Questions?
Contact Mr. Willis at
European History
Advanced Placement
10th - 12th grade – 2 semesters
JamesWillis@cohassetk12.org
This syllabus is subject to
change
Course Requirements
Writing, research, independent thought and participation – a good course is driven by the
students, not the instructor. I expect you to be a positive influence on the educational experience
of your classmates, as well as your own.
Every student is required to keep a class notebook and bring it to class each day. These will grow
substantially, and I’d suggest you not group this class with other subjects. Periodically you may
“clean it out”, but be sure to keep everything in a safe place, as you’ll want it come midyear exam
and end of the year review time.
Each day you are required to come prepared to class – that is, with your notebook and something
to write with, and any and all homework complete. Textbooks are not needed in class. Here is the
info you need to register for the online portion of the course:
Dear Students,
The online portion of our course is open for student registration. Follow these steps to
get started. If you need additional guidance, consult the student Get Started guide,
especially the system requirements which list the recommended browsers.
To register for the course go to:
http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpadsolo/mckaywest11e/2104730
PLEASE bookmark the page to make it easy to return to.
You have three options to enroll in the course: you can purchase direct access, you can
buy an access code, or you can get free 21 day access while deciding. Your registration
options are explained here.
To navigate and start using LaunchPad please consult the Get Started guide and/orview
this video.
If you have problems registering, purchasing, or logging in, please contact Customer
Support. You can reach a representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:


through the online form
by chat
Or from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. EST, 7 days a week:

by phone at (800) 936-6899
Looking forward to seeing you in class!
Mr. Willis
JamesWillis@cohassetk12.org
Course Outline and Grading Scheme
Term 1 – 1300-1715
Unit 1 – The Middle Ages and the European Renaissance: 1300 - 1550
Unit 2 – Reformation, Religious Wars, Exploration and Conquest: 1450-1650
Unit 3 – Consolidation of the European Nation-States: 1589 - 1725
Unit 4 – Intellectual Revolutions toward a New World View: 1540 - 1789
Requirements this term –
McKay, et. al. Text: Chapters 11-17
Outside Readings: The Prince by Machiavelli; excerpts, Guns, Germs and Steel
by Jared Diamond; primary source readings
Research Paper: Machiavelli and the Methods of Power
First Term Grades:
Summer Assignments:
Exams:
Quizzes:
Essays/DBQs:
Debates/Socratic Seminars:
Machiavelli paper:
200 pts.
300 pts.
200 pts.
50-100 pts.
50-100 pts.
200 pts.
~ 1000 pts.
Term 2 – Revolutions and Isms, 1540-1870
Unit 5 – Political Revolutions in France and the Americas, 1650-1815
Unit 6 – Revolution in Energy and Industry, 1780-1850
Unit 7 – Isms and Life during the 19th century, 1815-1914
Unit 8 – The Age of Nationalism, 1850-1914
Requirements this term –
McKay, et. al. Text: Chapters 19-23
Outside Readings: primary source readings
Research Paper: Hobbes/Locke and the Justification of Authority
Second Term Grades:
Hobbes/Locke Paper:
3 Exams:
4-6 quizzes:
Essays/DBQs:
Debates/Socratic Seminars:
200 pts.
300 pts.
200-300 pts.
100-200 pts.
50-100 pts.
~1000 pts.
Midyear Examination: Europe to 1870
Term 3 – “Modern Times” –1870-1945
Unit 9 – Imperialism and the Great War: 1815-1919
Unit 10 – The Age of Anxiety and World War II: 1880-1945
Unit 11 – The Cold War: 1945-1991
Requirements this term –
McKay, et. al. Text: Chapters 24-29
Outside Readings: primary source readings
Research Paper: 19th Century Intellectual History
Third Term Grades:
Midyear Exam:
Research Paper:
Exams:
Quizzes:
Debates/Socratic Seminars:
Essays/DBQs:
200 pts.
200 pts.
200 pts.
200-300 pts.
50-100 pts.
100-200 pts.
~1000 pts.
Term 4 – Europe today, and Exam Review
Unit 12 – Globalization and a New Century: 1991-present
AP Exam Review
Performance Assessment: “The West on Trial”
Supplementary Unit – The West and the Middle East, 1914-present
Requirements this term –
McKay, et. al. Text: Chapters 30
Cracking the AP European History Exam (Princeton Review)
Fourth Term Grades:
Performance Assessment:
Exams:
Review Exercises/Quizzes:
Quizzes:
Debates/Socratic Seminars:
The Wall review assignment:
Final Exam: AP European History Exam – Mandatory for AP Credit
__________ __________ __________
200 pts.
100-200 pts.
200-300 pts.
100-200 pts.
100-200 pts.
100 pts.
~1000 pts.
Exams will usually follow a day of review. Directions for essays and projects will be given out
as we go. The school’s attendance and academic honesty policies will be strictly enforced.
Essays may be handwritten, but they must be legible, and grammar and spelling problems can
negatively influence grades – word processing is preferable, and MLA style documentation is
required. In addition to the above requirements, each student will participate in the following oral
exercises over the course of the year:



2 structured debates
3-5 Socratic Seminars
1 “Hot Seat” presentation
The core texts for this course are three-fold:
#1 – John P. McKay, Bennett D. Hill, et. al. – A History of Western Society, 11e. (Bedford/St.
Martin’s, Boston/New York )
#2 – Your class notebooks, complete with all handouts and articles
#3 – AP European History Exam review book (Cracking the AP European History Exam Princeton Review, 2016 edition)
Additionally, I will post all of these handouts, and a number of links and resources on the course
School Fusion website.