Mr. Mason
Room 61
Email: shanemason@maderausd.org
Advanced Placement European History
Course Syllabus
Course Description & Course Themes:
AP European history is a college-level survey course using a college-level text. It covers the
political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, and artistic heritage of Europe. It spans
the period from 1450 to the beginning of the 21st century. It expects students to analyze
historical evidence and read the analysis of both the primary textbook and of others to
recognize trends and patterns over the last 600 years:
• The rise of nation-states and the competition among them
• The impact of economic innovation on states and individuals
• The interaction between forces of progress and tradition
• The struggle by women, peasants, workers, and ethnic and religious minorities for
empowerment
• The advantages and destruction brought about by the European search for dominion
over new lands and peoples
Course Objectives:
This course is more than the collection and retention of facts; it expects to develop a level
of critical thinking that will be vital in college and beyond. The skills required of students in
the course are:
• Time management, organization, and study skills
• Careful reading of a long and varied reading list
• Looking for and evaluating historical interpretations
• Writing well-constructed essays under time pressure
• Understanding cause-and-effect relationships
• Seeing historical analogies among historical circumstances and over time periods
The express purpose of an AP course is to provide motivated students with the most
intense, demanding curriculum available. With that comes the opportunity to receive
college credit during high school. Performance on the three-hour AP European History
Exam (given in May) determines a student’s eligibility to earn college credit. Taking the AP Exam is a
mandatory requirement of the course.
**All students enrolled in AP U.S. History are required to take the exam on May 14, 2014.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS. The exam will cost approximately $80-$90, however there
will be fee waiver possibilities.**
There will be 10 units that we will cover in the course of the school year. Six units will be covered in
Semester One and four units will be covered in Semester Two. Each unit will last approximately 2-5
weeks.
Unit #1: Later Middle Ages and Renaissance
Unit #2: Reformation and Religious Wars- 1350-1648
Unit #3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism
Mr. Mason
Room 61
Email: shanemason@maderausd.org
Unit #4: 18th Century
Unit #5: The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era
Unit #6: The Industrial Revolution
Unit #7: European Politics 1815-1848 and 19th Century Society
Unit #8: The Ages of Realpolitik, Mass Politics, and Imperialism
Unit #9: World War I and the Age of Anxiety
Unit #10a: Totalitarianism and World War II
Unit #10b: 1945 To The Present
Course Expectations:
Methods of Evaluation: All work will be graded on the following grade scale.
Homework
Classwork/Projects:
Projects
Essays
Assessment:
Multiple Choice
Quizzes
10%
45%
15%
30%
45%
30%
15%
Grading Scale:
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89.9% = B
70% - 79.9% = C
60% - 69.9% = D
<60% = F
Assignments: At the beginning of every unit, students will be given a homework list. Most assignments
will be attached to the list so the students can finish some assignments early, however some will be
handed out on the day they are expected to be done. All assignments will have a mandatory due date
listed. Assignments turned in without a name will not be graded or returned to students. Sloppy,
cluttered, or inappropriately formatted assignments will not be accepted. Assignments are NOT to be
typed unless the instructions explicitly state that it should be typed. Being absent the day before an
assignment or exam does not excuse a student from taking the exam or turning in the assignment except
in unusual circumstances with the prior consent of Mr. Mason. It is also the responsibility of the student
to collect all missed assignments the first day back from an absence. If the student waits 2 or 3 days, the
assignment(s) will no longer be available. Students will also be required to keep a binder for all class
materials as part of their project grade. A 3-ring binder (a minimum of 2 ½”) is required with dividers to
separate the 10 units of the course. This binder will be collected at the end of each unit and graded. If the
binder is improperly organized, it will not be accepted.
Please detach and return the bottom portion of this syllabus to Mr. Mason.
Mr. Mason
Room 61
Email: shanemason@maderausd.org
Quizzes: Timed quizzes will be given every Friday unless there is a scheduled exam/essay for that date.
If a student misses a scheduled quiz, an alternate written quiz covering the same standards will be given
upon the students return.
Examinations: Examinations will include the multiple choice exams, matching, DBQs and free response
essays which will be given at the end of each unit. All exams are timed, unless a student has a 504 or IEP
that allows for additional time. All essays written in class must be in dark blue or
black ink. If a student writes in pencil or any other color of ink, the essay will not be graded.
Students will need to schedule a make-up time with Mr. Mason.
Dropping AP European History
AP European History is a challenging course. If a student finds that they would like to transfer to a
regular World History class there are two acceptable times to do this. The first time is during the first 6
weeks of the school year. The last day to transfer out of AP Euro for the first semester is September 20,
2013. After that date, students must complete the first semester. At the end of the first semester, students
will have a second opportunity to transfer out for the second semester. Students must see their counselors
during finals week (December 16-20, 2013). No transfers will be allowed once the second semester has
begun in January 2014.
Cheating: If it has been determined that a student has cheated on an assignment or an assessment, the first
step will be a grade of zero that cannot be made up. The second offense will result in a zero and a referral
to the student’s VP. (Severity and circumstances of the situation may require VP intervention on first
offense)
Addendum- Universal AP Practices
Homework – Homework is due at the BEGINNING of the class period. Any homework that is not turned
in at the beginning of the period is considered late and you will receive a zero on the assignment.
Homework is to be done at HOME not during class or at the end of class on the day it is due.
In the event that you pass the AP exam in May with a 4 or 5 score, you will receive a grade bump for the
second semester.
I have read and understand the class syllabus for AP European History for the 2013-2014 school year.
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