Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Lisa Hawkins
This course will cover the development of American history from its pre-colonial roots through recent developments. It will prepare students to take the AP US History exam in May. However, my goals for this course are more comprehensive than getting students ready to take the formal exam. I also hope to inspire and increase students’ love and appreciation for history, expand students’ capacity to think creatively and flexibly about critical issues, and communicate powerfully and compellingly. Students will read primary and secondary source material, watch videos, listen to audio, and participate in discussions. They will have access to my college-level audio-visual presentations, which include both improving thinking, reading, and writing skills and covering the content of American history from origins into the 20th century. They will learn to approach the various components of the AP exam. They will submit a variety of assignments and receive prompt feedback.
Who should enroll?
Students should be in at least 10th grade. Students should also have already had experience analyzing documents, whether those documents are historical or literary. Students who have only worked on ‘research papers’ really have not practiced the skills that will set them up for success in this course. Given the demanding work load, only hard-working students should apply for this course.
Application required, including responding to a brief historical analysis assignment and the submission of a writing sample that shows the ability to make an extended argument that relies on evidence. (An English paper on a piece of literature often serves this purpose well.)
Technology Requirements:
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
Students receive weekly feedback on assignments that require writing. Although this is not a course that focuses on improving composition, students receive ample instruction and feedback on the quality of their communication of historical thought and use of evidence. They are guided on the proper practices of creating a contextualization for the historical topic they need to address, the construction of proper thesis statements, and the use of ample historical evidence to effectively supported an extended argument. Parents can access the Canvas website at any time to view student progress and communication with the teacher.
Communication
A student must apply for this course before enrolling. Once enrolled, accounts are created for both student and parent(s) in the online Canvas course. All communication goes through the Canvas learning management system.
Spencer J. (former AP student) –
I had Mrs. Hawkins for an online AP US History class. I hoped to learn a lot about the history of America, and Mrs. Hawkins did not disappoint. I felt completely confident when I went to take the AP exam, thanks to her instruction. The class was a lot of work, more than I ever thought that I could do. I gained new confidence with each assignment I completed and, by the end, the assignments that were so daunting in the beginning became effortless. While I could tell that others taking the AP test around me were frightened by the essay section, I actually looked forward to it. Mrs. Hawkins assignments, and excellent feedback, allowed me to be unperturbed by a task that most students equated with torture. Mrs. Hawkins didn’t just prepare her students for the AP test; she also refined student’s skills in areas other than history. I could feel that my writing improved over the duration of the course, and I could complete assignments from other classes much more easily and successfully. Mrs. Hawkins is very knowledgeable about history, and can effectively teach the material to students in a way that builds their skills, knowledge, and confidence. In my opinion, that is what makes a great teacher. I highly recommend both Mrs. Hawkins and her AP US History course.