Advanced Placement World History – Course Overview
2011-2012
Becky McLaughlin
What is AP World History?
AP World History is a two-semester course designed to give students with high interest, ability, and demonstrated work ethic, an opportunity for a special college level learning experience. Students that take the national exam at the end of the year, also have the possibility of earning college credit. AP World History will give students the background and preparation that will prove beneficial in a wide range of college courses.
For students to achieve success in this class they must have self-discipline and possess the determination to master a large body of knowledge and a particular style of writing. The workload of this class is extremely rigorous but not unmanageable. In order to maximize the quality of your experience, it is necessary that you put forth an honest effort on a daily basis. Students must learn effective time management strategies in order to stay on-pace with this class, other subjects, and extracurricular activities. Students must utilize good study habits, prepare for class as instructed and be ready for a challenge. Treating fellow classmates with dignity and respect is also essential to success in this class.
Requirements
1. Students need to be willing and able – “willing” to be motivated to study and learn on the college level and “able” to keep up with the course because it moves rapidly and covers a lot of ground.
2. Read Traditions and Encounters (3rd Edition), supplemental readings, complete writing assignments, take the exams and complete homework reading assignments and take their OWN reading notes over assigned readings.
3. Students are strongly encouraged to have a notebook and folder to organize their notes and handouts.
Tests/Papers
Your summative grades will come from tests and papers. Tests will mainly be multiple-choice with some essay questions. We will work on three different types of writing in preparation for the AP Exam. There will be three major writing assignments throughout the year. We will also have shorter writing assignments as we develop our skills. Tests will remain the property of Mrs. McLaughlin. For some students it will be necessary to arrange an individual meeting with Mrs. McLaughlin in order to diagnose problems and develop writing strategies. Tests (and quizzes) missed due to an excused absence can be made up only by appointment with Mrs. McLaughlin. These should also be made up in a timely manner and are the responsibility of the student to schedule.
Homework Assignments:
There will be almost daily reading assignments. Students are expected to complete the daily reading assignments before class. Students will take their own reading notes. They will also take reading quizzes, and complete written homework when assigned. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check with a classmate and/or Mrs. McLaughlin to see what you missed.
Outside Assistance
I will be available for assistance outside of class time in room 109 by appointment.
Class Policies
1. Be in class on time. The LHS tardy policy will be followed at all times.
2. Follow these additional classroom procedures and rules.
• Come to class with all materials — notebook, paper, assignments, book, and a pen is
required on all work.
• Students must have a pass to leave the classroom at any time.
• Treat everyone with respect. Inappropriate behavior, language or actions will not be
tolerated. This is a college level course and the students will be treated as such.
• Complete all assignments and makeup work.
• Students will be held accountable for all school and district policies including those pertaining to dress code, ID badges, cell phones, tardies, etc. in this room.
3. Uphold the standards for Academic Integrity. (Refer to your student handbook.)
Academic Integrity is a set of attitudes and a pattern of actions that describe how students learn. Students are expected to learn and demonstrate academic integrity in all their classes and learning in preparation for post-high school education and career development. Students who learn with academic integrity:
• put forth their best effort in preparation for all assignments and class activities;
• turn in work that represents their own best and original thinking;
• credit the words and ideas of others and cite the sources appropriately;
• do not turn in work that has been copied or downloaded from the Internet without
crediting the source;
• respect the counsel of teachers who make suggestions for improvements;
• do not take shortcuts in learning, such as copying other’s reading notes or homework;
• resist the temptation to cheat;
• expect their peers to uphold these same standards of academic integrity;
• do not give or receive aid on tests or assignments that results in credit with no learning.
(source Pat Kohl, Southeast High School)
What is Plagiarism?
Do not use quotes or ideas from any source without citing them as a source. If you use a source’s exact language, use quotes and cite the source. When you paraphrase (which means using your own words, not just changing a few words in their writing), cite the source. If you use language and/or ideas without giving credit, that means you plagiarized,
On the Internet. Students are not to copy or paste information or phrases taken directly from Internet sources, without giving credit to the sources.
Students who violate any of the standards for Academic Integrity as they apply to Mrs. McLaughlin’s class may be subject to one or more of the following consequences at the discretion of the teacher:
• informing the student they appear to be cheating, and to adjust their behavior;
• documentation of the incident may be sent to your parents/guardians, department chair,
your counselor, and/or a building administrator;
• being required to do a different assignment, test, or project
Once you have read and understand the information in this handout, please sign and return this page to Mrs. McLaughlin. If you have any questions, please contact me at rmclaug2@lps.org or 436-1301.
Student Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ____________
(My signature indicates that I have read and understand the course requirements and student responsibilities for Mrs. McLaughlin’s AP World History course.)
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________
(My signature indicates that I have read and understand the course requirements and student responsibilities for Mrs. McLaughlin’s AP World History course.)
(Thanks to Pat Kohl at Lincoln Southeast High School for allowing me to copy and adapt her contract for use in my AP World History class.)