AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
COURSE SYLLABUS
2015 - 2016
Mr. Sheridan
Blue Springs South High School
The objective of the AP European History course is to increase the student's understanding
of European history with the goal of having each student pass the AP European
Examination in May. The course is divided into two semesters, the Renaissance through the
French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution to the present. The areas of concentration
include historical, political and economic history coupled with an intense study of cultural
and intellectual institutions and their development. These areas will be studied from a
variety of perspectives with the hope of providing a balanced view of history.
This course is taught at the college level. The major difference between
a high school and college history course is the amount of reading and depth of focus.
Moreover, the AP curriculum stresses a large degree of higher order thinking skills within a
rigorous academic context. Thus, the student will be required frequently to analyze,
synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources in addition to
memorizing, comprehending, and applying facts.
Feel free to reach me if you have questions or concerns.
dsheridan@bssd.net
BSSHS Phone # 224-1315 ext 50615
Textbook: A History of Western Society Since 1300 (11th edition) McKay. Bedford St.
Martins. Each student will receive a textbook that can remain at home for homework. I
have a class set in my room for classroom work. Please take care of your textbook as these
are brand new books this year.
Supplemental Readings: The Sources of Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures Since
1500 Volume II. Katherine J. Lualdi. Bedford/St. Martin 2005.
Internet access is necessary for success in this course. In addition to reading and taking
notes from the textbook resources, we will be using a variety of on-line resources such as
practices tests found through the use of the class website. More information on the website
will be made available in a separate handout in class. If no Internet access is available in
the home, other options include the school computer labs (available before and after
school), public library computer labs, or seeking out helpful classmates. We will also have
a class website through Edmodo which I will use to make announcements and provide
study materials for class. Students will register for the Edmodo site as part of their
summer assignment.
Grading Scale:
A = 90 -100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = 0 - 59%
Grade Categories:
Multiple Choice and Essay Exams, Practice Quizzes/
Homework will each account for approximately onethird of a student’s grade each semester.
Exams: Approximately six multiple-choice/free-response essay exams will be given during
the first semester as well as five document-based exam questions. The first semester final
exam is cumulative. Tests will be rigorous as they are intended to challenge the student at
the Advanced Placement level. Moreover, tests are designed to give students frequent
experience with the types of multiple-choice questions, free-response essays, and
Document Based Questions (DBQ’s) that will appear on the AP exam. Frequent exams also
ensure that students read the textbook and supplementary readings, consistently check for
understanding, and take copious notes that are thorough and well organized.
THE AP EUROPEAN HISTORY EXAM
All students enrolled in AP European History are expected to take the AP exam. The
AP European History Exam is Friday, May 6th, 2016. Test cost is $91. Students register
for the AP test in the spring. The deadline for paying test fees is around March 1, 2016.
Students will be asked to bring a check payable to Blue Springs South High School for the
amount of the test.
There are test fee waiver options available for those students on free/reduced lunch.
Please inform me as soon as possible if you qualify. In addition, students requiring any test
modification should let me know as soon as possible as well.
The examination is three hours and five minutes in length. It consists of a 55 minute
multiple choice section and a 130 minute free response section. The multiple choice
section accounts for 50% of the total exam score. The free response section accounts for
the other 50% of the exam; the (DBQ’s) Document Based Questions account for 45% and
two free response essays (FRQ’s) 55%.
We will do numerous practice questions and essays in class so that students are familiar
with the format of the exam. Review sessions outside of class time will occur throughout
the spring to help prepare students for the test.
Homework Policy: I will update the calendar on the class website every week with all the
homework assignments and due dates. All late work must be turned in the day after it is
due. For excused absences, assignments are due the day the student returns to class unless
prior arrangements have been made for emergencies. Students are expected to keep a wellorganized notebook of all course-related materials (e.g. syllabus, lecture notes, study
guides, homework, quizzes, exams, handouts, etc.) A sub-par notebook may result in points
being deducted from the “homework” category.
Missed Exams: Students who have an excused absence on a day a test is given must make
up the test on the day they return to class. If a student is absent for an extended period
(e.g., more than five days), an appointment for making-up the test will be made.
