AP United States History
2012-2013
Fox Tech High School
To provide Social Studies courses which will produce an informed
citizen who will positively impact our local and global community.
The AP United States History course might be best described as “traditional plus.” Many people
view history merely as a set of dates and facts to be memorized, but history is much more than
that. History is an organic and ever-changing discipline, periodically discovering new evidence
and revising old commonly held beliefs.
This course is designed to provide a college-level experience and preparation for the AP Exam in
the spring 2013. An emphasis is placed on interpreting documents, mastering a significant body
of factual information, and writing critical essays.
In addition to the topics listed above, the course will emphasize a series of key themes
throughout the year. These themes have been determined by the College Board as essential to
a comprehensive study of United States history. The course will trace these themes throughout
the year, emphasizing the ways in which they are interconnected and examining the ways in
which each helps to shape the changes over time that are so important to understanding
Textbooks
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas Bailey. The American Pagent. 13th ed. Boston,
Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006.
John Garraty, Historical Viewpoints (New York: Longman, 2002)
Nancy Hewitt, Women, Families, and Communities (New York: Longman, 1997)
Manuel g. Gonzales, Mexicanos-A History of Mexicans in the United States (Indiana University
Press, 2000)
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A variety of AP-level articles and handouts throughout the year will be provided by the
instructor.
Major Themes of the Course
These themes are woven throughout unit discussions, with assessments (quizzes, essays and
exams being structured around them:
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America as a World Stage
National Identity and Citizenship
Political change and Continuity
Pluralism and Group Identity
Free Markets and Economic Transformation
Curriculum Calendar
Unit 1
August 27-31
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American Pageant: Chapter 1, New World Beginnings
Pre-Columbian cultures, early explorations, introduction of slavery
Spanish and French claims, the rise of mercantilism
September 10-14
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American Pageant: Chapter 2, The Planting of English America
The Chesapeake and southern English colonies, ties with Caribbean economies, British
mercantilism
Chapter 3, Settling the Northern Colonies
New England and the Puritans, religious dissent, colonial politics and conflict with British
authority, the middle colonies.
September 17-21
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American Pageant: Chapter 4, American Life in the 17th Century Tobacco and rice
colonies, African-American culture, colonial family life, dissent in New England and
the Witch trails.
Chapter 5, Colonial Society on the Eve of the Revolution. Immigration and demographic
change, the Atlantic economy, the Great Awakening, education and culture, colonial
politics.
September 24 Unit 1 Test-Chapters 1-5
Test format will include both multiple choice and essay questions.
September 24-28
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American Pageant: Chapter 6, The Duel for North America
Colonial involvement in British imperial wars, consequences of the French and Indian
War and the Proclamation of 1763
Chapter 7, The Road to Revolution
Roots of revolution and the role of mercantilism, end of benign, neglect, failure of
diplomacy, first conflicts.
October 1-5
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American Pageant: Chapter 8, American Secedes from the Empire
The American Revolution, wartime diplomacy, life on the home front, women and the
war, the impact of the war on the institution of slavery.
Chapter 9, The Confederation and the constitution
The Articles of Confederation and the constitution, the role of the Enlightenment,
slavery and religion in the political process, wartime diplomacy.
DBQ-The American Revolution Due October 5-Friday
October 8 Unit 2 Test Chapters 6-9
Test Format will include both multiple choice and essay questions.
October 8-12
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American Pageant: Chapter 10, Launching the New Ship of State
Early national politics and economics, diplomacy during the French Revolution the
making of the office of the presidency.
October 15-19
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American Pageant: Chapter 11, Triumphs and Travails of Jeffersonian Democracy
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The “Revolution of 1800,” the Marshall Court, diplomacy of Jefferson and Madison, the
Embargo Act, acceleration of expansion west.
Chapter 12, The Second War for Independence/Nationalism
The War of 1812, The Era of Good Feeling, The American System, the diplomacy of
expansion, forging a new national identity.
