BMSH AP Seminar

Ladson
Phone Number:

266-1200 (ext. 2110)

Web Address:

ladsona.weebly.com

Email Address:

ladsona@duvalschools.org
Room Number:
110

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
AP Seminar is a foundational course in which students learn about the research process through
engaging in in-depth conversations about academic and real-world topics. Using a framework
based in promoting curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, students practice reading and
analyzing articles, research studies, and texts; listening to and viewing speeches, videos, and other
media; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information
from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral
and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to
equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in
order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.
PRIMARY TEXT
Current Issues and Enduring Questions, Ninth Edition, by Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau
(Bedford/St. Martins Publishing). These will be available to students in class!
REQUIRED SUPPLIES:
1) Blue or Black Ink Pens and No. 2 Pencils
2) 3 -ring Binder
3) Plenty of loose-leaf paper
4) Highlighters
5) 2 packs of 4x6 index cards
6) One flash drive (4GB minimum)
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
1) Respect- Students will demonstrate respect for other students and the teacher by using
appropriate language, being prepared for class, following directions, adhering to all school and
district policies, and by keeping an open mind when learning about different cultures,
traditions, beliefs and life styles. This is a safe learning environment, which means we dont
have to agree, but we do have to respect the fact that everyone is entitled to (and allowed to
speak) his or her own opinion.
2) Be Prepared-Always come to class prepared. This means coming into class and being seated
when the bell rings, having your materials in class and completing all work on time.
In addition, your presence in the classroom is essential to your success. Tardiness and
unexcused absences will have an adverse effect on your grade.
3) Take ownership of your education-Take personal responsibility for your learning: set goals,
evaluate personal progress towards those goals, adhere to high standards and revise your
performance when needed. This is your education get everything you can out of it!
STUDENT INTEGRITY AND DECORUM:
All students are here to learn and make adequate progress toward meeting the course standards.
Students are expected to be active participants in the learning process and uphold the academic
integrity policy. Students are also expected to maintain a certain level of behavior in order to
promote a healthy and productive learning environment. If a student engages in behavior that
disrupts the learning environment, action steps will be taken according to school and district
policies.
Action Steps to be taken are as follows:
1. verbal warning from the teacher
3. parent contact
2. relocation in classroom 4. referral to the Assistant Principal/parent notification
(Extreme circumstances may warrant an immediate referral.)

HOMEWORK AND ASSIGNMENT POLICIES:

Assignments will be (ladsona.weebly.com)
Students should keep track of assignments in their binders as well as through the FOCUS grade
site
Copying, cheating, and/or plagiarizing are grounds for failing the assignment and disciplinary
action, per the DCPS Student Code of Conduct and College Board policy. (More on this on the
plagiarism contract included in this syllabus)
All assigned work is required. In the event of an absence, a student has the same
number of days to turn in work as were missed without penalty, unless the
assignment was given ahead of time. Late work will be penalized at a rate of 10%
off per day. After 1 week, the highest a student may score is a 50% on the
assignment. Since work is assigned to help the student master a skill, it must be completed,
even if it is late. In the case of an excused absence, students are responsible for making
up all missed work and for any class notes given during their absence within two days for every
day absent. Students should plan to speak to the teacher after school upon return and/or
utilize information posted on the class website at ladsona.weebly.com.
GRADES:
Grades in this class are weighted by category. Each quarter students will receive grades for
assignments that assess their progress in writing, reading, speaking (presenting) and listening.
(Grades are updated weekly, as appropriate to the curriculum.)
A+ = 100%-90%

B = 80%-89%

C = 70%-79%

D = 60%-69% F = 0%-59%

30-40%

30-40%

25-40%

10-20%

READING
ASSESSMENTS

WRITING
ASSESSMENTS

PROJECTS/
PRESENTATIONS

CLASSWORK/
HOMEWORK

FEEDBACK TIMING:
Assignments and assessments will be graded and the results communicated within three class
meetings following the date on which the assignment is turned in or the assessment is given. If an
assignment is turned in after the assigned due date, the grade and results will be communicated as
soon as possible after the date of submission. Students grades will be updated in FOCUS on a
weekly basis, as appropriate to the current curriculum. Students and parents should be active in
checking for updates every week with the understanding that some weeks will have more grades
than others, according to our curriculum and school schedules. Progress reports will be given
each quarter, and if the grade is below a C, that report is considered to be a scholarship
warning.
TUTORING, SAFETY NETS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tutoring is available in room 110 on Tuesdays 2:00-5:15 Other after school dates may be
available upon request and with advance notice. NOTE: The activity bus does not arrive until
5:15.
SAFETY NETS include such activities as in-class remediation and enrichment through small group
work, assignment recovery (request process necessary), revising essays that do not meet the
standard, and tutoring. BECAUSE THERE IS NO GRADE RECOVERY after each quarter this year,
students will be expected to take full advantage of all safety nets offered to assist them in meeting
the standards and objectives being taught.
Parents and students may also CONTACT ME by emailing questions to ladsona@duvalschools.org.
To leave a voice mail message, please call 266-1200, ext. 2110. Email contacts will be returned
within a few hours each day, but it may take up to 48 hours to return a phone call, as my schedule
is not always predictable. Emailing will always get a faster response, since I can check that
from my phone wherever I am.

CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK:
AP Seminar uses a framework designed to encourage and engage students in the practice of
questioning the world around them, exploring multiple perspectives, and gathering information
from a variety of sources; using that information to develop their own ideas and arguments about
topics they are interested in; and defending them from outside criticism. The QUEST framework is
defined as:
Q QUESTION AND EXPLORE
Challenge and expand the boundaries of your current knowledge
U UNDERSTAND AND ANALYZE
Contextualize arguments and comprehend authors claims
E EVALUATE MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES
Consider individual perspectives and the larger conversation of varied points of view
S SYNTHESIZE IDEAS
Combine knowledge, ideas, and your own perspective into an argument
T TEAM, TRANSFORM, AND TRANSMIT
Collaborate, reflect, and communicate your argument in a method suited to your audience
Quarter One- American Dream Unit:
The first part of the year, students will learn about perspectives, lenses, stakeholders, plagiarism,
research, credibility, presentation skills, and everything they will need to write a successful paper
and do well on all of the AP tasks.
Quarter Two- Justice Unit:
Students will spend the majority of the second nine weeks perfecting their skills and practicing a
group research project to get ready for the AP tasks. During this unit, I will help guide students
through the research and writing process.
Semester 2:
Starting in November, students will work individually on the first 2 AP tasks. These include a group
project with presentation and an individual paper with presentation. During the last part of the year,
I will provide guidance and offer advice as whole class instruction while students, with the help of
mentor teachers, will use the allotted time to complete their tasks in class. Their grade from this
point will be based on participation and meeting goals that they will set for themselves!
The year will end with the third and final task, the EOC, on May 4 th!

Plagiarism Contract
Plagiarism can be defined as submitting another persons ideas, words, images or data without
giving that person credit or proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty,
is tantamount to stealing and will not be tolerated. In order to clarify what constitutes plagiarism,
you should be aware that you have committed plagiarism when you:

use phrases, quotes or ideas not your own; i.e. cut and paste
use ideas, phrases, or quotes from another students work at more than 3 words in a row
paraphrase the work of another even though you may have changed the wording or syntax;
use facts or data not considered common knowledge;
submit a paper written for another class (academic dishonesty);
submit a paper from an essay service or agency even though you may have paid for it
(these papers are usually of low quality, so you probably did not get your moneys worth);
submit a paper by another person even though he or she may have given you permission to
use it;
falsify or fabricate information (e.g. evidence, data, sources, and/or authors);
failure to attribute or acknowledge another persons work through citation, attribution or
reference in the body of work, or through bibliographical entry

You should also note that plagiarism not only encompasses written work, but also computer data,
research, musical scores, video programs, and visual arts.
Plagiarism is a serious issue, especially in an academic environment. Teachers must be able to rely
on the integrity of a students work in order to maintain a climate for successful learning.
Plagiarism reflects on character; therefore, you should diligently avoid inadvertent plagiarism.
When you are unsure if acknowledgement is needed, ask your teacher. The penalties for blatant
plagiarism include loss of all credit for the assignment with no opportunity to resubmit.
This may significantly lower your final grade. Furthermore, plagiarism, a form of cheating,
can result in suspension according to the Duval County Public Schools Code of Conduct,
as it is a Class 2 Offense. We will discuss methods for avoiding plagiarism as the school year
progresses.
The official College Board Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of
Information states:
A student who fails to acknowledge the source or author of any and all information or evidence
taken from the work of someone else through citation, attribution or reference in the body of the
work, or through a bibliographic entry, will receive a score of 0 on that particular component of the
AP Seminar and/or AP Research Performance assessment Task. In AP Seminar, a team of students
that fails to properly acknowledge sources or authors on the Written Team Report will receive a
group score of 0 for that component of the Team Project and Presentation.
A student who incorporates falsified or fabricated information (e.g. evidence, data, sources, and/or
authors) will receive a score of 0 on that particular component of the AP Seminar and/or AP
Research Performance Assessment Task. In AP Seminar, a team of students that incorporates
falsified or fabricated information in the Written Team Report will receive a group score of 0 for that
component of the Team Project and Presentation.

Syllabus

I have read and understand the class syllabus and policies for the AP Seminar class. If I have any
questions or concerns, I know that I can contact Mrs. Ladson using the above information.
Print Your Name:______________________________ Students Signature:
__________________________________
Parent/Guardians Name(s):_____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Signature:________________________________________________
Date:__________________
Home Phone: ___________________Cell Phone_____________________ Work Phone _______________________
Parent/Guardians Email (PLEASE print clearly):
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Student Email (PLEASE print clearly):
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
** Email addresses are necessary for regular contact. I will contact both students and
parents with updates of what is going on both in class and at school, and you will be left
out if I dont have the correct information.
Plagiarism Contract
I, _________________________________________(please print), am aware of the seriousness of plagiarism
and will not intentionally use or submit someone elses work without acknowledgement.
Furthermore, I will not misrepresent someone elses work as my own or falsify or fabricate
information in my work.
Signature______________________________________________________ Date___________________
I have read the contract and understand the consequences of plagiarism.
Parent/Guardian_______________________________________________ Date________________

Video Permission for Projects

Student Name _____________________________________________________________
I am aware that, as an AP Seminar student, all of my Performance Assessment presentations will
be recorded for the purpose of the College Board audit process. In addition, I am aware some of
my practice presentations will be recorded peer and self review.
________________________________________________
Student Signature
________
Parent Signature

________________________
Date
________________________
Date