Advanced Placement United States History Course Syllabus Instructor: Jason Simmers Office Phone: 303-857-7100 X 7153 Email:

jsimmers@ftlupton.k12.co.us Class webpage: www.jsimmersapush.pbworks.com Course Description : Students will: Demonstrate a mastery of a broad body of historical knowledge Use historical evidence to defend and support basic arguments and positions Differentiate between various schools of historical thought and interpretation Interpret and draw conclusions from various pieces of historical data including original documents, cartoons, graphs, etc. Demonstrate an effective use of analytical skills of evaluation, cause-and-effect relationships, and compare and contrast Work effectively in groups to produce products, make presentations, and solve problems Prepare for and receive a grade of 3 or higher on the AP U.S. History Exam Required Reading: America: Past and Present, Divine, Breen, et. Al. New York, Pearson and Longman. 2003.. Selected Primary readings as determined by the instructor Required Materials: Mead 5 Star College Ruled (wide ruled is to short) with plastic front cover Glue sticks Color Pencils (markers will bleed through paper) Pens or pencils 3Ring Binder with loose leaf filler paper Any problems acquiring these materials let Mr. Simmers know ASAP Course Expectations: Readings/Homework: Students will be expected to read assigned passages from the required reading list prior to class meetings as well as outside materials as necessary. On average, plan to spend at least 4-6 hours per week reading (some weeks more, some less).In addition, you will be asked to complete research and other various writing assignments over the course of the year as well. Grading/Assignments: Writing Assignments/Daily Work/Notebook Checks (25%): will be asked to complete a variety of in class writingspersuasive essays, Free-Response questions, and Document-Based Questions. You will also be asked to complete various papers out of classYou will write various APPARTS papers over the course of the year! This grade also include your Vocabulary glossary Reading Quizzes (15%): There will be quizzes on the assigned readings that will take the form of written, multiple choice, and associations. Unit Exams (20%): You will be asked to complete Seven (7) unit exams. Each exam will contain 50-80 multiple choice questions Participation/Attendance (10%): This is based on being in class on time, attendance, and active participation in class, groups, discussions, and in-class behavior.

Projects/Simulations (10%) Throughout the semester students will have group assignments and research papers that will utilize research as well as technology skills. Directions and due dates will be given at a later time Reading Assignment (10%): Each semester you will be asked to choose a book based on American History and write in in-depth paper that exams the historical context it is addressing Final Exam (10%): At the end of the semester students will take a comprehensive multiple choice and essay exam. *There will be extra credit opportunities that can help grades, but behavior in class, attendance, and tardies will determine opportunity to do so **Grading will be done on a point system per your student handbook. There are no test/quiz re-takes except in extraordinary circumstances and based on EXCUSED absences ***This syllabus is subject to change based on school changes or class needs Interactive Notebook Students are required to bring their notebooks to class at all times. Students have until the very next class to have procured their notebooks. Notebook checks will be announced the day before they are due so stay caught up. Late Work/absences: Absences will negatively impact your grade. Students have 1 day to make up any missing assignments Absences on day of any presentations will result in an automatic zero for that assignment unless otherwise discussed with Mr. Simmers. Late work is subject to a 25% deduction. If you are absent, please refer to Mrs. Simmers webpage (www.jsimmersapush.pbworks.com) under the Assignments section. Mr. Simmers will only make copies of assignments available for each student and no further copies will be made, but you may refer to his webpage to make your own copies if you lose any assignments. Class Rules and Behavior: Show Respect for your school, classmates, and yourself. Electronics (Ipods, Cell Phones, etc) are not allowed in class unless otherwise authorized by me. No excuses (checking time, date, etc.) will be accepted o Infraction #1: Confiscation until end of class o Infraction #2: Confiscation until end of day o Infraction #3: Confiscation and returned to parent/guardian Do not write on or leave trash in the desks. Anyone caught doing so will clean my desks Food and drinks with a secure cap will be allowed in the classroom as long as you clean up after yourself. If not, then neither will be allowed in class. ATTENDANCE: Students with 10 or more absences should not expect to pass the class TARDIES: Being in class on time is mandatory. If tardy you will owe me 5 minutes during lunch. If you do not show for those 5 minutes it becomes 15 minutes the following lunch. If you fail to show to that a referral will be issued Hall Passes: We have one classroom hall pass. The school store is not an option and you must have your school ID in order to leave Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated! This includes plagiarism, copying, cheating, etc. Any type of academic dishonesty will result in the loss of credit for that assignment, a phone call home, and a referral to the office. A second offence of academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade for the entire semester.