DBQ-Comparing the policies and politics of Jefferson and Madison due October 19Friday
October 22-26
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Jacksonian democracy and the Whigs national policy toward American Indians, the era
of the “common man,” expansion with the Texas revolution, slavery and sectionalism.
October 26 Unit 3 Test Chapters 10-13
Test format will include both multiple choice and essay questions.
November 5-9
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American Pageant: Chapter 14, Forging the National Economy
The rise of the market economy, immigration and the increase in nativism, women in
the workplace, the factory system, the transportation revolution, expansion west.
November 12-16
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American Pageant: Chapter 15, The Ferment of Reform and Culture
The Second Great Awakening and the growth of reform, women’s roles in reform
movements, creation of a national culture, advances in education and the sciences.
Chapter 16, The South and the Slavery Controversy
Cotton culture, southern society and the impact of the plantation system, the rise of
abolitionist movements.
November 16 Unit 4 Test Chapters 14-16
Test format will include both multiple choice and essay questions.
November 19-23 Thanksgiving Holiday
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November 26-30
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American Pageant: Chapter 17, Manifest Destiny and its Legacy
Expansion under Polk, Manifest Destiny, war with Mexico
December 3-7
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American Pageant: Chapter 18, Renewing the Sectional Struggle
Popular sovereignty, the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Law, the
economics of expansion.
Chapter 19, Drifting Toward Disunion
Abolition of the 1850s, the impact of Dred Scott, the financial panic of 1857,
political crisis in the election of 1860, the coming of the Civil War.
DBQ-The role of the Constitution in the crisis of the 1850s.
December 10 Unit 4 Test Chapters 17-19
Test format will include both multiple choice and essay questions.
December 10-14
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American Pageant: Chapter 20 Girding for War
Wartime diplomacy, economic changes in both the North and South, women and war
issues of civil liberties in wartime.
Chapter 21, The Furnace of the Civil War
The Peninsula Campaign, the “Anaconda,” the war in the West, Sherman’s March
Appomattox, the Emancipation Proclamation, the legacy of war in both North and
South.
Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address
The Gettysburg Address
December 17-21
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American Pageant: Chapter 22, The Ordeal of Reconstruction
The politics and economics of Reconstruction, experiences of freedmen, the rise of the
Bourbon South and the fate of Reconstruction, impeachment politics and the balance of
power.
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
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December 21 Unit 5 Test Chapters 20-22
Test format will include both multiple choice and essay questions.
December 24, 2012-January 7, 2013
Winter Break
Grading Policy
Daily work including but not limited to
 class participation
 homework
 group work
 article reviews
 quizzes
60%
 Assessment
 interactive notebook
 tests
40%
Make-up Work
Students will have the opportunity to turn in make-up work within 3 days of excused absence.
After three days, the late work will be considered late work and not be accepted past the three
weeks ending period. The highest grade awarded for the late work will be a 70!
Extra Credit
One extra credit assignment will be assigned each nine week grading period. Satisfactory
completion of extra-credit work can be awarded up to three points on the final nine weeks
grade average.
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Tutoring
Available Monday thru Friday 8:00am. Tuesday/Thursday until 5:30pm or anytime by
appointment.
Instructor’s Bio
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Tot Lay Albro
BA History –Texas A&I Kingsville, Texas
MA Education-Texas A&M-San Antonio
MA History-Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas (pending thesis)
Fullbright-Hays Scholar
Contact Information
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Ms. Tot Albro Room 302-A
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Email talbro1@saisd.net
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Text only with name and class information 210.296.9872
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Please don’t abuse my number by calling before 6am or after 8:30pm.
Also Saturday and Sunday are also my days “off,” but I will try to
answer your text.
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Texting me, does not excuse you from the work.
Classroom Rules
 Be respectful of yourself and all others.
 Be prepared before class starts. (Pen, paper, class-related materials, a good
attitude)
 Eating, drinking or using any electronic advice will not be permitted. Electronic
device includes cell phones. NO TEXTING during class.
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