DMACC 153~AP US History

2010 Semester 2 Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Snyder

Course Description:

This Advanced Placement United States History course is a two semester college-level study of American history from political, economic, and social perspectives.  This course is designed to give students grounding in the subject matter of United States history and the ability to answer major interpretive questions that derive from the study of selected themes.  The first semester of the course covers U.S. history from pre-discovery through Reconstruction, while the second semester continues with Industrialization through the Clinton Presidency.

The AP Exam

 The ultimate purpose of this course is to prepare students to successfully pass the A.P. United States History Exam, which is given, in the second week of May (May 7, 2010).  The A.P. test consists of 80 multiple choice questions to be answered in 55 minutes, and three essays to be competed in 130 minutes.  The free-response essays included one document-based essay (DBQ) with a suggested writing time of 45 minutes.  The remaining two essay questions are usually divided into one coming form the time period before Reconstruction and one coming from the time period Reconstruction and after.  Students are encouraged to spend approximately 40 minutes on each essay. 

Grading

The student’s grade will be based on:

25% Multiple Choice Tests

25% Document Based Essays

25% Essays

25% class participation, class presentations, and out of class assignments.

An additional % will constitute the semester 2 exam-depending on details at the end of the year.

The primary textbook will be Out of Many: A History of the American People by Faragher, Buhle, Czitrom, and Armitage.  The supplemental textbook is United States History Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination by John J. Newman and John M. Schmalbach.

While this course is subject to ongoing modification and change, the following is a study outline of the first semester based on the required reading of Out of Many: A History of the American People. 

Students can qualify for 4 hours of Credit in American History from DMACC

Part 10: Civil War Era, Reconstruction, the West/Indian Wars and Rise of Business in America: Domestic Policies

January 25-2/5 Week 19/20    Chapter 17-Reconstruction-outline due Monday, Feb. 1

Chapter 18-Trans-Mississippi West, 1860-1900-outline due Fri, Feb. 5

February 8-12  Week 21           Chapter 19 Incorporation of America, 1865-1900-outline due Fri., Feb. 12

Feb. 15-19        Week 22          Chapter 21: Urban America and Progressive Era, 1900-1917

Part 11: WWI and Foreign Policies

Feb. 22-26       Week 23:         Chapter 20: Commonwealth and Empire, 1870-1900

*Feb 26. NHD Papers are due, Url is due. Register for district history day.

March 1-5        Week 24:         Chapter 22: World War I, 1914-1920

Part 12: Roaring 1920’s

March 8-10      Week 25:        Chapter 23: The Twenties, 1920-1929 Outline due Wed, March 10

*NHD Projects due for Competitors.

 *March 12-19 Spring Break                

Part 13: Great Depression/New Deal/WWII

March 22-26    Week 26:       Chapter 24:  Great Depression and New Deal

*March 24 is NHD District Day! All NHD projects due on this date!

March 29-April 2 Week 27:    Chapter 25: World War II

Part 14: Cold War/America at Mid-Century

April 5-9          Week 28:         Chapter 26: Cold War 1945-1952

April 12-16       Week 29:        Chapter 27: America at Midcentury

Part 15: Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1966

April 19-23       Week 30:         Chapter 28: Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1966

Part 16: Vietnam and Modern America

April 26-30      Week 31:          Chapter 29: War Abroad, War at Home, 1965-1974

May 3-6           Week 31           Finish last chapters and Review

Friday, May 7, 2010 8:00 Advanced Placement United States History exam!