AP EUROPEAN HISTORY COURSE SYLLABUS Mr. Sheridan Blue Springs South High School

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1 AP EUROPEAN HISTORY COURSE SYLLABUS Mr. Sheridan Blue Springs South High School The objective of the AP European History course is to increase the student's understanding of European history with the goal of having each student pass the AP European Examination in May. The course is divided into two semesters, the Renaissance through the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution to the present. The areas of concentration include historical, political and economic history coupled with an intense study of cultural and intellectual institutions and their development. These areas will be studied from a variety of perspectives with the hope of providing a balanced view of history. This course is taught at the college level. The major difference between a high school and college history course is the amount of reading and depth of focus. Moreover, the AP curriculum stresses a large degree of higher order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context. Thus, the student will be required frequently to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources in addition to memorizing, comprehending, and applying facts. Feel free to reach me if you have questions or concerns. dsheridan@bssd.net BSSHS Phone # Textbook: The Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures, 2 nd edition, Lynn Hunt, Thomas Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia, and Bonnie G. Smith. Bedford/St. Martin Each student will receive a textbook that can remain at home for homework. I have a class set in my room for classroom work. Please take care of your textbook as the replacement cost is $ Supplemental Readings: The Sources of Making of the West, Peoples and Cultures Since 1500 Volume II. Katherine J. Lualdi. Bedford/St. Martin Internet access is necessary for success in this course. In addition to reading and taking notes from the textbook resources, we will be using a variety of on-line resources such as practices tests found through the use of the class website. More information on the website will be made available in a separate handout in class. If no Internet access is available in the home, other options include the school computer labs (available before and after school), public library computer labs, or seeking out helpful classmates.

2 Grading Scale: A = % B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 0-59% Grade Categories: Multiple Choice and Essay Exams, Practice Quizzes/ Homework will each account for approximately onethird of a student s grade each semester. Exams: Approximately six multiple-choice/free-response essay exams will be given during the first semester as well as five document-based exam questions. The first semester final exam is cumulative. Tests will be rigorous as they are intended to challenge the student at the Advanced Placement level. Moreover, tests are designed to give students frequent experience with the types of multiple-choice questions, free-response essays, and Document Based Questions (DBQ s) that will appear on the AP exam. Frequent exams also ensure that students read the textbook and supplementary readings, consistently check for understanding, and take copious notes that are thorough and well organized. THE AP EUROPEAN HISTORY EXAM All students enrolled in AP European History are expected to take the AP exam. The AP European History Exam is Friday, May 8 th, Test cost is $89. Students register for the AP test in the spring. The deadline for paying test fees is around March 1, Students will be asked to bring a check payable to Blue Springs South High School for the amount of the test. There are test fee waiver options available for those students on free/reduced lunch. Please inform me as soon as possible if you qualify. In addition, students requiring any test modification should let me know as soon as possible as well. The examination is three hours and five minutes in length. It consists of a 55 minute multiple choice section and a 130 minute free response section. The multiple choice section accounts for 50% of the total exam score. The free response section accounts for the other 50% of the exam; the (DBQ s) Document Based Questions account for 45% and two free response essays (FRQ s) 55%. We will do numerous practice questions and essays in class so that students are familiar with the format of the exam. Review sessions outside of class time will occur throughout the spring to help prepare students for the test. Homework Policy: I will update the calendar on the class website every week with all the homework assignments and due dates. All late work must be turned in the day after it is due. For excused absences, assignments are due the day the student returns to class unless prior arrangements have been made for emergencies. Students are expected to keep a wellorganized notebook of all course-related materials (e.g. syllabus, lecture notes, study

3 guides, homework, quizzes, exams, handouts, etc.) A sub-par notebook may result in points being deducted from the homework category. Missed Exams: Students who have an excused absence on a day a test is given must make up the test on the day they return to class. If a student is absent for an extended period (e.g., more than five days), an appointment for making-up the test will be made. Participation: Students are expected to contribute in class discussions and effectively participate in class activities. Many of the class sessions will be seminars. In order for seminars to work, student preparation and participation is critical. Students who are "on the border" between grades at the semester may be given the higher grade if their overall participation has been commendable. Summer Assignments: Summer assignments and textbooks were given out to all students enrolled in AP Euro as of May Summer assignments are designed to introduce students to the textbook and help them get a head start on the year. Summer assignments are due the first day of school. Ten Tips for Success in AP Euro: 1) I love talking to students. I am here to help. Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble in class. 2) Be self motivated. One of the features of a college level course is that students assume a greater level of responsibility for their academic achievement. 3) Greater emphasis is placed on test performance. Develop good study habits and allow plenty of time to get yourself ready for tests. 4) Form study groups. Get together with classmates to help each other review. 5) Improve your note-taking skills. We will be taking notes from lectures as well as from reading. We will talk about note-taking techniques in class. 6) Get organized. Keep your binder in order so that the notes you take will help you prepare for the AP test in May. 7) Attend class every day. We will be doing something each day to help you succeed on the AP Euro test. 8) Read every day. Don t put off all the reading until a couple days before a test. 9) Limit distractions in class by staying away from your cell phone. 10) Stay positive. It may take you a couple weeks to adjust to the pace of the course. Work hard, challenge yourself, and ask if you need help. I am here to help you do well in class.

4 A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY COURSE CALENDAR The following dates are targets for unit tests during the year. There will be periodic quizzes and in-class essays not shown on this list. Unit One: The Renaissance Chapter 14 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Dates: Thursday, September 4, 2014 (Essay) Friday, September 5, 2014 (Multiple Choice) Unit Two: Reformation and Crisis Chapters 15 and 16 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Dates: Thursday, September 25, 2014 (Essay) Friday, September 26, 2014 (Multiple Choice) Unit Three: Absolutism and State Building Chapter 17 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Dates: Tuesday, October 23, 2014 (Essay) Wednesday, October 24, 2014 (Multiple Choice) Unit Four: The Atlantic System and Enlightenment Chapters 18 and 19 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Dates: Wednesday, November 13, 2014 (Essay) Thursday, November 14, 2014 (Multiple Choice) Unit Five: Revolutions through Napoleon Chapters 20 and 21 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Dates: Thursday, December 11, 2014 (Essay) Friday, December 12, 2014 (Multiple Choice) Unit Six: Industrialization and its Consequences Chapter 22 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Dates: Thursday, January 15, 2015 (Essay) Friday, January 16, 2015(Multiple Choice) Unit Seven: Nation-States, Empires, and Change Chapters 23 and 24 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Date: Friday, January 30, 2015 (All portions)

5 A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY COURSE CALENDAR (Continued) Unit Eight: Modernity, Wars, and Revolution Chapters 25 and 26 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015 (DBQ Essay) Friday, February 13, 2015 (M/C test) Unit Nine: Catastrophes Chapter 27 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015 (DBQ) Friday, March 13, 2015 (M/C test) Unit Ten: Cold War Chapter 28 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Date: Thursday, April 9, 2015 (DBQ Essay) Friday, April 10, 2015 (M/C) Unit Eleven: The Modern Era Present Chapters 29 and 30 of Hunt and Lualdi Planned Test Date: Thursday, April 23, 2015(F/R essay) Friday, April (M/C) Unit Twelve: Intensive Review for the A.P. Exam A.P. Exam: Friday, May 8, 2015 (test begins at noon/ test info TBD) Unit Thirteen: Post-Exam Activities