AP Euro Syllabus 2012-2013
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY 2012-2013
Mr. Gonzalez – Room 252
[email protected]
COURSE PURPOSE
AP European History is a college-level survey course that introduces high school students to the rich political, cultural, social, and intellectual history of Europe. The course is specifically designed to provide students with an in-depth study of European history from the Renaissance to modern day. In addition to course content, the course is specifically designed to improve student’s analytical reading and essay writing skills. Course curriculum, materials, and expectations are designed to prepare students for success with the AP European History exam. AP European History is also intended to enhance development of student critical thinking, document analysis, interpretive reading, information organization, synthesis, and writing skills.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
This course will aim to heighten students’ ability to see relationships and distinctions in European political, social, economic, and intellectual history. The study of history goes far beyond the mastery of content. The study of history is about developing critical skills that will serve students beyond high school both in college and as lifelong learners. Objectively, this course will help students improve on the following skills:
1. Critical reading of primary and secondary sources
2. Constructing and evaluating historical interpretations
3. Essay writing and oral communication
4. Cause and effect relationships
5. Comparative analysis
6. Inductive and deductive reasoning
COURSE FORMAT
This course will be taught as a seminar, which means that each student will play a vital role in the learning process. There is a tremendous amount of discussion in class that will be vital to everyone's success. Class activities will vary throughout the week, from lecture, discussion, DBQs, and simulations. Powerpoint presentations will be given throughout the year to emphasize visual analysis of art, maps, graphs and political cartoons. Students are responsible for completing outside readings so that the interpretation of the literature can be discussed for deeper analysis and understanding in class. Your success in this class is contingent on completing all assigned readings. Writing will also be a key component to the class. Thematic writing is intended to promote deeper understanding of the content, as well as a way to develop stronger writing skills. We will work together throughout the year in order to develop the skills that are necessary to succeed on the AP examination in May. Specific emphasis will be placed on decoding the writing prompt and the steps necessary for developing a clear and concise argument. Writing skills will be built into the various DBQ and FRQ practice questions throughout the year with focus on thesis writing, the use of supporting details and proper explanation of your position (analysis).
ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING
This course will be taught with all of the rigor of an actual college course. Grades will be updated regularly on Gradebook. It is your responsibility to alert me when there are any discrepancies that may be adversely affecting your grade.
Grades will be based on:
1. Exams 30%: Each quarter students will take two exams covering material from the textbook, supplemental readings, discussions, and lectures. Each exam will include a multiple choice section and/or an essay section. I will give you three essay prompts a week before the exam date, one of which will be selected by me on the day of the exam. It will be your responsibility to prepare for each exam by reviewing course readings, lectures, and notes.
2. FRQ & DBQ 25%: Throughout the semester you will be assigned a number of Free Response Question and Document Based Question prompts. Both of these types of essay prompts account for a large portion of your score on the AP Exam. These types of assignments will require an extensive amount of critical thinking ability in addition to a firm grasp on the content that will have been covered prior to the prompts distribution. We will work on the skills that are necessary for succeeding on these assignments in class.
3. Written Quizzes15%: These will be given periodically to test for comprehension and content knowledge.
4. Participation/Homework 15%: Homework will be given regularly and you will be expected to turn in the completed assignment on time. Homework assignments will generally consist of thorough note taking of our weekly readings. THESE NOTES MUST BE HAND WRITTEN. I will not accept typed notes. You must be engaged with the readings and distractions on the computer such as Facebook will prevent you from absorbing the information that you will need in order to succeed in the class. Late work will not be accepted. Your participation portion of your grade will be based on your overall attitude. You will be required to abide by all of Lane Tech's rules and regulations. This includes coming to class on time every day, having your cell phone off, and wearing your ID.
5. Daily Oral Quizzes15%: Daily oral quizzes will be given on key terms that will be assigned to students throughout the year. The terms covered will be cumulative, meaning that you may be asked to recall a key term in April that was assigned in September. It is your responsibility to review your notes regularly in order for everything to remain fresh.
Grade Scale: A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59
CLASS WEBSITE (MRGONZALEZHISTORY.WEEBLY.COM) All powerpoints and most class activities will be posted on the website. I will try my best to do so in a timely manner but these resources should only be meant to supplement classroom instruction. Homework updates and reminders will also be posted on the website. In the event that you are absent from school, check the website for any work that was posted while you were away from class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Academic honesty is an expectation of all students. Personally cheating on tests and examinations, allowing others to copy or look at, or copy work, or engaging in other activities that are dishonest (including plagiarism) in earning academic grades, is a serious offense requiring strict sanctions, including but not limited to receiving a zero (F) grade on the academic work involved. All cases of academic dishonesty are reported to parents/guardians. See page 46 of the student handbook for more information.
NEED HELP?
I am readily available to assist all of my students. If you feel you have a problem or would just like additional assistance, please feel free to come see me before or after school. You can also send me an email at [email protected].
COURSE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
TEXTBOOK
The Western Heritage. Donald Kagen, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner, 9th Edition. Pearson Education, 2007
MATERIALS
In class daily, students need to have the covered text, supplementary materials, school agenda, three ring binder (it can be shared with another course), syllabus, loose-leaf, pens (blue, black, red) and pencils.
EMAIL/WEBSITE
All students are encouraged to have a appropriate email address that is easily recognized by the teacher. You will need to have access to a computer regularly as many of our assignments will be posted on our classroom website. If you do not have access to a computer with internet access at home, there are a number of computer labs that are available for you to use around the building. The link to the classroom website will be made available in the upcoming days.
