AP US History

Introduction

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Our AP U.S. History course at Brazosport High School will be a college-level survey course of the history of the United States from the pre-Columbian period to the present. (1491-present)

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Course Themes

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Our AP U.S. History course will be a college-level survey class that will utilize a narrative structure which will be supported by a textbook and a rich array of primary sources, secondary sources, and audio-visual materials to teach the history of the American people. The course will follow a chronological trajectory. The  AP U.S. History course will teach each student how to approach each unit of study through the lens of a historian and to develop the skills necessary to develop well-crafted arguments using research-based evidence. Each student will both develop and learn to utilize historical thinking skills throughout this course.

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Course Readings

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Our main text, The American Pageant will provide the students with a basic overview of the American experience.The students will utilize a collection of diverse primary sources as a supplement to their textbook and document reader. Each student will also analyze viewpoints from prominent historians who are highly respected in their field of study. Each reading will be studied and reflected upon by the students throughout the course.Throughout the course, the students will be asked to write essays and to develop discussion points and utilize programs which will develop their historical writing and thinking skills.

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Course Student Evaluation

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* Grades will be calculated by points. (A scale for the AP-based scoring format will be taught to the students and used as a diagnostic tool throughout the course.) 

* Student progress will be evaluated, on a unit basis, through seminars, homework, writing assignments,

quizzes and exams.

* The students will create a U.S. History roadmap and study source guide for each unit that will be

covered in the course for synthesis at its conclusion.

* The students will analyze a diverse array of primary and secondary sources, plus, the perspectives of

noted historians in the field.

* There will be formal writing assignments based on the essay-format and short-answer format requirements of the AP US History Exam.

* The students will be required throughout the year to work on individual as well as team assignments. However, each student will be graded on the work that they complete for the class. 

* All assignments will be posted on the board, on our course website and in Google Classroom.

* Each student must have a (two-subject) spiral notebook and blue or black ink pens for completing their assignments and working in our class. Plus, each student must have access to an internet connection, so that they may be able to utilize our class website and Google Classroom. The students who do not have internet access at home will have full access on our campus and through the use of their school laptop computers. All homework, handouts and other class materials must be kept and organized in a folder for easy access. They may also be accessed at our class website or through Google Classroom. 

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Class Website

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The class website will become available for the students to use on Monday, August 21st which is the first day that we will begin examining the content of our AP US History course.

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Class Policies

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* Each student will be disciplined in a fair and consistent manner in accordance with the policies set forth by our campus and school district.

* Your best behavior and work ethic is expected each and every moment of each and every day in class. You must be a vital member of a learning environment that is safe, productive, fair and enjoyable for each student in our classroom. It is important to be respectful to your teacher and to your classmates at all times. 

* Please remember that an AP class is truly a college-level class that is taught in a high school classroom setting. In order to be successful in it, you must be punctual, prepared, diligent, well-organized, thoughtful  and conscientious.  

* Cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with according to the policies set forth by our campus and school district.

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Class Information

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* My email address is john.long@brazosportisd.net if you have any questions or concerns. The class also has a website, access to Google Classroom and tutorial sessions to assist students in their quest to learn the history of our country and to be successful in the course. My conference time is in the second period time slot. Our classroom is located in Room #431. My tutorial times are 3:15-4:00 PM, Tuesday-Thursday, during the school week. Let’s have an awesome, amazing and successful school year of learning!