Contact information
Mr. Graden Napier e-mail- napiegr.ap@gmail.com
Feel free to contact me throughout the summer with any questions you may have.
READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY:
Welcome to Advanced Placement United States History. I am pleased that you have chosen to accept the challenge of this course. The Advanced Placement program in United States History is an introductory college-level course that is designed to provide you with the analytic skills and factual knowledge to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States History.
The course stresses detailed, in-depth knowledge, critical thinking, and expression through strong rhetorical skills. The content of the course follows the general guidelines in the Advanced Placement
Course Description provided by the College Board. You may earn college credit and/or placement by performing well on the Advanced Placement Exam at the end of the school year.
In the course you will learn the story of the United States from its beginning to today. You will also learn to assess and use historical materials. Because of the amount of material we have to cover it is important that we get a good start before the school year begins
The American dream has been a continuing thread throughout our history, even before it was called or known as the American Dream. One could make an argument that it was the idea and hope of a better life for themselves and their children that compelled Europeans to sail across the ocean to the new world. Even though there was not an “America” yet, the idea and hope for a better future is what propels what we know today as the American Dream.

After the American
Revolution, it was the American Dream that pushed explorers across the Appalachian Mountains and settle the Ohio Valley. Westward expansion was fueled by the American dream and a companion concept called “Manifest Destiny.”
The United States has fought two world wars protecting the core concepts instilled in the American
Dream.
The elusive idea about the American Dream is that it means something different to each American.
We all have personal ideas of the American Dream. And while the founding fathers did not guarantee we would all achieve our American Dream, they did create a form of government that guaranteed each of us the opportunity to reach our personal American Dream.

One could say that the American Dream has evolved over time. If you asked an immigrant coming from Europe in the 1920’s or 30’s, they may say the American Dream means religious freedom or the simple opportunity to get a job. In the 1950’s it may have meant the opportunity to purchase a house and the ability to attend college. What does the American Dream mean today? Is the American
Dream lost? Today, we live in a society that is fueled by entitlement and instant gratification. If we do not achieve or excel, it is someone else’s fault. The reason why we failed could not possibly be because we did not work hard enough or prepare ourselves to meet the challenge life has presented.
This dilemma now presents the question; “are we a product of our environment or a product of our expectations?” Expectations not only encompass the goals you may have for yourself but what others have for you.

You’re A.P.U.S.H. summer assignment is to write a 2 page analysis reflecting on the 2 questions, “Is the American Dream still alive?” and “Are you a product of your environment or your expectations?”
The answers to these questions are opinion based. This means there are no “wrong” answers in the traditional sense. However, your opinion should be based in fact. In other words, it’s okay to have a certain opinion but tell me what facts support your opinion.
This assignment is due the second day of class, school year 2013-14. You can turn it in when you attend the AP Student Summer Institute and receive bonus points on the assignment. If you have any questions, do not procrastinate! Contact me immediately.

General Format for the paper:
1. Times New Roman font, 12 point
2. Double Spaced
3. 2 pages in length
4. Cover Page: Your name Subject (AP US History)
Date
(space here)
Some of you may be tempted to plagiarize or otherwise turn in work that is not your own. Don’t do it! As a college professor I have access to anti-plagiarism software. I use this to scan papers to ensure your paper represents original work. Don’t start out the year with a zero and my trust in you broken.