AP European History
2011 – 2012
Mr. Porter
pporter@montville.net
Room 307
Course Description:
This course examines the political, social, economic, intellectual and cultural history of
Europe from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance to the turn of the 21st century. AP
European History is a challenging course designed to be the equivalent of a freshman
college Western Civilization course and can earn students college credit. Students are
expected to do a considerable amount of reading in both the major text and
supplementary sources, and must be willing to devote substantial time to study and the
completion of class assignments. Emphasis is placed on analytical writing, class
discussion, use of primary sources, and critical reading. Students engage in standard
tasks such as essays and tests, but will also encounter a variety of activities such as
debates, a fictional family history, simulations, and trials of historical figures. All of the
reading assignments, both from the text and supplementary sources, have a written
component. These include questions, essays, timelines and short papers. All work will
be collected and graded.
Several field trips are planned for the year. All are part of the AP European History
curriculum and therefore not optional. On these field trips, students are given specific
assignments connected to special exhibits or the permanent collection of a museum or
exhibit. Some examples of possible trips include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the
New York Public Library, the Frick Museum and perhaps an Opera.
Primary Texts:
Chambers, Mortimer, et al. The Western Experience. Ninth Edition. New York:
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2007.
McKay, John P., et al. A History of Western Society; since 1300. Seventh Edition.
New York, NY: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2000.
Perry, Marvin; Peden, Joseph R. and Theodore H. Von Laue. Sources of the Western
Tradition. Vol. II New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.
Brinton, Crane. The Anatomy of Revolution. New York: Random House, Inc., 1965.
Rabb, Theodore. The Last Days of the Renaissance; the March to Modernity, New
York: Random House, Inc., 2007.
Supplemental Texts:
Palmer, Robert R., and Joel Colton. A History of the Modern World. Ninth Edition.
New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2002.
Kagan, Donald, et al. The Western Heritage; since 1300. Eighth Edition. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2004.
Mitchell, Helen & Joseph, eds. Taking Sides; Issues in Western Civilization. New York: McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc., 2000.
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Sherman, Dennis, ed. Western Civilization: Sources, Images and Interpretations; from
the Renaissance to the Present. Third edition. New York: McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc., 2000.
Several Novels will be used in the course including:
Utopia. More, Thomas.
Book of the Courtier. Castiglione
The Decameron. Boccaccio, Giovanni
Praise of Folly. Erasmus
The Prince. Machiavelli, Niccolo
Course Themes: The following themes will recur in different contexts throughout the
course. It is strongly recommended that you memorize them. Use them to organize
your thinking and refer to them either directly or indirectly in your writing or in
discussion. A second list of themes, you may want to consult throughout your work, are
on a handout to be given out the first day of class. They are divided by category, and
come straight from the AP History course description book. Use both lists in your
writings and as you prepare for exams. All students will be required to have a notebook
for the class or take notes via computer/pad.
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The development of political freedom, constitutional government, and concern
for the rule of law and individual rights.
The shifting relations among religion, society, and the state.
The development of science and technology and their expanding impact on
thought, social institutions, and everyday life.
The major religious and intellectual currents that have shaped Western
culture.
Course Outline:
I.
Introduction (2 days)
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
Late Middle Ages & the Renaissance (2 weeks)
Christian Upheaval and Reformations (2 Weeks)
The Age of Discovery & Religious Wars; Writer’s Workshop (2 weeks)
Constitutionalism and Absolutism (1.5 weeks)
The Transformation of Eastern Europe (.5 weeks)
Scientific Revolution (1 week)
The Struggle for Wealth & Empire (1 week)
The Enlightenment (1.5 weeks)
The French Revolution. (1.5 weeks)
Napoleonic Europe (1 week)
Revolution in Energy & Industry and the advent of “Isms” (.5 week)
Ideologies and Upheavals (1 week)
Emerging Urban Society (1 week)
The Age of Nationalism. (1 week)
The West and the World (.5 week)
The Great Break: War and Revolution. (1 week)
Age of Anxiety (.5 week)
Political Experiments & the Second World War (1 week)
Post War Europe & the Cold War & Reconstruction (1 week)
New Europe & the 21st Century (.5 week)
Review, Review & more Review.
