Mr. Dilmaghani
Email: kdilmagh@tahomasd.us
Phone: (425) 413-6200 ext. 6339
Room: 403, next to the library
AP U.S. History Syllabus
Welcome to an exciting year! History is a passion of mine and I feel very fortunate to be
instructing a course such as this for the 2015-2016 school year.
AP U.S. History is a college equivalent course involving a survey of the social, political,
diplomatic, economic, and cultural history of the United States. It covers the period from
exploration/colonization until present time. This is not a college prep or honors class. It is a
college level class in which the goal is to prepare students to take the AP exam on Friday, May
6th 2016 so they may achieve college credit.
Not all students will take, or pass the AP Exam. However, as a result of this class students should
develop a strong background in U.S. History while learning, practicing, and demonstrating
higher level thinking skills. In addition, students should develop study skills and time
management skills comparable to or greater than a college student taking an introductory U.S.
History course. This will be one of the most difficult classes you take in High School, or college.
The rigors of this course should put you far ahead of other students who do not take AP when
you enter college.
Unit Schedule:
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Period 1: 1491-1607
Period 2: 1607-1754
Period 3: 1754-1800
Period 4: 1800-1848
Period 5: 1844-1877
Period 6: 1865-1898
Period 7: 1890-1945
Period 8: 1945-1980
Period 9: 1980-Present
Textbook
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Columbia
University. 8th Edition. 2015
Additional Readings
Mayer, Holly. Shi, David. For the Record: A Documentary History of America-Volume I. Norton
& Company, Inc. New York. 3rd Edition. 2007
Shaara, Jeff. Rise to Rebellion. Ballantine Publishing Group. New York. 2001
Zinn, Howard. A Peoples History of the United States: 1492 to Present. Harper Publishing
Company. New York. 2003
Goals of this Course
 Develop a thorough understanding of the development of the United States and expand
your historical knowledge.
 Apply that knowledge to understand time periods in which they occurred and
demonstrate an ability to recognize their relevance to current events.
 To develop analytical writing skills with which you will use acquired knowledge to
persuade individuals of a position.
 Develop skills for analyzing historical information from documentary evidence (letters,
newspaper articles, graphs, maps, political cartoons, etc…)
Materials Needed
 A spiral or bound notebook for AP U.S. History only
 Writing utensils (pencils, highlighters and blue/black ink pens only!)
 Any texts we are currently reading (books, reading packets, handouts, etc…)
 Also, please reserve a section in your binder for handouts and other class work
 Your student planner- this will be your bathroom pass!
Classroom Rules and Expectations
 I expect you to persevere – work to achieve your goals and do not give up. I expect you
to be involved in the class and to really push yourself academically. I also expect that you
to adhere to the following rules of the class:
1. Bring all necessary materials to class daily.
2. Pick up after ourselves. Water in a sealed container is allowed.
3. Be positive and supportive to one another.
4. Show respect for yourselves and each other.
5. Do not be in the hall without a pass (your planner).
6. NO TALKING OR TEXTING ON CELL PHONES in class. Electronic devices
will be allowed for research and writing purposes ONLY. Misusing them will
result in their confiscation.
7. Turn in work ON TIME. Late work will be assessed a 10% penalty. Late work
will not be accepted after the conclusion of each unit. Late or missed work that is
excused can be made up the day after; however, it is YOUR responsibility to
arrange this. Unexcused late work will not be accepted.
8. Demonstrate academic integrity. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating,
copying, etc.) will result in a zero on the assignment and disciplinary action
that can result in loss of credit.
9. Hats/headwear are allowed in class, as long as they are not a distraction to
learning. Refer to school handbook for further information regarding appropriate
clothing attire.
10. Establishing lifelong habits of reliability and promptness is an instructional
objective in this particular class. Progress toward this goal will be measured, at
least in part, by tracking your daily attendance. Your grade in this class may be
adversely affected by reason of tardiness or unexcused absence.
Grading
Think Book
Daily Work/Assignments
Unit Tests
Chapter Quizzes
Unit Focus Essays and DBQ Writes
Semester Exams
10%
15%
50%
10%
10%
5%
Extra Credit
There will be some opportunities for extra credit, but it will not significantly alter your grade or
make up for multiple missing assignments/activities.
GRADING SCALE
A 100 - 93 %
A- 92.99 - 90
B+ 89.99 - 87
B 86.99 – 83
B- 82.99 - 80%
C+ 79.99 - 77%
F 59.99% or below
C 76.99 – 73%
C- 72.99 - 70%
D 69.99 - 60%
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I am looking forward to a great year with you. Students and parents/guardians – please
read and sign the following statement. Thanks!
I have read the syllabus for Mr. Dilmaghani’s AP U.S. History class. I understand what is
expected of me/my student in this class, and I will do my best to meet/help my student meet
these expectations.
Student name (please print):
Student signature:
Date:
Parent/guardian signature:
Date:
*Parents/guardians: what is the best way to get in touch with you?
Name:
Email:
Phone (work):
Phone (home):
Questions and/or comments: