Trent’s AP European History

course description
AP European History introduces students to the political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, and artistic trends that shaped Europe from 1450
to the present. It is a challenging college-level course that requires you to master historical thinking skills. During the year, you will be provided with
the opportunity to examine primary sources, such as documentary material, pictorial and graphic materials, maps, political cartoons, statistical
tables, and works of art. In addition, you will be provided with exposure to both factual narrative and to the interpretations of European history from
the perspectives of a variety of different writers and historians. Historiography is the history of history. You will be examining how people have
thought about and written about historical events over the course of time. You will also be provided with the opportunity to develop your analytical
and interpretive writing skills, practicing short-answer questions as well as document-based and long-essay questions. Besides the short-answer
questions, you will be writing at least one essay in every unit.
Course weight: 5.0 (on a 4.0 scale) * *To receive weighted credit, a student must take the AP exam in May.

supplies needed: course resources:

1.5 or 2 inch binder
5 dividers with tabs
Notebook paper
Blue or black pens or pencils
A clear and innocent conscience
fears nothing. -Queen Elizabeth I
Textbook: Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization. 10th ed. Boston: Cengage
Learning, 2018.
Primary Source Readers:
Kishlansky, Mark. Sources of the West, Volume 1: From the Beginning to 1715. 8th
ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2011.• Kishlansky, Mark. Sources of
the West, Volume 2: From 1600 to the Present. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Education, 2011.

class expectations consequences: plagiarism:

While students are encouraged
1. Be present! You can’t learn if you aren’t here, in C 1. Verbal Warning to work together & to help each
mind and body. 2. Documented Warning other, cheating will not be
2. Be polite! Everyone deserves respect, so treat tolerated. Plagiarism is defined
3. Phone Call to Parent as but not limited to “taking the
others the way you would like to be treated. ideas/work/writings from
4. Office Referral
3. Be prepared! Come to class with your materials. I another source & offering them
will do my best to teach; you must be ready to learn. 5. Parent-Teacher as your own.” Any student found
Conference committing any type of the
4. Be productive! Use your time in class wisely and above academic dishonesty will
make the most of your time in VBHS. be given a 0 on whatever
assignment was compromised.

*This syllabus is a tentative schedule & proposed method of evaluation which may change depending upon the progress of the class.*

electronic devices:
Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.
Use of interactive technology, e.g. a classroom computer, is allowed only
when it is required for classroom purposes. All cell phones should remain
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in backpacks. Photos or video may not be taken in class without prior
permission.
evaluation course outline
1. Exams: Exams will follow the AP format of multiple choice and
essay. You will have a total of 5 exams: one for each unit and a Fall Semester
semester exam in the fall. There will be tests given by sub-unit. 1. Unit #1: 1450 to 1648
Due to the extensive notice of due dates and upcoming
assignments, students who are absent the class period before an • Ch. 12: The Age of the Renaissance
exam will not be excused from the exam. The student will take the • Ch. 13: Reformation & Religious Warfare
exam as scheduled. Those who miss the exam will only be • Ch. 14: Exploration & Conquest
allowed to retake the exam if his/her absence is excused. (This • Ch. 15, 16, & 17: Absolutism & Enlightenment
policy also applies to notebook checks and quizzes.) Students will
also have the opportunity to retake 1 exam per quarter provided 2. Unit #2: 1648-1750
they are in good standing, i.e., no tardies, no missing work, etc. • Ch. 15, 16, & 17: Absolutism & Enlightenment
2. Daily Work: Students are expected to actively participate in class • Ch. 18: Expansion of Europe
assignments. Homework usually takes the form of reading and/or • Ch. 18: Changing Life of the People
questions. It is imperative, therefore, that you keep up with the • Ch. 19: Revolution in Politics
reading and questions. Each student is responsible for reading *Emphasis on Compare & Contrast Essays, evaluating documents,
the textbook and any other assigned readings. A reading schedule & Document Based Questions
will be posted for each unit. While most of the information from
the textbook and course readings will be discussed thoroughly in
class discussions, some of it gained through independent Spring Semester
learning. Students are responsible for all materials assigned 3. Unit #3: 1815-1914
whether it is discussed in class or not.
• Ch. 20: Industrialization & Its Impact
3. Notebook: Students are required to keep a notebook of their • Ch. 21: Ideologies & Upheaval
work and assignments. You will be required to maintain a binder
• Ch. 22: Nationalism
for AP European History only. This will help you learn
organizational skills and make it easier to fi nd what you need. The • Ch. 23: Life in the Urban Society
binder should be divided into 5 tabs: • Ch. 24: Anxiety & Imperialism
• Tab 1: Syllabus & Current Calendar 4. Unit #4: 1914-Present
• Tab 2: Class Notes
• Tab 3: Classwork & Homework
• Ch. 25: War & Revolution
• Tab 4: Writing Skills • Ch. 26: Between the Wars
• Tab 5: Tests & Review Materials
• Ch. 27: World War II
4. Projects: Students will complete several mini-projects • Ch. 28: The Cold War
throughout the year as well as a fi nal project given after the exam
• Ch. 29 & 30: Post-Cold War World
in May.
*Emphasis on Document Based Questions, & Change &
5. Late Work/Make-up Work: Any assignment turned in late may Continuity Over Time Essays
result in a lower grade. Make-up work must be completed within
the same number of days the student was absent.
6. Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments are not given to students
on an individual basis. contact me:
7. Grading Plan: The semester grade is comprised of using a total
points system. Every assignment, test/quiz, and essay will be
worth some number of points. Homework points are not equal to
test points. At the end of each semester, students will complete a
Danielle Trent

