AP European History
Mr. Mercado
2006-2007
The objective of this course is to increase the student's understanding of European history with the goal of having each student pass the AP European Examination in May. The course is divided into two semesters, the Later Middle Ages through the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution to the present. The areas of concentration include historical, political and economic history coupled with an intense study of cultural and intellectual institutions and their development. These areas will be studied from a variety of perspectives with the hope of providing a balanced view of history. This course is taught at the college level. The major difference between a high school and college history course is the amount of reading and depth of focus. Moreover, the AP curriculum stresses a large degree of higher order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context. Thus, the student will be required frequently to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources in addition to memorizing, comprehending, and applying facts.
Feel free to reach me if you
have questions or concerns!
W: (909)988-5560 x2351 (voice mail: x6313)
www.HistorySage.com or www.homestead.com/chaffeyaphistory/menu.html
Text: McKay, Hill, and Buckler, A History of Western Society (5th edition):
Source
Kishlansky, Sources of the West:
Grading Scale: Grade Categories:
A = 88 -100% Essay Exams ............................ 31.7%
B = 78 - 87% Multiple Choice Exams............. 31.7%
C = 68 - 77% Homework ...............................31.6%
D = 58 - 67% Quizzes …… .............................5%
F = 0 - 59%
Exams: Approximately six major multiple-choice/free-response essay exams will be given during the first semester as well as five document-based exam questions. The first semester final is cumulative. Tests will be rigorous as they are intended to challenge the student at the Advanced Placement level. Moreover, tests are designed to give students frequent experience with the types of multiple-choice questions, free-response essays, and Document Based Questions (DBQ’s) that will appear on the AP exam. Frequent exams also insure that students read the textbook and supplementary readings, consistently check for understanding, and take copious notes that are thorough and well organized.
AP European History Syllabus -- continued -2-
Homework Policy: Chapter assignments and readings are due on the
date the assignment is shown on the calendar.
Late assignments will not accepted
after the 5th late allowance. All late work must be
turned in the day after it is due. For excused absences, assignments are
due the day the student returns to class unless prior arrangements have been
made for emergencies. Students are expected to keep a well-organized notebook
of all course-related materials (e.g. syllabus, lecture notes, study guides,
homework, quizzes, exams, handouts, etc.) A sub-par notebook may result in
points being deducted from the “homework” category.
Missed Exams: Students who are absent legitimately on a day a test is given must make up the test on the day they return to class. If a student is absent for an extended period (e.g., more than five days), an appointment for making-up the test will be made. Complete loss of credit for an exam may result if the exam is not completed in a timely fashion. (See also "Homework Policy" above).
Participation: Students are expected to contribute in class discussions and effectively participate in class activities. Many of the class sessions will be seminars. In order for seminars to work, student preparation and participation is critical. Students who are "on the border" between grades at the semester may be given the higher grade if their overall participation has been commendable.
Summer Assignments: Although there are no mandatory readings during summer for AP European History, handouts for the first three chapters of McKay’s A History of Western Society will be available at the library. Students are encouraged to pick up their textbooks prior to the end of this school year. Doing some work before the beginning of the 2003-04 school year will help students to make the transition to this rigorous AP-level course easier. These three chapters will be due during the first month of the fall semester so this provides an opportunity for a healthy head start.
Class Rules and Expectations
1. Come to class prepared -- This means having all assignments completed prior to the beginning of class and being seated and ready to begin when the second bell rings.
2. No food or drink allowed in class (this includes gum, lollipops, sunflower seeds, etc.)
3. Respect the rights of others -- Only one person talks while everyone else listens. Students should feel safe to exchange ideas. No question is a "stupid" question! Professional academic courtesy should always prevail.
4. Respect school property as well as the property of others -- This includes returning any borrowed materials to the owner in a timely fashion (e.g. lecture notes, handouts).
5. Tardies and truancies are unacceptable -- 1% of student's total grade will be deducted for each tardy and truancy. More importantly, excess tardies or truancies may result in loss of the class in accordance with school policies.
Most importantly, stay positive! Although this course is extremely challenging, Chaffey AP history students have succeeded well above the national average in AP-level courses over the past decade. You must believe in yourself and be willing to accept a few setbacks along the way in order to grow as a young scholar and as a person ("no pain, no gain"). Learn from your mistakes and setbacks, make adjustments, and try again. The prize at the end is worth it! You can do it!!
AP European History syllabus -3-
Unit 1: Renaissance/Humanism/Rise of New
Monarchs/Age of Exploration
Unit 2: The Reformation and Religious Wars
Unit 3: Age of Absolutism – Age of Louis
XIV/Constitutionalism in
Unit 4: Scientific Revolution and the
Enlightenment/18th Century Economics and Life
of
the People
Unit 5: French Revolution and Napoleon
Unit 6: Industrial Revolution
Unit 7: 19th Century: Liberalism,
Nationalism and Romanticism
Unit 8: Nationalism and Unification/ Rise of
Socialism/Imperialism
Unit 9: World War I and the Inter-War Period
Unit 10: Rise of Dictatorships and World War II
Unit 11: Cold War/ Decolonization
Unit 12: Modern World Society and Culture (includes
the present)