Walsh 1

Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH)

2016-2017
Randolph High School
Ms. Walsh
Room 271
walshc@randolph.k12.ma.us
Class website: www.historywalsh.weebly.com
(781)961-6220 x271

Contact Information:
I am always willing to offer whatever type of help I am able to via email, but please be aware that I tend to fall
asleep early. Thus, if you email me after 9 pm the night before an assignment is due, you will probably not receive a
response until about 6 the next morning.
"If you know history, you know that there is no such thing as a self-made man or self-made woman. We are shaped by people we have
never met. Yes, reading history will make you a better citizen and more appreciative of the law, and of freedom, and of how the economy
works or doesn't work, but it is also an immense pleasurethe way art is, or music is, or poetry is. And it's never stale." -David
McCullough

Course Overview:
AP U.S. History is a demanding introduction to American history and culture that assumes a high level of interest
and competence. This course is similar to a first-year college course; students should expect that the workload will
be heavier than most regular high school history courses. The analytical thinking, writing, and reading skills that
students develop in AP U.S. History will equip them for college and lifelong learning.
In order to succeed, students need both to be motivated to study and to be able to keep up with the demands of a
college-level course. By taking the AP Exam at the end of the course, students have the opportunity to demonstrate
that they have, indeed, learned college-level material and are prepared to enter advanced college courses.

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AP U.S. History integrates political, social, economic, cultural, diplomatic, and intellectual history in order
to convey the experiences of particular groups within the broader perspective of the American past. At the same
time, it connects events and issues from the past to the concerns of the present. History shows Americans
continuously adapting to new developments as they shape the world in which they live. Often, ordinary Americans
from a diverse range of backgrounds are thrust into extraordinary circumstances and the result is an exciting study
in the "American experiment." As students study this long-term process, they will also encounter the unexpected -unique events, unintended outcomes, and singular individuals.
In general, the first semester will begin with early colonization in the 1500s and 1600s and end with World War I.
The second semester will cover the period from the 1920s to the present. In addition to the historical content the
AP course will also train students to analyze and interpret historical documents, assess the validity of historical
propositions, and build an effective argument. It is desirable to practice writing skills frequently in order to prepare
students for the free response section of the examination. The coursework has to be completed by the end of April
to allow time for a review of material for the AP U.S. History Exam in early May. This years exam is on May 5,
2017.
While studying the events, people, and ideas between the years of 1491 and the present, our class will examine then
through the lens of the following questions:
What factors bring people together and what drive them apart?
When is Progress worth the sacrifice it takes to get it?
How does our country work? And is this the best way?
What is an American?
How has history helped shape my identity?
Course Objectives:
AP U. S. HISTORY IS DESIGNED TO DRAW UPON AND STRENGTHEN THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:
READING SKILLS

Identifying the argument.

Restating major ideas in concise form.
Asking intelligent questions.
Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant material.
Distinguishing between fact and opinion.
Evaluating the credibility of different views.
Altering reading approaches to a variety of purposes: skimming, reading for main ideas, factual mastery.
Using what you already know to help you comprehend new material.
Using new material to challenge and modify what you already know.
Recognizing bias.
Making inferences and drawing conclusions

WRITING SKILLS
Be able to write an effective and well-organized essay that includes:

an introductory paragraph
a thesis statement
body paragraphs with topic sentences
a concluding paragraph, and
citations and a Works Cited page.

Be able to write for different purposes, including:

Walsh 3

to analyze,
to synthesize,
to compare and contrast, and
to support conclusions and persuade your reader of the validity of your thesis.

ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION SKILLS

Be able to analyze and interpret material in the following forms:
Charts and graphs
Historical atlases
Art and literature

Maps and map symbols

Political cartoons
Visual materials

MISCELLANEOUS SKILLS

Utilizing library and Internet resources

Forming and defending opinions based upon evidence
Mastering large amounts of information for presentation on an examination or in a paper
Effectively communicating ideas orally
Recognizing recurring themes
Effectively organizing a notebook

.
Projects & Tests:
At the end of each time period (see pacing guide for periods and dates), you will be required to complete a
unit test and/or a culminating essay. There may be additional assessments scattered throughout the unit so as to
break up the content material and hopefully boost your term grade. These count as assessment grades, which are
40% of your term grade. I offer the chance to correct your tests for up to half of the credit that you had taken off;
you will have to work hard to get that credit back and show that you have mastered the content and skills of that
unit.
Grade:

Your grade for each term will be based on the following categories and their accompanying weights*:
Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, Projects, and Essays): 40%
Participation: 20%
Classwork: 25%
Homework: 15%
*NOTE: These percentages are subject to change; those changes, if they do occur, will be clearly
communicated to you.

Late Work Policy:

For major assignments AND homework, all late work will lose 10% of the final grade per day that it is late.
Therefore, if you pass in an assignment and receive a 100%, but it is one day late, your final grade will be a 90%. If
it is two days late, your final grade for the project would be an 80%, and so on.
If you are absent, I expect you to take the initiative to come before or after school to make special
arrangements with me, which includes agreeing on a due date for the missed assignments. If possible, you can
always email me while you are out of school to get the assignments as well.

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Study Groups:
I encourage you to form study groups. I think you will find it very helpful to work on discussion questions and
review for tests with fellow students. The amount of daily reading and related assignments will be consistent
throughout the year. However, you will probably need to adjust to the workload during the first few weeks of
school. You may find this particularly true if this is your first AP class. Sharing this experience with a study group
will, most likely, make the adjustment period easier.
Supplies:
In order to complete any of the various types of assignments that are assigned for this course, you will need the
following supplies1:
Binder: Obtain a "heavy duty" binder, preferably one that has "locking" tabs. You may want to buy just one
binder to use all year (2 or more), or you may decide to buy one for each quarter (around 1).
This will help to organize class materials, which will help you study for the semester and AP exams.
Binder Dividers
Loose-leaf white lined paper
Pencils
Pens (blue or black ballpoint)
1 set of colored pencils (optional)
Flash Drive for saving documents in the computer lab (optional)
Your own email address to communicate with me and save work (and pick a password that you will
remember easily! )
Key Course Texts:
Throughout this course you will be accessing content knowledge and cultivating skills by reading various
primary and secondary source documents, as well as watching video clips.
Textbook: Give Me Liberty.
o This set of textbooks is brand-new, and thus you will be required to COVER the book to
keep its condition intact.
o You will mainly need the textbook for homework and I will let you know if you need to bring it into
class on a particular day.
Technology:
This course will use a variety of technological resources that you will use to access and turn in assignments
and get text reminders about assignments. You will create your log-in information and to learn to use each website
during the first week of class.

Class webpage: This website is the easiest way for students and parents to keep up with what we are doing
in class each day. I can post daily classwork and homework assignments, which can certainly help for when
you are out of class. You may also email me with any questions regarding missing assignments.
Class webpage link: www.historywalsh.weebly.com

Remind 101: Remind 101 is a service that allows me to send you reminders via text message. [If you dont
have texting service, you may also receive the alerts via e-mail.]

If you have any trouble supplying the following materials due to family or financial hardship, please speak to me
outside of class before they are due.

