AP U.S.

HISTORY
Fall 2017
Pocomoke High School
Room 211
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Teachers: Ms. McInerney Telephone: 410-632-5180
Email: jemcinerney@mail.worcester.k12.md.us
Class Website: msmacshistory.weebly.com

Hello!
Welcome to AP U.S. History. This course is broken up into two semester courses that will prepare you
for the AP U.S. History test in May. In the fall semester, we will be reading and debating from college
textbooks and journal articles, learning about the two types of essays and short answer questions you are
required to write on the AP test, and delving into the early periods of American History.
The second semester, AP U.S. History, will showcase your advanced understanding of the themes and
periods of American History. You will be expected to have mastered the introductory formatting of the AP test
and will be focusing on earning a 5 on the test in May. Overall, this class will require individuals to complete
independent reading and homework daily. There will also be timed writing assignments, pop quizzes, and
debate presentations to prepare students for the AP test. This course allows students the possibility to earn
college credit, so the class will be rigorous and expect individuals to be dedicated to their assignments. I am
available before or after school or via email to help you through this course. Overall, this year will be an
exciting transition to the world of history!
Ms. McInerney

Classroom Expectations
1. Be on time for class.
- This means that you are in the classroom and seated when the bell rings.
2. Be prepared for class at all times.
-This includes a pencil/pen, your binder, your textbook, your digital device, and your agenda.
3. Show respect to others in the class at all times.
- Being respectful helps everyone in the class learn. Also, listen carefully to your peers and teachers
because they are great resources.
4. Electronic Devices are prohibited.
- All electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, headphones, etc.) are not allowed in class. If electronic
devices are seen, they will be taken, and a parent/guardian must come to school to collect the device.
iPads and computers owned by PHS will be used in an academic and professional manner when the
teacher allows and will have the same consequences as a personal device if misused.
5. Participate in class daily.
- There is always something to learn. Speak up in class when you have something to say. You will be
graded for participation within larger assignments. This participation includes asking questions,
answering questions, participating in small group discussion, and helping others in the class.
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School Policies
1. Bring your agenda to every class.
- If you do not bring your agenda to class, you will not be able to go to the bathroom, office, or any other
room because your agenda is your hall pass.
2. Consequences
- Verbal/non-verbal warning and may include a Call Home
- Detention and Call Home
 - Referral and Call Home or School Meeting
- Remember, being tardy to class is a detention & there is a zero tolerance for profanity

Classroom Materials
- at least a 3 three ring binder
- lined paper
- pen or pencil
- school-issued agenda
- The American Pageant. 16th ed. Textbook provided
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Grading Scale

Marking Period Scale

Classwork 20%

Homework 20%

Assessments 60%
- Including benchmarks, tests, quizzes,
essays, debates, and projects

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Grading Policies
1. Late Homework and Classwork will not be accepted. This includes submissions after the time it is
collected, even in the same class period or at the end of the school day. Per the county policy, students with an
excused absence will have 5 days to complete an assignment missed during their absence. Absences due to
school field trips or athletics dismissals are not counted in this policy and are due when stated. Students can
submit their assignments before they leave school due to a dismissal.

2. Late Long Term Projects and Essays will be docked 20% for each day it is late after it is collected in class.
This includes submissions at the end of the day it is due. This includes absences. If you are absent, speak with
me about your missed work and have a parent or doctors note to excuse your absence. Per the county policy,
your project or essay is due the day the student comes back with an excused absence. Students with an
unexcused absence will be docked points based on the 20% rule. Computer Malfunctions are not legitimate
excuses for late or missing work, so back up your work with a USB or email it to yourself.

3. Plagiarism/Copying- Copying other individuals work or not citing ideas other than your own is a form of
cheating. If you plagiarize an assignment, you will receive a 0 for the assignment, a detention, and a referral to
the office. Also, if you copy or cheat off of another students work, even if it is not for history, both papers will
be taken and receive zeros.

