AP World History
Teacher: J. Hilliard
Email: joseph.hilliard@cobbk12.org (the best way to contact me)
Blog: http://tinyurl.com/AP-World-History-Hilliard
Course Textbook: Stearns et al. World Civilizations: The Global Experience. Upper Saddle
River(NJ): Prentice Hall, 2007. (replacement cost: $84.97)
Textbook Website: http://www.phschool.com/home.html
Access code: ______________________________________
College Board AP World History website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap
/sub_worldhist.html?worldhist
Outside Readings: - A History of the World in Six Glasses (by Tom Standage)
- Envisioning Women in World History (Volumes I or II)
- Group reading assignment from one of the following books for a book test
and presentation: King Leopold’s Ghost (by Adam Hochschild), Salt (by
Mark Kurlansky), Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern
History (by Sidney Wilfred Mintz), Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World
of Islamic Women (by Geraldine Brooks), & Plagues and Peoples (by
William Hardy McNeill)
Supplemental Reader (class set only): Overfield, Andrea. The Human Record: Sources of
Global History. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Volumes I (to 1700 AD) and II (Since 1500). 2001.
Supplemental Workbook (optional, but recommended): 5 Steps to a 5 – AP World History
(McGraw–Hill – $17.95)
Supplemental Websites: http://mrburnett.net/apworldhistory/APWorldHistory.htm &
http://www.nasoa.com/apworld.htm
Course Objective: AP World History is for the exceptionally studious high school sophomore
who wishes to earn college credit in high school through a rigorous academic program. This
class approaches history in a nontraditional way in that it looks at common threads of humanity
over time – trade, religion, politics, society and technology – and it investigates how these things
have changed and continued over time in different places. It should be challenging, interesting,
and help to bring about a better understanding of the world we live in today. Emphasis will be
placed on preparation for the AP World History exam given in May. Higher expectations will be
the standard for all assignments, tests, and quizzes.
Specifically, the following five AP World History themes will be used throughout the course to
identify the broad patterns and processes that explain change and continuity over time:
AP World History





Interaction between humans and the environment
Development and interaction of cultures
State-building, expansion, and conflict
Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems
Development and transformation of social structures
College Board AP World History Exam:
 Thursday, May 16 - Four (4) sections: 70 multiple choice questions (55 minutes) &
three (3) essays (130 minutes) including a document based question, a change-over-time
essay, & a comparative essay
Course Content:
Unit 1 Foundations: c. 8000 B.C.E.-600 C.E.
3 Weeks
- The World History Environment & Periodization, Development of Agriculture
and Technology, Structure of Early Civilizations, Rise of Classical Civilizations,
Origins of World Belief Systems, Interactions in the Late Classical Period
 Ch. 1-5 of World Civilizations, The Human Record, Volume I
& Comparison essay practice
Unit 2 600 C.E.-1450
3 Weeks
- The Rise and Spread of Islam, The Expansion of China, Changes in European
Institutions, Interregional Trade and Exchange, Empires in the Americas
 Ch. 6-15 of World Civilizations & The Human Record, Volume I
Unit 3 1450-1750
3 Weeks
- Empires and Other Political Systems, Hemispheric Exchange, Systems of
Slavery, Cultural and Intellectual Changes
 Ch. 16-22 of World Civilizations, The Human Record, Volume I
& Document Based Question (DBQ) essay practice
Unit 4 1750-1900
3 Weeks
- The Industrial Revolution and Social Changes, Demographic and Environmental
Developments, World Trade, Political Revolutions, Western Imperialism
 Ch. 23-27 of World Civilizations & The Human Record, Volume II
Unit 5 1900-Present
4 Weeks
- World Wars and Depression, The Cold War and the Postwar Balance of Power,
End of the Cold War and Nationalist Movements, Global Trade, Technological
Developments, Social Changes, Demographic and Environmental
Developments
 Ch. 28-36 of World Civilizations, The Human Record, Volume II
& Change Over Time essay practice
Week 17-18 AP Exam/Final Exam Prep & Final Exam
***The pacing and depth of study is subject to change at the teacher’s discretion***
Attendance/Make-up Work:
Students who are absent, and have an excused admit slip, have the same number of days they
were absent plus one to make up and turn in any missed assignments. Assignments that were
due during an absence are due immediately upon the student’s return (otherwise it is considered
AP World History
late). Tests/quizzes can be made up on Tuesday or Thursday mornings (7:30-8:15) for two
weeks after returning from an excused absence. A student who has an unexcused absence will
not be allowed to make-up any missed assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain
missed lessons and to see the teacher to make any necessary arrangements. No tests or quizzes
will be given prior to an absence. A copy of the excused absence procedures can be found on the
Hillgrove website.
