Advanced Placement US History

AP® U.S. History covers American history from Pre-Columbian to the present. Class participation through discussions, Powerpoint® presentations, group activities and role-playing activities is required; special emphasis is placed on critical reading and essay writing to help students prepare for the AP examination. The course is structured chronologically, with a thematic approach. There are 16 units designed to meet State required competencies and AP® required themes.

Students will be taught the skills necessary to prepare for writing free response essay questions with particular emphasis on working with document-based questions. Some of the areas of focus will be learning to analyze the question, focusing on the time period, and answering the question that is asked.  Students will be provided rubrics to be used in the grading of the essays. Grading is based on daily homework, projects, multiple-choice tests and essays. Students will also be taught the skills necessary to prepare for the multiple choice section of the AP® exam; which, in turn, will prepare them for the State Subject Area Test.

Competencies mandated by the State Department of Education

• Explain how politics have influenced the domestic development and international relationships of the United States.
• Describe the impact of science and technology on the historical development of the United States.
• Describe the relationship of people, places and environments through time.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply and interpret social studies tools.
• Analyze the civic contributions and responsibilities of Americans to the ongoing democratic process.
• Examine the interaction of society, business, and government with the economy of the United States.

Course Themes

• Work, exchange, technology
• Identity
• Ideas, beliefs, and culture
• America in the World
• Environment and geography
• Politics and power
• Peopling