4. Final Exam/Research Paper- Per the revised county policy, final exams will count for 20% of a students
final grade for the course. Students also will complete a Research Paper in May that is required to pass the AP
U.S. History class, per county policy.

5. Missing Class/Absences- Students who are absent, either excused or unexcused, are responsible for talking
with the teacher to discuss missed work. Students should collect their missing work from the make up work bin
in the back of the room and set up a time to discuss any questions with the teacher. It is the students
responsibility to collect all missing work and schedule time to discuss the content with the teacher.
A Message from the College Board

The AP U.S. History course is structured around themes and concepts in nine different chronological periods
from approximately 1491 to the present:
Period 1: 14911607 Early Contacts Among Groups in North America
Period 2: 16071754 North American Societies in the Context of the Atlantic World
Period 3: 17541800 Birth of a New Nation and Struggle for Identity
Period 4: 18001848 Growing Pains of the New Republic
Period 5: 18441877 Expansion, Regional Separation, the Civil War and Its Aftermath
Period 6: 18651898 Industrialization, Urbanization, and Cultural Transformation
Period 7: 18901945 Domestic and Global Challenges and the Creation of Mass Culture
Period 8: 19451980 Increasing Prosperity and Global Responsibility after WWII
Period 9: 1980Present Globalization and Redefining National Identity
Within each period, key concepts organize and prioritize historical developments. Themes allow students to
make connections and identify patterns and trends over time.

AP HISTORY REASONING SKILLS

Skill 1: Contextualization
Use context to explain the relative historical significance of a specific historical development or process.
Skill 2: Comparison
Explain the relative historical significance of similarities and/or differences between different historical
developments or processes.
Skill 3: Causation
Explain the difference between primary and secondary causes and between short- and long-term effects.
Explain the relative historical significance of different causes and/or effects.
Skill 4: Continuity and Change Over Time
Explain the relative historical significance of specific historical developments in relation to a larger pattern of
continuity and/or change.

Thematic Learning Objectives

The thematic learning objectives describe, at a high level, the knowledge colleges expect students to develop in
the AP U.S. History course in order to be qualified for credit and placement. In order to help students develop
this knowledge, teachers will need to anchor their locally developed AP syllabi in historical content and skills.
The learning objectives are grouped into seven themes typically included in college-level U.S. history courses:
American and National Identity (NAT)
Politics and Power (POL)
Work, Exchange, and Technology (WXT)
Culture and Society (CUL)
Migration and Settlement (MIG)
Geography and the Environment (GEO)
America in the World (WOR)

These themes focus on major historical issues and changes, helping students connect the historical content they
study to broad developments and processes that have emerged over centuries in what has become the United
States. Each theme is presented with its description and a table that outlines the learning objectives for that
theme.
AP United States History Exam Structure
AP U.S. History Exam: 3 hours 15 minutes
Assessment Overview
The AP Exam questions measure students knowledge of U.S. history and their ability to think historically.
Questions are based on learning
objectives, key concepts, course themes, and AP history disciplinary practices and reasoning skills.

Format of Assessment
Section I, Part A: Multiple Choice | 55 Questions | 55 Minutes |
40% of Exam Score
Questions appear in sets of 25.
Students analyze primary and secondary texts, images, graphs, and maps.
Questions cover all course periods.

Section I, Part B:
Short Answer | 3 Questions | 40 Minutes |
20% of Exam Score
Students respond to 2 required questions and choose between 2 options for a third question.
Questions 1 and 2 cover periods 38 of the course; students choose between answering either question 3
(covering periods 15) or question 4 (periods 69).
Students analyze historians interpretations, historical sources, and propositions about history.

Section II, Part A:

Document Based | 1 Question | 60 Minutes |
25% of Exam Score
Students assess written, visual, and quantitative sources as historical evidence.
Students develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.
Question covers periods 38 of the course.

Section II, Part B:

Long Essay | 1 Question | 40 Minutes |
15% of Exam Score
Students select one question among three different periods (13, 46, 79) of the course.
Students explain and analyze significant issues in U.S. history.
Students develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.