Mr. Diehl Course Syllabus
bdiehl@ auburn.wednet.edu or (253) 804-5154
I. Introduction to A.P.
The Advanced Placement U.S. History Course is designed to prepare students
for the A.P. Test held in the spring. Accumulation of historical content is stressed
throughout the class as well as learning proper essay writing techniques. The
workload and scope of material is much greater than that of a conventional U.S.
history class. Students should expect that preparation for class might include an hour
or more of daily homework.
II. Course Expectations: In this course, students
will have the opportunity to:
 Develop a better understanding of the
history of the United States in political,
economic, social, and cultural terms.
 Improve writing, research, and critical
reading skills.
 Improve thinking skills.
 Master a broad body of historical
knowledge.
 Demonstrate an understanding of historical
chronology.
 Use historical data to support an argument
or position.
 Interpret and apply data from original
documents.
 Use group skills to complete mini
pair/group assignments.
III. A.P. students are expected to:
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Complete ALL assigned reading prior to the day it
is due.
Take notes on lectures and pertinent reading
information.
Maintain at least a C+ grade in the course.
Properly prepare for all tests and quizzes.
Turn in all assignments and projects on time.
Prepare for the College Board AP examination
held in the spring.
Take the College Board AP Exam in the spring or
an identical in class final exam.
IV. Behavioral Expectations:
 This is a college level course and appropriate behavior is expected at all times.
 THIS ROOM IS A DRUG FREE ZONE, which means NO graffiti, paraphernalia, clothing, or discussions
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surrounding drugs, will be tolerated.
RESPECT yourself, your peers, your staff, your guest teachers, and your building.
PREPARE yourself by completing quality work, being on time, and bringing a positive attitude with all
your classroom materials.
FOLLOW all ARHS school wide expectations set forth in the student handbook, INCLUDING the ARHS
dress code!
CHALLENGE yourself by taking pride in what you do.
V. Discipline: If the expectations are not followed, possible actions may include:
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Verbal warning and/or
conference with student
After school detention
NOTE: These steps are NOT progressive.
to be taken.
 Seating change
 Parental contact & possible
conference requested
 Referral to office
Frequency and severity of behavior will dictate action
V. Electronic Devices - These should never be operating without express permission of the teacher:
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Cell Phones should be ALL THE TIME
Text Messages – don’t even think about it
music players – not even one ear phone
DVD players or other video – are you nuts?.
Those who do not comply risk having their devices confiscated and sent to the office for future pick-up
DON’T MAKE ME TELL YOU.
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VI. Attendance Policies:
This AP course is rigorous. Much of the information is presented in a lecture/discussion format.
Therefore, students are expected to be in class every day.
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Tardies: students need to be in their assigned seat when the bell
rings or they will be counted tardy. The tardy policy for this
classroom is as follows:
* I will follow the ARHS tardy policy – When the bell rings I will
close the door and students must report to the attendance office
before returning to class.
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Unexcused Absences: Students
whose absence is unexcused will not
be allowed to make up missed work.
VII. Materials: Please make sure you bring with you these supplies every day:
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3 ring binder with US History section for handouts
Notebook Paper or spiral note book
Pen (black or blue ink) AND pencil (#2) with eraser
Highlighters (red, green, purple, orange, blue)
If you have questions or concerns about obtaining the appropriate materials for this course, see your
teacher immediately.
VIII. Notebook/Note taking: Students are expected to take lecture notes whenever appropriate.
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Your binder must contain a “Lecture Notes” section
The notes must be removable
Students will turn in your notes every unit, removed from your binder, and stapled together.
IX. Assignment Policies:
A. Written Work Expectations:
 All work is to be done neatly, either in
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written or typed format. Sloppy work
will receive no credit
No name, no assignment title, no credit
All written responses are to be in
complete sentences.
Hand written work should be completed
in Pen.
B. Homework:
 Homework is to be done OUTSIDE of class
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BEFORE it is due.
If a student requires assistance, see me before
or after school.
I expect students to try to produce their best
work.
Homework is NOT to be shared!
All homework is to be completed by the
beginning of the class period it is assigned.
C. Make-ups & Late work policies: Most work is due prior to the unit test, therefore work turned
in after the test will not be accepted for credit.
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Students with excused absences will have 1 day for each day absent to make up work.
If a student has an excused absence the day of the test that student will have one week from the date the
test was given to make it up. A zero will be recorded once that week has passed. The student must take
the initiative to schedule their own test make-up. Tests should be scheduled for before school or at
lunchtime.
Most work will be accepted for partial credit until the test for that unit has been taken. A standard
deduction of 10% will be attached to late work for each day it is late up to 40% until the unit test.
Unexcused absences will not have the opportunity to make-up missed class work, projects, quizzes or
tests for credit.
“Unexcused with Permission” passes will be treated as a day late (-20%) on late work and tests.
X. Grading System: U.S. History is a graduation requirement. Semester failures will have to repeat a
U.S. History course in order to obtain a high school diploma.
Grade Scale:
100% - 92.5% = A
92.4% - 89.5% = AC89.4% - 87.5% = B+
D+
87.4% - 82.5% = B
82.4% - 79.5% = B79.4% - 77.5% = C+
77.5% - 72.5% =
72.4% - 69.6% =
C
69.5% - 67.5% =
67.4% - 59.5% =
59.4% & below=
D
F
~A cumulative point system will be used in each area. The more points earned, the higher the grade will be. Semester grades
will not be an average of the two quarters, but rather a running total of 18 weeks.
XI. Academic Dishonesty: I will NOT tolerate cheating of any sort. If a student is caught cheating they
may face the following consequences: zero on the entire work, test, quiz, project (NO make-up option),
parental contact, office referral, loss of credit on the unit, loss of quarter credit or loss of semester
credit. DO NOT CHEAT!!
*I consider someone to be cheating if they are looking around the room or at someone’s test or quiz, talking
during a test or quiz, copying someone’s work, plagiarizing (using ANYONE else’s work), cutting and/or pasting
from an electronic source, writing on desks, cheat-sheets, keeping notes in plain view during a test or quiz, or
allowing someone to copy work. Other instances not specifically mentioned here might also constitute cheating;
this is not a comprehensive list.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Welcome to A.P. U.S. History! It will be my pleasure to teach your student in their
Advanced Placement U.S. History class this semester. I have gone over the syllabus with
your student and would encourage you to do the same. I would also ask that you please
sign below once you have reviewed the syllabus. I can be contacted at ARHS (804-5154)
or via email: bdiehl@ auburn.wednet.edu
Thank you for taking this time with your student and for helping them
start the semester off successfully!
Sincerely,
Bruce Diehl, Instructor
Please sign in the appropriate space and return to Mr. Diehl promptly:
I have read and understand ALL the classroom expectations and procedures as outlined in
the above syllabus.
__________________________________________________________________________
Student Signature
Printed Last Name
Date
I have read and understand ALL the classroom expectations and procedures as outlined in
the above syllabus.
__________________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature
Phone Number
Date