AP U.S. History Course Calendar: Fall 2008

Quarter #1:

Week 1 [8/18-22]: (4) [Freshman Orientation (M)];

Topics:

Pre-Colonial History & Colonial History:

Native Americans: pre-Columbus

Causes & consequences of European Exploration

Spanish Empire in the Americas

Readings:

The American Pageant, Ch.1

Conflict & Consensus in Early American History,

Introduction (“History & Historians”)

Activities:

Course Introduction & Expectations. Text Distribution (T)

Overview of the AP U.S. History Exam & Historiography (W)

Student Lesson Prep (Th.-F)

Week 2 [8/25-29]: (5) [Mass 8/27]

Topics:

Colonial History:

Setting the stage for English Expansion

Early English Settlement in the Thirteen Colonies

Early colonial economic & political institutions

Religion

Social Structure

Relations/conflict with Native Americans

Readings:

The American Pageant, Ch.2 & 3

Opposing Viewpoints, Vol. I

Mather, “A Defense of the Salem Witch Trials”

Brattle, “An Attack on the Salem Witch Trials”

Handouts

Activities:

Student Teaching Lessons presented (M-Th.)

Debate Prep (F) Salem Witch Trials

[Teaching Project #1 Due - Monday]

Week 3 [9/1-5]: (4) [Labor Day: (M)][Senior Panoramic Photo (W)]

Topics:

Colonial History:

Enlightenment, Puritanism, and the Great Awakening;

Colonial Society & The Three Colonial Sections;

Readings:

The American Pageant Ch.4 & 5

American Issues.

“Democracy in Massachusetts,” by Michael Zuckerman. Pp. 57-58;

Salem Witchcraft Trials painting. Pp. 59;

Distribution of Slavery map. Pp. 64;

Cultural Pluralism in the Middle Colonies by Frederick B. Tolles. Pp. 65-66.

Activities:

Debate prep (W) Debate (T, Th.)

[Debate: Salem Witch Trials: Religious Anxiety or Socio-economic tensions? (T)]

[Debate: Which colonial region was most “American?” (Th.)]

Exercise: From Authority to Individualism (F)

[Paper #1 Due Friday]

Week 4 [9/8-12]: (5) [Mass 9/10]

Topics:

9/11 Memoriam (Th)

Conflict & Independence

British Salutary Neglect & Mercantilism

French & Indian (Seven Years) War

British taxation policy post 1763

Colonial perceptions of Parliamentary legislation

British perceptions of Colonial actions

Readings:

The American Pageant, Ch. 6 & 7

United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination. Pp. 72-76

Activities:

Class Discussion and Group Work

DBQ exercise: “Deciding What Position to Argue”

Week 5 [9/15-19]: (5) Topics:

Conflict & Independence

War for Independence

Declaration of Independence

Key battles

French Alliance & foreign assistance

Causes and consequences of American victory

Readings:

The American Pageant, Ch. 8

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. Excerpts in The American Spirit: United States History as Seen by Contemporaries. Volume I: To 1877. pp. 154-156;

The Declaration of Independence

Conflict & Consensus in Early American History.

Morgan, “Conflict & Consensus in the American Revolution.”

Wood, “The Radicalism of the American Revolution.”

Activities:

Primary Source Analysis:

Common Sense (M)

The Declaration of Independence (T)

Student Military Briefings (W-Th.)

Historiography and the American Revolution: class discussion/analysis of various historical views of the American Revolution. (Th.)

[Exam #1: Friday]

Week 6 [9/22-26]: (5) Topics:

The Constitution

The Government under the Articles of Confederation

Strengths & Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

British foreign/trade policy

Domestic economic problems

Shay’s Rebellion

The Constitutional Convention

Key features/compromises achieved in Philadelphia

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists

Readings:

American Pageant,, Ch. 9

Conflict & Consensus in Early American History

McDonald, “Powers, Principles, and Consequences”

Erler, “The Political Philosophy of the Constitution.”

Activities:

Class Discussion: (M-T)

ViewFilm “A More Perfect Union.” (W-Th.)

Student Research Presentations on historical interpretations of the Constitution: John Fiske, Charles Beard, Forrest McDonald, Jackson Turner Main, Edward J. Erler, and Gordon Wood. Student groups will research various positions of the authors listed above. Students will then present such views to the class. Classmates will listen and take notes on presentations. Class debate/discussion of various viewpoints will ensue.

[Paper #2 Due Friday]

Week 7 [9/29-10/3]: (5) [Cafetorium Dedication Mass (W)]

Topics:

The Federalist Period.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Federalists vs. Jeffersonian Republicans

Domestic & Foreign Affairs: 1789-1799.

