2008 Syllabus for European History - Olathe

July 28 - August 1, 2008

Institute Overview

The workshop will take teachers through how to develop an AP curriculum, decide on appropriate resources, employ a variety of assessments, and prepare students for the AP exam, and any other issues important to the participants. In addition, the workshop will address administrative issues such as the AP Audit and equity.

Workshop Objectives

understand the structure and pacing of an AP curriculum
learn methods of preparing students for a college-level curriculum
understand the structure and grading of the Advanced Placement exam
share ideas with other motivated instructors
understand in greater depth a particular content focus (cultural history)

Consultant Background

Christopher Freiler has taught Advanced Placement European History at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, IL, since 1993. Before that, he taught AP United States History and Political Science at Morgan Park Academy in Chicago, IL. He has also served since 1997 as a reader and table leader for the AP European History annual exam scoring. From 1998 to 2002, Chris served on the Test Development Committee (and later as an independent consultant) for AP European History, in the process acting as the primary author for three different document-based questions used on the national exam. Recently, he completed serving on the College Board Commission to reexamine the AP European History curriculum. Chris now acts as the Assistant Chief Reader for the AP exam scoring in Fort Collins, CO. He most recently authored an AP European test preparation book, published by McGraw-Hill, entitled AP Achiever: Advanced Placement Exam Preparation Guide for European History. Chris recently completed an M.A. in Philosophy at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.

Institute Preparation

Participants are encouraged to bring either hard copies or a flash drive (preferred) of any model lessons or other materials for sharing with other participants. In addition, please purchase the following two books (easily available from amazon.com) and read the Crosby text prior to arrival at the institute.

Alfred Crosby, The Measure of Reality: Quantification in Western Europe, 1250-1600 (Cambridge University Press, 1997). ISBN: 0521639905

Robert Darnton, The Great Cat Massacre: And Other Episodes in French Cultural History (Vintage, 1985). ISBN: 0394729277

Institute Schedule

Days 1 and 2

Introductions

Presentation of participant issues/concerns

Brief overview of AP course audit and equity issues

Selecting materials for an AP course

Structuring an AP course—considering an inquiry approach

Discussion of Crosby text

Creating a unit of study

Day 3

Finish discussion of Crosby text

A bird's eye view of the scope of AP European History

Employing projects in the curriculum

Resource sharing

After the exam

Integrating cultural and intellectual history

Discussion of Darnton text

Day 4

Using primary sources

Teaching the DBQ

Scoring the DBQ

Teaching essay writing

Scoring FRQs

Recent and potential future trends in the exam

Video and Internet resources

Develop units of study

Days 4 and 5

Strategies for multiple-choice questions

Reviewing for the exam

Exercises in chronological thinking

Further discussion of Darnton text

Develop units of study

Seminar evaluations

Sharing of lessons, best practices

Presentation of units of study

Graduate Credit Option

Participants may also earn three graduate education hours for any of the AP Summer Institutes from Washburn University for a reduced tuition rate of $85 per credit hour and the successful completion of an academic assignment. The academic assignment must be submitted to Dr. Sandy Tutwiler (sandy.tutwiler@washburn.edu) by August 15, 2008.

Additional Information

Timothy W. Peterson, Ph.D.
Dean of Continuing Education
Washburn University
1700 College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621

tim.peterson@washburn.edu

Phone: (785) 670-1399
Fax: (785) 670-1028