Course Information for 2007-2008 Advanced Placement European History

Course Information:  

First remember that even though the course is challenging, thousands of sophomores, juniors, and seniors take it across the country and successfully pass the National Exam. 

AP Euro is a course which is designed to prepare you to take the College Board's Advanced Placement Modern European History Exam.  This year's test date is Friday May 9th in the afternoon slot.  You will not be finished by 3:15 and should plan on having someone pick you up when the test is over if you do not drive.  This is a national curriculum with specific objectives geared toward the test.  Students should follow the Course Description and Exam links off the AP Euro main page on my website to the College Board's site for specific information on the curriculum and test.  Students must be prepared to do a significant amount of reading to do well in the class and on the AP Exam in May.  Skimming and last minute cramming may get you past the daily quizzes but will not help you much on the class tests or the May exam.  There is a direct correlation between how well a student does on the AP Exam and how much a student reads and takes part in class discussion.  Because the end goal of the course is the AP Exam, we cannot slow down.  If a student gets behind, he or she must make the time to catch up, assignments will not be delayed or the schedule changed.  I have tried to provide a list of helpful links to sites on my website for each unit that we will study.  Students are encouraged to explore these sites to reinforce material covered in class.  I have also provided links to numerous websites created by other AP Euro teachers who have much to offer in the way of review materials, practice DBQs, tests etc.  I have also created a discussion board on our blackboard site for your use.  Use of this site will be monitored by me and you will lose access if you are doing anything there other than helping each other with this course.

As the course is aimed at preparing for the National Exam time limits on tests and quizzes will be enforced so that students will be ready for the limits imposed on the exam.  These limits are similar to the time given in most college classrooms.  Students will not be given extra time unless they have a diagnosis on file with the school of a disability that would allow them to receive extra time on the National Exam.  Students who have such a diagnosis should see me ASAP to set up after school and before school quiz and test times.

Not all students are ready for a college level course while still in high school.  It requires usually 5-7 hours a week worth of work which is an hour a day just on this one class.  Students have to be mature enough to set goals, use long range plans, manage their time, and prioritize their lives.   If you feel completely overwhelmed and unable to keep up it is important that you tell me as soon as possible so that the switch to a non-AP history course can be made as smoothly as possible.

Classroom Rules:
This is an AP class and should not require a long list of rules.  Respect yourself, each other, me, and the things that I have in the room.  A few basic things that I insist on are:

-All school rules apply in my classroom including the uniform code, make sure you are in compliance with the uniform code before you enter my room.
-No eating or drinking anything but bottled water in my classroom.  This includes candy, gum, etc.  (obviously if we do food related activities as a class then the rule is waived for that day).  First Bell of the Day Exception: You may have Quiet Food!!!
-No sleeping in my class, don't even put your head down on your desk or I'll assume you're half asleep.
-Be in your seat when the bell rings. If you aren't there when I give out the quiz then you get a 0 unless you have a tardy slip signed by a teacher or the office.
-When using the computers you must be doing what you are supposed to, any excursions to e-mail or other sites will mean loss of computer privileges.

Course Texts:

The required and supplemental texts are provided by the school. 

The suggested text will not be used in class and it is up to you to decide whether or not you need another study aide.  There are many AP test prep books on the market.  I

Required Texts:

Hunt, Lynn et al.  The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures.   Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005. 

Katherine Lualdi.  Primary source reader for the Hunt book. Both volumes

Carol Strickland The Annotated Mona Lisa

Annual Editions. Western Civilization II.  Secondary source reader.

Historical Atlas

Supplemental Text:

Study Guide for The Making of the West

Dr. Sanderson's CD-ROM

Suggested Text:
 

It is highly recommended that student's purchase the textbook so that they can read actively by underlining, highlighting, and doing marginal notes.  This year's book will be the SECOND EDITION of the the textbook.  So you may want to consider purchasing used copies from college students who didn't highlight in their books.  You'd be amazed how many of them don't even really open them.  See purchasing info below.  BUT REMEMBER, you purchase at your own risk, I cannot control obviously people sending you the wrong edition or wrong volume so be careful when you order.

MAKE SURE YOU DISCUSS WITH YOUR PARENTS THE COST OF THE TEXTBOOK BEFORE YOU START MARKING IT UP.

If you wish to purchase your textbook so that you can mark it up and are looking for used copies here is the information that you need.  Make absolutely sure you are getting the SECOND EDITION.

Option 1: purchase The Making of the West Volume B (chapters 13-21)  and The Making of the West Volume C (chapters 20-30) These are softcover and you would only need to carry around a 10 chapter book with you.  Any bookstore can order them for you  or you could try half.com or amazon.com for used copies but don't get ones that have already been highlighted a lot.  MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING THE SECOND EDITION AND NOT the 2001 first edition.

Option 2: purchase The Making of the West Volume II (chapters 15-30)  This would mean you would have to use the school textbook for the first 2 chapters and would not be able to mark in them and then you could use the softcover volume II for the other 15 chapters and mark it up.  This is the cheaper option but a slightly heavier volume and you can't use it for the first 2 chapters.  MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING THE SECOND EDITION AND NOT the 2001 first edition.

Course Materials:
**STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED to bring their current unit binder to class.

Number 2 pencils for the daily reading quizzes
Pens and looseleaf paper for taking notes
2 large 3 ring Binders with dividers (the second one is for the second semester)
1 small binder to carry your current unit work to school with you

Course Grading: (changes depending on the quarter,  the fourth quarter in particular is drastically different as half of it falls after the national exam)

First Quarter:

50% Tests

20% Quizzes

15% Homework

15% Active Vocal Participation