Advanced Placement U.S. History-Exam on May 8, 2015
Course Design:
AP U.S. History is a demanding and challenging course that is meant to be
the equivalent of a freshman college course and can earn students college credit.
This course is structured around seven themes: 1. Work, exchange and technology,
2. Identity, 3. Ideas, beliefs and culture, 4. America in the world, 5. Environment
and geography, 6. Politics and power, 7. Peopling.
Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote
considerable time to homework and study, are necessary to succeed. Time
management is an essential skill for this class. Study groups are beneficial for
you and the members of the class.
Textbooks/Resources:
Teacher/student:
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The Amercian Pageant. 12th ed.
Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2002.
Kennedy, David M. and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Spirit Volume 1: to 1877 and Vol. 2:
since 1877. Boston , MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2002.
Teacher:
Grant Ph.D., George. The Patriot’s Handbook. Nashville, TN: Cumberland House Publishing,
1996.
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States: 1492-Present. New York, NY: Harper
Collins, 2003.
Various articles and handouts
Grading Policy:
75 % -Summative/Major( AP multiple choice tests, free response and
document based essays, projects)
25% -Formative/Daily Grades
Course Objectives for Historical Thinking Skills:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Historical argumentation
6.
Historical causation
7.
Periodization
8.
Patterns of continuity and change over time 9.
Appropriate use of relevant historical evidence
Comparison
Contextualization
Interpretation
Synthesis
Organization:
The posthole approach will be used, presenting history as a series of topics
and key concepts that are explored in depth, rather than only a list of names, terms
and dates.
Unit assignment and reading sheets will be provided every two to three
weeks. Students are responsible for keeping up with reading assignments and
being aware of, and ready for, quizzes and tests. Class will be a combination of
lecture, group work, coverage of discussion questions, and answering student
questions. Periodically, student essays, reports or presentations will be required.
The development of AP U.S. History essays will be an ongoing process starting
with the understanding of the prompt, to the creation of the thesis and continuing
until the essay is completed. All essays will be scored according to the nine point
AP rubric. The teacher is available for discussion and assistance in developing AP
essays.
9 Chronological Periods
- Fall Semester
1. 1491-1607
2. 1607-1754
3. 1754-1800
4. 1800-1848
5. 1844-1877
- Spring Semester
6. 1865-1914
7. 1890-1945
8. 1945-1989
9. 1980-Present
Materials:
*Tablet/notebook with 3 sections
*Folder/Binder to keep AP papers
*pencil/pen
New Test Format:
Section 1: Part A- 55 multiple choice questions; 55minutes (40%)
Part B- Short Answer questions, 4 questions; 45 minutes (20%)
Section 2: Part A- DBQ, 1 question; 60 minutes
(25%)
Part B- Long essay, 1 question (chosen from pair); 35 minutes (15%)