'11-'12+AP+US+Syllabus

What is history?

 * collecting and analyzing information about the past in order to:
 * come to understandings about the past and the present.
 * explain present conditions.
 * be prepared for and positively effect the future.

What skills do students need to succeed in AP U.S. History and perform well on the AP Exam?

 * collect factual knowledge of important events, people, laws, concepts, etc.
 * manage time effectively
 * work thoroughly and thoughtfully
 * ask thoughtful questions and make rational inferences about historical information
 * determine causes of particular events and trends
 * recognize the significance of important events, people, decisions, etc.
 * identify common themes and trends across time periods and topics
 * recognize change and consistency over time
 * discern and analyze different points of view and biases
 * read, understand, and analyze textual and non-textual sources (both primary and secondary sources) such as textbook information, speeches, letters, newspaper articles, graphs, charts, cartoons, photographs, paintings, maps, songs, etc.
 * construct historical arguments - orally and in writing
 * produce clear and thoughtful on-demand essays
 * dissect multiple choice questions and select the best answer

Periods 3 & 4
__**Textbook**__: __American History: A Survey__ by Alan Brinkley Students should reference the @Work Expectations & Guidelines page for more information about how to complete the different types of assignments that will be assigned. The textbook will be supplemented with primary source documents, map activities, videos, internet activities, and other assignments.
 * Students will:
 * Read the textbook as assigned
 * Complete 2-column notes for the chapter opening page of each chapter
 * Take notes in own words on the assigned reading including important key terms (definition and importance)
 * Compile ongoing lists, separate from notes, of:
 * Conflicts
 * Legislation
 * Supreme Court cases
 * Political Parties
 * Artwork & Pop Culture
 * Complete chapter questions for each chapter as assigned

**__Other Materials__:**
 * A 3-ring binder with lined paper and dividers. Binders will have 3 general sections:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Syllabus and other year-long information such as protocols, rubrics, a page for account info and passwords, etc.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lists (see above)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chapter work - notes, chapter questions, primary source work, etc. - within this general section, each chapter should be separated by a divider
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A highlighter and pens of multiple colors (at least two colors each day).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A travel drive (on a lanyard or attached to keys or some helpful way of not losing it).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Class Structure**__: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your textbook reading will take place outside of class. In class, we will spend much of our time organizing and processing information from the readings, analyzing primary source documents, discussing and debating, and developing writing and test-taking skills. It is your responsibility to make class a challenging academic environment. You will also be expected to get to know everyone else in the class and to work with different partners and groups on a regular basis. You must be prepared for class in order to be ready to learn from classmates and to contribute to others' learning. A great deal of what you learn will depend on your interactions with your classmates: be ready to ask and answer questions, to discuss issues, and to push each other to think deeply about the topics we are working with. Many days you will receive a classwork grade based on your focus and contributions in class. You will be graded on your tests, projects, quizzes, essays, and your home and class work, as well as your contributions to class discussions, debates, and presentations. You will also be graded on your notebooks: both your binder and your virtual notebook. Your notebooks will be invaluable resources as you progress through the year. Success on tests, essays, and presentations will largely depend on how well you complete your classwork and homework, and how well you manage your notebooks. More details on the notebooks to come…

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Grading Percentages**__: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tests/Essays: 50% <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Homework: 30% <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Classwork/Notebooks: 20%

__**The Course: Unit Overivew**__ The following is a very broad outline and will undoubtedly change during the year:
 * 1) Unit I: Chapters 15-18 - Topics 12-16 - Reconstruction, The Far West, Industrialization, Cities
 * 2) 9/6 - 10/4
 * 3) Unit II: Chapters 19-22 - Topics 15-18 - Imperialism, Progressivism, Populism, Reform
 * 4) 10/4 - 10/28
 * 5) Unit III: Chapters 23-26 - Topics 18-20 - World War I, The Roaring '20s, The Great Depression, The New Deal
 * 6) 10/28 - 11/18
 * 7) Unit IV: Chapters 27-29 - Topics 21-23 - Global Crises, World War II, The Beginning of the Cold War
 * 8) 11/18 - 12/14
 * 9) Unit V: Chapters 30-33 - Topics 24-28 - The 1950s, The Cold War continues, The Civil Rights Movement, Political Crisis, The Age of Reagan
 * 10) 12/14 - 1/13
 * 11) Midterms - January 17 - 20
 * 12) Unit VI: Chapters 1-5 - Topics 1-4 - European Colonization, Early Settlements, British America, The Revolutionary Era
 * 13) 1/23 - 2/15
 * 14) Unit VII: Chapters 6-10 - Topics 5-7 - The Constitution, The New Republic, Jefferson, Jackson, Industrialization
 * 15) 2/15 - 3/14
 * 16) Unit VIII: Chapters 11-14 - Topics 8-11 - Expansion, Slavery, Reform, Division, Civil War
 * 17) 3/14 - 4/11
 * 18) Review: 4/11 - 5/10
 * 19) 2012 AP US History Exam is Friday, May 11, 8am