Grading Procedure:
Unit Tests
Quizzes & Reading Assessments
Classwork & Homework (this category will include several completion
40%
20%
25%
& discussion grades)
Final Exam
15%
Course Supplies:
- supply of #2 pencils & pen (blue or black ink)
- colored pencils
- loose leaf paper (college rule)
- 3 ring binder (1inch)
- 3 dividers
Preparation For Class:
At the end of each six week grading period students will receive a daily grade based upon their
preparation for class. Being prepared for class (textbook, paper, notebook, pen/pencil, etc.) is
expected at all times. Twenty (20) points will be deducted from this grade in situations where
preparation is lacking due to missing materials. Students will be informed and each instance
recorded when points are deducted.
AP Exam & Final Exam:
Students may exempt the final exam if they take the AP exam for this class. Students who take
AP World History during the fall semester must sign up for the AP test during the fall in order to
be exempt. If a student signs up for an AP exam but does not take the exam, his/her transcript
will be amended to reflect a grade of zero for the final exam in that course. Students who take an
AP class in the fall but wait to sign-up for the AP exam in the spring cannot go back and exempt
the final exam.
Candy/Drinks/Gum/Cough Drop Policy:
Candy or food is not allowed. The only beverage permitted is water in its original container.
Gum is allowed as long as students continue to be responsible with it. Cough drops (not candy)
are permitted as long as you get approval from the teacher beforehand. A teacher assigned
detention will be assigned for not adhering to this policy.
Cell Phone Policy:
Students shall not use, display, or turn on communication beepers, cellular phones, video phones,
or electronic devices during instructional time for non-instructional purposes without the
expressed permission of the teacher.
AP World History
Restroom Pass Policy:
At no time during the semester will a student be denied the right to use the restroom, but since it
is necessary to keep interruptions in the classroom to a minimum a restroom pass policy is
required. Excessive use of restroom passes will not be tolerated and will result in a teacher
assigned detention. A detention will also be assigned for each restroom pass used during the first
and last fifteen minutes of class. To avoid these consequences, students should use the restroom
during class changes. Any exception to this policy will require a parent note to the teacher at the
beginning of the semester stating the circumstances.
Progress Reports:
At the end of the first six-week grading period, each student will receive a printed progress
report with their current grade. Students will continue to receive progress reports approximately
every six (6) weeks. Students who have a “D” or an “F” are expected to have it signed by a
parent and returned the following class period. All progress reports are to be shown to a parent
Late Work Policy:
All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late work will not be accepted – no
exceptions. Printing/computer/internet issues are not an acceptable excuse for turning an
assignment in late. Parents: please do not have students called to the front office during class to
pick up work.
Miscellaneous:
Extra credit is not available. Students will need to focus on each assignment, quiz, or test as they
come and give their absolute best effort on each one. It is also each student’s responsibility to
keep any graded papers, tests, or quizzes in their possession in case a question arises in regards
to a specific grade.
Classroom Expectations:
1. Be prepared for class - reading & homework assignments, paper, pens, pencils, notebook, &
book (everyday)
2. Stay on task – class time is valuable - your participation grade could be affected
3. Do your own work – copying others, sharing information, & cheating on tests/quizzes are
unacceptable and will be dealt with harshly
4. No sleeping, eating, or drinking – could result in a detention
5. Respect each other and each other’s property
Student Name__________________________________________
Parent Signature________________________________________