AP U.S. History

Syllabus and Course Outline

Julianne Dow

[email protected]

History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.

-Napoleon Bonaparte

What is this class about?

AP U.S. History examines the American experience, starting with the initial contact (and collision) between different cultures and continuing up until the present.  Due to the constraints of the AP testing schedule and test format, this will mean covering and remembering vast quantities of information in less than vast quantities of time.  While AP classes can often end up skipping across the surface of things, we’ll attempt to slow down and look at as many historical “events” as possible from as many angles as we can.  History, after all, is simply a collection of stories and voices—we’ll try to hear everyone’s two cents worth, including yours.  

What are the class expectations?

High.  This is a college level course and the homework load will be accordingly large.  You should expect 1-2 hours of homework for this class every night. Also, like college courses, to utilize our limited time as best we can, it will simply be assumed that you’ve read, understood and synthesized all materials given for homework.  You will not be checked on every last detail, but you will be accountable for them.  So if you don’t get something, make sure you ask!

What texts will we use?

Our primary text will be American History by Alan Brinkley and our supplementary text is A People’s History of the United States, abridged teaching edition by Howard Zinn. Every week we will read and discuss 1-2 chapters of both the Brinkley and Zinn textbooks. In addition, we’ll read supplemental documents and primary sources that will broaden and deepen our understanding of U.S. history.

What materials do we need?

You will need to purchase your own copy of the Zinn.  It should cost about $22 and can be ordered online from the publisher, New Press.  Be careful that you order the correct book; this book has been published in a variety of different configurations - make sure you get the one titled A People’s History of the United States, abridged teaching edition.  

To be successful in this class and to keep up with the workload, you have to be organized.  Use whatever system works best for you,  just be sure to have your notes, handouts, etc. for this class with you everyday.  

What is the curriculum?

Over the course of the year, we’ll cover the sum total of US history from before the first European/Native American encounters right up through yesterday.  While US history is mercifully short compared to say, Chinese history, it means for the AP exam you are expected to understand it in a lot of detail.  To keep us on track, here is an outline of how the year will go:

Semester 1 – 19 weeks

Semester 2 –  14 weeks before AP Exam

What Common Core State Standards will AP U.S. History address?

Throughout the year, U.S. Studies students will participate in a variety of activities that will ask them to do the following:

• -Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.1

• -Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.2

• -Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.3

• -Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term over the course of a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.4

• -Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to the whole. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.5

• -Evaluate authors’ differing points of view on the same historical event or issue by assessing the authors’ claims, reasoning, and evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.6

• -Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7

• -Evaluate an author’s premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.8

• -Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.9

• -Read and comprehend complex history/social studies texts independently and proficiently. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.10

How will we be evaluated? What about grades?

Since the nature of the AP exam necessitates that this be a taught as a more traditional survey course, grades will be determined in a more traditional way as well.  Your final grades will be made up of the following:

Tests/Essays/Projects 40%

Reading (section summaries, active reading, notes) 30%

Daily work/Homework/Quizzes 20%

Participation and Personal Responsibility 10%

What about late work and make-up work?

LATE WORK: Because all work is essential for keeping your head above water in this class, as well as eventual success on the AP exam, I will not accept late homework for credit. Late work means not finished by the due date before the start of class.

MAKE-UP WORK: If you are absent from class or miss a significant portion of class, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and what handouts you need before you come and talk to me.  

What about the actual test?

I’ll give you more detail about the test itself throughout the course of the year.  For the time being, you need to know that the test will by on May 8.  The cost is $82 (less if you're on free or reduced lunch). Though you are not required to take the test, you absolutely should!  Many colleges offer college credit to students who pass the test and for highly selective colleges, passing your AP exams is expected of all who apply.  More importantly, after all the hard work you’re going to do in AP US History this year, you’re going to want to show it off by taking and passing the test!

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Signatures - I have read the AP US History syllabus and understand it.

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