US History AP

COURSE GUIDE FOR Advanced Placement (AP) AMERICAN HISTORY I. This is a two-semester course in the Sophomore American Studies Program. The course acquaints the student with the ideas and events that have influenced American domestic history and foreign policy from the Colonial era through current events in U.S. foreign policy. Twentieth Century history will receive the most attention in class.

II. INSTRUCTOR: Mr. David B. Faller.

Contact info: dfaller@moeller.org (513) 791-1680 ext 1981 III. TEXTBOOKS: The American Pageant 13th edition by Kennedy, Cohen and Bailey.

Houghton Mifflin Co, New York, 2006.

The Americans by Jordan, Greenblast, and Bowes. McDougal, Littel and Co. New York, NY 1993. Online edition.

IV. Outside Readings: Several books, novels and exerts will be assigned including but not limited to the following: Common Sense Company “Aytch�

The Jungle His Time in Hell Souls of Black Folk Guns Up Founding Brothers His Excellency Americans at War Crazy Horse and Custer V. GRADING: Quarter Grades will be based on the following; 1) Test and Quiz scores: Tests will be mostly essay in nature. They will require the student to analyze and explain the significance of events and topics. Quizzes will be more subjective in format. Both forms of testing will cover class work, homework, text assignments, lectures, audio-visuals, and supplemental readings.

(70% of 1st and 3rd quarters, 60% of 2nd and 4th quarters.)

2) Home work: A number of written home works will be assigned including weekly questions, including essays, article analysis, film/video critiques, internet research, interviews and outside readings. (25% of 1st and 3rd quarters, 15% of 2nd and 4th quarter.)

3) Class Participation: Class discussions are a critical part of the class curriculum; your participation in these is both necessary and expected. Your willingness to cooperate in group/team activities is also required. The level of participation will reflect both attitude and behavior. (5% of quarter grade).

4) Term Paper: Two 15-page thesis papers are required. For the first paper students must choose a pre20th century topic during 2nd quarter. A 2nd paper will be due in the 4th quarter. This will be a 20th or 21st century topic. These

papers must be true thesis papers, not reports. The Moeller MLA format Term Paper Guide must be followed on this assignment. (20% of 2nd and 4th quarter grades).

VI. AP Status This course has been approved by the College Board and meets all of the standards required as an “AP� course. Students will be encouraged, but not required, to take the national AP exam for US History offered in early May. There is a separate fee for this exam. The structure of this course reflects the material and format for the AP exam. However, due to the breadth of the material, success on the exam will require the student to do significant preparation outside of class.