Advanced Placement United States History Syllabus
2015-2016
Teacher: Emily Golden
Room: 1313
Conference Period: 3rd (9:20-10:10)
Email: Emily.Golden@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.apushgolden.weebly.com
Course Description:
The College Board’s Course Description Guide states:
“The AP U.S. History course focuses on the development of historical thinking skills
(chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments
using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative) and an
understanding of content learning objectives organized around seven themes, such as
identity, peopling, and America in the world. In line with college and university U.S.
history survey courses’ increased focused on early and recent American history and
decreased emphasis on other areas, the AP U.S. History course expands on the history of
the Americas from 1491-1607 and from 1980-present. It also allows teachers flexibility
across nine different periods of U.S. history to teach topics of their choice in depth.”
Course Goals:
- Provide well-rounded content. This is a rigorous course that moves quickly and is
devoted to developing a deeper understanding of American History.
- Develop skills that will serve students in college
- Vastly expand student’s knowledge and understanding of our nation’s past
- Encourage analytical thinking and writing skills
- Improve research methods and study habits
- Prepare students to be successful on the Advanced Placement Exam on Friday,
May 6, 2016.
Course Overview:
First Nine Weeks
Period 1: 1491-1607
Chapter 1
Period 2: 1607-1754
Chapters 1-3
Period 3: 1754-1800
Chapters 4-6
Second Nine Weeks
Period 4: 1800-1848
Chapters 7-12
Period 5: 1844-1877
Chapters 13-15
Third Nine Weeks
Period 6: 1865-1898
Chapters 16-19
Period 7: 1890-1945
Chapters 19-26
Fourth Nine Weeks
Period 8: 1945-1980
Chapters 27-31
Period 9: 1980-Present
Chapters 31-32
**Course outline is subject to change at teacher discretion. Verbal announcements will be
made in class regarding course outline changes.**
Supplies:
 Spiral notebook; student may need a second spiral for second semester
 writing instrument every day (blue/black pen or pencil)
 A folder or a binder to keep assignments in
 one additional item as designated by class period:
o 1st period: one box of tissues
o 2nd period: one package of colored pencils OR package of computer or
construction paper
o 4th period: one package of #2 pencils
o 5th period: one package of markers
o 7th period: one package of blue or black pens
These supplies will be shared among all classes for the year. If there is a reason that a
student is not able to obtain these supplies, please contact Mrs. Golden.
Textbook and Other Reading:
- Textbook: American History: Connecting with the Past, Alan Brinkley
Other reading:
Birth of the Republic- Edmund Morgan
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass- Frederick Douglass
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
1. Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. 
2. Have respect for your teacher, other students, and the classroom.
a. Respect for the classroom means cleaning up your area, putting supplies
back in boxes and any other items back where they belong.
3. Come to class prepared with all supplies needed for the day.
4. Be in your desk on time and ready to work when the bell rings.
5. Do not pack up or get out of your seat before the bell rings. Wait for my
permission.
6. You are expected to follow all FBISD rules and they will be strictly enforced in
my class.
Electronic Devices:
Clements High School students will be allowed to use electronic devices in the classroom
FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The teacher has the discretion to take up any
electronics that are proving to be a distraction to the learning environment. If you are
using any of these electronics, please be mindful and courteous to your classmates and to
your teacher. Students may ONLY use an electronic device when they have been given
permission from Mrs. Golden. Students will still be expected to submit WRITTEN
assignments and notes for credit.
Consequences:
First offense- Verbal warning
Second offense- Student/teacher conference and parent contact
Third offense- Before or after school detention and parent contact
Fourth offense- Administrative referral
Severe misbehavior- Student will be referred to the office for any severe misbehavior.
Persistent disregard for class rules will result in parent notification by personal phone
call, emailed letter to the parents, or sending an unsatisfactory conduct grade home on the
Three Week Report or the Nine Weeks Report Card.
Grading policy:
Grades will be determined as follows
Major Grades = 50% of average (minimum of three per nine weeks)
-Major grades will come from writing assignments, projects and exams. Grades
on writing assignments will reflect your ability to write critically and think
analytically. A grading rubric will be provided.
Daily Grades = 50% of average (minimum of eleven per nine weeks)
-Daily grades will generally be taken from quizzes. There will rarely be more than
eleven daily grades a grading period.
