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AP World History Student Syllabus
Class Code HGN22X/4 ASchlesinger 2013-2014
Course Introduction:
Welcome to AP World History; a challenging and fast paced year-long college level history course. AP World
History is unique from the standard High School history class in several ways. Firstly, there is no getting around the
fact that we will be covering A LOT of history; from the Paleolithic through the present day. In order to cover all of
these time periods, the students will be required to do independent learning in addition to what we cover in class.
Secondly, AP World History is largely thematic; the focus is more on understanding key concepts, rather than
memorizing every single historical event that ever happened. (Whew!) For example, we will look at cultural,
religious, and ethnic conflicts across different regions and time periods. Lastly, we will study civilizations and
peoples that are often ignored by standard history courses. (When was the last history course you took that spent
time on Australia, sub-Saharan Africa, or female war leaders?) By taking this class, the student is committing to
take the AP World History Exam on Thursday May 15, 2014. The fee for the exam is $89. Keep in mind that scores
of 3, 4, or 5 on the exam will result in college credit (and a major savings!) In addition, the student is also required
to take the Global History Regents on Wednesday June 18, 2014.
Required class textbook:
Stearns, Peter N., et al. World Civilizations The Global Experience AP Edition, DBQ Update (4th ed). US: Pearson,
2006. The textbook can be kept at home unless the teacher requires it to be brought in for a class activity. In
addition to the textbook, we will read selected primary and secondary sources throughout the course. Whenever
possible, these sources will be made available on our class website. (www.foresthillshs.org)
Required Class Materials:
The student must have a separate binder or sectioned notebook that will be used only for this course. The binder
or notebook must be divided into exactly 7 sections, with a separate storage folder for each section. The first 6
sections will be for the 6 periods of time [see the course outline below], and the last section will be used for review
materials. The binder must always contain extra college lined loose leaf paper, several pens, and #2 pencils. The
purchase of an AP Review Book in not required, but highly recommended. You may purchase one at a reduced
price at our school book store. *This syllabus must be secured in the front of the binder or notebook.
The Course Outline:
This course is unified by the 5 Themes of AP World History. The historical chronology is broken up into 6 periods of
time, each of which is broken down further into key concepts (19 in total). Additionally, the students will develop
the 4 Historical Thinking Skills as they progress through the course. Sound confusing? Don’t worry! We will
constantly refer back to the themes, periods, key concepts, and historical thinking skills… which is why this syllabus
must remain in the front of the student’s binder at all times.
5 Themes of AP World History:
1.
Interaction Between Humans and the Environment
2.
Development and Interaction of Cultures
3.
State-Building, Expansion, and Conflict
4.
5.
Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
Development and Transformation of Social Structures
Historical Periods and Key Concepts:
Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations, to c. 600 B.C.E.
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Key Concept 1.1. Big Geography and the Peopling of the Earth
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AP World History Student Syllabus
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Class Code HGN22X/4 ASchlesinger 2013-2014
Key Concept 1.2. The Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies
Key Concept 1.3. The Development and Interactions of Early Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies
Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies, c. 600 B.C.E. to c. 600 C.E.
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Key Concept 2.1. The Development and Codification of Religious and Cultural Traditions
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Key Concept 2.2. The Development of States and Empires
Key Concept 2.3. Emergence of Transregional Networks of Communication and Exchange
Period 3: Regional and Transregional Interactions, c. 600 C.E. to c. 1450

Key Concept 3.1. Expansion and Intensification of Communication and Exchange Networks
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Key Concept 3.2. Continuity and Innovation of State Forms and Their Interactions
Key Concept 3.3. Increased Economic Productive Capacity and Its Consequences
Period 4: Global Interactions, c. 1450 to c. 1750
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Key Concept 4.1. Globalizing Networks of Communication and Exchange
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Key Concept 4.2. New Forms of Social Organization and Modes of Production
Key Concept 4.3. State Consolidation and Imperial Expansion
Period 5: Industrialization and Global Integration, c. 1750 to c. 1900
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Key Concept 5.1. Industrialization and Global Capitalism
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Key Concept 5.2. Imperialism and Nation-State Formation
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Key Concept 5.3. Nationalism, Revolution, and Reform
Key Concept 5.4. Global Migration
Period 6: Accelerating Global Change and Realignments, c. 1900 to the Present
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Key Concept 6.1 Science and the Environment
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Key Concept 6.2 Global Conflicts and Their Consequences
Key Concept 6.3 New Conceptualizations of Global Economy, Society, and Culture
The Four Historical Thinking Skills:
1.
Crafting historical arguments from historical evidence
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Students will identify, describe, and analyze diverse primary sources
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Students will learn how to determine point of view, the intended audience, the purpose, and to
evaluate the reliability of the source
2.
Chronological Reasoning
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Students will learn historical causation; how to identify, analyze, and evaluate short and long term
cause and effect relationships in an historical context
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Students will be able to recognize, analyze, and evaluate patterns of continuity and change over time.
They will also be able to place these patterns within the 5 historical themes.
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Students will be able to describe, analyze, evaluate, and construct models of historical periodization.
They will analyze the reasons behind these periods, and understand that such periods are human
constructs. By the end of the course, the students will determine if they agree with the currently
accepted periodization of history, or if they would alter it to be more inclusive of previously maligned
peoples and civilizations.
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AP World History Student Syllabus
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Class Code HGN22X/4 ASchlesinger 2013-2014
Comparison and Contextualization
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Students will be able to describe, compare, and evaluate economic, political, social, and cultural
developments within a society, between multiple societies, and in different chronological and
geographical contexts.