semester exam. Room: N101

Phone: 479.474.6821 Ext. 1703

This course format is set by the College Board. My content-specific syllabus that was
approved and endorsed by the College Board for college credit is available by request. Email: danielle.trent@vbsd.us
AP European History
dear parents and guardians
Welcome to a new school year! I am looking forward to working with your students this year. Please review
and discuss this syllabus with your student. I have very high expectations for all students in my classroom.
Students will be held accountable for their own behavior. To achieve a great and successful year, I will need
your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me using the information on
your copy of the syllabus.
Thank you for your cooperation and input!
Sincerely,
Danielle Trent

I agree that I received a copy of the course syllabus for the class mentioned above. I understand the
course requirements and that I am expected to attend class meetings.

Student Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________

Student Signature: _________________________________________________________________________

Parent Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature: _________________________________________________________________________

Now please tell me a little about your family!

1. Does the student have access to a computer at home? Yes No

2. Does the student have access to the internet at home? Yes No

3. Does the student have access to a printer at home? Yes No

4. Would you like to be added to email updates about AP Euro? Yes No Email:_______________________________

5. Are there any special needs or concerns that I should be aware of?
 History Film Permission Slip

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This class will show films and/or clips from films, some of which include serious and mature material. Some of the clips
may be rated R. I want to reinforce the purpose of these moves as not purely entertainment. The objective is to provide a
clearer understanding and perception of various historical, political, economical, and/or social concepts. Objecting to
watching restricted movies will not impede your child’s academic progress or participation in associated lessons. If you
approve or have any objections to your child viewing such films, please acknowledge and sign below.

Examples of relevant videos and/or movies include:

Amistad (1997), PG-13 Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008), PG-13 Crash Course World History

Downton Abbey (2010), PG Egalité for All Elizabeth (1998), R

Engineering an Empire Evita (1996), PG First Knight (1995), PG-13

Gandhi (1982), PG Gladiator (2000), R Islam: Empire of Faith

John Adams (2008), NR Lagaan (2001), PG Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité

Lost Civilizations Luther (2003), PG-13 Mankind: The Story of All of Us

Master & Commander (2003), PG-13 Marie Antoinette (2006), PG-13 Out of Africa (1985), PG

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), PG The True Story of Rasputin The Young Victoria (2009), PG

*Please note that this list is not exhaustive but represents a variety of clips that may be shown.

Sincerely,

Danielle Trent
VBHS Social Studies

Student Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Yes, I approve my child’s viewing of curriculum and school appropriate visuals.

No, I do not approve my child’s viewing of curriculum and school appropriate visuals. I understand alternate
learning experiences will be provided for my child while the visual is being shown.

Guardian Signature & Date: _________________________________________________________________