Loose vs. Strict Construction

Funding the Debt

Bank of the United States

Whiskey Rebellion

Alien & Sedition Acts

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

Jay’s Treaty

The Neutrality proclamation

Washington’s farewell address

Quasi war with France

XYZ Affair

Citizen Genet

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 10

Handouts: The Federalist papers; The Anti-federalist papers

Activities:

Debate Prep (M-T)

Debate (W)

Free Response Workshop Develop thesis statements and supporting argumentation.

“Evaluate the relative importance of domestic and foreign affairs in shaping American politics in the 1790’s.” (Th.-F)

[Major Group Debate #1: Constitutional Ratification – Wednesday]

Week 8 [10/6-10]: (5) [Faculty Meeting (M)][Quarter Exams Periods A & C: (F)]

Topics:

The Jeffersonian Republicans & the Growth of Nationalism

. Jefferson’s moderate administration;

Changing party positions

Louisiana Purchase;

Diplomatic Problems

Causes and Consequences of the Embargo of 1807;

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 11

Handouts:

Thomas Jefferson to John Dickinson, Washington, Mar. 6, 1801;

Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Joseph Priestly, Washington, Mar. 21, 1801;

Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, Mar 4, 1801;

American Spirit. Vol. I, pp. 221-232

Activities:

Primary Source Analysis: (M-Th) Thomas Jefferson, Roger Griswald, and John Breckinridge [The Revolution of 1800]; [Something New Under the Sun]

[First Inaugural Address][Louisiana Purchase]; [The Embargo of 1807]

Week 9 [10/13-17]: (3) [Quarter Exams: (M/T)][PSAT: (W)][Teacher Workday: (F)]

Topics:

The Jeffersonian Republicans & the Growth of Nationalism.

Causes and Consequences of the War of 1812

The impact of the Hartford Convention

Era of Good Feelings

The Missouri Compromise

The Monroe Doctrine

The Marshall Court Cases: Marbury v. Madison; Dartmouth College v. Woodward; McCulloch v. Maryland; Cohens v. Virginia; Gibbons v. Ogden.

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 12

Handouts: The Marshall Court Cases--Supreme Court Opinions: Marbury v. Madison; Dartmouth College v. Woodward; McCulloch v. Maryland; Cohens v. Virginia; Gibbons v. Ogden

Activities:

Primary Source Analysis: Thomas Jefferson letter to Monroe; John Quincy Adams memoirs of cabinet meeting, November 7, 1823; James Monroe’s State of the Union message, 1823. (M/T)

Supreme Court Case Presentations/ Primary Source Analysis: (Th.)

[Exam 2: Monday]

Quarter #2

Week 10 [10/20-24]: (5) Topics:

The Age of Jackson & the Rise of American Democracy.

Revival of Opposition and the Two-Party system – post Era of Good feelings

Election of 1824 & 1828

The Expanding electorate

The Legitimization of Party

The Spoils System

The Nullification Crisis

Indian Removal and its legacy

The Bank War

Changing Shape of American Politics

Election of 1836

Martin Van Buren

The Panic of 1837

Log Cabin Campaign of 1840

Readings:

Class Discussion/Debates

American Pageant, Ch. 13

Activties:

Marshall Court Case presentations (M)

Various discussion & group exercises/debate regarding Jacksonian Era (T-F)

[Paper #3 (or group Documentary project if chosen) -- Due Friday]

Week 11 [10/27-31]: (5)

Topics Covered:

The Age of Jackson & the Rise of American Democracy.

Historical Interpretation of The Age of Jackson

The Evolution of Democracy from Jefferson to Jackson

Growth of the National Economy

Irish & German Immigration

Growth of Nativism

Impact of early industrial developments on labor and society

The Factory System & technological innovation

The emergence of the market economy

Readings:

Conflict & Consensus in Early American History

Pessen, “Consensus and Ideology in the Age of Jackson”

Schlesinger, “Jacksonian Democracy Versus the Business Community”

American Pageant, Ch. 14

Activities:

Group Work: Jeffersonian & Jacksonian Democracy (M)

Historiography and the Age of Jackson: class discussion/analysis of various historical views of the Jacksonian Era. (T)

Class discussion & Essay Workshop: Jacksonian Age & the Common Man. (W-F)

Week 12 [11/3-7]: (4) [Homecoming Week]

[Early Release: Faculty Meeting (M)][Field Day (T)][Report Card Night (W)]

Topics:

The Reform Movements

The Second Great Awakening

The emergence of the “new family”

Women’s roles, rights & the Cult of Domesticity

The temperance movement

Prison & education reform

Slavery:

Slavery as an institution;

Evolution of arguments for and against slavery;

Impact of Slavery on American politics, society, and culture;

Evolution of the Abolition movement

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 15 & 16

Activities: Class Discussion (M & W);

View Documentary: Africans in America: 1831-1865 “Judgment Day.” (Th.-F)

Week 13 [11/10-14]: (4) [Veteran’s Day: No Classes (T)][Diakonia Retreat (W-Th.)]

