| Peter Brown | Office: A239 |
| (650) 330-2001ext. 2238 | Free Periods: D, E, G |
APUSH Course Outline
Advanced Placement United States History
2004-2005
"History is much more complex than the pap they feed you in school. Think of it as an onion. The outer, tough brown surface is the outline narrative we are all familiar with--what Voltaire called 'the lie agreed upon.' To get to the inner, fragrantly human layers of the onion, you sometimes have to peel. It takes time and thought, and most people don't botherÉbut it is an exercise that should be tried at least once."
-- Neil Steinberg
This course covers American history from the European encounter with the New World to the present. It emphasizes political, social, economic and diplomatic history as well as trends in American culture and religion. It emphasizes political, social, economic and diplomatic history as well as trends in American culture and religion. We will consider questions such as the following: What is the relationship between the individual and the Constitution, the people, and the government? What does it mean to be a US citizen? What conflicts are there between capitalism and democracy? How do we define "equality?" To what extent has the US’s role in world affairs been a positive one? Has the American Dream been myth or reality and how has it changed over time? When did racism begin, what is it, and how has it changed over the years?
Having chosen to take the Advanced Placement section of the course, you need to keep in mind what this entails. First of all, you will read more and read it faster than in regular U.S. History. We have to make it through a two-volume textbook in two semesters and we have to cover the material thoroughly. Any way you cut it this means a chapter a week, every week, for a year--sometimes in conjunction with major independent research projects. Secondly, by taking this class you are agreeing to take the APUSH exam on May 6, 2005. The exam emphasizes test-taking under time pressure and the mastery of analytic and interpretive skills in reading and writing. We will spend considerable time honing these skills during the year. They don't come easily. You will have to work hard at them; but once acquired they are yours for life.
The whole point of an AP class is to give you the opportunity to do college-level work. I hope it proves an exciting and enriching intellectual experience for you. In return you need to commit to a college-level workload and bring a college-level attitude to class. This means completing all reading assignments on time, bringing the reading with you to class, and coming prepared with your own opinions and questions about the reading. It also means, when the need arises, taking on the extra responsibility of arranging tutorial meetings with me.
Alger, Ragged Dick and Other Stories
Brinkley, American History: A Survey (11th edition)
Fletcher: Cherokee Removal: A Brief History with Documents
Rampolla, Pocket Guide to Writing in History
Schulman: LBJ and American Liberalism: A Brief History with Documents
Tulp, Essentials of United States History
Other Readings TBA
Assorted documents and handouts to be distributed in class
Supplies
3-ring binder for storing class notes, reading notes, and handouts.
Bring this binder, with a supply of writing paper or spiral notebook, to every class.
Your grade will be based on attendance and class participation, quizzes, tests, papers, research projects and exams. These will be weighted as follows:
| Attendance and participation | 10% |
| Preparation | 10% |
| Tests, Papers, and Projects | 55% |
| Comprehensive Exam (first semester) / Research Paper (second semester) | 25% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Improvement will be rewarded: you can do poorly at the beginning and still do well in the class. Make-ups and extensions are negotiable as long as you take the responsibility to come see me before the day that work is due. The further in advance you talk to me the more reasonable I will be.
If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out about and making up missed work. Papers are to be typed, using double-spacing and a 12-point typeface.
Plagiarism, or the uncited use of another personŐs work or ideas so that they are assumed to be your own, is a serious violation of Menlo School and class norms.
Class Expectations
You are expected to come to class on time and to participate in an open manner. Participate actively in class discussions and activities. Historians often disagree: it is very important when participating to be able to articulate your own views while listening to and respecting the views of those with whom you disagree.