AP Capstone - Seminar

Contract

AP Seminar is a rigorous foundational course that develops college-level (and beyond) transferrable skills, including
collaboration, analysis, argument, perspective-taking, and communication. Due to its collaborative nature, rigor, and volume, the
course includes an additional designated study block and is worth 1.5 credits. Being a part of a course like this is an honor and a
privilege. To remain a part of the course requires your agreement with and ongoing evidence of meeting the seven course
expectations.
Expectations Initials

1 Commitment: I will complete all coursework on time, including the summer assignment and all group and individual
work. I will arrive at the scheduled class on time and also use the designated study block effectively, demonstrating
personal responsibility and the maturity required to be successful in AP Seminar.

2 Collaboration: I will work in synergy with my peers - not holding them back but providing my talents and perspective
to create a greater whole. When disagreements occur, I will work to resolve those differences, making compromises
as required for the betterment of the class and for the collaborative components of AP Seminar, including the group
presentation and defense.

3 Maturity: I understand that certain perspectives included in the course could be considered controversial, and that the
purpose of including those perspectives is to develop my analysis skills. I will work with a serious focus, ensuring I do
not distract myself or my peers from developing our ability to critically analyze various perspectives as we seek
answers to important real-world questions.

4 Honesty: I understand that plagiarism, falsification, and fabrication of information devalue my work and character; all
are prohibited in the class. Any student or group who fails to acknowledge the source or author of any and all
information taken from a piece of work will receive a 0. Any student or group who incorporates falsified or fabricated
information will receive a 0. Any guilty individuals will be dismissed from the class immediately following their
confirmed guilt through a disciplinary hearing. In short, I will work honestly.

5 Fastidiousness: I will fully utilize the Capstone’s iterative-process QUEST framework (Question & Explore;
Understand & Analyze; Evaluate Multiple Perspectives; Synthesize Ideas; Team, Transform & Transmit) throughout
the course to ensure quality work. I understand and agree that one idea, one draft, and one perspective are
insufficient for creating a broadly reasoned argument that authentically responds to important real-world problems.

6 Independence: I have read through the AP Seminar Course Description and fully understand the course structure
(including exam components), requirements, and expectations. I have read my role as a student and my teacher’s
role. I understand that I will be responsible for identifying real-world issues, creating a meaningful research question,
and working to build an argument to respond to that question. I acknowledge my independent role and responsibility
and agree to motivate myself to work toward success on all assignments and exam components.

7 Resilience: Having fully read the course description, I understand that my success in the course requires a high
degree of skill, especially in the area of analysis, synthesis, argument, presentation, defense, and critical writing. While
I may not enter the AP Seminar course with the required skill level to achieve a “Qualified” score or better (3, 4, or 5), I
will put in the additional work to develop any deficient skills.
I have read the AP Capstone Seminar contract and agree to all of the above. Should I fail to meet the above expectations, at
teacher discretion and through discussion with the principal, I may be dismissed from AP Seminar, bearing the weight of any
subsequent consequences related to my actions.

Please read the welcome letter and syllabus located on the class website:
DeSantis: ejdesant.weebly.com or
Salcido: crsalcido.weebly.com I have read, understand, and agree to follow the syllabus for AP Seminar for the 2018-19 school
year.
Parent Name/Signature/Date:__________________________________________________________________________

Student Name/Signature/Date:_________________________________________________________________________