Page 31 - Collins Hill Advanced Placement Handbook

AP US HISTORY

Description: AP United States History focuses on developing students’ abilities to think
conceptually about U.S. History from development of Native American society to present while
applying historical thinking skills as they learn about the past. AP Students will explore American
& National Identity, Migration and Settlement, Politics and Power, Work, Exchange, and
Technology, America in the World, Geography and Environment, and Society and Culture while
experiencing historical inquiry for investigation through the course. These require students to
reason historically about continuity and change over time, causation, and comparisons among
various historical developments in different times and places.

Skills for Success: Students are expected to be engaged in class with regard to the following:
actively taking notes, participating in class discussions, posing questions about course material
and keeping pace with course readings. Students should also have highly developed reading and
writing skills, which are essential to success in the course.

Academic Suitability: AP World History is not prerequisite for AP United States History.
However, students wishing to move to AP US History from Honors World History should have
earned an A average in each semester. In addition, have developing writing skills as this will be
vital for success in the AP Exam.

Out of Class Commitments: Students should expect to dedicate 30-40 minutes each night
reviewing key concept importance and connection to the “larger” impact to their lives, America,
and the world.

Summer Work: Writing skill developments over SAQs, LEQs, and DBQs-Heimler’s History for a
point of reference.

Contact: Alex.Lowe@gcpsk12.org or Ray.Gormally@gcpsk12.org