Ap united States History Course Syllabus Mr. Sakonju Room #: 2310 Telephone: 818. 249. 5871, Ext. 2310 Email

AP United History is a challenging academic course designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. The course begins with the pre-Columbian America and continues to the present day. All areas of history are covered, including social, political, economic, intellectual, cultural, and art history. Students are expected to do a considerable amount of reading in both the major text and supplementary sources. Evidence of this reading is shown in outline note taking, class discussion, and unit tests. The course also emphasizes writing, research and analytical thinking skills.

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   to increase the student’s understanding of the history of the United States,
   
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   to have each student take and pass the AP United States History Exam in May,
   
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   to prepare students for college.
   

The AP Exam will be sponsored by the College Board in May. Students with a score of 3 or above on the exam may receive 3 credits in an appropriate college course. The qualification for receiving credit is determined solely by the college you attend. To see the policies of colleges you are interested in go to http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp to check.

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  3-Ring Binder: Will contain all notes, handouts, assignments, and tests. Notebooks are used each day in class. They should be organized and updated throughout the semester. They may be graded periodically.
  
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  Textbook: We will use America’s History, 8^th Edition By Henretta, Hinderaker, Edwards, and Self. Students are responsible for replacing lost or damaged books.
  
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  AP United States History Review Book: A review book is not required, but will be a helpful tool throughout the school year and as another preparation guide for the AP Exam in May. See Mr. Sakonju for recommendations or sample copies.
  
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  Colored Markers/Colored Pencils: Though these items are not required, they are highly beneficial for marking and distinguishing numerous map objectives and for use with future projects.
  

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  Students should expect daily homework.
  
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    All work must be neatly completed in blue or black ink. Typed work will NOT be accepted unless specifically instructed to type work.
    
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  You should have the necessary supplies (pen/pencil, paper, notebook, etc) and your homework with you at your desk by the time the bell rings for class to begin.
  
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  Homework, assignments, and projects should be completed and turned in at the beginning of class.
  
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    Work turned in during class will be considered tardy.
    
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    Assignments that are late will not be accepted.
    
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  If tardy or absent from class you are responsible for obtaining and making up all missed work, notes, and handouts from either your classmates or teacher.
  

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  Students are expected to contribute in class discussions and effectively participate in class activities.
  

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  Unit tests will be given throughout the semester.
  
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  Students are responsible to make up any test or quiz due to an absence.
  
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    Students may be required to test outside of regular class hours.
    

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  The first semester final is a mock AP exam that contains a multiple-choice and free response section. Due to the length of exam the final exam will start two weeks before the regular final schedule.
  
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  The second semester final is a mock AP exam that contains content information from the entire year. It is given a week prior to the national AP exam as a step in preparation for the AP test.
  

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  Homework 15%
  
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  Classwork 15%
  
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  Tests 30%
  
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  Final 30%
  
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  Participation 10%
  

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  Students are responsible for making up any work due to absence or tardiness.
  
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    Excused Absences: For excused absences, students will be given the number of days absent to make up homework, quizzes, tests, or projects.
    
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      Work is due at the beginning of class.
      
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    Unexcused Absences: Late work due to unexcused absences will not be accepted.
    
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  Due to the nature of class work, make up work is impossible.
  

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  Respect others – do not interfere with your classmates’ opportunity to learn!
  
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  Be alert! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to learn.
  
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  Raise your hand for permission to talk. Your participation is important!
  
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  No food or drink in class. This includes gum, candy and lollipops.
  
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  Be on time! Students should be in their seats when the bell rings.
  

Cheating

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  By definition, to “cheat” means to deceive someone, to be dishonest, to fool or to mislead someone.
  
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  In this class to “cheat” means to obtain answers, or homework from someone else and lead the teacher to believe that the answers or work are your own.
  
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  Do not copy any homework, classwork, or test answers from anyone.
  
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  Do not lend your homework, classwork or test answers to someone else.
  

• CONSEQUENCES:

ALL GRADES RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OF CHEATING WILL BE REDUCED TO A ZERO GRADE.

- If you are caught copying homework, all prior homework grades are reduced to a “zero”. - If caught cheating on a test, all prior test grades are reduced to a “zero” grade.

First Offense…………Student notification and warning.

Second Offense……..Conference with student to create a possible solution.

Third Offense………..Teacher issues after-school or lunch detention and notifies parents.

Fourth Offense………Referral to administration.

No Rounding Up of Grades
Grading on assignments and end of semester grades are NOT rounded up. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their overall grade meets the cutoff for their desired grade. An 89.9% is an earned “B” grade in the course. Each daily homework assignment, daily class work, participation, and exam question helps to add up the overall score to a desired grade. Every effort to produce high-level work must be done consistently throughout the course. Cleaning the classroom, supplying tissue boxes, being a nice person, or incessant begging are not criteria used to determine your academic grade in a course designed for college equivalency. Give your best effort from the beginning of the grade period until the end of the grade period to avoid ending with a borderline grade.
AP United States History

Student & Parent/Guardian Contract

Please read over the course outline carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. Please have your son/daughter return the sheet to the next class period for 10 points.

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  Please remember you are enrolled in an Advanced Placement course which moves at a faster pace, and requires more reading and writing than a regular course. Because of this, until a student becomes acclimated to the course load, grades may be lower than a regular class.
  
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  This AP course may offer optional extra class meetings for film, extra credit, or review; advanced notification will be provided. It will be highly beneficial for students to attend.
  

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