AP
Florida Department of Education Course
Number: 210033
Course Calendar: Fall 2008 Spring 2009
Mr. Sandoe’s Office Hours: Tuesday &
Thursday:
Course
Description:
The
Advanced Placement course in American History is designed to provide students
with the analytical skills and content knowledge necessary for success on the
AP examination in US History. This
course makes demands on the students equivalent to
that of a full-year introductory college-level course. Students learn to assess historical materials
- their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their
importance - and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in
historical scholarship. All students
enrolled in this course must sit for the Advanced Placement exam on
Relationship to School
The Advanced Placement American History course strives to promote
the ideals of faith formation, inclusion, personal growth and community
embodied in the mission. Students gain an
appreciation of the past and develop awareness of the heritage of the
Basic Skills Inherent in the Subject
Area and Course:
The course develops students'
analytical and critical thinking skills.
Students expand their ability to use charts, graphs, maps and
timelines. Writing is emphasized as part
of this college preparatory curriculum.
David M. Kennedy, Lizbeth Cohen, and
Thomas A. Bailey, The American Pageant, Houghton-Miflin:
John J. Newman and John J. Schmalbach,
David M. Kennedy and Thomas A. Bailey, The American Spirit:
David M. Kennedy and Thomas A. Bailey, The American Spirit:
Charles M. Dollar
and Gary W. Reichard, American Issues: A Documentary Reader. Glencoe McGraw-Hill:
Bruno Leone and
William Dudley, Opposing Viewpoints in
American History: Volume I From Colonial Times to Reconstruction. Greenhaven
Press:
Bruno Leone and
William Dudley, Opposing Viewpoints in
American History: Volume II From Reconstruction to the Present. Greenhaven
Press:
Allen
Davis and Harold Woodman. Conflict and Consensus in Early American History. Houghton-Miflin:
Allen
Davis and Harold Woodman. Conflict
and Consensus in Modern
American History. Houghton-Miflin:
Various
articles and handouts.
**
Primary & secondary source readings from the above listings will be used
regularly throughout the course as a supplement
to in-class activities, debates, projects and discussions. Other outside
readings will be provided as well. See
weekly schedule of readings and assignments in each semester calendar.
Students are
required to bring a large three-ring notebook to class daily in order to
organize all notes and any materials handed out in class. Writing implements
and the textbook are also required daily.
Course Objectives: Students will
·
master
a broad body of historical knowledge
·
demonstrate
an understanding of historical chronology
·
use historical data to support an argument or
position
·
differentiate
between historiographical schools of thought
·
interpret
and apply data from original documents including cartoons, graphs, letters,
etc.
·
Effectively
use analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect, compare and contrast
·
Work
effectively with others to produce products and solve problems
·
Prepare
for and successfully pass the Advanced Placement Exam
Course Themes: As relate to the study of U.S. History
·
American
Diversity
·
American
Identity
·
American
Ingenuity & Scientific Development
·
Social,
Cultural, and Demographic Development
·
Political
Development/Evolution
·
Reform
·
Slavery
& Its Legacies
·
War
& Diplomacy
Course of Study:
The AP US History Course
will cover the following topics
|
Pre-Colonial
Period Colonial
Period |
|
|
|
Constitution |
|
Federalist
Period |
|
Jeffersonian
Republicans |
|
Growth of
Nationalism |
|
Age of Jackson
& Rise of American Democracy |
|
Growth of
National Economy |
|
Era of Good
Feelings |
|
Slavery &
Abolition |
|
Western
Expansion & Sectionalism |
|
Civil War |
|
Reconstruction |
|
Rise of
Industry & Labor |
|
Gilded Age |
|
Urban
Expansion |
|
Progressive
Era |
|
American
Imperialism |
|
World War I
and the |
|
Roaring 20's
& American Life |
|
Great Crash
& Depression |
|
FDR and the
New Deal |
|
World War II |
|
Onset of the
Cold War |
|
1950's:
Eisenhower Era |
|
1960's:
Kennedy, Johnson and the Stormy 60’s |
|
1970's: Nixon,
Ford, and Carter |
|
1980's-90's:
Reagan, Bush, and the end of the Cold War |
Teaching Strategies and Methods:
·
Lectures prepared by the
instructor
·
Class discussions and debates
organized and facilitated by the instructor
·
Student led debates and
discussions
·
Individual and small group
presentations (Power Point and oral presentations)
·
Required papers (MLA format
required for all writing assignments)
·
Practice DBQ essays
·
Mock AP Exam
Criterion for Credit:
·
Class
attendance must meet the minimum standard as set forth by Archbishop McCarthy
policies
·
Class
preparation and participation
·
Completion
of all assigned projects, quizzes, and exams
·
Completion
of the College Board AP
·
One
power point presentation as an individual project
·
Use
of Internet sources in completion of projects and papers
Grading Policies:
Grades are
determined by a points/percentage system and will be divided into two major
categories. The “Exams/Projects/Papers” category will constitute 80% of the
student’s grade (not including semester/final exams). The
“Participation/Quizzes/Homework” category will constitute 20% of the student’s
grade (not including semester/final exams).