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Plagiarism:
Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated, per the guidelines of the Randolph High School Student
Handbook. Assignments that are plagiarism will automatically no credit and may result in disciplinary action with an
administrator.
Extra Credit:
I offer multiple forms of extra credit that have to do with assessment grades, which comprise a large
fraction of your term grade.
1. Review Session: I will try to hold an after school study session prior to a unit test. You can earn extra
credit by attending these study sessions and actively participating within them. The credit will be the
equivalent of an extra 5% on your test.
2. Test Retakes: After I have returned tests and quizzes, there will be the opportunity to come after
school on an assigned day to take a new version of the test for up to half credit. I will average the two
scores for a new grade.
3. Essay Rewrites: After I have returned in-class essays, there will be the opportunity to essay rewrites.
Rewrites are due two days after the essay is returned, unless otherwise indicated. You may see me before
or after school for more detailed feedback and advice on your writing.
4. Other opportunities: I may offer extra credit at additional times per my discretion. Please remember
this is EXTRA credit, and not meant to take the place of coming to class and doing all work assigned.
Extra Help:
If you are having any types of confusion, whether big or small, please let me know as soon as possible. We
will work together to clarify any points of confusion.
My after school days are Monday and Wednesday from 2:15-3:30, and I am available most other days after
and before school by appointment. Please be sure to give me a heads-up as to when youll be coming to extra help,
and what topic/material youre having trouble with. Furthermore, if you just want to have a relaxed place to do
homework after school, my door is always open.
Classroom Behavior Expectations
RESPECT all people, objects, and opinions in Rm 271
o This means no...
Insults/profanity
Roughhousing
Phones/iPods
Food
Defacing desks, books, tables, walls
Throwing projectiles
Interrupting others who are speaking
Arrive ON TIME
o This means you are in the room before I close my door.
o If you are late you must have a pass from another teacher.
Come PREPARED
o This means
Bring your binder every day
Bring a pen to write with

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Be KIND
o This means be polite toward all members of our classroom community and do not fight. If there is
an issue, talk to me and we can work it out.
Try it out & do your BEST
o This means I will not accept a refusal to do work in this class.
o Your success is important to me, and I will not allow you to jeopardize your own future because of
dawdling or laziness. I am here to support you.

What will happen to me if I CHOOSE to break a rule?

FIRST you will receive a warning (except for tardiness)
SECOND you will receive a detention:
o Lateness & Food = 15 mins
o Vandalism = 20 mins
o Behavior = 30 mins
PHONES are prohibited in class at all times and breaking that rule is subject to the school-wide code of
discipline.
For a serious offense, or if its in the best interest of the class that someone be removed, you will be sent
to the office. You will still have to serve detention with me.
In closing, I would like to emphasize that I look forward to forming relationships with each and every one of
you, and cultivating a classroom community within Room 271. I intend to hold you all to high standards and
expectations, while providing support to help you reach and even surpass your goals. Your success is very
important to me and I aim to listen, guide, and support you to the best of my ability.

Ms. Walsh

Continue to next sheet to sign that you have read the expectations

Ms. Walsh
AP US History
Randolph High School
walshc@randolph.k12.ma.us

Walsh 7
DUE DATE:
Tuesday September 6, 2016
NOTE: You will also need to bring your supplies
(especially a binder and paper) for class on Tuesday.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS RECEIPT

STUDENTS: After youre read through the Syllabus with me and clarified any questions, please go through this
syllabus with your parents and then sign the following statement. You only need to return this last page; please keep a
copy of this syllabus in your binder.*This counts as a Homework grade!*
Student:
I, [print name] _____________________________________________, have read the
course expectations with my parent/guardian and acknowledge that I understand what I will be accountable for in
Advanced Placement US History during the 16-17 school year.
I have read the Classroom Behavior Expectations and understand the rules of Room 271 and the consequences for
choosing to break a rule.
Signature: ____________________________________________ Date:________
PARENTS: Please sign the following statement and return it to school with your student by Tuesday
September 6, 2016.
Parent/Guardian:
I, [print parent/guardian name]____________________________________________,
have read the course expectations and acknowledge that I understand what my child will be accountable for in
Advanced Placement US History during the16-17 school year.
I have read the Classroom Behavior Expectations and understand the rules of Room 271 and the consequences for
choosing to break a rule.
Signature: ____________________________________________ Date:________
Relationship to Student: _______________________________________________
E-mail (please print): ________________________________________________________
Best Phone Number(s) By Which to Reach You During the Day (i.e., between noon and 4 pm):

_____________________________________________________
If you have any questions, please email me at walshc@randolph.k12.ma.us or call me by phone: (781)961-6220 x271.