Textbooks: Alan Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past, AP Edition; Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, 4th edition; & Robert A. Divine, America Past & Present (all are useful sources, situationally utilized)
Purpose: A rapid-paced, two-semester, college-level course, Advanced Placement United States History surveys the major themes and events that comprise the broad sweep of American history, from the eve of European colonization to the modern day. By design, this course is both reading and writing intensive, with students' routine use of college preparatory practices as well as historical thinking skills/methods inextricably tied to their overall success. The AP U.S. History course is designed to provide students with the skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. History. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses. Students should learn to assess historical materials—their relevance to a given interpretive problem, reliability, and importance—and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship (From the Advanced Placement Course Description for AP United States History, published by the College Board). Primary goals of the course include developing a student’s (1) understanding of the principal themes in American history, (2) ability to analyze historical evidence, and (3) ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing and other forms of communication. Emphasis is placed on class discussion, the use of primary and secondary sources, critical reading, and analytical writing. Mastery of content is essential, but of equal value is the development of:
* study and analytical skills * constructing and evaluating historical interpretations
* critical reading of primary and secondary sources * using historical knowledge as a guide to present understanding and action
* making historical analogies * empathizing with the past & its people
Every AP course requires hard work and an unwavering commitment to intellectual growth. All students are therefore strongly encouraged to dedicate themselves to the goals of AP U.S. History, to embrace its college-level rigor and routine, and to take the College Board Advanced Placement United States History examination at the end of the school year (May 7th), which offers the possibility of earning 6 hours of college credit.
Major Grades: Unit assessments, Essays, Seminar-Related Activities 55%
Daily Grades: Quizzes, Daily Assignments, SAQs, Test Reviews 25%
Processing: Chapter MC’s 20%
Redo/Retake Policy: In order to improve mastery of knowledge & skills DURING a grading cycle, you may do the following—
•Test Retake/Essay Improvements:
Improve Unit Assessments up to 80% for ANY grade below that score within 5 days of receiving original grade. The same parameters apply to
all essays (LEQs and DBQs).
•Assignment Redo:
Improve ONE daily assignment/quiz per six weeks up to 80% for ANY grade below that score by the end of the six weeks.
•Late Work:
Accepted up to one full class day after due date for a maximum of 75%, IF mastery is demonstrated (could be less). After that point, a “zero” will
be earned.
Absences/Make-Up Work: If an assignment was assigned PRIOR to student absence, it is due upon student return, barring unusual circumstances. Otherwise, view Google Classroom/Google Calendar for all activities & lessons missed while absent. Then, look for any corresponding paper items in the make-up box. Make-up work is the student’s responsibility and must be turned in according to campus/district guidelines. Extra-curricular absences require work to be requested BEFORE the absence and turned in the day you return, per district student handbook.
eSchoolPLUS Home Access Center: YOU must monitor your grades to be aware of your progress. Self-management is KEY to success in this course! Eligibility for UIL is determined at 3:45 on the last day of each grading cycle, so don’t be caught off-guard!
Required Daily Materials/Supplies
Textbook — make sure you have daily access to ebook/PDFs Reflection Journal — will be utilized every day
Class supplies to be purchased ASAP:
College Ruled 3 Subject Spiral (plastic cover preferred) & 1 box of tissues.
Cell Phone Policy: In this course, we will conform to the 2026-27 VRHS cell phone policy–NO cell phone use by students during instruction. The PRIMARY technology students will routinely use should be their LISD-assigned or personal laptop. ALL cell phones will either be placed in student backpacks, OR in the numbered pocket banner hanging on the side white board. Cell phones should not be on desks or in the hands/on the person of students during instruction. Failure to meet these expectations will result in disciplinary steps as laid out in VRHS policy.
Tech Expectations: Technology will be integrated as frequently as possible, so please BRING YOUR COMPUTER EVERY DAY. Good digital citizenship expected!
Class Expectations
This is a COLLEGE COURSE!