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Students will be able to connect economic, political, social, and cultural developments within
societies to local, national, regional, and global contexts.
4.
Historical Interpretation and Synthesis
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Students will describe, analyze, evaluate, and construct diverse interpretations of the past, based on
varied primary and secondary sources. They will identify the social context, key historical content,
intended purpose, intended audience, point of view and bias. They will then assess the validity of the
source, and be able to suggest “missing voices” to better understand an historical issue.
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Students will apply and synthesize the other historical thinking skills, ideas from other disciplines such
as geology and anthropology, as well as disparate and even contradictory sources, to come to a
better understanding of the human past. Students will understand that the story of human history is
not and cannot be confined to a single discipline, or a single interpretation.
Our Class Grading Policy:
HW, Quizzes, Exams, and Projects = 80%
Class Participation (Including attendance, being seated when the bell rings and ready to work with their notebook
open, participation in class and group discussions, and attentiveness) = 20%
HW and quizzes will be averaged for each marking term and count as a full exam.
Key Concept HW: For each Key Concept, the student will be given a reading assignment with a writing
component. The student will be tested on the reading with a weekly quiz. (Usually the quiz will be on
Mondays unless otherwise noted).
Group HW: The students will be assigned groups in September. (The arrangements of the groups may
change at the discretion of the teacher throughout the year.) Due to the sheer volume of history that the
students are required to know for the course as well as the Global History Regents, we cannot cover
everything in class. For this reason, the groups will be assigned graphic organizers throughout the year
that must be completed. The group will delegate the division of the work. Once they are collected, the
teacher will correct them. When the corrections are revised, then the work will be graded, and the
graphic organizer distributed to the class for each student’s study use. The groups will also be assigned
mini projects throughout the year.
Exams: There will be a minimum of 1-2 full period exams per marking term.
Projects: Projects will count as 1 or 2 full exam grades (the student will always be notified in advance).
Make-Up HW and Exams: Students are responsible for making up any missed work. If you are absent, you must
speak with your teacher as soon as possible to discuss the due dates for anything you missed.
In the Case of a School Closing: Hopefully there will not be another hurricane or snowstorm, but as we know,
Forest Hills High School cannot control the weather. In the event of a school closing, continue to do all of your
assigned readings and homework. If there is an exam scheduled during this time, assume the exam will take place
the first day school reopens. If there is a true emergency, please inform the teacher as soon as possible.
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AP World History Student Syllabus
Class Code HGN22X/4 ASchlesinger 2013-2014
Expectations of Behavior and the Honor Policy:
Every rule of the school and the NYC Disciple Code applies in my class. In addition…
1. Come to class on time. 3 or more latenesses per marking term will reduce your class grade. If you are late you
need to sign the late book on the teacher’s desk to ensure that you are marked present.
2. The bathroom pass is a privilege and not a right. If there is a real medical reason why you need to frequently use
the pass, please give the teacher a medical note as soon as possible.
3. Do not get out of your seat without permission for any reason.
4. Always raise your hand before speaking. Be respectful to your teacher and fellow students. Use appropriate
language, dress and behavior in class.
5. Do not leave garbage on or near your desk. You will be allowed to eat during class as long as it is not distracting
(do not loudly chew; avoid anything overly crunchy and noisy), and only if you clean up after yourself. The same
rule applies for gum; be discreet. If you do not follow these simple rules, you will not be allowed to eat or chew
gum in class for the remainder of the school year. Please note that students are not allowed to eat during a quiz or
an exam, unless there is a medical reason (in which case a doctor’s note is necessary).
6. Always come to class prepared. This means bringing your AP World History binder or notebook, with this
syllabus in the front, and any HW and or handouts that you need for that day’s lesson. You must also have several
blue or black pens, #2 pencils, and college lined loose-leaf. You must be prepared to work as soon as the bell rings.
Not doing so will reduce your class grade.
7. No audible or visible electronic devices including cell phones, iPods, headphones, or ear buds. PERIOD. If you
have any devices, they must be turned off (not on vibrate). If any such device is seen or heard in class, the Dean’s
Office may be called, and the device may be confiscated. (A parent or guardian will then be required to pick up the
device; usually on a Friday). The use of any electronic device during an exam will automatically result in a grade of
zero and disciplinary action through the Dean’s Office.
8. Plagiarism and/or cheating will result in a grade of zero on the exam/assignment and possible disciplinary action
through the Dean’s Office. [See below]
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is defined as taking credit for someone else’s work as your own and not citing your source. This includes
copying and pasting from the internet without citations (including pictures), copying from a classmate, or
paraphrasing someone else’s work (simply changing some of the words does not change the fact that you
plagiarized, if you do not cite your source). Any assignment that is plagiarized will receive a grade of zero, and
possible disciplinary action through the Dean’s Office. Keep in mind that it is standard university policy to expel
students who have been caught plagiarizing on more than one occasion. This does not just apply to students;
professors have been fired for the same reasons!
If any of the above rules are broken, the appropriate school mandated measures will be taken.
Contact me anytime during my work hours of 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM. I will do my best to respond to any phone call or
email within 24 hours.
ASchlesinger2@schools.nyc.gov
718-268-3138 X3801
*Please visit our class page on the Forest Hills Website for assignments, announcements, and upcoming quizzes
and exams @www.foresthillshs.org. Let’s have a wonderful year!
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AP World History Student Syllabus
Class Code HGN22X/4 ASchlesinger 2013-2014