May, 2010
Matijevic
A.P. European History
Prospective A.P. European History Student:
Here are some guidelines for your entry to, success in and decision-making to be considered as we approach the end of this
school year, the summer break and the beginning of the 2007-08school year-a) A summer reading list including:
*** A World Lit Only By Fire, Manchester
The Decameron, Boccaccio Hard Times, Dickens
Candide, Voltaire
Thing Fall Apart, Achebe
Les Miserables, Hugo
Hiroshima, Hersey
Dawn or The Accident, Wiesel
***
Sophie’s World, Gaarder
This short list of reading is from an endless list of classics in Western Civilization. It includes novels as well as primary and
secondary sources. These titles are selected to represent some of the key periods in the history of the West that we will be
reading and thinking about and exploring in greater detail in the A.P. European History course. You may purchase paperback
copies of these books, borrow them from your local library or see Mrs. Pienton in our school’s Library. She has added these
titles to our collection.
See assignments/calendar given below. Credit for your reading and the assignments you complete is accrued in a "bank" of
points, to be used during the year at each grading period. This advance reading is meant to set the stage for our studies ahead and
the accumulation of points prior to the course beginning is a way to relieve concern you may develop about the weighted grade,
the volume of reading and writing, and the general daily demands of an advanced placement course and your other
responsibilities during Senior year.
b) Participation
50% of the grade you earn
It is important to not only read and write about the course material, but to make meaning of it, as historians do, and to
share the meaning you make with our class. Being prepared and actively listening to and participating in discussions are
important.
c) Writing
The other 50%
Practice in taking notes, chronicling your reading in a journal, reading and writing about primary sources and
developing coherent essays are part of the work of the course. Other projects in the course are intended to deepen your
understanding and give you an opportunity to apply your understanding and share your insights in non-traditional ways.
d) Serious preparation for the A.P. Exam.
e) A commitment
f) Another consideration:
The Textbook: A History of Western Society Since 1300, McKay, Hill, Buckler, Crowston, Wiesner-Hanks, 2008 (9th
Edition—AP Edition).
The schedule below is suggested to pace your reading and completion of the assignments, though all will be due on the first day
of class in August. *Turning your reading choices in by the due date listed would be preferred.
**** The following book by William Manchester is the only required one on the list. All others are meant to broaden your
knowledge and experience and will potentially accumulate ‘bank points.’
14 July---A World Lit Only by Fire
Manchester’s history of the Middle Ages and preface to the Renaissance/Modern World is a classic. Read this volume
thoughtfully, then compose a two to three page review of this work. Include a very brief summary; locate some review(s) or
other historians’ commentaries on this period and offer a paragraph or two about their observations about Manchester’s work or
the period; conclude with your own evaluation of the work.
**** Please note: if you earned a 3, 4 or 5 on the A.P. U.S. History exam, you are exempt from the review; you must do the
reading, however.
50 Points possible
****
Choose one from the next group of books. Read and complete the written assignment described. If you wish, you may choose an
additional book to read and an additional assignment to complete.
Each of the following is worth a maximum of 50 points. Follow the due dates listed, but all assignments are due 23 August.
28 June—The Decameron
Like other authors of the late Middle Ages, Boccaccio was interested in painting a broad portrait of his times. He tells the tales of
many people and many events.
Summarize your reading. In three to five paragraphs, describe the people, the situations, the tales that Boccaccio tells in this book.
Then, in a final paragraph, respond to these questions:
In what ways do you think this author captures the tensions and turning points of the 14 th century? Can you think of any other books
you have read that are the attempts of their authors to depict the importance and profound changes of their times?
9 July--Candide
Candide is the story of a young man's outlandish experiences in the 18th century world. Voltaire spins this tale to call into question
the many societal contradictions that continued to challenge the rational, logical, systematic period of the Enlightenment.
In a paragraph or two, describe the elements or ideals of the Enlightenment, as Voltaire offers them in this story. Then, in a
paragraph or two, describe some of your favorite experiences from Candide’s adventures.
Then, in a few final paragraphs, choose one specific period/experience in your life, and develop a description analyzing your choice
and comparing and contrasting your reactions and choices to those of Candide. In what ways did you operate in a similar fashion? In what
ways did your experiences differ?
23 July---Les Miserables
Victor Hugo’s story of the revolutions of the 1830’s in France, chronicles the social, political and economic successes of the French
Revolution as well as the unresolved issues of that era. Be sure to choose an abridged version of this novel.
In a paragraph or two, describe the conditions of this era. Do a bit of research on the revolutions of the mid-19th century in Europe.
View one of the many films that have been done on this novel, or even the recent musical.
How well do the Hollywood film makers/playwright/ capture this period? How faithful to the novel is their work?
30 July---Hard Times
Dickens is well known for the portrait he paints of late 19 th century England and the impact of the Industrial Revolution.
Read this novel. In three to five paragraphs, describe the nature of life in the early industrial period in Western Europe. Do a bit of
research and include a paragraph in your paper that assesses the validity and accuracy of the description of the times offered by this author.
6 August---Things Fall Apart
Another important theme of the late 19th and early 20th century is imperialism. Chinua Achebe describes this phenomenon from the
perspective of the native population.
In three to five paragraphs, summarize the story that Achebe tells. Do a bit of research and create a chart that lists the positive and
negative consequences of the contact between the European imperialists and the native populations whom they colonized. Include a paragraph
on the later 20th century and contemporary consequences of imperialism.
13 August---Hiroshima
In journalistic style, John Hersey tells the story of the August, 1945, atomic attack on Hiroshima through the compelling accounts of
six survivors. He follows them through the event and in the decades that follow.
Compose three to five paragraphs that summarize your reading and then compare and contrast these details with other accounts you
have read of the atomic bomb and its consequences. How would you characterize the author’s perspective on the use of the bomb?
20 August---Dawn or The Accident
Elie Wiesel continues the triology (beginning with Night) in these two stories. How does he reflect on the Holocaust? In what ways
is his experience similar or different from the textbook accounts you have read?
Find another oral history or work of a Holocaust survivor and compare and contrast Wiesel to this second work. Compose three to
five paragraphs that summarize your reading and offer your evaluation.
13 September---Sophie’s World
In the form of a novel, that follows the adventures of the main character, Jostein Gaarder creates a history of Western philosophy.
This a very readable volume and it is one that we will use throughout our course.
Secure a copy, begin to read to get a head start. The first 150 pages will be part of our first month’s work.
**** Everyone will be required to have a copy of this volume. We will read selected portions, as they are applicable to the themes of our
course.
Feel free to mail your work to Mt. Carmel (6410 S. Dante Ave, Chicago, 60637), or email your paper(s) to school (see address below.)
Should you have any questions over the course of the summer, do not hesitate to call school (773-324-1020, ext. 211) or email at
mmatijevic@mchs.org. Enjoy!