Mr. Gonzalez – Room 252
[email protected]
COURSE PURPOSE
AP European History is a college-level survey course that introduces high school students to the rich political, cultural, social, and intellectual history of Europe. The course is specifically designed to provide students with an in-depth study of European history from the Renaissance to modern day. In addition to course content, the course is specifically designed to improve student’s analytical reading and essay writing skills. Course curriculum, materials, and expectations are designed to prepare students for success with the AP European History exam. AP European History is also intended to enhance development of student critical thinking, document analysis, interpretive reading, information organization, synthesis, and writing skills.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
This course will aim to heighten students’ ability to see relationships and distinctions in European political, social, economic, and intellectual history. The study of history goes far beyond the mastery of content. The study of history is about developing critical skills that will serve students beyond high school both in college and as lifelong learners. Objectively, this course will help students improve on the following skills:
1. Critical reading of primary and secondary sources
2. Constructing and evaluating historical interpretations
3. Essay writing and oral communication
4. Cause and effect relationships
5. Comparative analysis
6. Inductive and deductive reasoning
COURSE FORMAT
This course will be taught as a seminar, which means that each student will play a vital role in the learning process. There is a tremendous amount of discussion in class that will be vital to everyone's success. Class activities will vary throughout the week, from lecture, discussion, DBQs, and simulations. Powerpoint presentations will be given throughout the year to emphasize visual analysis of art, maps, graphs and political cartoons. Students are responsible for completing outside readings so that the interpretation of the literature can be discussed for deeper analysis and understanding in class. Your success in this class is contingent on completing all assigned readings. Writing will also be a key component to the class. Thematic writing is intended to promote deeper understanding of the content, as well as a way to develop stronger writing skills. We will work together throughout the year in order to develop the skills that are necessary to succeed on the AP examination in May. Specific emphasis will be placed on decoding the writing prompt and the steps necessary for developing a clear and concise argument. Writing skills will be built into the various DBQ and FRQ practice questions throughout the year with focus on thesis writing, the use of supporting details and proper explanation of your position (analysis).
ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING
This course will be taught with all of the rigor of an actual college course. Grades will be updated regularly on Gradebook. It is your responsibility to alert me when there are any discrepancies that may be adversely affecting your grade.
Grades will be based on:
1. Exams 30%: Each quarter students will take two exams covering material from the textbook, supplemental readings, discussions, and lectures. Each exam will include a multiple choice section and/or an essay section. I will give you three essay prompts a week before the exam date, one of which will be selected by me on the day of the exam. It will be your responsibility to prepare for each exam by reviewing course readings, lectures, and notes.
2. FRQ & DBQ 25%: Throughout the semester you will be assigned a number of Free Response Question and Document Based Question prompts. Both of these types of essay prompts account for a large portion of your score on the AP Exam. These types of assignments will require an extensive amount of critical thinking ability in addition to a firm grasp on the content that will have been covered prior to the prompts distribution. We will work on the skills that are necessary for succeeding on these assignments in class.
3. Written Quizzes15%: These will be given periodically to test for comprehension and content knowledge.
4. Participation/Homework 15%: Homework will be given regularly and you will be expected to turn in the completed assignment on time. Homework assignments will generally consist of thorough note taking of our weekly readings. THESE NOTES MUST BE HAND WRITTEN. I will not accept typed notes. You must be engaged with the readings and distractions on the computer such as Facebook will prevent you from absorbing the information that you will need in order to succeed in the class. Late work will not be accepted. Your participation portion of your grade will be based on your overall attitude. You will be required to abide by all of Lane Tech's rules and regulations. This includes coming to class on time every day, having your cell phone off, and wearing your ID.
5. Daily Oral Quizzes15%: Daily oral quizzes will be given on key terms that will be assigned to students throughout the year. The terms covered will be cumulative, meaning that you may be asked to recall a key term in April that was assigned in September. It is your responsibility to review your notes regularly in order for everything to remain fresh.
Grade Scale: A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59
CLASS WEBSITE (MRGONZALEZHISTORY.WEEBLY.COM) All powerpoints and most class activities will be posted on the website. I will try my best to do so in a timely manner but these resources should only be meant to supplement classroom instruction. Homework updates and reminders will also be posted on the website. In the event that you are absent from school, check the website for any work that was posted while you were away from class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Academic honesty is an expectation of all students. Personally cheating on tests and examinations, allowing others to copy or look at, or copy work, or engaging in other activities that are dishonest (including plagiarism) in earning academic grades, is a serious offense requiring strict sanctions, including but not limited to receiving a zero (F) grade on the academic work involved. All cases of academic dishonesty are reported to parents/guardians. See page 46 of the student handbook for more information.
NEED HELP?
I am readily available to assist all of my students. If you feel you have a problem or would just like additional assistance, please feel free to come see me before or after school. You can also send me an email at [email protected].
COURSE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
TEXTBOOK
The Western Heritage. Donald Kagen, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner, 9th Edition. Pearson Education, 2007
MATERIALS
In class daily, students need to have the covered text, supplementary materials, school agenda, three ring binder (it can be shared with another course), syllabus, loose-leaf, pens (blue, black, red) and pencils.
EMAIL/WEBSITE
All students are encouraged to have a appropriate email address that is easily recognized by the teacher. You will need to have access to a computer regularly as many of our assignments will be posted on our classroom website. If you do not have access to a computer with internet access at home, there are a number of computer labs that are available for you to use around the building. The link to the classroom website will be made available in the upcoming days.