The Stuyvesant High School Online Course Guide

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- Dawn of Morning, Lake George, Jasper Francis Cropsey, 1868

What is Advanced Placement U.S. History: American Studies?

Put simply, American Studies is the discovery of what makes America tick. While it begins with the traditional curricula of the history and literature of the United States, American Studies goes beyond to include a broader survey of American culture. This includes (but of course is not limited to) the religions we practice, the neighborhoods we live in, the buildings we construct, the stores we shop in and the ways we entertain ourselves. This is an Advanced Placement course and students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement U.S. History exam in the spring.

Who should take this course?

American Studies is a yearlong enriched American History and Early/Late American Literature for eleventh grade students. Both the social studies component and English component are advanced placement courses. American Studies is designed for students with a genuine interest in history and literature who want to go beyond the required curricula. The course will be accumulative and the themes established in September such as the American Dream, the American Identity and mythology of America will carry through every unit until June.

What will we be studying?

American Studies students will cover everything that is covered in the regular American history and literature classes. In addition, however, they will survey (and tour!) the development of New York City and how it reflects and affects the American experience, dominant artistic and architectural movements and popular music, film and television trends. In the English component of the program, students will read examples of the great literary treasure produced in the United States during the time periods they are studying in the their history sections. (The assignments for the literature section will have a double application; they will also be used as preparation for the history section.)

What will be expected of me?

Students will have a detailed nightly assignment in preparation for each day's discussion. This will require a significant amount of reading, writing and analysis in combined assignments for both the literature and history sections. Students must be committed and self-disciplined. In addition, each student will be required to complete a combined research paper and project that will evolve over the course of the school year in both sections. Meaningful participation in daily class discussions will be key and students will have the opportunity to attend movie screenings and tours around New York City.

How is the course taught?

There are virtually no lectures or copying of notes from a blackboard. Thoughtful and analytic homework each night allow for evaluation, discussion, and debate in class. Classes are almost always student dominated. A "Humanities" approach is taken, linking Social Studies and English.

What are the completion requirements?

In addition to periodic tests and quizzes, term projects, daily homework, and class participation all will factor into student grades. There are many ways to demonstrate learning and students will have frequent and varied opportunities to earn good grades. But, the common denominator will remain hard work, motivation and effort and enthusiasm for a "different approach" to studying history and literature.

Are there any special demands, costs, etc?

An A.P. course requires an enormous personal commitment. Time demands may interfere with other course work or extra- curricular activities. Also, an $84 fee is charged to students who take the A.P. exam. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch will receive a fee waiver reducing the cost of the exam.

Details and pre/co-requisites:

Minimum Social Studies average of 92%. This is a one year course. If you enroll in H55X, you will also be programmed for E55X. In the spring, you will automatically be programmed for H66X and E66X.