HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL
ADVANCED PLACEMENT HISTORY
2014 – 2015 COURSE SYLLABUS
I. COURSE PURPOSE
Hendrickson High School’s Advanced Placement U.S. History course is designed to
increase the student‘s understanding of United States History from its beginning to the
present, its development and institutions. The goals of the class are to develop (1.) an
understanding of some of the principle themes in early and modern U.S. History, (2.) an
ability to analyze historical evidence, and (3.) an ability to analyze and to express
historical understanding in writing and other forms of communication.
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
NATIONAL EXAM:
The College Board will offer the AP examination in United States History on Friday, May 8,
2015 at 8:00am. This three hour test will determine the student’s eligibility for college
credit. Preceding the test, teachers will provide review materials, arrange school study
sessions, and will be available as a resource. Preparation for the exam, however, is the
student’s responsibility. Students will need to plan for extensive individual and group study
sessions to prepare for the exam
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
You are responsible for reading and studying the textbook The American Pageant (as well as
ALL other readings). There will be a monthly calendar will be given in class and is also located
on my web page. While most of the textbook and course readings will be discussed in detail
through our class discussions, seminars, and debates, some of it will be covered
through independent learning. You are responsible for ALL MATERIAL ASSIGNED, whether
we discussed it in class or not.
AP U.S. History is a rigorous, fast paced and challenging course designed to be the
equivalent of a college freshman U.S. History survey course. Students should possess
strong reading and writing skills and be willing to devote substantial time to study and
the completion of class reading assignments. Emphasis is placed on class discussion, the
use of primary and secondary sources, critical reading, and analytical writing. AP students
will need to develop skill to reach higher levels of thinking more independently and more
REQUIREMENTS FOR GOOD STANDING IN THIS COURSE:
quickly. This course prepares students to take the College Board Advanced Placement United
States History examination and possibly receive college credit.
Read-There is no substitute.
Advanced Placement courses are taught and graded at the college level and requires Prepare for class.
a high level of student commitment and motivation.
Read
Avoid absences - - regular attendance is crucial to your success.
Read
III. EVALUATION/COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Take notes - in class and/or from readings.
Read
EVALUATION/GRADES:
Participate in class.
Since the advance placement course is taught and graded at the college level this course
Read
requires extensive reading and self preparation on the part of the student. Therefore,
Be motivated!
students should be highly motivated and willing to do more outside reading and research
as part of the learning process. Being prompt in attendance in addition to bringing needed Read-There is no substitute
materials are expected behaviors. Active participation in the class discussions and group
IV. TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS
activities is required.
NINE WEEK GRADES:
Major Grades – 80% Multiple choice tests will be given at the end of each unit; they will
be cumulative and inclusive (i.e., it will include information from the textbook and outside
readings). Each unit test will contain multiple-choice questions and will be modeled after the
AP Exam.
Students will also be required to write formal in-class timed essays – these will either be
DBQ‘s or a long essay.
Minor Grades – 20% Reading quizzes, participation, and any other assignments.
HHS Grading Protocols 2014 – 2015 will be followed.
Student progress will be evaluated at the end of each three week period.
It is important for students and parents to be aware of student
performance in this class and to remedy deficiencies before they become
overwhelming.
-David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant (15/e).
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2010.
-William Dudley (editor). Opposing Viewpoints in American History. (2 vols.) San Diego,
California: Greenhaven Press, 2006.
-Supplemental Readings could be used from the following websites / databases:
The American Presidency Project: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/index.php
The Founders Constitution: http://presspubs.uchicago.edu/founders/tocs/toc.html
The Internet Sourcebook History Project: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/
The On-Line Library of Liberty: http://oll.libertyfund.org
V. UNITS OF STUDY
VII. AP COURSE DROP POLICY:
Colonization and Revolution, 1492-1787
The U.S. Constitution
Establishing a New Nation, 1789-1824
Reform and Expansion, 1824-1853
Events Leading to the Civil War, 1793-1861
The Civil War and Its Aftermath, 1861-1900
The Industrial Revolution, 1861-1901
The Progressive Era, 1901-1917
Prosperity and Division in the 1920’s
The Great Depression, 1929-1941
The U.S. Becomes a World Power, 1890-1991
World War II, 1939-1945
The Truman/Eisenhower Era, 1945-1961
The Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1978
The Vietnam War, 1954-1975
Foreign and Domestic Affairs, 1960-1981
Foreign and Domestic Affairs, 1981-2001
This class will require a great deal of commitment, and the students must realize this from the
first day. Students are required to stay in the course for the first four weeks of school.
However, if any of the following circumstances become a problem, the student will be
removed-by the teacher-and placed in a regular class.
1. Attendance and/or makeup problems
2. Failure to seek help
3. Uncooperative attitude
4. Lack of preparation for class work
5. Failing major grading periods
6. Unacceptable in-class behavior
If a student elects to get out of the class after the first four weeks, an AP Drop form will be
required to be completed and parent contact must be made. The request then goes to a
committee that will grant or deny the course drop. I do not anticipate problems with any
student, but students need to understand the consequences if any problems do occur.
VI. GENERAL INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE:
The pace of this course is accelerated and missing class might cause problems.
If you do have to miss, check your calendar for assignments.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
Students are expected to keep up with reading assignments on the calendar.
Tests are listed on the calendar and will be given on dates indicated.
Check with your study group for changes to calendar. Any missing assignments will
be made up ASAP within the three weeks in when it was assigned.
TARDY:
You are expected to be in class on time, failure to be in class after the tardy bell
has rung will result in you getting a tardy slip*. If you walk into class after the
bell has finished ringing, you have been counted tardy.
SCHOOL RULES:
School rules are enforced in this classroom — see student handbook for complete details.
DISCIPLINE:
1. Verbal warning | 2. One-on-One conference | 3. Parent contact | 4. Office referral.
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
www.barczihawknation.weebly.com
www.historyteacher.net
www.hippocampus.org
www.course-notes.org
Mrs. Barczi’s website
Online quizzes for practice
Video supplements for readings
Online text, vocabulary, outlines
VIII. INSRUCTOR INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Hellen.Barczi@pfisd.net
or
594-1331
Hendrickson High School
594-1100
Conference time- 1:00 – 2:35 on “A” Days & 2:40 – 4:15 on “B” Days
TUTORIAL SCHEDULE:
Before School-Monday - Friday from 8:00 – 8:45
After School- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:20 – 5:00
(Note: Mrs. Barczi will let student know what days tutorials are not available due to
district meeting.)
TEACHER NOTE:
I consider teaching this class a privilege, and look forward to working with you this year.
Students and parents should feel comfortable contacting me with any questions or concerns
that may arise during the year. The best way to contact me is through email. I will do my
very best to get back with you within a 24 hour time period.
I hope you have a wonderful 2014 – 2015 school year at HHS!!
Mrs. Barczi
Hendrickson High School
Advanced Placement U.S. History
Teacher-Student Contract
STUDENT NAME:_______________________________________
I have read the 2014 - 2015 Syllabus for Advanced
Placement U.S. History and I understand my responsibilities
as a student in this course and the requirements to maintain
good standing.
____________________________
Student signature
I have read the course syllabus for Advance Placement U.S.
History and support my student’s enrollment in this course.
____________________________
Parent signature