Participation: Students are expected to contribute in class discussions and effectively
participate in class activities. Many of the class sessions will be seminars. In order for
seminars to work, student preparation and participation is critical. Students who are "on
the border" between grades at the semester may be given the higher grade if their overall
participation has been commendable.
Summer Assignments: Summer assignments and textbooks were given out to all students
enrolled in AP Euro as of May 2015. Summer assignments are designed to introduce
students to the textbook and help them get a head start on the year. Summer assignments
are due the first day of school.
Ten Tips for Success in AP Euro:
1) I love talking to students. I am here to help. Do not hesitate to contact me if you are
having trouble in class.
2) Be self motivated. One of the features of a college level course is that students assume a
greater level of responsibility for their academic achievement.
3) Greater emphasis is placed on test performance. Develop good study habits and allow
plenty of time to get yourself ready for tests.
4) Form study groups. Get together with classmates to help each other review.
5) Improve your note-taking skills. We will be taking notes from lectures as well as from
reading. We will talk about note-taking techniques in class.
6) Get organized. Keep your binder in order so that the notes you take will help you
prepare for the AP test in May.
7) Attend class every day. We will be doing something each day to help you succeed on the
AP Euro test.
8) Read every day. Don’t put off all the reading until a couple days before a test.
9) Limit distractions in class by staying away from your cell phone.
10) Stay positive. It may take you a couple weeks to adjust to the pace of the course. Work
hard, challenge yourself, and ask if you need help. I am here to help you do well in class.
A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY
COURSE CALENDAR
The following dates are targets for unit tests during the year. There will be periodic
quizzes and in-class essays not shown on this list.
Unit One: The Renaissance 1400 – 1500
Chapter 14 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Dates: Thursday, September 4, 2014 (Essay)
Friday, September 5, 2014 (Multiple Choice)
Unit Two: Reformation and Crisis 1500 - 1648
Chapters 15 and 16 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Dates: Thursday, September 25, 2014 (Essay)
Friday, September 26, 2014 (Multiple Choice)
Unit Three: Absolutism and State Building 1648 - 1690
Chapter 17 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Dates: Tuesday, October 23, 2014 (Essay)
Wednesday, October 24, 2014 (Multiple Choice)
Unit Four: The Atlantic System and Enlightenment 1690 - 1789
Chapters 18 and 19 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Dates: Wednesday, November 13, 2014 (Essay)
Thursday, November 14, 2014 (Multiple Choice)
Unit Five: Revolutions through Napoleon 1789 - 1830
Chapters 20 and 21 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Dates: Thursday, December 11, 2014 (Essay)
Friday, December 12, 2014 (Multiple Choice)
Unit Six: Industrialization and its Consequences 1830 - 1850
Chapter 22 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Dates: Thursday, January 15, 2015 (Essay)
Friday, January 16, 2015(Multiple Choice)
Unit Seven: Nation-States, Empires, and Change 1850 - 1890
Chapters 23 and 24 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Date: Friday, January 30 , 2015 (All portions)
A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY
COURSE CALENDAR (Continued)
Unit Eight: Modernity, Wars, and Revolution 1890 - 1929
Chapters 25 and 26 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015 (DBQ Essay)
Friday, February 13, 2015 (M/C test)
Unit Nine: Catastrophes 1929 - 1945
Chapter 27 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015 (DBQ)
Friday, March 13, 2015 (M/C test)
Unit Ten: Cold War 1945 - 1965
Chapter 28 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Date: Thursday, April 9, 2015 (DBQ Essay)
Friday, April 10, 2015 (M/C)
Unit Eleven: The Modern Era 1965 - Present
Chapters 29 and 30 of Hunt and Lualdi
Other supplemental readings to be handed out.
Planned Test Date: Thursday, April 23, 2015(F/R essay)
Friday, April 24. 2015 (M/C)
Unit Twelve: Intensive Review for the A.P. Exam
A.P. Exam: Friday, May 8, 2015 (test begins at noon/ test info TBD)
Unit Thirteen: Post-Exam Activities