-Students will complete a reading quiz for every chapter (could change based on
teacher discretion). You are expected to take notes on the chapter. You will be
allowed to use your notes during the timed quiz and they will count as part of
your quiz grade. The reading quizzes will be combined to make a daily grade:
each quiz is worth 50 points and two quizzes are combined for one daily grade.
Make-Up Work:
Make-up work is the responsibility of the student. It must be picked up the day the
student returns to school. The student will have the same amount of days he/she was
absent to turn the work in. If the student fails to do so, he/she will fall under the late
work policy. Tests are announced at least one week in advance; therefore, if missed, tests
will be made up the day the student returns. Additionally, any work that was assigned
or due prior to the absence will be due the day the student returns. Tests and quizzes will
be made up before or after school by appointment with the teacher. Students will take
notes frequently in this class. If a student is absent on a day that notes are taken, it is HIS
OR HER responsibility to get the notes from a classmate. If this becomes an issue, please
discuss this with Mrs. Golden.
Students can monitor class assignments, due dates, and additional resources on my
webpage. To access my page go to www.apushgolden.weebly.com. Updates and uploads
are made as needed.
Late Work Policy:
Daily grades: Daily work will not be accepted late, resulting in a zero for the
assignment.
Major grades: Major grades may be turned in one day late for a maximum grade of a 70.
After that, it will not be accepted.
Tutorials:
Tutorials will consistently be held on Thursdays from 2:45-3:45. If this needs to be
changed for any reason, I will let the students know in advance and re-schedule. Students
are also welcome to schedule an alternate time for tutorials with me in advance.
Retests:
Students who do not pass unit tests with a 75 or above will have the opportunity to retest.
In order to retest, students are required to attend a tutorial before the retest. The students
will take the retest on a separate day from the tutorial and the higher of the two grades
will be submitted in the gradebook. The maximum grade a student can earn on the retest
is a 75. If the student does not receive a higher grade on the retest, the original grade will
stay in the gradebook.
AP EXAM:
The advanced placement national exam is administered at CHS on May 6, 2016 by the
counseling staff.
It takes approximately three hours and consists of four parts: multiple choice, short
answer, document based question and long essay question. Students receive a score from
one to five. Most colleges require at least a four to grant credit for the two semester
survey of U.S. History (6 credit hours) course. You will be given detailed instructions
and materials to prepare for the national exam during the second semester. I encourage
you to contact your prospective institutions or see your counselor for specific
requirements.
Remind 101:
Text the message “@goldenchs” to 81010 receive updates from Mrs. Golden. Remind
101 provides a safe way for teachers to text message students and parents reminders
about assignments and other classroom information. Teachers never see the students' or
parents' phone number and likewise, the teacher's phone number is never revealed to
students or parents.
AP United States History Expectations Agreement
Student Name: ________________________
Do you have easy access to a computer outside of school?
Do you have a phone with internet capability?
Yes _____
Yes _____
No ______
No ______
Please provide me the following email addresses:
Parent Email Address: _____________________________________________
Parent Phone Number: ______________________________
STUDENT SECTION
I have read and understand Mrs. Golden’s syllabus for AP United States History. I understand
that this class is a higher level and will require hard work from me. I agree to follow the
classroom rules listed under Expectations/Classroom Behavior, and I understand the actions that
will be taken if I do not follow the classroom rules. I have also read through and understand the
make-up policy, late work policy and re-test policy. I also promise to do my BEST to come with a
positive attitude.
Student Name (printed NEATLY): ______________________________________Period: ____
Student Signature: ____________________________________
Date: ____________
PARENT SECTION
I have received and read through Mrs. Golden’s syllabus for AP United States History. I
understand the high level of work required by my student in this Advanced Placement course. I
understand the actions that will be taken if my student does not follow the classroom rules. I also
understand the consequences my student will face if he/she does not follow the make-up policy,
re-test policy or late work policy.
Parent Signature: __________________________________
Date: ____________
TEACHER SECTION
As your child’s AP United States History teacher, I understand my responsibilities to be
consistent and fair in all aspects of discipline, as well as my vital role in his / her
educational experience. I also ensure that I will follow all school and district policies.
Finally, I will do everything possible to engage your child in a safe, fun, and interesting
academic setting. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will
provide information on your child’s progress in a timely manner.
Teacher Signature: _________________________________
Date: ________