Course Description: The Advanced Placement American History Course fosters an understanding of the main themes and concepts of American History, including events and influences on economics, society, government/diplomacy, and culture. The class will examine the course of American history from pre-Spanish Explorers to the end of the Cold War. AP United States History course is designed to foster critical thinking skills with analysis of primary sources such as documents maps, graphs and art/architecture. The course requires the student to be an effective note taker as well as a critical writer.
Course Purpose: the Advanced Placement American History course is a college level survey course that introduces the student to the social, cultural, economic, diplomatic history of America. The purpose of the course is not only for college credits, by either passing the AP Exam or through a Dual Credit format. The course is designed to educate the student not only in American history but also to acclimate the student to the rigors of a college level class.
Evaluation/Instruction: The class uses American History Connecting with the Past as its main component for instruction. Students are required to write six Document Based Essays through out the course of the semester. Student evaluation will include: document based questions (D.B.Q) reading quizzes, multiple choice exams, free response questions (F.R.Q) and in class journals. Student instruction will be varied to include lecture, cooperative working groups, and PowerPoint presentations, writing groups, art interpretation and analysis.
Grading: 40% Document Based Question
40% Test
20 % Quizzes and Journal entries