AP Seminar 2014-2015
Mr. Gonzalez – Room 314
Overview
AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular, interdisciplinary conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both as a team and individually. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments to consider options, alternatives, solutions, and resolutions of real-world and/or academic problems.
Goals
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. This course will require an intense amount of reading and individual responsibility. 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.
AP Seminar Assessment Structure
The AP test for this course will consist of three different parts:
Team Project and Presentation: 25% of AP Score. This will be a long term group project lasting about 6 weeks that will culminate in a 10 minute argumentative presentation on a topic of your choice along with a 1200 word individual paper. More information will be distributed in December.
Individual Research Based Essay and Presentation: 35% of AP Score. This will be a long term individual research project on a topic related to stimulus material that will be distributed at the end of January. This will culminate in a 2000 word individual research paper and an 8 minute presentation. More information will be distributed in January.
End-of-Course Exam: 40% of AP Score. The AP Test will be on MAY 5th. You will be required to analyze several arguments along with writing a long evidence based essay. The test is two hours in length.
Assessments and Grading
This course will be taught with all of the rigor of an actual college course. Grades will be not be updated as regularly on Gradebook as you are accustomed. Second semester Gradebook updates in particular will be irregular, as you will be working on your Performance Task Assessments for the College Board. 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. Projects and Research 70% This will involve most assignments that will completed throughout the duration of this class. Please note that there will be fewer grades in this category, so it is important for you to submit assessments that are accurate representations of your desired grade.
2. Argument Analysis 20% 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. Professionalism and Participation 10% 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 and contributions to the class. 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.
Note: Each student will begin the year with 50 points in their participation category. 5 points will be deducted from this category whenever a student is tardy. 10 points will be deducted for every cut.
Grade Scale: A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59
NOTE: THERE WILL BE FEWER ASSIGNMENTS IN THIS CLASS THAN WHAT YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO. AS A RESULT, YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLETING ALL ASSIGNMENTS THOROUGHLY AND ON TIME.
Miscellaneous Policies
Cell Phones: Cell phones are not to be used for texting, Snapchatting, Facebooking, Tweeting, Instagramming, or any other social media platform that the youth is using. I will dock your Professionalism grade as a result of excessive use.
Bathroom and Water Policy: Daily requests to go to the bathroom or to get water during class is not appropriate. This is also not a time for you to socialize with your friends or an opportunity for you to use your phone. You must leave your cell phone in the classroom while you are gone. Failure to abide by these policies will lead to restricted opportunities to leave the classroom.
Class Website
MRGONZALEZHISTORY.WEEBLY.COM and CLASSROOM.GOOGLE.COM All class activities will be posted on one of these two websites. 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
A student who fails to acknowledge (i.e., through citation, through attribution, by reference, and/or through acknowledgement in a bibliographic entry) the source or author of any and all information or evidence taken from the work of someone else will receive a score of 0 on that particular component of the AP Seminar Performance Assessment Task. To the best of their ability, teachers will ensure that students understand ethical use and acknowledgement of the ideas and work of others, as well as the consequences of plagiarism. The student’s individual voice should be clearly evident, and the ideas of others must be acknowledged, attributed, and/or cited.
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. I coach year round so it is best to set a time to meet. You can also send me an email at [email protected].
Mr. Gonzalez – Room 314
Overview
AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular, interdisciplinary conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both as a team and individually. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments to consider options, alternatives, solutions, and resolutions of real-world and/or academic problems.
Goals
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. This course will require an intense amount of reading and individual responsibility. 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.
AP Seminar Assessment Structure
The AP test for this course will consist of three different parts:
Team Project and Presentation: 25% of AP Score. This will be a long term group project lasting about 6 weeks that will culminate in a 10 minute argumentative presentation on a topic of your choice along with a 1200 word individual paper. More information will be distributed in December.
Individual Research Based Essay and Presentation: 35% of AP Score. This will be a long term individual research project on a topic related to stimulus material that will be distributed at the end of January. This will culminate in a 2000 word individual research paper and an 8 minute presentation. More information will be distributed in January.
End-of-Course Exam: 40% of AP Score. The AP Test will be on MAY 5th. You will be required to analyze several arguments along with writing a long evidence based essay. The test is two hours in length.
Assessments and Grading
This course will be taught with all of the rigor of an actual college course. Grades will be not be updated as regularly on Gradebook as you are accustomed. Second semester Gradebook updates in particular will be irregular, as you will be working on your Performance Task Assessments for the College Board. 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. Projects and Research 70% This will involve most assignments that will completed throughout the duration of this class. Please note that there will be fewer grades in this category, so it is important for you to submit assessments that are accurate representations of your desired grade.
2. Argument Analysis 20% 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. Professionalism and Participation 10% 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 and contributions to the class. 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.
Note: Each student will begin the year with 50 points in their participation category. 5 points will be deducted from this category whenever a student is tardy. 10 points will be deducted for every cut.
Grade Scale: A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 0 - 59
NOTE: THERE WILL BE FEWER ASSIGNMENTS IN THIS CLASS THAN WHAT YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO. AS A RESULT, YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLETING ALL ASSIGNMENTS THOROUGHLY AND ON TIME.
Miscellaneous Policies
Cell Phones: Cell phones are not to be used for texting, Snapchatting, Facebooking, Tweeting, Instagramming, or any other social media platform that the youth is using. I will dock your Professionalism grade as a result of excessive use.
Bathroom and Water Policy: Daily requests to go to the bathroom or to get water during class is not appropriate. This is also not a time for you to socialize with your friends or an opportunity for you to use your phone. You must leave your cell phone in the classroom while you are gone. Failure to abide by these policies will lead to restricted opportunities to leave the classroom.
Class Website
MRGONZALEZHISTORY.WEEBLY.COM and CLASSROOM.GOOGLE.COM All class activities will be posted on one of these two websites. 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
A student who fails to acknowledge (i.e., through citation, through attribution, by reference, and/or through acknowledgement in a bibliographic entry) the source or author of any and all information or evidence taken from the work of someone else will receive a score of 0 on that particular component of the AP Seminar Performance Assessment Task. To the best of their ability, teachers will ensure that students understand ethical use and acknowledgement of the ideas and work of others, as well as the consequences of plagiarism. The student’s individual voice should be clearly evident, and the ideas of others must be acknowledged, attributed, and/or cited.
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. I coach year round so it is best to set a time to meet. You can also send me an email at [email protected].