Advanced Placement European History (APEH) Course Syllabus *Syllabus: (n). 1. an outline of a course of study, 2. a summary or list of the main topics of a course of study, text, or lecture History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are. ~David McCullough, American Author Course Description The AP course is an introductory college course; it is not easy, but neither is it impossibly difficult. AP European History will be more demanding, but also more rewarding than regular or honors World History course. AP courses require more work, but they allow greater opportunities to master the subject and to explore it in greater depth. ERHS students have an opportunity to receive college placement and/or credit. The course is a logical culmination for those gifted and hard working students seeking preparation for those colleges and universities, cited as most competitive. Students in this course are expected to demonstrate knowledge of basic chronology, major events, and trends from approximately 1450 to the present. All historical issues are examined by a multi-casual approach revolving around the following three broad themes: (1) political/ diplomatic; (2) social/economic; and (3) cultural/intellectual. The course also refocuses on the changing views of man, God, science, and politics from the Renaissance to the present. Thus, students are frequently required to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources, in addition to comprehending, memorizing, and applying facts. Course Unit Planner(s): (All Unit Planners are in Excel form located on class site.) The course planner is only a guide, as real life often dictates the need for flexibility. The amount of class discussion time that is spent on the supplementary readings depends on the extent to which the lecture material is completed. Certain reading assignments and an occasional practice DBQ may be cancelled if we fall behind. The course textbook is only one of many resources used throughout this course. Other resources will be assigned or given to students (NOTE: the instructor reserves the right to change or add material as needed). Classroom Expectations: Parent/Guardian Initials 1. Please be a responsible student: ex. Bringing materials everyday, being responsible for your actions, etc. 2. Respect everyone and everything: ex. No swearing, teasing and/or rude remarks, writing on desk/walls, etc. 3. Follow all school rules. 4. No Electronic devises or CELL PHONES are to be out or in use during class time. Failure to do so will result in immediate confiscation of it (no questions asked!) & a loss of a percentage of your grade. Course Outline
I wish last year s class had told me not to worry about getting A s on the tests. I ended up stressing out way too much for the first few chapters. Introduction and the Late Middle Ages (Chapter 9) Unit 1. The Renaissance- includes humanism, the rise of the New Monarchs, and the age of Exploration (Chapter 10) Unit 2. The Reformation and Religious Wars (Chapter 11 and 12) Unit 3. The Age of Absolutism and Constitutionalism (17 th /18 th centuries) (Chapter 13) Unit 4. The Eighteenth Century- includes the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and economics and society (Chapter 14-17) Unit 5. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era (Chapter 18-19) Unit 6. The Industrial Revolution (Chapter 15 & 21) Unit 7. Politics from 1815 to 1848 and Nineteenth- century society (Chapter 20-21, 23) Unit 8. Unification, the Age of Mass Politics, and Imperialism (Chapter 22-23 & 25) Unit 9. World War I and the Interwar Period (Chapter 24-27) Unit 10. The Rise of Dictatorship and World War II (Chapter 27-28) Unit 11. 1945 to the present (Chapter 29 and 30) Unit 12. AP European History Exam Review Note: Some chapters we will only use parts of the chapter. Read your textbook!! Mr. Neal s notes are AWESOME, but there are still extra things his notes don t cover. Getting this extra info is your responsibility. Chapters range from 20-30+ pages each and since we need to work not to become bogged down in rote memorization and recitation of the text, each of you must PERSONALLY address the following questions: How can I best master the material given in the text on my own? What categories of history are most easy for me? Which are really tough? What methods work best to make the books contents my own knowledge? Text: Kagan, Donald, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner. The Western Heritage. 9 th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2003 I strongly recommend a familiar acquaintance with the textbook s companion website: http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_kagan_westheritage_9_oa/ Required materials: Internet Permission slip must be turned in to library (if you have not done so). Log-in and password information for school computer access. (Binder #2) 3-4 binder for the AP European Course (used to keep all student/ class notes, assignments, and handouts) o This binder should be kept at home neat and organized by unit and dates so you can access it anytime. (Binder #1) 1-2 binder to be brought to class each day with materials and homework etc., needed for the current unit being studied. Include some loose-leaf paper (college rule [narrow-lined]) and white computer paper in the back. Pen, pencil, highlighters or colored pens (2 different colors) Several dry erase markers for board work (2-3) AP Exam Supplemental Book (any supplemental book will do but here are a couple if you need a suggestion): Books can be purchased online or in your local book-store. o Chris Freiler's, Mc Graw-Hill AP Achiever o REA: AP European. 