___________________________________ Preferred Time:____________________
Preferred Method of Contact: E-Mail
Phone
No Preference
(e-mail preferred)
Information I should be Aware of:________________________________________________________
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I have read the included class syllabus and understand the expectations associated with this course,
Student Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Guardian Signature: ___________________________________________________________________