Advanced Placement (AP) United States History

Course Syllabus, 2019-2020

Mrs. Shattuck
Room: 208
Email: JShattuck@bdchs.org
Website: mskenneyapush.weebly.com

Course Description:
The Advanced Placement (A.P.) United States History class is a survey of U.S. History from Pre Colonization to the end
of the 20th century. Over the course of the year we will try to achieve a balance between the study of historical facts and
analysis of historical themes. We will use historical thinking skills in order to create arguments and judgments about
events throughout our history. We will strive to become well versed in America’s political, diplomatic, economic, social,
and cultural history. We will also work to improve your ability to do analytical writing at the collegiate level. It cannot be
overstressed that this is a college course. It will employ college-level texts and readings and move at a college pace.
Students’ work ethic and perseverance must be of similar intensity.

Textbook:
Kennedy, David and Cohen, Lizabeth, American Pageant 15th edition
Supplemental Study Guide:
Newman, John J., and Schmalbach John M, United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Exam.
AMSCO School Publications, Inc.
*Additional in-class and outside supplemental readings will be required.
**Student textbooks will be individually assigned. They are required to cover their books and bring them to class each
day. Failure to return an assigned textbook can result in delay of graduation.

Course Expectations:

 The AP US History course is equivalent to a freshmen/sophomore level college course. It is designed to provide a
rigorous academic foundation that will prepare you for the AP US History Exam given in May. Passing the AP
US History Exam can earn students up to 6 college credit hours depending on score and institution.
 All Brooks DeBartolo students enrolled in the AP US History course will take the AP US History Exam on Friday
May 8th, 2020 @ 8:00. Students must arrive on campus by 7:30. NO MAKE UPS OFFERED.
 Success in this course requires commitment. Students must be in class to learn. Students must complete their
assignments to learn. Your instructor expects students to seek knowledge, participate in class, and to accept the
responsibility of the course work load. This is a difficult course and if you are not willing to do the work you
should request another class.
 All students with academic accommodations must see Mrs. Denney in regards to the College Board’s rules and
procedures for AP testing.

AP Exam Description:

The AP US History Exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and is split into two sections which include a 95 minute multiple
choice/ short answer section and a 100 minute free response essay section.

Section Question Type # of Questions Timing % of total exam score

I PART A: Multiple Choice 55 55 minutes 40%
PART B: Short Answer 3 40 minutes 20%
II PART A: Document 1 60 minutes 25%
Based Question
PART B: Long Essay 1 40 minutes 15%
Question
End of Course Exam Descriptions:

All state of Florida US History students are required to take the End of Course Exam (EOC). The AP US History
curriculum requires students to delve into our country’s history at a level far beyond the typical high school course.
Therefore it is your instructor’s expectation that every student enrolled in the AP US History course will pass the EOC.

Students Materials:

3 ring binder (min. 1-1/2 inch suggested)

3 subject 8.5 x 11 notebook
Pack of 100 index cards
Textbook Cover
Loose leaf paper
Dividers

It is extremely important students stay organized and have access to their notes, documents, and past
assignments. Binders and notebooks must be brought to class daily.

Classroom Rules

Students are expected to respect themselves, each other, their instructors, as well as BDCHS property at all times.
Failures to do so will result in consequences to their grade through participation point deductions and parental
contacts. Any and all rules and consequences listed in the BDCHS student handbook will be respected in our
classroom.

ALL students are expected to address all school personnel with respect, this includes proper email etiquette. I
do not respond to rudeness from my students- if there is a problem, we will find a solution but addressing your
instructor with disrespect will result in disciplinary actions and/or parental contact.

Late work and absences:

Any work turned in after the assigned due date will incur a 50%-point deduction.

Students must be at school to learn. Attendance is therefore critical to a student’s ability to pass this course as
well as the exam. Excessive absences will result in students falling behind. When an absence is unavoidable the
student must gather the notes missed and assignment missed and have the completed PRIOR to the next class.
Failure to do so will result is falling farther behind. Unit essential questions are posted on the website along
with necessary documents. Students are expected to check the assignment schedule and obtain any
notes/handouts given while absent and do the additional work necessary to understand the material.

Homework and Reading Expectation:

Students will have homework every night. Homework must be turned in the next class or on assigned due date,
no exceptions. It is the student’s responsibility to remain on track with their student calendar throughout the
semester. Students will be expected to read a minimum of one chapter a week. All reading assignments will be
followed by an outline check. Student may choose to use the outline format provided and/or a 2 page (front and
back) outline. All chapter reading notes must be handwritten.

Tutoring:
Students are encouraged to ask for assistance with course materials. Your instructor will be on campus on every
day from 2:45-3:15 for tutoring each week unless otherwise noted. If additional tutoring is necessary please do
not hesitate to ask.
A note about academic integrity:
It is impossible for an instructor to help a student develop their writing and analytical skills if they are using
someone else’s work. There is a ZERO tolerance policy when it pertains to cheating and plagiarism. DO NOT
DO IT. Your instructor believes in the integrity of each and every one of her students, do not make her question
that. If you need assistance- ask for help, do not use someone else’s work.

Course Outline:

SEMESTER I SEMESTER II

Unit 1: Pre-Colonization to 1607 UNIT 6: 1865-1898

Unit 2: 1607-1754 UNIT 7: 1898-1945

Unit 3: 1754-1800 UNIT 8: 1945-1980

Unit 4: 1800-1848 UNIT 9: 1980- Present

Unit 5: 1844-1877 EOC REVIEW

*We will spend one week prior to the EOC focusing on Florida History as that topic is not covered by the AP
curriculum.

What is Research?

All AP US History students are also enrolled in my research block. This research course is different than the
other research courses on campus. The AP US History exam has a heavy writing expectation, with advanced
rubrics. Therefor our research block will focus on strengthening historical writing skills and enhancing course
content understanding. It will be used as an extension of the original AP US History. It is an extremely
important aspect of our course and attendance is as important as the course itself.

VERY IMPORTANT: All AP Students must register in MyAP in order to have access to AP Classroom. This
is mandatory and due no later than Friday, August 16th. Visit APatBDCHS.weebly.com -> AP Classroom for
link and directions.

 Please make sure to enroll in EACH of the AP courses you are taking this year with the unique code
given by that courses instructor. The code for AP US History is: ___________________.

BDCHS AP AGREEMENT: (Due by Aug 16th)

By registering for AP courses, I understand the following: AP curriculum is rigorous and will require 5-10
hours of study a week per AP course; summer work may be required; that I have taken all necessary
prerequisite coursework; and that my commitment to AP is for the entire school year. I have accessed the
BDCHS AP website and have reviewed the course description, skills for success, academic suitability, out of
class commitments, and summer work for each AP course for which I am registered. Students will NOT be
permitted to drop AP courses after Friday, August 23rd. If you choose to drop the course prior to this deadline
you understand that you must submit a Drop Request form and it is subject to approval. Additionally, if you
have NOT submitted the Summer Assignment for your assigned course by Friday, August 23rd you will
automatically be removed from the course. Please visit APatBDCHS.weebly.com-> forms and click on the link
provided to submit the google form acknowledging the agreement above. *Only need to submit once (regardless
of how many AP courses you are in*