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About the Course
Ever thought about how social media impacts teen mental health? Do you think rules around college sports should be changed? In AP Seminar, you choose what real-world or academic topics to investigate. AP Seminar teaches you how to find and use evidence from experts, and how to present the case from your own perspective effectively, both through writing and multimedia presentations.
Skills You'll Learn
Reading and analyzing articles, studies, and other texts
Gathering and combining information from sources
Viewing an issue from multiple perspectives
Crafting arguments based on evidence
Equivalency and Prerequisites
College Course Equivalent
AP Seminar is an interdisciplinary course that encourages students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, and academic research skills on topics of the student’s choosing. To accommodate the wide range of student topics, typical college course equivalents include interdisciplinary or general elective courses.
Recommended Prerequisites
None
Assessment Dates
AP Seminar Performance Tasks Due Date
Submit your AP Seminar performance tasks as final in the AP Digital Portfolio by this date.
AP Seminar End-of-Course Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Seminar End-of-Course Exam.
Your Future Starts Now
AP can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors.
Course Content
Big Idea 1: Question and Explore
You’ll learn about the first step of doing research: inquiry and investigation.
You’ll practice:
- Identifying a problem or issue and developing a question about it
- Finding and organizing the information you need to answer the question
- Evaluating the sources of information you use
- Looking at the problem or issue from different perspectives
Big Idea 2: Understand and Analyze
You’ll learn to read, comprehend, and explain a perspective or argument.
You’ll practice:
- Reading critically for a purpose
- Explaining and analyzing the line of reasoning of an argument
- Evaluating the evidence an author uses to support their argument
- Assessing potential resolutions, conclusions, or solutions raised by an argument
Big Idea 3: Evaluate Multiple Perspectives
You’ll learn to compare and contrast different perspectives on an issue, idea, or problem so you can understand its complexity.
You’ll practice:
- Identifying, comparing, and interpreting different perspectives on, or arguments about, an issue
- Evaluating objections, implications, and limitations of different perspectives or arguments
Big Idea 4: Synthesize Ideas
You’ll learn to take information you’ve gathered, analyzed, and evaluated and use it to form your own conclusions and build your own argument.
You’ll practice:
- Formulating a well-reasoned argument
- Using data and information from various sources to develop and support an argument
- Linking evidence to claims
- Offering resolutions, conclusions, or solutions based on evidence
Big Idea 5: Team, Transform, and Transmit
You’ll learn to work alone and in a group to communicate your ideas to an audience.
You’ll practice:
- Planning, producing, and presenting an argument while considering audience, context, and purpose
- Communicating information through appropriate media
- Using effective techniques to engage an audience
- Contributing your own work to a group project
Credit and Placement
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Course Resources
Download
AP Seminar Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the assessment and AP Program in general.
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AP Daily Videos
Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos in AP Classroom. AP Daily videos in AP Classroom. AP Daily videos cover every proficiency and skill outlined in the AP Seminar Course and Exam Description. Sign in to access them.
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What Are Project Based AP Courses?
Learn how project based AP courses take you beyond the textbook and into a world of learning through hands-on exploration.
More About Your Course
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Participate in the AP Capstone Diploma Program
Learn more about the AP Capstone Diploma Program, and how you can participate. Taking AP Seminar and AP Research lets you study topics you love, learn key academic skills, and stand out to colleges.
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AP Capstone Diploma Program Policies
Understand policies on plagiarism, participation, extended absence, and more for AP Seminar and AP Research students.