Los Osos High School
6001 Milliken Ave.
Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. 91737
(909) 477-6900
Mr. Skiles
(909) 477-6900 ext. 3477 http://www.quia.com/pages/skilesapworld.html
Course Description :
The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global relationships and contacts. The course highlights the unique nature of all civilizations, changes that occurred over time, and the affects on other regions of the world. The focus period is 1000 BCE to the present day.
Course Textbooks :
World Civilizations, The Global Experience . Stearns, Adas, Schwartz, and Gilbert,
Advanced Placement; 4 th
Edition.
Although this text is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you purchase
Barron’s How To Prepare For The AP World History Exam 2007
(2 nd
Edition).
This course will require a substantial volume of reading, and numerous writing assignments. Classroom activity and lecture will center on expanding text material, not simply reviewing. I have decided to eliminate any major projects in favor of a major review activity during the two weeks before the exam. In order to free up the review time, students will be required to complete reading assignments during the summer, and holiday periods. Students will be strongly encouraged to participate in the AP testing process in May, and/or the SAT II World History test.
Course Criteria: This is the approximate grade breakdown per semester.
Tests/Essays/Quizzes:
Homework and Classwork
Final
=45%
=35%
=20%
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
A = 93%-100% C+ =
A- = 92%-90% C =
B+ =
B =
B- =
88%-89%
83%-87%
80%-82%
C- =
D =
F =
78%-79%
73%-77%
70%-72%
60%-69%
59%-0%

READING ASSIGNMENTS:
The textbook is difficult reading which has presented problems in past classes. I have continually tried to modify the approach to the reading, but keep in mind that it is extremely important that you keep up with the reading assignments. The procedures will be as follows:
1. Reading assignment will be assigned and you will
generally have one week to complete your reading.
2. For each reading assignment you will be required to complete a
TOP 5 listing which will serve as your TERM and
CONCEPT guidelines.
3. Prior to discussing the chapter assigned, we will compare important
terms and concepts as demonstrated in the summer assignment.
During class I will spend time on those items that were not
universally recognized as important to understanding the topic.
4. Reading assignments will be supplemented by primary documents,
or expansion of the IN DEPTH articles in the text.
5. Vocabulary quizzes will generally be given once a week on the reading.
6. DBQ, C&C, and COT essays will be assigned for most chapters.
Rules:
The classroom rules are listed below. These rules will be enforced each and every day without exception. Each student is expected to be responsible for his or her behavior.
1.
No food/drink/gum in class (results in a -5 point deduction on every occurrence).
2.
Respect others/do not talk while another person (student or teacher) is talking.
3.
Each student will be seated and ready to learn when the bell rings or they will be marked tardy (Fourth tardy/truancy will result in student getting dropped from the class).
4.
Always stay on task for the entire period unless told to do otherwise.
5.
Students come to class prepared every day with the materials needed to succeed.
6.
Rules and regulations stated in the Los Osos student handbook.
Late Work:
Late work will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with Mr.
Skiles
Consequences:
If any of the above rules are violated, the consequences below will be followed:
1 st offense: Verbal warning
2 nd
offense: After school detention
3 rd
offense: Phone call home
4 th offense: Student put on contract
5 th
offense: Student is removed from the class

Tardies and Truancies:
1 st
offense: An accident (tardy slip)
2 nd offense: Phone call home (tardy slip)
3 rd
offense: Counselor contacted/phone call home (tardy slip)
4 th
offense: Student is removed from the class (tardy slip)
It is your responsibility to get to class on time! It is not fair to the other students (as well as the teacher) to be disturbed and disrupted by tardy students. The tardy policy is strictly observed.
This course is divided into 5 parts. Dates and sequence are posted on the CLASS
CALENDAR. This outline serves as a general outline of the material that will be covered during the course of the year. After the test in May, we will concentrate on current events.
I. FOUNDATIONS (4 WEEKS)
Time and Chapters: Chapters 1-5 (244 pages) 19 days
A. World Geography
B. Rise of Agriculture and Agricultural Civilizations
C. The Classical Period 1000 B.C.E.-500 C.E.
1. China
2. India
3. Mediterranean
II. POSTCLASSICAL ERA (8 WEEKS)
Time and Chapters: Chapters 6-15 (244 pages) 39 days
A. Rise and Expansion of Islam
B. African Civilizations
C. Byzantine Empire
D. Early Europe
E. Early Americas
F. Spread of Chinese Civilization
1. Japan, Korea and Vietnam
G. Emerging West
III. THE WORLD SHRINKS, 1450-1750 (5 WEEKS)
Time and Chapters: Chapters 16-22 (174 pages) 25 days

A. The West and a Changing World Economy
B. Rise of Russia
C. Early Latin America
D. Africa and the Age of Slave Trade
E. Muslim Empires
F. Asian Transitions
IV. INDUSTRIALIZATION AND WESTERN
GLOBAL HEGEMONY, 1750-1914 (6 WEEKS)
Time and Chapters: Chapters 23-27 (136 pages) 28 days
A. Industrialization
B. Imperialism
C. Latin America Revolutions
D. Civilizations in Crisis
E. Emergence of Russia and Japan
V. THE 20th CENTURY IN WORLD HISTORY (6 WEEKS)
Time and Chapters: Chapters 28-36 (232 pages) 30 days
A. World War I (Causes, Conflict, Affects)
B. Challenges to European Dominance
C. The Great Depression
D. World War II (Causes, Conflict, Affects)
E. The Cold War Years
F. Latin America, Revolutions and Reactions
G. Decolonization
1. Africa
2. Middle East
3. Asia

VI. Review for AP Exam: Two weeks to ten days (Review Top 5’s, summary sheets, practice
DBQ’s, C&C, and COT essay questions