The Course

AP Seminar

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Explore English 10: AP Seminar

Updates to AP Seminar Performance Tasks

Given the implications of ChatGPT and other similar generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the AP Seminar performance task components, we've updated the guidance regarding the use of these tools. These guidelines require teachers to attest to the authenticity of student work in order for students to receive a score on the associated performance task. Review the AP Seminar Course and Exam Description for the full policy and details.

Course Overview

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their ideas.

Participate in the AP Capstone Diploma Program

Schools may choose to offer AP Seminar as a standalone course. To offer AP Seminar or participate in the AP Capstone Diploma™ program, schools need to fill out a required online form, and teachers need to attend mandatory summer training. Visit the AP Capstone Diploma program page for more information.

AP Seminar Course and Exam Description

Course Resources

Article

AP Capstone Diploma Program: An Overview

Only schools participating in the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program may offer AP Seminar or AP Research. Learn how the program works and how it benefits students and schools.

Article

English 10: AP Seminar

Learn why schools across the country are using AP Seminar as their English 10 offering.

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Guide for Hosting Student Presentations in AP Capstone Courses

AP Capstone presentations can be delivered in a remote or in-person setting. 

Course Content

Based on the Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe) model, this curriculum framework is intended to provide a clear and detailed description of the course requirements necessary for student success. This conceptualization will guide the development and organization of learning outcomes from general to specific, resulting in focused statements about content knowledge and skills needed for success in the course. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.

The AP Seminar curriculum is made up of five big ideas:

  • Big Idea 1: Question and Explore
  • Big Idea 2: Understand and Analyze 
  • Big Idea 3: Evaluate Multiple Perspectives
  • Big Idea 4: Synthesize Ideas
  • Big Idea 5: Team, Transform, and Transmit

Course Skills

The AP Seminar framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills, called transferable skills and proficiencies, that students should practice throughout the year.

Skill

Proficiencies

Analyze Sources and Evidence

Understand and Analyze Argument

Identifying the main idea in arguments, analyzing the reasoning, and evaluating the validity of the conclusions

Evaluate Sources and Evidence

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of sources and the evidence they present

Construct an Evidence-Based Argument

Establish Argument

Developing a well-reasoned argument clearly connecting the thesis, claims, and evidence

Select and Use Evidence

Strategically choosing evidence to effectively support claims

Understand Context and Perspective

Understand and Analyze Context

Understanding the complexity of a problem or issue and connecting arguments to the broader context in which they are situated

Understand and Analyze Perspective

Comparing and interpreting multiple diverse perspectives on an issue to understand its complexity

Communicate (Interpersonal and Intrapersonal)

Engage Audience

Choosing and employing effective written and oral communication techniques, considering audience, context, and purpose

Apply Conventions

Choosing and consistently applying an appropriate citation style and effective conventions of writing

Collaborate

Working constructively with others to accomplish a team goal or task

Reflect

Articulating challenges, successes, and moments of insight that occur throughout the inquiry process

AP and Higher Education

Higher education professionals play a key role in developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Education section features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.

This chart shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the AP Credit Policy Search.

Meet the AP Seminar Development Committee

The AP Program is unique in its reliance on Development Committees. These committees, made up of an equal number of college faculty and experienced secondary AP teachers from across the country, are essential to the preparation of AP course curricula and exams.