Course outline
Unit I--Empire of Liberty Colonial history (1week )_______________________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Text, Divine and Breen Chapters 1 and 2. Motives and Methods of Colonization Factors that Stimulated Migration to the colonies Cultural Differences Between Native Americans and European Settlers Theme: The evolution of Native American culture, the genesis of the American identity, demographic shifts and patterns of colonial development (Spain, France, England), evolution of regional patterns in colonial settlement in North America The Emergence of the American Nation (1 week)___________________________________________ Readings: Content: Devine and Breen Ch. 4-6 Changes in British Colonial Policy, 1763-1775 Emergence of Colonial Cooperation and Ideological developments that led to the Desire for independence Terms of the Treaty of Paris Theme: Reevaluation of colonial relationship with Britain, the American Revolutionaries conservative or liberal reaction to British colonial policies, the place of the American Revolution in world events. The Critical Period (2 weeks)_____________________________________________________ Readings: Content Divine and Breen, Ch. 7-8 Weaknesses Articles of Confederation Federalist #10 Constitutional Controversies and Compromises The Virginia Bill of Rights Ratification of the Constitution Alexander Hamiltons Report on Manufactures Economic/Ideological differences between Federalists and Anti-Federlists The impact of foreign wars on US politics and economics Theme: State governments, development of federal government and political parties, development of sectionalism (economic, political, and social), and the conflict between states rights and the powers federal government Unit IIWhat Hath God Wrought Jeffersonian Republicanism And the Era of Good Feelings (2 weeks)__________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chap. 8-9 The Revolution of 1800 The Louisiana Purchase The War of 1812 The Marshall Court The Era of Good Feelings and the American Plan

The Age of Jackson and the New Republic (2 weeks)_________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Ch. 10 and 11. Election of 1824 (Corrupt Bargain) Nullification Indian Removal Reform Movements Manifest Destiny and the War with Mexico Theme: Development of two-party system, triumph of the common man, economic issues of the 1830s and 1840s, and the Power of Andrew Jackson Slavery and Sectionalism (2 weeks)_______________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen Chapters 13-14 Policies of Slavery Lincoln Douglas Debates Wilmot Proviso Lincolns House Divided Speech Compromise of 1850 Paternalism The Politics of Slavery and the election of 1860 Theme: Geographical and economic expansion, sectionalism, regional developments, slavery, and causes of the Civil War Unit IIIBattle Cry of Freedom The Civil War and Reconstruction (2 weeks)_______________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapters 15 and 16. Strengths/Weaknesses/Prosecution of the War Presidential vs. Congressional Reconstruction The New South The Compromise of 1877 Theme: Social mores and stratification in the South, secession and war, Reconstruction issues and plans, economic development in the South, and social equality. The West (1 week)_____________________________________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 17, 19 Reservation Policy Frederick Jackson; Dawes Act Significance of the American Frontier Reservation Policy William J. Bryan Cross of Gold The Homestead Act New Farming Methods American Monetary Policy, 1865-1900 Theme: Struggle for equality, Native American relations, role of government in economic growth and regulation, and the impact of industrialization socially, economically,and politically Greenbackers, Grangers, Populists Unit IVOiling the Gears of Americas Industry The Emergence of Business and Labor (2 weeks)____________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapters 18, 19, and 20 Ideologies/Methods of the industrial elite Zinn, Robber Barons and Rebels. Govt and industrial development The rise of organized labor Labor success and failures Attempts to eliminate fraud in the govt Theme: The Emergence of Corporate America and Class System

Theme: The peaceful exchange of power, changing party philosophies, territorial growth, the growth of nationalism

Major Assignment: Government and Economic regulation DBQ.