Topics:

Slavery as an oppressive institution;

Western Expansion & Sectionalism

Manifest Destiny

Oregon dispute & resolution

Texan independence & annexation

Causes and consequences of Mexican war

Impact of Mexican cession on American politics and sectionalism

Compromise of 1850

Kansas-Nebraska and the consequences of popular sovereignty

Political evolution: rise of the Free Soil and Republican parties

Elections of 1856 and 1860 and the breakdown of national parties

Southern secession

Readings:

Opposing Viewpoints In American History, Vol. I

Adams, “Slavery is not oppressive.”

Randolph, “Slavery is oppressive.”

American Issues: A Documentary Reader,

Calhoun, “Defense of Slavery as a Benefit to Society.”

Jones, “Cruelties of Slavery: The Plight of Slave Women.”

Activities:

Debate prep (M)

Lesson Prep (W-Th)

Debate (F)

[Major Debate #2: Slavery as an intolerable institution – Friday]

Week 14 [11/17-21]: (4) [Plan Testing (F): Juniors & Seniors off]

Topics:

Western Expansion & Sectionalism (continued)

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 17, 18, 19

Activities:

Student Lesson Presentations (M-Th.)

Student Military Briefings developed

[Teaching Project #2-Due Monday]

Week 15 [11/24-28]: (3) [Thanksgiving Break Th./F (and W if Raffle goal met)]

Topics:

Civil War

Examining the roles of Lincoln & Davis in the start of hostilities

Debating the Inevitability of the Civil War

Debating the Causes of the Civil War

Evaluating the strengths & weaknesses of North & South at the start of hostilities

Evaluating the southern “lost cause”

Abraham Lincoln and limitation of wartime liberties

Rich Man’s War vs. Poor Man’s fight

War strategies, tactics, and turning-point battles

Activities:

Class discussion (M)

View Documentary: Ken Burns “Civil War” Episode I (T)

Student Military Briefings developed: Peninsular Campaign; Antietam; Gettysburg; Vicksburg (W)

Week 16 [12/3-7]: (5) Topics:

Civil War

Emancipation Proclamation: short & long-run impact

Total War, Grant vs. Lee, The fall of Atlanta, and Sherman’s March

The Election of 1864

Explanation of Union Victory/Why the South Lost

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 20 & 21

American Spirit: Volume I, pp. 465-473

Conflict & Consensus in Early American History

Beard & Beard, “The Second American Revolution”

McPherson, “The Counterrevolution of 1861”

Activities:

Exam #3 (M)

Student Military Briefings presented (T)

Primary Source Analysis: Evaluating Lincoln’s and foreigners’ views of the Emancipation Proclamation (W)

View Documentary: Ken Burns “Civil War” Episode V (Th.)

Lecture/PPT (F)

Historiography and the Civil War: class discussion/analysis of various historical views of the Civil War Era. (F)

[Exam #3 –Monday]

Week 17 [12/8-12]: (5) [Christmas Activity Week][Mass (M)]

Topics Covered:

Reconstruction.

Presidential Reconstruction

Black Codes

Radical Reconstruction

The consequences of the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th Amendments

Reconstruction Act of 1867

Successes and Failures of Reconstruction

Johnson’s Impeachment

Politics in the Gilded Age

Political Issues: Civil Service Reform; Currency debate; Corruption; Populists

Readings:

American Pageant, Ch. 22 & 23

Activities:

Free Response Essay Workshop: Developing thesis statements and supporting argumentation. “How do you account for the failure of Reconstruction to bring social, & economic equality of opportunity to the former slaves?” (M-T)

Free Response Essay Workshop: Developing thesis statements and supporting argumentation. “In what ways were the late 19^th century Populists the heirs to the Jacksonian Democrats with respect to overall objectives and specific proposals for reform?” (W)

Exam #4 (Th.)

Review for Semester Exam (F)

[Exam #4 – Thursday]

Week 18 [12/15-19]: (1) [Semester Exams 12/16-18][Teacher Work Day 12/19]

Review for Semester Exam (M)

[Semester Exam]