Ulysses S. Grant High School
Course Syllabus (AP World History)
Course Information – AP World History. Room 205, Fall Semester (Aug 2014-Dec 2014). 5 Credit Units.
Graduation requirement fulfilled.
Instructor Information – Mr. McDermott, email: Recluse45@ca.rr.com. Website: www.mcdermotthistory.net.
Phone: (818) 239-6543.
Course Materials – Textbook: Traditions and Encounters 3 rd/4th Edition, Bentley and Ziegler.
Supplementary Readings: Several supplementary readings (primary source and secondary
source) will be given throughout the semester. Students can access most of these readings by emailing me after they
have been passed out in class.
Required Materials: Student Unit Notebook (SUN) – a portfolio the students will have with them at all times
where they will keep their notes and most assignments. Students will need three folders that have brackets that can
hold three-hole punched college ruled paper. Pencils (for tests) – other work can be done in pen.
Course Description – This course is primarily designed for students who want to successfully pass the AP Exam
(Thurs May 14, 2015). The course is fast-paced, and very rigorous. Students will read the entire textbook before
the AP exam date. Students who do not keep up with their reading and the amount of work that is necessary in the
class will find it hard to earn a grade of “C” or higher in the class. A grade of “D” in this course will not count for
nearly all 4 year Universities and will not allow the student credit for LAUSD and will have to retake a World
History course. If they pass the AP test can receive college credit for a World History Course(s) in several
Universities. The course covers all of World History. Therefore, the students can be tested on all of world history,
so most of the material will need to be consumed and practiced at home. Students who want a minimum of a “C” in
the course and want to increase their chance of passing the AP World History test (score of 3, 4, or 5) should plan on
doing a minimum of one and a half hours of homework (studies – which includes but is not limited to note-taking,
studying material, reading the text, responding to questions given in class, and writing essays) a night, on this course
alone, and at least 4 hours over the weekend.
Course Schedule – Week 1: Change Over Time Essay #1 Take Home Essay. Introduction to class. Note Taking
strategies #1- Flash Cards. 8-15
Week 2: Chapter 1 Test. Note Taking Strategies #2 - Outlines. Course Themes. 8-22
Week 3: Chapter 2 Test Note Taking Strategies #3 – Main Idea. 8-29
Week 4: Chapter 3 Test. Note Taking Strategies #4 – Themes and Graphic Notes. 9-5
Week 5: Chapter 4/5 Test. First Unit Test. Change Over Time Essay #2 – In Class Essay. 9-12
Week 6: Chapter 6/7 Test. 9-19
Week 7: Chapter 8/9 Test. 9-26
Week 8: Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Test. 2nd Unit Test Begin SUN #2 10-3
Week 9: SUN #1 Due. Chapter 11 Test. Change Over Time Essay #3 – In Class Essay. 10-10
Week 10: Chapter 12 Test. 10-17
Week 11: Chapter 13/14 Test. 10-24
Week 12: Chapter 15 Test. 3rd Unit Test. DBQ Essay #1 Take Home Essay. 10-31
Week 13: Chapter 16/17 Test. 11-7
Week 14: Chapter 18/19 Test. 11-14
Week 15: Chapter 20 Test. 4th Unit Test 11-21
Week 16: Thanksgiving Week. 11-28
Week 17: SUN #2 Due. Chapter 21/22 Test. 12-5
Week 18: Chapter 23 Test. 12-12 DBQ Essay #2 (?)
Week 19: Final Test (up to and including Chapter 24). 12-19
Break: Read Chapters 25/26, test will be when we get back from break.
Course Policies – Students who are absent, and their absence is excused can have their test excused or be tested on
another day. When students are absent it is their responsibility to make up the work they missed. Students are
encouraged to have study groups and student contacts that they can get in touch with in case of absence. If a student
was absent on a day when something was due, they can turn it in the very next school day to the instructor for
regular credit. Late work is allowed, however the students will receive 10% off their grade on the assignment for it
being late. Late work is not allowed once the assignment has been returned to the other students in the class. All
work needs to be delivered by hand to the instructor on the due date for it to be considered on time, unless there is an
excused absence.
Class Participation – Students are required to read the text prior to the test. The chapters that the students are
tested on will be discussed in class AFTER THE TEST so that the lecture can be a discussion rather than just a notedriven lecture by the instructor. Because there is no time to cover the material in class that needs to be digested, the
students will receive key instruction on major themes and critical thinking discussions. This is nearly impossible to
do if the students have not read and understood the material that is required of them to understand.
Grading – All assignments are given a point value. Chapter tests are curved (class avg. about 70%) and are worth
up to 40 points. Essays range from about 20-49 points. The Final test is about 150 points. Unit Tests are 50 points
and are not curved. Each SUN is usually worth nearly between 200 - 300 points. Students receive points on each of
their assignments, and those points are then divided by the total possible points to yield a percentage. The student’s
percentage determines their letter grade, and the grade breakdown is as follows:
AP World History:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
Please keep this Syllabus in the front of your SUN. Dates are subject to change at any time, as they are only a guide
as to approximately where we should be at the given times.
Honor Policy – Plagiarizing and cheating is not allowed in any form. If Mr. McDermott catches anyone cheating
this could result in an automatic “F” for the semester for both the cheater and the person who allowed the
cheating. For instance, if you copy another person’s work in the class and pass it off as your own, both you and the
person whose work you copied could automatically receive an “F” for their entire semester grade. Cheating and
plagiarizing entails but is not limited to:
-Copying someone on a test.
-Copying and pasting from an internet website (Wikipedia or other websites).
-Copying the textbook or other book that is not authored by you.
-Copying the work of another student.
-Having a cheat sheet or other type of material (web enabled phone like an iPhone) out during a test that has not
been allowed by the proctor of the test.
STUDENT CONTACT SHEET
Directions: Fill out the information below and turn it into Mr. McDermott by the due date that is stated in class.
Student Full Name (Print):_______________________
Name you wish to be called in class IF different from your roll sheet name:__________________________
Student Email (Print):___________________________
Student Phone Number:_________________________
By signing below you agree to the class syllabus and any other rules and policies in the course. Also, you agree and
understand the honor policy in the course.
___________________________
Student Signature
__________________
Date
Parent Name(s) – Please Print:______________________________
_______________________________
Parent Email (Print):______________________________
Parent Phone Number:_____________________________
By signing below you have read the syllabus of the course and understand that your child will be taking on a very
difficult AP level class that is designed to prepare them for some of the more rigorous college courses at the
University level. Parents please be aware that your child will and should be working harder in this course than most
of their other courses they have taken. Also, you understand and agree to the honor policy in the course.
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
_____________________
Date
_________________________________
Parent Signature (if applicable)