Advanced Placement United States History is comparable to an introductory college course in American History. You are expected to read approximately 60 pages per week, to analyze primary and secondary sources, and to write responsive essays on a regular basis. You will also need to master a significant amount of vocabulary.
We cover a large amount of content and must move quickly, always mindful of our target date of Friday, May 10, 2002 - the day of the AP History Test. If at any point you feel that you need clarification or additional help, please make an appointment to meet with me. I cannot deal with a problem or concern if I don't know one exists.
I am happy that you have chosen to take on the challenge of this upper level course and I promise you it will be an adventure!

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AP HISTORY CLASS

What do I have to bring to class with me?

You must bring your text, a loose-leaf 3-ring binder, notepaper, pen (blue or black ink, only!) and pencil.

How should I organize my binder?

You should have a total of 13 dividers. Each grading period your binder will have 5 dividers: General, (4) Historical Periods. At the end of the grading period the Historical Periods material will be cleaned out of the binder that you bring to class and kept at home until the end of April at which point materials will be used to compile a review binder.

May I turn in assignments late?

Most assignments cannot be turned in late because they are an integral part of the daily work. A major writing assignment will have the grade lowered one letter grade for each day the assignment is late. These assignments will not be accepted after four days.

What is your policy on test make-ups?

EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO BE PRESENT ON TEST DAYS. IF YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY OF A TEST SEE ME IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR RETURN TO SET A TIME AND DATE FOR A MAKE-UP (AFTER SCHOOL OR DURING AN OPEN PERIOD). ANY TEST NOT MADE UP WITHIN THREE (3) DAYS WILL BE GIVEN A GRADE OF "0".

What do I do if I miss a quiz?

Quizzes are made up before homeroom between 7:10 and 7:20. Quizzes must be made up the day of return or the next day.

What if I am tardy to class?

You are considered late to class if you are NOT in your seat when the bell rings. First tardies are subject to a warning. Second tardies merit a sterner warning. The third tardy to class in a grading period will result in a 15 minute detention to be served at the convenience of the teacher. Subsequent tardies will each merit a 30 minute detention. Failure to attend a detention will result in a referral.

What do I do if I am absent?

It is important for students to be in class every day. AP History is a comprehensive course which moves at a fast pace. Students who miss class have a difficult time keeping up. If you should be absent check the syllabus, look in the make-up work folders for handouts given out the day you were absent, and ask the teacher if there is anything additional to make up. If an assignment was DUE the day of absence, it must be turned in on the day you return. Ordinarily, assignments missed due to an excused absence will be due the day after you return unless there are extenuating circumstances which the teacher deems worthy of an extension. IF YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY BEFORE A TEST YOU MUST STILL TAKE THE TEST ON THE DAY LISTED IN THE SYLLABUS. IF STUDY MATERIALS ARE NOT AT HOME (AND WHY AREN'T THEY?) MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH A FRIEND TO BRING THEM HOME TO YOU.

What if I miss History Class but I am in school part of the day?

                IF YOU ARE IN SCHOOL AND MISS THIS CLASS
                BECAUSE OF A LATE ENTRY OR EARLY EXIT OR ANY
                OTHER REASON YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL
                WORK WITH NO TIME EXTENSIONS.

Do you have any other rules I should know about?

There will be many occasions on which an assignment must be typed. You will be informed when that is the case.

You may not use language in class that I find objectionable. This is a matter of simple courtesy.

Honesty in scholarship is expected. Cheating merits a "O". This includes talking without permission during a testing situation.

What is your grading policy?

Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, group work, essays, and class
participation. This grading scale will be used to determine your grade.

    90-100 A
    80-89   B
    70-79   C
    60-69   D

All grades will be recorded according to the point value of the
assignment. The grading scale will be applied to the cumulative
number of points at the end of the grading period to determine your
letter grade. For example, if there are 500 points in a grading period

    .9 X 500 = A 450-500 points
    .8 X 500 = B 400-449 "
    .7 X 500 = C 350-399 "
    .6 X 500 = D 300-349 "
Extra credit points will be added at the end of the grading period.