ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY
The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of global historical processes and contrasts viewed against the interaction of different types of human societies. The course highlights the changes in international framework, their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course emphasizes relevant factual knowledge used in conjunction with leading interpretive issues, types of historical evidence, and appropriate analytical skills. Focused primarily on the past 1,500 years of the global experience, the course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage prior to 1000 CE.
This AP Summer Institute in World History is for novice and intermediate year teachers of
AP World History. The assumption is that the teacher has never taught AP World History before attending this institute or has taught the course for three to five years. Nevertheless, experienced teachers are welcome and can lend their experience to the institute.
Please note: while this uses as its basis the skills and content of AP World History which is usually taught on the 10 th grade or sophomore in high school level, pre-AP teachers in grades 6 th through 9 th who wish to learn the skill sets for vertical integration are also welcome. However the focus will be AP World History as opposed to pre-AP.
Presentation time is devoted to 50% pedagogy and 50% content. This is necessary because many teachers desire both the pedagogy of setting up and managing an AP course as well as want content specific to the new historiography of world history. Each year the College
Board has a special topic –this year it is Nigeria and The Economics of Violence. We will study how specific African countries through the wealth of their peoples and lands have become the target for colonialism and modern economic exploitation. We will study how this process has impacted the development of Nigeria, Angola and the Congo.
The four days are organized as follows: The Course Guide, Skills and Geography; Your
Syllabus: Structuring the Course; Writing and Essays; and Taking the Multiple Choice
Test, Enrichment and Helpful Hints. Mornings are devoted to pedagogy and afternoons to content.
I will provide you with access containing all of my lessons, materials and works through
Drop Box. So come prepared to work but learn about a wonderful AP program.
SHORT VITA
Paul Philp received both a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service and a Certificate of
German Public and International Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
He earned his State of Texas certificate in secondary education in composite social studies from the University of Texas in Dallas. Both his Master of Art’s degree in Modern History and State of Texas endorsement in gifted and talented education are from Texas A&M
University – Commerce. After thirteen years as a classroom teacher and Academic

Decathlon coach, Paul Philp became an administrator of curriculum and special educational programs in both public and private schools for ten years. While no longer an administrator he teaches a full load of AP, Pre-AP and regular World Geography and
World History classes. He is a presenter for the College Board, has written multiple choice questions for the Advanced Placement World History exam, was a national grader of the
Advanced Placement World History essays for five years, and taught history at the local community college for nine years. Publications include the study guide for Peter Stearn’s
Advanced Placement textbook, 3 rd edition, World Civilizations, a collaborative study of the
Industrial Revolution in an international, world historical context with the Woodrow
Wilson Institute at Princeton, New Jersey, and Document Based Questions in both
European and World History. Paul is a past associate editor for the Encyclopedia of World
History published by Berkshire Publishers of Boston and currently chairman of a committee creating teaching materials for the new STAAR exam for the State of Texas
World History exam. He is currently writing a science fiction novel involving alternate history.