AP US History
AP US History, or APUSH, is a yearlong U.S. history course taken in junior year. Juniors must take either APUSH, U.S. History, or U.S. History Social Justice.
| Department | Social Studies |
|---|---|
| Length | Year |
| Weight | Weighted |
| Teacher(s) | Mr. Johnson, Ms. Howard |
Course Catalog Description
This course provides an in-depth survey of US History, including intellectual, political, cultural, social, and diplomatic history. The class format focuses on writing and large and small group discussions, as well as lectures and primary source analysis. It also includes independent research, debates, and guest speakers. In addition to the text, each student will read a variety of books on historical topics and issues. Students are encouraged to take the AP test in May for college credit. Summer reading is expected.
• Homework Expectation: Approximately 5 hours per week (with possibly more in the 3 weeks before the AP test)
Structure
This class is largely structured around its textbook, which goes through American history in chronological order starting from the arrival of Europeans on the continent. Students are responsible for reading the textbook and encouraged at the beginning of the year to take handwritten notes, though this is ignored by many. Additionally, teachers give more in-depth lectures on the content and students complete historical analysis activities in a workbook.
Each semester there is a final, two midterms, two Supplemental Reading Reviews, and a large group project. There are also smaller projects which are completed in a week or less. There is a reading quiz every 2-4 chapters, but the scores are not factored into students' course grades.
- Supplemental Reading Reviews — students read an outside source on American history and write an essay analyzing the content and the source's quality and reliability.
- Antebellum Project — semester 1 final project. Very loosely defined, but is generally an audio-form group project about 1820-1865 American culture. Students may choose to write and record a fictional podcast, audio-form advice column, radio show, etc.
- Museum Project — semester 2 final project. Worked on from the week of the AP test to the end of the year. In groups, students choose a niche historical topic and design a large museum exhibit based around it.
- Other projects — Revolution discussion board, political cartoon, paper-slides video, etc.
Should I sign up for this class?
According to the APUSH welcome letter,
Extrinsic motivation (you want your transcript to look good, you have always taken honors courses, your parents want you to take AP, etc) will not sustain you through this year of hard work. Intrinsic motivation (you really love history, have a passion for learning new things, you love reading and thinking analytically, and have the drive and dedication to be a successful student) is a powerful factor of success for students in APUSH.[1]
This course has started to use evidence-based grading as well, which has had mixed effects on the difficulty of the course. Multiple-choice tests have become easier, as now only a 76% is required to be proficient, but projects have now gotten harder due to the stricter standards. However, Ms. Howard is still considered a stricter grader in the new grading system. Conversely, EBG also allows all assignments to be revised in APUSH, making it easier for students to improve their grades. It is highly recommended that you review APUSH's grading system before signing up for the class.