Pre-IB United States History, Advanced Placement
Ms. Finn □ [email protected] □ 773-534-8130
x24858
Course Description
The Advanced Placement Program in United States History is designed to develop students’ analytical skills that are necessary to deal critically with the problems, issues, and materials in United States History. According to the College Board, which administers the A.P. exam, “the [A.P.] Program has provided motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school.” Therefore, this course’s expectations are similar to those made by full-year introductory college courses. This is a tough class—students must be independent, self-motivated, and diligent.
This course seeks to develop students’ ability to analyze and interpret primary sources, including documents, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events. Expressing this analysis through historical writing will be a central emphasis of this course. The course pushes students to approach history from a higher thinking order. While the question “what happened?” continues to be important, “why?”, “how?”, and “to what effect?” will become increasingly paramount.
Students will be expected to take notes from both printed materials and lectures or discussions, write essay examinations, and write analytical papers. Only through practicing the skills of analytical writing, reading comprehension, and memorization will students progress in this course. Improvement in all these areas is expected of all students.
Course Methodology
Students are expected to be active participants and learners in this course. While lectures will be common, students’ participation is essential. Student-led discussions and activities are also very important.
Course Content
Semester I:
Semester II:
Required
Testing/Projects
Students are required to take the AP Exam offered at
Students will also take the United States Constitution (Public Law) and Consumer Education tests in May and June following their AP coursework. Both are graduation requirements.
Students are also required to participate in Social Studies Fair and will receive a grade in this course for their project. Students have been prepared by their freshman year research course for Social Studies Fair. Their projects will be completed entirely out of class, however, their teachers will be available for assistance.
Fees
The Social Studies department fee is $15.
Text/Materials
Bailey, American Pageant
Taylor, American Colonies
In-Class Journal
Class BLOG
Students must be prepared
everyday. Students must complete
their homework, including all readings. They must also be prepared to participate in
in-depth discussions in class.
Students will have an abundance of homework assignments. These include nightly textbook and supplemental readings, analysis of primary and secondary source documents, writing, and quiz and exam preparation. This daunting 500 year historical experience must be completed by early May. Our break-neck pace will NOT ease until after the AP. It is crucial that students keep up.
Makeup Work
With an excused absence, students are allowed to turn in
their work for full credit upon return.
Because students have a calendar, an absence will not excuse them from
having all of their work completed on the day they return to school. Late
homework will not be accepted.
If a student needs an extension on a large assignment, s/he must discuss the matter with the teacher well in advance. If a student is absent (excused absence only) on the day of a test, s/he should be prepared to take the test/quiz on the day of return. Absences on test days will be scrutinized.
It is the student’s responsibility to make up work and re-schedule tests or quizzes. If a student misses a test or quiz, the make-up time/date will be determined by the teacher.
Attendance and
Punctuality
Attendance and punctuality required. They are essential for student progress and to pass this class. Unexcused absences or being late to class will not be tolerated. Absences are only excused if a parent or guardian has called the school. Notes from parents do not serve to excuse an absence. A phone call is required.
Assessment
Grading in the course will be done on a point basis, according to the teacher’s discretion. All collected work (such as homework, papers and tests) is awarded points, as is participation. Constant disruptions during class and a failure to participate will lower a student’s grade. Points will be totaled at the end of the quarter and semester.
Students’ grades for this class will reflect their performance in the following categories:
**Participation will
count for 20% of the final grade
The following scale will be used in determining each student’s final grade [percentage represents the number of points a student earns/total number of possible points].
100-90%=A, 89-80%=B, 79-70%=C, 69-60%=D, below 60%=F
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty occurs when students obtain or assist
others in obtaining credit for work which is not their own, or when a student
gains an unfair advantage on a test, paper, project, or other assignment. Students committing academic dishonesty will
receive a zero on the assignment or test and parents will be notified. Further disciplinary action such as
detention, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, and Saturday school
may ensue. Common examples of academic
dishonesty include, but are not limited to, using hidden notes, copying from
another student, or helping another student during a test; giving of questions
or answers to a member of a later class or receiving test questions or answers
from a member of an earlier class; stealing or copying another student’s
assignment, paper, project, or test; permitting another to copy one’s
assignment, paper, project, or test; falsely claiming illness or other excusable
absence to delay taking a test or turning in a paper, project, or assignment;
falsely claiming illness or other excusable absence to miss other classes in
order to study or complete an assignment, paper, or project; using professional
help such as an author, expert, or purchased service, unless authorized by the
teacher, and presenting material taken from another source without adequate or
appropriate documentation. Academic
dishonesty is taken very seriously at
Pre-IB United States History, Advanced Placement
Parental and Student
Understanding Form
I affirm that I have read the course overview for PIB AP United States History and I understand the expectations and guidelines established for students of this course. I understand that all students must complete a Social Studies Fair project and take the AP exam. I understand that it is the student’s responsibility (not the teacher’s or parent’s unless extenuating circumstances) to ask for work missed due to absence and it is the student’s responsibility to reschedule missed quizzes and tests according to the schedule of the teacher. I understand the definition of and consequences for academic dishonesty. I understand the grading, homework and attendance policy.
_________________________________________
Student Name (please print)
Parents, the best, fastest way to reach me is via email at cfinn@cps.edu. You can also reach me on the phone at 773-534-8130 x24858.
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Parent Signature Date
Parent Email Address: __________________________________________________
Parent phone numbers: cell: _________________________________
home: _________________________________
work: _________________________________
Hey kids! You sign too!!
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Student Signature Date