10 th Edition Student Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the following evaluation: Completion of the AP Exam in May Quizzes will be given at instructors discretion - The instructor reserves the right to give unscheduled assessments any time it is deemed necessary Multiple choice tests - M/C test will be timed test ranging from 40-80 questions and given at the end of each unit. - These tests mirror the format on the AP Exam. - Students will be informed a minimum of one week in advance for all exams Free response essays (FRQ S) and Document based essays (DBQ S) - An FRQ is a free response question. It is, essentially, an essay. - A DBQ is a document based question. It is a specific type of question that appears on the AP Exam. - Students will receive training in how to successfully answer a DBQ in this course. - These essay test will be timed to simulate the actual AP exam. - These essay s will be assigned throughout the school year. (Binder #1) A Binder with all current class assignments and notes. You are required to have this notebook with you daily. Over the course of the year you will have hundreds of pages of notes. - Study guides are invaluable resources that can assist you through your reading. They are a part of your curve packets (see below). - Notes issued by me should reflect a higher level of thinking taking place and show that you have been interacting with them and writing down relevant additional information. (I will have notes that you can access and print-out for each unit, if you choose not to print these out you must have chapter notes.) - Notes of each chapter: Notes should reflect a higher level of thinking taking place by the student. (ex. Writing in the columns, highlighting key ideas, etc.) Not required but recommended (Binder #2) This binder will be collected once per semester and/or quarter. It should contain a labeled tab for each unit (ex. Unit 1), each unit in order with all class materials. After each unit you should organize your Binder #1 materials and place them in Binder #2. If you do this as you go, you will save yourself a large amount of time when it is time to hand in your binder. Class Blog () - Students must post 1 answer and 2 responses; (blog is explained in course packet) Projects (Essay s, Charts, Posters, etc.) Student Seminars (explained in course packet) Socratic Seminars (explained in course packet) Homework (see below) Curve Packets are accepted before students take a test. Unit tests are designed to be at as long and rigorous as the AP European History Exam. Most test have significant curves, which students earn by turning in the completed: - Chapter Study Guides (hand-written) - Chapter Reflective Reading Journals (typed) (reflective notes based on each chapter/reading assignment) Part of the curve packet (see below). What did you find most interesting in this chapter/unit? What do you think are the most significant things you learned in this unit? - Online Questions: These are completed online via our textbook web-site. (see curve packet directions) - Well-completed curve packets demonstrate a student s effort and therefore earn eligibility for the test curve, which most students find to be indispensable in maintaining a high grade-point average. Curve packets are graded as a complete or incomplete, and therefore eligible or not eligible for the test curve, which is usually in the 10-15 point range.
Semester Grade Criteria: The quarter grade simply reflects the current status of the semester grade. (All grades are earned and not given to you.) The semester grade is weighted as follows: Tests, Quizzes, Essays (FRQs or DBQs) 60% Seminars, Homework, blogs, class work, and participation (daily!) 25% Project(s) 15% A+ = 98-100 B+ = 87-85 C+ = 77-75 D+ =67-65 A = 97-92 B = 84-81 C = 74-71 D = 64-61 A- = 91-88 B- = 80-78 C- =70-68 D- = 60-56 55 OR BELOW=F Failure is not an Option. Homework expectations: all assignments should be completed and handed in on time. If you are absent and/or miss class for various reasons it is your RESPONIBILITY to find out what was missed so you can make up the work. Late work will not be accepted; with an excused absence you will be allowed one-day for each day missed to make-up assignments. Homework Examples: APPARTS, charts, graphs, essay s, blogs, etc. Homework is due at the beginning of the period. Period! Place it on your desk while you are doing the Warm-up. It will be collected. 90-95% of your assignments are given in advanced (at the beginning) of the unit. Procrastination = Death in this class. It is necessary to stay ahead of the game and complete work before it is due. Do not wait until the night before to attempt to complete your work because in this course there is so much content to cover you will not give yourself any justice by doing that. Printer Problems, computer problems, and any other technological issue is not a valid reason for missing an assignment. The Advanced Placement Exam The AP European History Exam is comprehensive, covering material from the entire school year. Students are expected to enroll and take the Advanced Placement Exam in early May 2011. : The three-hour-andfive-minute exam includes a 55-minute multiple-choice section and a 130-minute free-response section. There are three free-response questions. The section begins with a mandatory 15-minute reading period. Spend the reading period analyzing the documents for the document-based question (DBQ) and reviewing the thematic essay questions. Then you'll have 45 minutes to answer the DBQ, and 70 minutes to answer two thematic essay questions. The DBQ essay is worth 45 percent of the free-response score; the two thematic essays together contribute 55 percent of the free-response score. Students are encouraged to explore the AP website, www.apcentral.collegeboard.com for additional information. All students in this course are expected to take this exam. Most importantly, stay positive! Although this course is extremely challenging, the long-term skills and benefits will out-weight any minor setbacks. You must believe in yourself and be willing to accept a few setbacks along the way in order to grow as a young scholar and as a person ("no pain, no gain"). Learn from your mistakes and setbacks, make adjustments, and try again. The prize at the end is worth it! You can do it!! If you are a whiner, you are in the WRONG class!
