REMEMBER: This is an AP course and is meant to be challenging. This is essentially a college course, which means it requires time and dedication on your part for success!
Textbook: Western Civilization, 9th edl, AP ed. Spielvogel, Jackson J. Cengage Learning, 2015.
Goals and Objectives:
AP Euro is a challenging course designed to teach students relevant and factual knowledge about European history from 1450 through modern history while preparing students for the AP European History Exam in May, and simultaneously meeting the Washington State and Common Core standards for 10th graders. This course replaces sophomore Global Issues for one semester, and students will earn an additional social studies elective half-credit. In addition to providing basic exposure to the historical narrative the course goals include development of (1) an understanding of the principal themes of modern European history, (2) the ability to analyze historical evidence, and (3) the ability to express that understanding and analysis effectively in writing.
AP European Historical Thinking Skills:
Students will be taught to use nine significant historical thinking skills, some of which will be targeted in long answer questions (LAQs) and document based questions (DBQ).
Historical Causation
Patterns of Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)
Comparison
Contextualization
Historical Argumentation
Appropriate Use of Relevant Historical Evidence
Interpretation
AP European History Time Periods:
AP Euro students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of basic chronology and major events and trends from the High Renaissance of approximately 1450 to the present. All five themes of study will be touched upon in each time period studied. All four time periods will be given equal weight on the AP exam, and therefore equal time for instruction:
Fall Semester (approximately)
Period 1 – c. 1450 to c. 1648
Period 2 – c. 1648 to c. 1815
Winter/Spring Semester (approximately)
Period 3 – c. 1815 to c. 1914
Period 4 – c. 1914 to the Present
Course Structure:
Students should expect to have about 45 minutes of AP European History homework every night:
Students are expected to read the textbook approximately 30 minutes each night while completing the reading homework accompanying assignment.
Students are expected to study their vocabulary words five to ten minutes each night.
Students are expected to review their lecture notes each night.
Class instruction varies:
Many days will include lectures, ranging from 15 to 40 minutes in length; students are expected to actively listen and take lecture notes.
Most days will include skills practice in the form of entry tasks and in-class assignments.
Some units will include project-based learning.
Students will join a Google Classroom to have access to most assignments, projects, and seminar materials, as well as vocabulary lists and reading homework.
Assessments are as follows:
Each unit (usually 2 chapters) will have some sort of written assessment: SAQs, a LEQ, or a DBQ.
Each unit, students will prepare for and participate in a primary source Socratic seminar.
Each time period (usually three units) will have a 50-question stimulus-prompt multiple choice exam
Student Assessment: 80% of Total Grade
Multiple Choice Exams, one per unit
SAQs, LEQs, DBQs
Socratic Seminars
Projects
Student Practice: 10% of Total Grade
Daily reading quizzes
In-class assignments
Socratic Seminar preparation
Notes participation
Attendance
21st Century Skills: 10% of Total Grade
Notes participation
Attendance
Attitude
Academic honesty
Required Materials:
Highlighters
Blue or black pens
Pencil (for multiple choice exams)
Paper or a notebook for lectures
Chromebooks charged on seminar days
Strongly suggested: a separate binder for the course
Late Work and Retake Policies:
Late work will be accepted until the end of the next unit for 70%.
Exams, essays, and quizzes missed due to excused absences must be made up in a timely fashion.
Assessments may be corrected by hand (no typing) for half-missed credit:
Vocabulary Quizzes: each wrong answer must be corrected and rewritten three times
Essays: the entire essay must be rewritten, fixing all problems indicated by the rubric
Multiple Choice: For each question missed, rewrite the question (not the stimulus prompt) and the correct answer, then cite a page number and quote that proves the answer
Additional Help:
Remedial help for skills, as well as time to ask questions or work on assignments, will be available during CORE/Choice.
Questions can be emailed to nosborne@auburn.wednet.edu
Before school review sessions will be given before every unit exam and throughout the month of April in room 322
Several resources are available on the class website and on Google Classroom