LAHS COURSE INFORMATION SHEET Course Title: Modern European History AP Instructors: Downey, Wangsness, & Coble UC/CSU:

Approved AP Textbook and other learning resource: McKay Textbook Assessment and Grading:
Per BP/AR 5121, teachers of the same course are expected to align their grading and assessment practices in the following areas: (a) the weight of assignments for the various categories of assessment, (b) homework policies, late/make up policies, opportunities for revision, extra credit and grading scales, (c) degrees of proficiency. In addition, the policy specifies that group work is to be considered an essential part of the learning experience, and that grades earned through group participation are to reflect an individual students achievement on a designated academic standard and to be awarded to individuals rather than to groups of students. Extra credit is to be given only when it supports student achievement of academic standards for the course and when it is equitable for all students.

What Students Can Expect From This Course Course Description:

In Modern European History, students study major turning points that shaped the modern world, from the Middle Ages in Europe through the present day. The following units will be addressed in the course: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, Wars of Religion, Age of Exploration, Absolutism, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, French Revolution, Napoleon, Industrialization & Urbanization, Isms of the 19th Century (Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Marxism and Nationalism), World War I, Interwar Period, World War II, Post-War period (including the Cold War & its end). This is a survey of modern European history, but the hope is that students will be able to understand that individual events are part of larger historical trends. Our goal is to identify these deeper currents in European history; give meaning to these events and trends; and place them in a paradigm that makes sense to us today. Students develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Students consider multiple accounts of events in order to understand international relations from a variety of perspectives. An AP course challenges the best of students. It is a college level course offered to students beginning at the sophomore level. The students who will struggle in this course will be those who see homework as a task to be completed for points rather than as a step in the learning process. If you are someone who does your homework rather than learns your homework then this course may not be for you. If you are a poor reader then you will probably struggle. If you are a poor writer but a very good reader and you are willing to work hard, then you can learn to write adequately. You will strengthen your ability with reading non-fiction texts. It is my goal to work in partnership with you in being successful in your very first college course. If you are motivated and focused on learning, you will be successful in this course.

Grading practices are determined by course teams. All teachers of this course will determine grades as defined below:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Weight of assignments and/or components of the grade Grading Scale Homework policy Late work, missing work and opportunities for revision Group work Extra credit How proficiency is determined/how student work is assessed Grade Book Update Policy

1. Grade Components: Objective Test 30%, Written Response 40%, Participation & Notebooks 30%. Participation will incorporate both homework and class work. 2. Grading Scale: A 90+, B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69 F below 60% 3. Homework policy: Students should expect nightly reading and formative assessments on the reading. Work will be assessed on a daily basis through informal assessments and approximately biweekly through formal assessment.

A New ERA at LAHS Empower, Respect, Achieve

We, at Los Altos High School value a learning environment in which students and staff support one another in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. We are committed to continuous learning and the appreciation of knowledge in the classroom and beyond. We value our diverse pathways and empower students with the skills they need to achieve their goals after graduation.

4. Late work, missing work and opportunities for revision: If a student misses an assignment in class or a due date, it is the students responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor for the make-up. In the event of an unexcused absence the student may be given a zero for the assignment. If you are missing a test/quiz because of an athletic event or family obligation, it is the students responsibility to take the test/quiz before leaving for the event. 5. Group work: Individual grades will be given for all group work. 6. Extra credit: Extra credit will be available based on the needs of individual class and students. Any extra credit assignment will be equitable will only be given to support student achievement of academic standards. 7. How proficiency is determined: Bi-weekly tests consisting of multiple choice and written components along with spoken and written participation will be used to determine a students proficiency. 8. Grade Book Update Policy: Grades will be updated approximately bi-weekly in SIS. Please allow 2 weeks for essays and written assignments. .

What Is Expected Of The Student Daily Assignments:

Students will be assigned from 20 to 30 pages of reading from the textbook and 10 pages of supplemental materials to be read over the course of 2 weeks.

Attendance:
ABSENCES: An unexcused absence is an absence in excess of a 30 -minute period occurring in a given class. Students may not exceed 14 unexcused absences across their entire schedule. A full day, unexcused absence counts as 5, 6 or 7 absences depending on how many classes a student carries toward the total of 14. On the 15th unexcused absence, students may be referred to an alternative educational program/site pursuant to the Districts involuntary transfer policy (AR/OP 5113). TARDIES: Students may not exceed 19 unexcused tardies across their entire schedule. An unexcused tardy is an absence from class from when the bell rings until up to 30 minutes of a class period. At the 15th unexcused tardy, there will be a mandatory parent conference with the student s Assistant Principal. This conference will be scheduled to occur the morning after the family is contacted by the school. At the student/parent conference, consequences for continued tardiness are discussed and the student is assigned to Saturday School. An attendance contract will also be signed at this meeting. Failure to attend Saturday School may result in a transfer to an alternative educational program/site.

Classroom Rules:
Students must be prepared to learn: they must have a notebook, and a writing utensil. Students will be courteous and respectful at all times. Students are expected to positively contribute to the class through discussions and written materials to enrich all students learning experience.

Cheating Policy:
The Board expects that students will not cheat, lie, plagiarize or commit other acts of academic dishonesty. Examples of cheating include: anyone who copies anothers work or turns in someone elses ideas as his or her own, collaboration with another student or students could be considered cheating if students are expected to complete an assignment independently, copying homework, allowing someone else to copy your work, plagiarism, copying or allowing others to copy from anothers exam, improperly obtaining and/or using tests, questions, or answer keys, using unauthorized notes/materials or electronic equipment (calculators, cell phones, etc.), with greater access to the Internet and electronic sources, students need to be very clear about their responsibilities in using these tools with integrity. Check with your teachers if you are unsure or unclear about his/her expectations regarding the use of the Internet.

Help and Contact Information Phone: (650) 960-8894 Email: Kelly.Coble@mvla.net

A New ERA at LAHS Empower, Respect, Achieve

We, at Los Altos High School value a learning environment in which students and staff support one another in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. We are committed to continuous learning and the appreciation of knowledge in the classroom and beyond. We value our diverse pathways and empower students with the skills they need to achieve their goals after graduation.