The following are important characteristics of the AP U.S. History Course and Exam;
Eight Course Themes
1. Work, Exchange, and Technology
This theme focuses on the factors behind the development of systems of economic exchange, particularly the role of technology, economic markets, and government.
--> Explain how different labor systems developed in North America and the United States, and explain their effects on workers' lives and U.S. society.
--> Explain how patterns of exchange, markets, and private enterprise have developed, and analyze ways that governments have responded to economic issues.
--> Analyze how technological innovation has affected economic development and society.
2. Migration and Settlement
This theme focuses on why and how the various people who moved to and within the United States both adapted to and transformed their new social and physical environments.
--> Explain the causes of migration to colonial North America and, later, the United States, and analyze immigration's effects on U.S. society.
--> Analyze causes of internal migration and patterns of settlement in what would become the United States, and explain how migration has affected American life.
3. American and Regional Culture
This theme focuses on the how and why national, regional, and group cultures developed and changed, as well as how culture has shaped government policy and the economy.
--> Explain how religious groups and ideas have affected American society and political life.
--> Explain how artistic, philosophical, and scientific ideas have developed and shaped society and institutions.
--> Explain how ideas about women's rights and gender roles have affected society and politics.
--> Explain how different group identities, including racial, ethnic, class, and regional identities, have emerged and changed over time.
4. America in the World
This theme focuses on the interactions between nations that affected North American history in the colonial period, and on the influence of the United States on world affairs.
--> Explain how cultural interaction, cooperation, competition, and conflict between empires, nations, and peoples have influenced political, economic, and social developments in North America.
--> Analyze the reasons for and results of U.S. diplomatic, economic, and military initiatives in North America and overseas.
5. Geography and the Environment
This theme focuses on the role of geography and both the natural and human-made environments on social and political developments in what would become the United States.
--> Explain how geographic and environmental factors shaped the development of various communities, and analyze how competition for and debates over natural resources have affected both interactions among different groups and the development of government policies.
6. Politics and Power
This theme focuses on how different social and political groups have influenced society and government in the United States, as well as how political beliefs and institutions have changed over time.
--> Explain how and why political ideas, beliefs, institutions, party systems, and alignments have developed and changed.
--> Explain how popular movements, reform efforts, and activist groups have sought to change American society and institutions.
--> Explain how different beliefs about the federal government's role in U.S. social and economic life have affected political debates and policies.
7. American and National Identity
This theme focuses on how and why definitions of American and national identity and values have developed, as well as on related topics such as citizenship, constitutionalism, foreign policy, assimilation, and American exceptionalism.
--> Explain how ideas about democracy, freedom, and individualism found expression in the development of cultural values, political institutions, and American identity.
--> Explain how interpretations of the Constitution and debates over rights, liberties, and definitions of citizenship have affected American values, politics, and society.
--> Analyze how ideas about national identity changed in response to U.S. involvement in international conflicts and the growth of the United States.
--> Analyze relationships among different regional, social, ethnic, and racial groups, and explain how these groups' experiences have related to U.S. national identity.
8. Social Structures
This theme focuses on how and why systems of social organization develop and change as well as the impact that these systems have on the broader society.
Disciplinary Practices students must develop...
1. Analyzing Historical Evidence
Primary Sources
Describe historically relevant information and/or arguments within a source
Explain how a source provides information about the broader historical setting within which it was created
Explain how a source's point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience might affect a source's meaning
Explain the relative historical significance of a source's point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience
Evaluate a source's credibility and/or limitations
Secondary Sources
Describe a claim or argument of a secondary source, as well as the evidence used
Describe a pattern or trend in quantitative data in non-text-based sources
Explain how a historian's claim or argument is supported with evidence
Explain how a historian's context influences the claim or argument
Analyze patterns and trends in quantitative data in non-text-based sources
Evaluate the effectiveness of a historical claim or argument
2. Argument Development
Make a historically defensible claim in the form of an evaluative thesis
Support an argument using specific and relevant evidence
Use historical reasoning to explain relationships among pieces of historical evidence
Consider ways that diverse or alternative evidence could be used to qualify or modify an argument
Reasoning Skills that students must develop and have...
1. Contextualization
Describe an accurate historical context for a specific historical development or process
Explain how a relevant context influenced a specific historical development or process
Use context to explain the relative historical significance or a specific historical development or process
2. Comparison
Describe similarities and/or differences between different historical developments and processes
Explain relevant similarities between specific historical developments and processes
Explain the relative historical significance of similarities and/or differences between different historical developments or processes
3. Causation
Describe causes or effects of a specific historical development or process
Explain the relationship between causes and effects or a specific historical development or process. 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
4. Continuity and Change Over Time
Describe patterns of continuity and/or change over time
Explain patterns of continuity and/or change over time
Explain the relative historical significance of specific historical developments in relation to a larger pattern of continuity and/or change
The Nine Historical Periods (with percentage reflected on AP Exam)
Period 1 - 1491-1607 (5%)
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(Period 2-5 account for 45%)
Period 2 - 1607-1754
Period 3 - 1754-1800
Period 4 - 1800-1848
Period 5 - 1844-1877
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(Period 6-8 account for 45%)
Period 6 - 1865-1898
Period 7 - 1890-1945
Period 8 - 1945-1980
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Period 9 - 1980-Present (5%)
AP Exam Format
1. Multiple Choice - 55 questions, 55 minutes (40%)
2. Short Answer - 3 questions, 40 minutes (20%)
Question 1 (required) --> Will be from Period 3-8
Question 2 (required) --> Will be from Period 3-8
Question 3 (choice) --> Must answer ONE question from either Period 1-5 OR Period 6-9
3. Document-Based Question - 60 minutes (25%)
Will be from Period 3-8
4. Free Response Question - 40 minutes (15%)
Must answer ONE question from either Period 1-3, Period 4-6, or Period 7-9