Advance Placement United States History
2015-2016 Course Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Elmore
welmore@pylusd.org
714-986-7540 ext. 13239
Advance Placement U.S. History
Advanced Placement U.S. History is a college level course which examines the nations’ political, diplomatic,
intellectual, cultural, social, and economic history from 1491 to present. A variety of instructional approaches
are employed and a college textbook, The American Pageant 16th ed., is supplemented by primary and
secondary sources. This course is meant to challenge your analytical and critical thinking skills when applied to
U.S. History in the following areas:
Historical Thinking Skills
Chronological Reasoning
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Historical Causation
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Patterns of Continuity and Change Over Time
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Periodization
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Comparison
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Contextualization
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Historical Argumentation
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Use of Relevant Historical Evidence
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Interpretation

Synthesis
Themes
While the course follows a narrative structure supported by the textbook, audiovisual materials, the following seven themes described in the AP U.S. History course and
Exam description are woven throughout each unit of study:
1. Identity
2. Work, Exchange, and Technology
3. Peopling
4. Politics and Power
5. America in the World
6. Environment and Geography
7. Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture
Historical Periods
The course outline is structured around the investigation of course themes and key concepts in 9 chronological periods. These periods, from pre-Columbian
contact in North America to the present provide a framework/concept outline for the course.

Period 1 (1491-1607)
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Period 2 (1607-1754)
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Period 3 (1754-1800)
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Period 4 (1800-1848)
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Period 5 (1848-1877)
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Period 6 (1865-1898)
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Period 7 (1898-1945)
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Period 8 (1945-1980)
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Period 9 (1980-Present)
Textbook:
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant, 16th ed.
New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2015
Primary Document Readers:
Brown, Victoria Brown., Shannon, Timothy J., Going to the Source, Volume 2: Since 1865, 2nd ed.
Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas Bailey. The American Spirit, Volume 1:To 1877, 10th ed.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas Bailey. The American Spirit, Volume II: Since 1865, 10th ed.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002
Yazawa, Melvin. Documents for America’s History, Volume I: To 1877 ,7th ed.
Boston/New York: Bedford/ St. Martin’s
Recommended Supplemental Readings and References:
1st Semester
Brands, H.W., The First American- The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin
Diamond, Jared, Guns, Germs, and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies
Ellis, Joseph J., Founding Brothers: the Revolutionary Generation (New York, 2000)
Ellis, Joseph J., American Sphinx, The Character of Thomas Jefferson
Kerns Goodwin, Doris, Team of Rivals, The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
McCullough, David, 1776
2nd Semester
Brands, H.W., Reagan, The Life
Gibbs, Nancy and Duffy, Michael, The Presidents Club
Mc Namara, In Retrospect, The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam
Morris, Edmund, Theodore Rex
Smith, Jean Edwards, FDR
Academic Expectation: AP students enrolled in this class are expected to finish all assignments on time.
Success in this class necessitates that students are organized and turn in work on due date. AP students are held
to the highest standards of academic integrity. Students will be strictly held to the Academic Honesty Policy.
All parents/guardians and students will be asked to sign an Academic Honesty form. Excellent attendance is
vital to your progress in this class. Furthermore, active participation in and outside of class is an integral part of
your grade in this course and is an essential key to mastery of subject matter and course materials. Complete
readings on time including class text and supplemental readings (primary and secondary sources). It is
suggested that you take brief text notes for personal reference as you read so you are prepared for thoughtful
participation in class discussions. The course web site address www.usaztecs.com. Students must register for
class web site the first week of class and establish user name and password. After the first week registration will
take 24 hours to activate and approve. Only students enrolled in AP US History at Esperanza will be approved
for web site use.
Grading Policy: Students grades will be comprised of points earned from the summer assignment, research
projects, review assignments, homework, quizzes, multiple choice tests, DBQ/Long essays tests, Short Answer
response, notes, daily assignments, class participation, oral presentations/seminar, practice thesis statements and
notebook checks.
I do not under any circumstances round up grades at the end of 1st or 2nd semester nor do I extend any
form of extra credit for grade bump. Grade Scale:
 A = 100%- 90%
 B = 89% - 80%
 C = 79 – 70%
 D = 69 – 60%
 F = 59% - 0%
Homework: Homework is an individual assignment unless otherwise noted in writing from the instructor. All
chapters have homework assignments; failure to do any portion of assignment will result in a zero on that
respective assignment. Late work will be accepted per PYLUSD/EHS History Department policy, however,
must be time stamped in the EHS office by 7:45am the following school day for a potential maximum score of
50% before it is graded. Students MUST e-mail or call Mr. Elmore if they cannot turn-in their homework on
the day that it is due based on excused absence. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero being
given on the homework assignment.
Tests & Quizzes: All tests/quizzes should be taken on the assigned day. If students are attending a school
approved off campus activity or taking vacation/personal time (excused or unexcused) the day of the test/quiz,
they must take the test/quiz before the day of their absence. If students are absent for any other reason they
must take the test/quiz at 7am the day they return. Students who are enrolled in zero period must make-up the
test/quiz the day they return to school and it is that students responsibility to schedule and take the test/quiz that
day. Make-up tests and quizzes WILL be a different format then the tests/quiz already given to protect the
academic integrity and fairness for students who take the test/quiz on scheduled day. Advanced communication
is appreciated and highly recommended to avoid any problems. Unit tests will be cumulative in nature. Failure
to follow test/quiz guidelines will result in a zero.
Required Class Materials:
1. Blue or black ball point ink pens, red ball point pen, a highlighter, and a #2 pencil.
2. College rule (11 x 8 1/2) white three ring hole punched paper. No spiral paper.
3. A three ring hard bound binder and durable content dividers. All assignments, notes, handouts, maps,
quizzes/tests must be kept in your notebook at all times.
Behavior Expectations:
Behavior expectation and rules are simple:
1. Arrive on time and don’t pack up or stop working until the dismissal bell rings.
2. When I am talking, you are not. When another student has the floor and is talking, you are not.
3. Cell phones in backpack at all times. School Cell phone policy will be enforced! Backpacks/oversized
bags must be kept on floor during class.
4. Disrupting the class for whatever reason will lower your classroom participation grade. Allow
your classmates the opportunity to achieve and succeed in class.
5. The Esperanza Tardy Policy will be enforced. Students must be seated in their desk when
the tardy bell rings. Hours will be assigned after a student’s 2nd tardy and each tardy thereafter.
Calendars: Each month will have a different daily schedule of activities, due dates, and testing. All students
are expected to be ready for that day’s topic/activities. Pop-quizzes can/will be given on regular basis to insure
text reading/surveying and preparation before class. Absences are no excuse for not being prepared. Calendars
can be adjusted, check calendar posted in the classroom at the beginning of each week.
School Activities: If students are going to miss a class due to on/off-campus school activity, they must see me
before absence (their class period) to get all handouts or assignments and turn in all work is due (before your
scheduled class period) while you are absent from class. Failure to due so will result in a zero on all missed
activities.
Contacts: Students and parents should feel free to contact instructor at any time. I can be reached at (714) 9867540 ext. 13239 or emailed at welmore@pylusd.org
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Contact me during the 1st week of school or 1st week enrolled in class if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above
syllabus. I would appreciate if you and your student would please sign and return the below statement of understanding and register
for class web site www.usaztecs.com .
I have read, discussed and understand the AP United States History syllabus with my son/daughter. I have carefully read, discussed,
and understand the homework policy, the EHS History Department late work policy, and the make-up test/quiz policy.
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Parent/Guardian Signature
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Date
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Student Signature
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Date