I am looking forward to a challenging but invigorating year exploring the history of the United States. The work level and load of this class is significantly greater than that of the regular U.S. History course because this course is taught at the college level. The reading for this class is extensive; you will read approximately 40 pages each week in your text (The Enduring Vision) as well as outside reading from selected books and documents. There will be at least 1, frequently 2, papers each month with multiple drafts of each submitted for a grade. In addition, indexed on the web page and on a CD that you may check out with me are multiple sets of practice multiple choice questions that simulate that portion of the exam.

As a culmination to this course you will take the Advanced Placement exam in May, therefore much of what we do this year will prepare you for the major components of that exam. The exam is divided into three parts: 1) 80 multiple choice questions, 2) 2 free response essays, and 3) a document-based essay (DBQ)

• Regular and prompt attendance is expected. Missing class activities will impede your understanding of the course material. The class experience and discussion cannot be recreated. We move at a fast pace (after all we need to study from 1603 to the 1980s by the beginning of May!); if you miss class you will get lost!
• All papers can be rewritten as many times as you choose but all revisions must be submitted prior to the last week of the quarter.
• Rewrites will not be accepted without all prior drafts included.
• Conferences are highly recommended. I am happy to meet with you individually to discuss writing issues you may have or clarify content that is confusing you. There is a weekly calendar on the door for your scheduling convenience. Sign up whenever we are mutually free.
• Late work will be penalized a letter grade per day. Once the value of an assignment has dropped to a 50 that is the highest grade you can earn, but I will accept the work until the last week of the quarter. Better late than never! If extenuating circumstances are impeding your ability to do work on time I need to be made aware of them in advance (or as soon as possible) so we can discuss whether there are alternatives for you.
• If the first draft of a paper is late, you forfeit the rewrite option
• Grades are calculated on a total point system. The number of points you earn each quarter, divided by the total possible number of points is your average. Major papers are worth 100 points.
• Use the text for its strengths; it is an excellent secondary source and encyclopedic reference.
• You may make up work from any missed classes unless you cut class; in this case you receive a zero for any work due or collected that day.
• I strongly recommend you purchase an A.P. review book. REA has been the most popular version in recent years. The standard recommendation is that you begin reviewing 6 weeks prior to the exam. We will stop learning new content and begin our in class review 2 weeks prior to the exam.

THE BEAT GOES ON: Life outside of A.P.

Most importantly, please remember that there is and should be life outside of A.P. for you and for me. This class is demanding and at times difficult; if you find that your other courses are suffering or that your are suffering we need to remedy that. Choosing not to take this course, or, if you are a junior, waiting until next year to take it, is not an admission of failure or incompetence. Simply, it is recognition of the need to prioritize the abundant demands on all of our limited time and energy.