Semester Grade
Distribution: (not including semester exam)
Exams/Projects/Papers 80%
Homework/Participation: 20%
Homework
Policy:
“The Social Studies homework policy is
aimed at providing students with meaningful work that supports/reinforces the
requirements of the department’s curriculum. Thus, homework of some sort is
given nearly every day. This homework generally takes one of several forms. The
most prevalent and consistent form of Social Studies homework is nightly
reading assignments (with accompanying questions, worksheets, and/or maps)
which serve as a precursor to the following day’s classroom activities. The
department also requires the ongoing development of projects (both group and
individual) which frequently must be worked on at home. Papers and/or annotated
article reviews are required of most students as well. Frequently homework
related to such projects/papers must be managed alongside the nightly readings.
Ultimately, the department does not assign busywork for the sake of assigning
homework. Thus, in spite of homework being assigned on most nights, there are
rare occasions where students might have a night off.”
During the year, students will be
required to complete nine (9) major group projects. Four (4) of these projects
will involve creating & teaching lessons on assigned historical topics
& issues. Such group teaching projects will be assigned once each quarter.
Another three (3) group projects will also be split by quarter (quarter’s 1-3).
Each quarter, groups will be assigned an historical topic/issue to research and
analyze. Subsequently, the groups will formulate a position/argument with
regard to the topic and defend this position within the format of a class
debate. During the fourth (4th) quarter, in an effort to further
prep for the actual AP exam, student groups will be required to lead the class
in a review project rather than a 4th debate. The final group project will involve researching
historical issues/topics and the presentation of an oral/ technology production
during the fourth (4th) quarter following the actual AP examination.
Though the presentation itself will take place during the fourth (4th)
quarter, research and development will begin at the beginning of the second (2nd)
semester.
During the year, individual students
will be required to develop and complete four (4) papers on historical issues
and/or documents. These papers require students to provide thorough answers to
essay questions posed by the instructor. Such questions will take the form of
standard AP essay questions and will require outside research, footnote
citations, and an appropriate works cited page.
**Note: All
papers and must be submitted through the Turnitin.com web site in order to
receive a passing grade for the assignment.
Seven (7) exams will be given during
the year, two (2) each quarter for Quarters 1 – 3 (due to the timing of the AP
exam in May, the Fourth (4th) quarter will have only one (1) exam in
addition to the Final Exam). Exams will cover all material covered in class as
well as assigned readings. ** NOTE: Though all exams will be heavily weighted
toward material covered in class, they will also include material not covered
in class. “A” grades will be reserved only for those students who have kept up
with assigned readings.
Final Exam:
The Final Exam will take place during the week of the
actual AP Exam (Monday, May 4 –
Class participation will be divided
into three (3) categories. With regard to in-class activities,
participation refers to closely following (1) individual assignments, (2)
video-viewing, and (3) group work. With regard to in-class discussion,
participation refers to voluntary contributions relevant to course material,
and generally includes clarification questions, insightful questions, and/or
insightful comments. With regard to in-class debates, participation
refers to voluntary contributions to the development and presentation of
arguments for (or against) the theses under discussion. Participation records
will be maintained throughout each quarter and will then be assessed for
grading purposes. **NOTE: It is very rare for students to obtain a perfect
participation score during any given week. Perfect participation scores are
reserved for those students who are constantly engaging the instructor and
classmates in thoughtful analysis, interpretation, and argumentation. Since
this is a college level course, participation will be graded according to a
higher standard than general or honors level courses. Simply paying attention
will not be enough to garner an above average grade.
All group projects, individual
projects, and homework not submitted by their assigned due date will receive a
grade of zero unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. Missed
exams will be made up according to school policy and will be comprised
entirely of essay questions (students will not be able to take the same
exam that was missed).
**Note: If work is missed due to an
excused absence, make-up work will be subject to guidelines specified in the
Parent-Student Handbook.
Extra credit is NOT awarded.
Any exam, project, paper, or homework
assignment that exhibits plagiarism will receive a grade of zero. Other school
policies will be invoked (see Student-Parent Handbook for specifics). For the
purposes of this course, plagiarism is defined as a student portraying anyone
else’s ideas, words, or answers as his/her own. Any student who shares information
with another students when such is not explicitly
permitted by the instructor is also considered to be cheating. Students will be
asked to sign a “no cheating” policy and to adhere to this honor code
throughout the year.
**Note: please see Mr. Sandoe’s Cheating Policy Statement for additional details.
Classroom Rules and Regulations:
Students are expected to arrive on
time and take their seats prior to the bell. Everyone is expected to treat each
other with respect and courtesy. Behavior which promotes a learning environment
for all students in the classroom is required. Although students are encouraged
to share their opinions and observations, all comments must be appropriate for
the classroom. All school policies will be enforced (see Student-Parent
Handbook for specifics).
Rules Consequences
* Raise your hand to speak.
Don’t talk while others * You will be warned one time. After that
are
responding. Don’t be disruptive. detentions will be
assigned.
* Bring all necessary materials to class each day. * Reduction in class participation.
* The only excuse for being tardy is a pass from * Detention
another teacher or an administrator
* Turn in all assignments on time *
Score of zero
* If absent the day of a test, you must take the test * Score of zero
on
the day of your return (Subject to Handbook)
* No cheating/plagiarism *
Score of zero & referral to Dean’s Office