The Progressive Era (2 weeks)___________________________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 23 Muckrakers role in Reform Zinn, The Empire and Its People. Political reforms at the state level Commonalities of the progressive movement Roosevelts Square Deal Tafts Trustbusting Wilsons New Freedom The Election of 1912 Theme: Role of government in the economy, impact of third parties, role of the United States in world affairs, presidential power vs.congressional power. Unit VFreedom From Fear The American Empire, World War One and American Foreign Policy (1.5 weeks)_______________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 21, 24 The Spanish American War The Significance of Sea Power The Debate over Philippine annexation Big Stick vs. Dollar Diplomacy and Roosevelts Corollarys and Missionary Diplomacys Applications WWI and the Versailles Treaty Theme: America as an Empire, Motives for entering WWI, Post War Agreements, and Americas Post War Diplomacy The 1920s (1 week)_____________________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 25 The Red Scare Immigration Restrictions Prohibition in the Jazz Age Business Practices of the 1920s New Migrations The rise and fall of the KKK Theme: Post-WWI reactions compared to postCivil War reactions, isolationism,anti-immigration, revolution in manners and morals, and geographic population shifts based on economics and society. The Great Depression and New Deal (1 week)______________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 26 Hoover and the Great Depression Roosevelts first 100 days The first and Second New Deals Criticisms of the New Deal The Judiciary and the New Deal Theme: Population shifts during the Depression, Challenges to Challenges from the left, the morality of business, the governments role in stimulating the economy WWII (1.5 Weeks)_____________________________________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 27 US foreign policy post WWI US Responses to aggression Strategies (Germany First, Island Hoping) Development of the Atomic Bomb Japanese-American Relocation Yalta and Postdam Conferences

Theme: Comparison of the administrations of WWI and WWII as neutral and wartime leaders, and peacemakers; home front comparisons of WWI and WWII; America assuming the role of world leader in a post-WWII world UNIT VIGrand Expectations Affluence and AnxietyThe Cold War and America During the 1950s (1 week)_________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 28 Truman Doctrine/Marshall Plan Trumans Fair deal HUAC and the Red Scare Brown v. Board of Ed. Eisenhower Doctrine and Domestic Policies CIA in Iran/Guatemala NATO Korean War U-2 Incident

Theme: Economic transition, governmental powers, social mores, civil liberties and civil right, and Cold War Diplomacy in the 3rd World Containment Great Dreams and Nightmares: America During the 1960s (1 week)____________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 29 Cuban Revolution Berlin Crisis and Bay of Pigs The Cuban Missile Crisis The Great Society The Civil rights Movement Vietnam The Emergence of the Counter Culture Peace Corps/Alliance for Progress

Theme: The United States on the world stage, societal changes

. Unit VIIRestless Giant The Age of Limitsthe 1970s___________________________________________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 30 Vietnamization Kent State Paris Peace Talks Dtente Watergate Camp David Accords SALT I and II Iran Hostage Crisis Stagflation Theme: The Presidency of Richard Nixon and an America on the ropes

American Conservatism and New Challenges1980-2001____________________________ Readings: Content: Divine and Breen, Chapter 31 Southern Strategy (Nixon) Reganomics The end of the Cold War President Clinton New Focus on Race Relations Impeachment Political Crisis of the Election of 2000 9/11 Theme: Continuity and change in a post war world dealing with new enemies and the challenges of the 21 Century

Return this entire signed portion As a part of the curriculum there will be times we watch films or looking at readings for mature audiences (language and some violence). Please sign below stating which option you would prefer for your child. If you have questions please contact Mr. Simmers via email or phone. ______Yes, I give my child _______________________________ permission to use mature materials in their US History class. ______No, I would like my student___________________________ to be provided with alternative assignments. Parent Signature __________________________________________ Date____________________ Please sign below to acknowledge receipt and understanding of this syllabus. Please provide the following information:

Each Unit will consist of reading, vocabulary, writing assignments (large and small), projects (large and small), reading notes, film studies, and in class assignments. Please remember, refer to my website www.jsimmersapush.pbworks.com often as it will help you navigate your way through this course.

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