AP United States History s8

AP United States History

Course Syllabus

Matt Gardner

Lexington High School

Lexington, MA 02421

Tindall, George Brown and Emory, David. America: A Narrative History. Seventh Edition. New York, NY. 2007.

Unit 1 – Pre-Colombian to 1776 (13 Days)

Thousands of nations inhabited the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans. Malthusian traps snare European and Native tribes alike as land becomes increasingly scarce. Powerful ideas present both incredible potential and wanton destruction.

Day 12 - Resistance to Britain

Unit 2 – American Revolution to War of 1812 (22 Days)

From the start of the Revolutionary war, American colonies confront decisions as to how they will form their nation. A battle of ideas is waged from within that continues well into the formation of these United States. Regional divides threaten to tear the fledgling nation apart as old conflicts grow in strength.

Day 7-The Greatest Educational Video Ever Made

Unit 3 – Era of Good Feelings to Reconstruction (23 Days)

With the end of the War of 1812, these United States find themselves more connected than ever before. The transportation and market revolutions spur greater interconnectedness. Political divisiveness builds parallel to rapid expansionism. Irreconcilable differences lead to the violent separation of these once United States. Only after great human cost and sacrifice do the states become united once more.

Unit 4 – New South to Machine Political Corruption (15 Days)

The end of the peculiar institution creates hope for many African Americans, as freed slaves reunite with family and gain the freedom to control this basic aspect of their lives. Rights promised by the United States government prove illusory to many as political gears start spinning without teeth. Big business booms, railroads expand, and the United States’ destiny becomes manifest. Grassroots movements sweep regions of the country as the masses vie for their survival.

Unit 5 – Populism to Roaring Twenties (15 Days)

Seeds of great change sprout as intellectuals push papers on street corners. Champions of “progress” try to improve the country to match their ideals. American industries boom as the United States becomes a global imperial power. As the United States enters the 20th century, it forcefully finds its place on the global stage while marginalized groups within push for their piece of the spotlight.

Unit 6 – Great Depression to start of Cold War (15 Days)

Financial structures fail while farmers’ soil cracks and black blizzards fill the sky. Hope comes with new perceptions of the role of government and renewal of the social contract. Expanded federal government roles come with the claim of action for the common good.

Unit 7 – Civil Rights movement to Conservative Ascendency (10 Days)

Looming fear of destruction juxtaposes against a time of growing, unparalleled prosperity. Organizations in support of rights for marginalized groups gain legal support, pushing the advantages afforded to postwar America towards those often denied fundamental rights. The tedious balance between safely keeping recent gains while providing positive change becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.

In every unit, students can expect each of the following components:

Daily Lesson Types:

-Primary Source investigations

-Structured Academic Controversies

-Socratic Seminars

-Data Analysis

-Source Analysis

-Collaborative Debates

-Modified Reenactments

-Strategic Decision Making

-Argument organization modeling

AP Style Assessment Types:

-Data Based Question Essays or Free Response Question Essays

-A Quiz consisting of 30 multiple choice questions and the outlining of either a DBQ or the outlining of an FRQ

-A test consisting of 45 multiple choice questions and a written response question.

Additional Homework Assessment Types:

-Reading

-Source based questions

-Research based projects

-Research based writing