A.P. World History Course Overview Gary D. Scott gdscott@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 336.727.8181 The A.P. World Course is based on a global perspective of the world from 8000 B.C.E. to the Present Day. A.P. World is designed for the motivated high school student. This course will challenge the student to develop an understanding of historical global processes on a broad perspective. A.P. World will examine the traits of humanity which occur over time such as trade, religion, politics social structure, technology and conflict. Students will be challenged to hone their analytical and critical thinking skills on a daily basis. They will utilize a variety of source materials to assist them in better understanding the historical and geographic contents they will be studying in A.P. World History. Six A.P. World History themes will serve as guidelines to identify patterns and processes that explain change and continuity over time. The Six AP World History Themes: 1. The relationship of change and continuity from 8,000 BCE to the present. 2. Impact of interaction among and within major societies. 3. Impact of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment. 4. Systems of social structure and gender structure. 5. Cultural, religious, and intellectual developments. 6. Changes in functions and structures of states and in attitudes toward states and political identities, including the emergence of the nationstate. Main Textbook: World History, Fifth Edition 2007. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning (Duiker, Spielvogel) Supplementary Text Readings: World Civilizations: The global experience 4th edition A.P. edition 2006 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Prentice Hall. Michael Adas, Mark J. Gilbert, Peter N. Stearns, and Stuart B. Schwartz The Earth and its People. 3rd A.P. Edition 2004, Houghton Mufflin. Richard Bullit, et. al. A number of primary and secondary sources will be assigned throughout the course. Assigned in class and accessed via the Internet. Course Requirements: Attend class daily and please be prompt. Arrive prepared with a notebook and pen. Complete assignments on time. Participate in class. Make up work when absent (within 2 class periods) Make prior arrangements for assignments regarding planned absences. Maintain an organized comprehensive and chronological notebook. Use classroom and reading notes to prepare for quizzes. Challenge yourself to work hard. Ask for help whenever you need it. (I will support your efforts whenever possible) Grading Policy: - Tests comprise 50% of your grade for each quarter. Three tests will be given each quarter on average. One test will always be a combination of essay and multiple choices. Quizzes account for 30% of your grade each quarter. Four or five quizzes are given each quarter. Free response is emphasized for quizzes. Homework assignments and projects account for 20% of your grade each quarter. Three to four HW based assignments are given per quarter. Individually assigned research based topics are usually 3-5 pages in length. Projects may also be presented orally in class as assigned. Informal classroom seminars are designed to enrich student understanding of the similarities and differences of diverse cultures through analytical and comparative study. Notes: A.P. World History is the equivalent of a freshman college level survey course in history. Therefore students are expected to read the textbook pages as assigned and take copious notes in an organized fashion. The development of higher orders thinking skills are an integral element of this course. Reading and organizing your classroom material is excellent preparation for essential success in this course as well as in your future college experience. Outside Readings and Resources used in the course: 2003-2007 AP World History Essay Questions, Rubrics and Student Samples (AP Central) Archaeology magazine http://www.archaeology.org The Columbian Exchange (Crosby, Praeger, 2003) Cracking the AP World History Exam: Student Study Guide. Princeton Review, 2004. DBQ Practice: 10 AP-Style DBQs (Williams, ed Social Studies School Services, 2004) Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces (1997) Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World (2003) Readings in Ancient History: From Gilgamesh to Diocletian by Bailkey (DC Heath, 1992) Tastes of Paradise: A Social History of Spices, Stimulants and Intoxicants by Schivelbusch (Vintage Books, 1993) Technology in World Civilizations by Pacy (M.I.T. Press, 1998) The World That Trace Created by Pomeranz and Topik (A.E. Sharpe, 1999) *Additional readings and resources may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor. Course Outline (General Text Content) I. II. III. Classical Foundation- 8000 B.C.E. to 600 C. E. (Chapters 1-5) Post Classical Era 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E. (Chapters 6-15) The World Shrinks 1450C.E. to 1750 C.E. (Chapters 16-22) IV. V. Industrialization and Western Global Harmony 1750-1914 (Chapters 22-27) 20th Century in World History 1914-Present (Chapters 28-36) Instructor retains the right to adjust or modify the course content in order to maintain pace and promote effective teaching of the A.P. World History curriculum. A.P. World History will conclude with extensive review and exam preparation during the last two weeks of the course. We will practice DBQ’s, COT’s , and comparative essays. Also, each student will complete a “rehearsal” A.P. exam in preparation for his or her A.P. World exam. The exam is scheduled for May 17th. Thanks.