Course Packet: Each student will receive a course packet that includes essential materials that they will need for successful completion of the class. The packet includes: (Keep in Binder #1) Instructions for class blog PERSIA description and Cheat Sheet APPARTS (Document analysis acronym) Author, Place, Prior Knowledge, The Main Idea, Significance Chapter Analysis Essay writings diagrams and writing strategies List of directive terms used in free-response questions Test-taking tips and timed exam tips http://www.how-to-study.com/ Generic scoring guidelines for FRQ s (free-response questions) DBQ s (Document Based Questions) core scoring guidelines Student and Socratic Seminar directions AP essay DBQ Planner FRQ-Core structure Outline AP M/C Test Correction Chart AP European Theme descriptions Other resources to assist students in AP European History (Art throughout history, dates/periods, women and history, etc) Course supplemental readings will be assigned for in-class examination and through the course blog as time permits; we may not cover all supplemental readings each unit. Students are responsible for printing out readings and completing the readings before the date of class discussion. Some assigned are located on your CD-ROM that accompanied your textbook, other readings will be provided by the instructor or can be located on-line. APEH Side-Notes: 1. Terms To Know (It is not mandatory but recommended that you create note cards for your terms to know.) 2. If at any time you feel overwhelmed or lost, please do not hesitate to come see me. I ve been told that I m pretty user-friendly. 3. There are quoted tidbits throughout this syllabus advice, wishes, and suggestions from previous AP Eurostudents. Read them and take them to heart. 4. Form study groups to ensure your success in the course. A word about study groups: choose wisely, Young Jedi. Your study group members must be classmates you can trust to carry their share of the load. While it may be fun to have your best friend/girlfriend/boyfriend in your group, remember that this college-level course requires serious studying. Don t procrastinate. Make a study group that is actually going to work and not goof off. ~Former student 5. This class teaches lessons other than history. It has the ability to give you the skills necessary to do well all through high school and gives you an inner confidence in yourself. 6. Take advantage of Mr. Neal s after-school and Saturday study sessions or practice exam sessions. It will give you a chance to go into more depth on a topic that you are having difficulty with, as well as reinforce what you have learned in class.
Themes The Course Description and the AP Exam ensure that you do not have to guess about what to include in your course (although you will have to choose!) or what criteria will be used to evaluate your students. Both the course and exam are organized around major themes, or topics, in European history. The Development Committee periodically revisits these themes and updates them to reflect changes in the way college-level courses are taught. You should always refer to the list that appears in the most current Course Description but should not feel bound to teaching only what is on this list. As stated on page 4 of the 2006-2007 Course Description, the following do not have to be treated explicitly as topics or covered inclusively, nor should they preclude development of other themes. The list of the themes from the Course Description follows. 1. Intellectual and Cultural History Changes in religious thought and institutions Secularization of learning and culture Scientific and technological developments and their consequences Major trends in literature and the arts Intellectual and cultural developments and their relationship to social values and political events Developments in social, economic, and political thought, including ideologies characterized as isms, such as socialism, liberalism, nationalism Developments in literacy, education, and communication The diffusion of new intellectual concepts among different social groups Changes in elite and popular culture, such as the development of new attitudes toward religion, the family, work, and ritual Impact of global expansion on European culture 2. Political and Diplomatic History The rise and functioning of the modern state in its various forms Relations between Europe and other parts of the world: colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and global interdependence The evolution of political elites and the development of political parties, ideologies, and other forms of mass politics The extension and limitation of rights and liberties (personal, civic, economic, and political); majority and minority political persecutions The growth and changing forms of nationalism Forms of political protest, reform, and revolution Relationship between domestic and foreign policies Efforts to restrain conflict: treaties, balance-of-power diplomacy, and international organizations War and civil conflict: origins, developments, technology, and their consequences 3. Social and Economic History The character of and changes in agricultural production and organization The role of urbanization in transforming cultural values and social relationships The shift in social structures from hierarchical orders to modern social classes: the changing distribution of wealth and poverty The influence of sanitation and health care practices on society; food supply, diet, famine, disease, and their impact The development of commercial practices, patterns of mass production and consumption, and their economic and social impact Changing definitions of and attitudes toward social groups, classes, races, and ethnicities within and outside Europe The origins, development, and consequences of industrialization Changes in the demographic structure and reproductive patterns of Europeans: causes and consequences Gender roles and their influence on work, social structure, family structure, and interest group formation The growth of competition and interdependence in national and world markets Private and state roles in economic activity
We have read the course syllabus, initialed in the appropriate places and are aware of the course expectations, policies and guidelines. Student Name (Printed) Student Signature Date Student Email Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Email Parent/Guardian Signature Date Parent/Guardian Cell Phone # or Work # Parent/Guardian Home Phone Do you (parent) check your email regularly? Yes / No (circle one) Back to School Night September TBA. I look forward to meeting you.
Parents Guide To an AP student: Advanced Placement European History (APEH) MR. NEAL- Room F204 Be a positive support system for your son/daughter. Throughout the year they may feel overwhelmed so please remind them of the value of taking a challenging course and the longterm benefits that come out of this. DON'T get worried about a poor grade or two- even though I know you're not used to seeing them! This course is a process, and if they're willing to put in the work, your kid will accomplish academic tasks they never considered. Do Not accept the excuse I don t have any homework, AP students should always be reading and/or studying notes throughout the school year. Avoid numerous or consecutive absences. Taking long vacations in the middle of the school year can be very detrimental to your son/daughters success in this course. www.apcentral.collegeboard.com o Good source for parents and students Class site: /