This course represents the second half of a two-year chronological study of American History. It begins with the Reconstruction period and sequentially progresses to the present day. It should be noted that essential aspects of New York State history are infused into the subject matter, in accordance with the New York State Social Studies Standards. While a traditional historical approach is emphasized, the course also incorporates other social studies disciplines such as geography, economics, sociology and political science into the curriculum. There is an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, formal research, map and graph analysis and the interpretation of historical documents. The course concludes with a cumulative final examination that is consistent with NYSED Regents Standards.

Social Studies Department

Standardized Grading policy

The Social Studies Department has adopted a department wide grading policy which is broken down into two categories. The two categories are Major assignments and Minor assignments.

Major assignments will count as 60% of the average.

Minor Assignments will count as 40% of the average.

Course Overview

The AP Research course is the second part of the two-year AP Capstone program. After teaching students how to enter the academic conversation in AP Seminar, the AP Research year is designed to instruct students how to begin that conversation. AP Research is an inquiry-based course that encourages students to locate a gap in their preferred discipline of study and to explore a topic of personal interest. Students are empowered and encouraged to collect and analyze information with accuracy and precision in order to craft, communicate, and eventually defend their argument or their position. (adapted from the AP Research Course and Exam Description)

Course Textbooks and/or Resources

• AP Research Course and Exam Description
• Academic papers from the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
• Activities and exercises from the AP Research Student Workbook
• Foutz, Brian. Your Guide to AP® Research. FFH Publishing, 2020.