AP European History Syllabus 2011-12

Mr. Oswald
B.A. History & Secondary Ed. Certification from the University of St. Francis
M.A. Educational Administration from Governors State University
815.774.7400 ext.46085
poswald@jths.org
http://poswaldjths.blogspot.com/

Texts:
McKay, A History of Western Society; 8th ed.
Sherman, Western Civilization: Images and Interpretations

Materials: The following items will need to be brought to class each day:

Textbook
Three-Ring Binder
Paper (loose leaf or spiral)
Pencil or Pen
Academic Planner

Course Expectations:
1. Complete all assigned readings. If you want to do well on the AP exam it is imperative that
you keep up with the reading. There is no way we can cover everything in class. You will be
responsible for some information on your own.
2. The multiple-choice quizzes you will be given for every chapter are made up of AP style
questions. Unit tests will be also be given using material from current and past units. If you
expect to earn a high grade in this course, you must prepare for these tests by completing all
assignments and participating in class.
3. For every unit there will be a project and/or a writing assignment. Most projects will be done
in pairs or groups, but you may have the option of working independently. Some projects will
require class presentations.
4. Late projects or assignments will be worth half credit one day late. Anything after one day will
not be accepted.
5. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up all missed work and to get the notes
from another classmate.
6. Not everything is done “for a grade” but is essential in being successful in this course.

AP Exam:
Since this course prepares students to succeed on the AP exam and is taught with the exam as the
primary focus of the course, I strongly recommend that each and every student decide to take the
exam in May. The success rate for my students in receiving a 3 or higher has been remarkable in
my 9 years teaching the course.

Class Rules:
See attached discipline plan.
Homework Policies:
The majority of the grades in this course will be from exams, quizzes, projects, essays, and
reading comprehension questions. Each semester will have around 1000 points possible with a
few extra credit assignments along the way.

Students will be strongly recommended to take Cornell 6x2x2 notes or something similar for
each reading assignment from the text. Students who complete each set of notes will be allowed
to use those notes on the exams and quizzes. Students who wish not to take notes will not be
penalized but will not have the option of using any supplementary materials on exams or quizzes.

Essentially, students will be responsible for the work that they do or don’t do.

Tardy Policy:
Refer to Student Planner.

Grading Scale:
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 F

Topics covered in this course include:

First Semester
1. The Renaissance (Chapter 13)
2. The Reformation (Chapter 14)
3. The Age of Exploration and Religious Wars (Chapter 15)
4. Absolutism and Constitutionalism (Chapter 16)
5. Eastern Absolutism (Chapter 17)
6. The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment (Chapter 18)
7. Europe in the 18th Century (Chapters 19 & 20)
8. The French Revolution & Napoleon (Chapter 21)

Second Semester
1. The Industrial Revolution (Chapter 22 & 24)
2. Reaction and Revolution 1815-1848 (Chapter 23)
3. Nationalism (Chapter 25)
4. Imperialism (Chapter 26)
5. World War I (Chapter 27)
6. Age of Anxiety (Chapter 28)
7. World War II (Chapter 29)
8. Cold War (Chapter 30 & 31)
AP Exam Review