ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY

Burlingame High School

Mr. Gnass

jgnass@smuhsd.org

 

Welcome to a potentially exciting and indubitably challenging year in AP US History (APUSH).  Unlike the typical high school U.S. History class, APUSH covers the entire span of our nationıs history, from the Age of Exploration to the present. Given the broad range and profound depth of study, success in this course necessitates strong reading and writing skills commingled with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study.  Remember, this course is the equivalent of a freshmen college course; if you pass the AP exam in May, you may earn college credit, depending on which college you ultimately end up attending.  

 

Course Objectives

Students in this course will...

·       develop a meaningful understanding of the history of the United States in all its multifaceted forms. Each student will grapple with the thoughts of his/her predecessors, taking those thoughts out of their original historical context and applying them, albeit selectively, to his/her own world view or narrative of life.

·       develop an appreciation for the fundamental issues and themes that flow through our history.

·       master a broad body of historical knowledge.

·       use historical data to support a well-articulated argument or opinion.

·       interpret and apply data from original documents, including cartoons, graphs, letters, etc..

·       improve writing, research, and critical reading skills.

·       work effectively with others to produce products and solve problems.

·       prepare for, and successfully pass, the Advanced Placement Exam in May.

·        

Course Text and Readings

·       Brinkley.  American History. 11th Edition.

·       Various handouts from a wide range of historical (as vague as this categorization might be) literature, including--but not limited to--scholarly essays and primary source documents.

·       Other books that come to mind throughout the year.

 

Organization, Assignments, and Assessment

We will parse this course into numerous 2-3 week units.

 

A Unit Overview  including  the Essential Questions(EQ), Reading Assignments, Free-Response Essay Questions,  major assignments/projects, and study terms will be handed out  (and posted on my website) at the beginning of each unit.   Quiz and test dates will be noted.  Class will consist of group discussions and presentations, discussions, lectures, coverage of discussion questions, and answering student questions.  One or more student essays (a response to the EQs, Free-Response Questions or a practice Document Based Question) will be collected at the end of each unit.   All essays will be scored according to a 9-point rubric.

 

Course Lifeline: My Website!

Yes, I have a functioning website that I update on a near-daily basis. Itıs there for you the student, your parents, and, yes, even me.  Go there for the class calendar, including links to various assignments, unit overviews, links to other sites, and other hidden treasures. The address is

 

www.gnassland.org          Even this syllabus is there!

 

I will be posting grades and homework on schoolloop, unless things change. Notice will be given in that case.

 

Tests: Unit tests will comprise objective and/or essay questions. Keep in mind that each new test will include information from the test(s) preceding it, i.e. all  tests are cumulative.

Quizzes:   Quizzes on the text readings will be given on a regular basis.  They will NOT be open note.

 

Grading and Attendance

Grades are based upon test and quiz scores, homework assignments, participation in class discussions/activities, and essays.  All tests and assignments will be equally weighted.  There will be no extra credit work in this class.  The grading schedule is as follows: A=90%; B=80%; C=70%; D=60%.

 

Assignment Due Dates:  All assignments are due the date required. Late work will not be accepted. All assignments must be completed neatly in ink(black or blue) or typed format.

 

Attendance:  Your regular, punctual attendance is necessary, but not sufficient, for your success in this course. Youıre allowed two free tardies per semester—the third (and all others) come with consequences. The school tardy policy applies.

 

If you miss a test or quiz, the absence must be excused.  Arrangements for make-up tests must be made with me upon return to class. Previously scheduled quizzes and tests (which is just about all of them) must be made up after school (by appointment only) on the day of your return (eg, if we have a test on Tuesday and youıre absent, you must make it up on Wednesday).

Remember, tests must be made up after school, so athletes beware.

 

If you are absent for a legitimate reason, the class work missed must be completed within a negotiable (the meaning of this word varies according to the circumstances) time-frame.  Class work missed because of an unexcused (a negotiable adjective) absence is not subject to make-up.

 

Tardy Policy

All school rules apply here, as well.  Youıre allowed two free tardies per semester—the 5th, 7th and so on come with consequences ( detentions, etc.).  Take a look at the school policies, which Iıve attached.

 

Participation

You should come to class daily, prepared to participate in activities and discussions.  This requires that you complete assignments (especially reading) promptly, bring appropriate materials to class  ( including your text, when necessary), raise questions, and--if only to add a little joy to all of our lives--look alive and alert. 

 

Study Tips and Average Nightly Homework.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU DEVOTE ENOUGH TIME TO READ AND COMPREHEND THE INFORMATION IN THE COURSE TEXTBOOK AND OTHER READINGS. On average this will be about 2 HOURS per night, weekends included (sometimes it will be more depending on the unit and what the assignments are). Some students require less time, some more. Once you get the hang of things, it might lessen.

I will provide you with a list for study terms and questions with each unit of study. Do not neglect this incredibly important and useful part of the class.

 

Another Success Tip: READ THIS

I donıt expect you to be passive learners, meaning Iım not going to spoon feed you all the information like I spoon fed my kids when they were babies.   If youıre not used to being an active learner, you need to get ready to change your habits if you want to enjoy this class. You will be expected to do research, to engage in discussions, to engage in debates and to do many other things of the active learning variety.

 

Notebook

It is imperative that  you keep a notebook for this class.  Arrange it according to the units of study, and include all notes taken during class lectures, discussions, readings, and all materials given or returned to you(homework, essays, assigned papers, tests, etc.). If you are organized, you will not need to reread the lengthy textbook very much. Throw away nothing!

 

Classroom Etiquette

Respect the rights and opinions of others. Behave with civility.  Leave your desk and the surrounding area clean.  Use all materials with care. Spill your drinks and deposit your gum elsewhere.

 

Dress Code

All school rules apply. Please dress appropriately. Unless you have serious religious/health reasons (Iım not French), hoods/hats and sunglasses are not allowed. Itıs never that cold or sunny inside.

 

Electronic Devices (cell phones, ipods, etc): They are forbidden at all times. Simply put, I donıt even want to see them. Itıs not acceptable to walk into class with one in your hands or on your ears (which shouldnıt be a problem since theyıre forbidden in the halls), even if youıre talking to one of your parents. I confiscate all electronic devices and turn them into the office per school guidelines.

 

 

Academic Integrity

I expect, as anyone should, that all students do their own work and refrain from any and all types of cheating such as plagiarism—using someoneıs ideas/words without recognition; copying--passing off someone elseıs work as your own; and all other types of fraudulent deception. Please be honest! Get familiar with our new academic code of conduct.

 

Office Hours

I am available after school and during lunch by appointment.

(I welcome comments and questions from parents.   I am always available at school if students need extra help).

 

Mr. Gnass

 

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Parents:

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this and the other syllabi that your child brought home today. Thanks for letting me know that you read it by signing this portion and returning it with your child.

 

Gratefully,

 

Mr. Gnass

 

 

 

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