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Course Topics:
I.
Introduction:
Course Introduction
Pass-out texts & discuss
Additional Readings (explain difference between primary and secondary
sources)
Summer Assignment & Novel Group Project
Discuss Historical Research
Index cards and other note-taking methods
Readings:
Rabb; Last Days of the Renaissance.
Selected Renaissance Novel.
II.
The Late Middle Ages & the Renaissance:
Geography of Europe
Political & Social Breakdown
The Hundred Years’ War
The Plague or “Black Death”
The Late Medieval Church
The Renaissance in Italy
Italy’s Political Decline
Revival of the Monarchy in N. Europe
The Northern Renaissance
Novel Group Project
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 12.
Chambers; Ch. 12.
(McKay; Ch. 13)
Perry; Ch. 1.
Novel Outlines & Topic/Thesis Packet
Examine Key Terms
III.
Christian Upheaval and Reformations:
Society & Religion
Piety & Dissent
The Lutheran Reformation
The Growth of Protestantism
The English Reformation
Catholic Reform & Counter-Reformation
Social Significance of the Reformation
Worms Simulation
Readings:
Chambers; Ch. 13
McKay; Ch. 14
Perry; Ch. 2.
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Sherman; Ch. 2, pp. 19 – 32.
The Protestant Revolt: A Move Towards the Unknown Assignment
IV.
The Age of Discovery and Religious Wars; Writer’s Workshop
DBQ
Term Paper
Topics/Thesis
Research
Field Trip to NY Public Library
Commercial Revolution
Expansion at Home
Voyages of Discovery & New Empires
Changing Attitudes toward Women
Disintegration & Reconstruction of France
The Dutch & English
The 30 years War
Research Topic Assigned
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 15.
(Chambers; Ch. 14)
DBQ Handout
Handout from Pren Hall “History Student Writer’s Manual.”
Sherman; Ch.’s 3 & 4.
Perry; Ch. 2, Sections 1 – 6
The European World at War Assignment
V.
Constitutionalism & Absolutism
Balance of Power
Two Models of European Political Development
The Dutch Republic
England’s Constitutional Crisis
Absolute Monarchy in France
War & Louis’s Personal Rule
European Economy in an Age of Crisis
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 16.
(Chambers; 16 & 17)
Sherman; Ch. 5
Absolute Monarchy Assignment
AP Central Constitutionalism vs. Absolutism Assessment
VI.
The Transformation of Eastern Europe
Three Aging Empires
Formation of an Austrian Monarchy
Prussia
Peter the Great & the West
Partitioning of Poland
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Readings:
McKay; Ch. 17.
The Emergence of the Modern State Assignment
VII.
The Scientific Revolution
Bacon & Descartes
Newton & Gravitation
New Knowledge
Political Theory
“Anatomy…” Discussion
Readings:
Brinton; Ch. 1.
Chambers; Ch. 16
Perry; Ch. 2
Sherman; Ch. 6
VIII.
The Struggle for Wealth & Empire
Elite & Popular Cultures
18th Century Global Economy
The Seven Years War
Free Response Essays
Lesson Presentations Begin
Readings:
McKay; Ch.’s 19 & 20
Sherman; Ch. 7
The Aristocracy Plays at War Assignment
The Marriage of Politics & Economy Assignment
IX.
The Enlightenment
Voltaire
The Philosophes
Rousseau
Women
Smith & laissez-faire
Enlightened Absolutism
Brinton Quiz 1
Readings:
Brinton; Ch. 2.
Chambers; Ch. 19.
Perry; Ch. 3.
Sherman; Ch. 8
The Best of all Possible Worlds Assignment
X.
The French Revolution
Reform & Political Crisis
Origins of the Revolution
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Fiscal Crisis
3 Stages & Film
The Terror
The Thermidorian Reaction
Europe’s Response
Readings:
Brinton; Ch. 3.
Chambers; Ch. 20.
Perry: Ch. 4.
Sherman; Ch.9.
Liberty, Equality, & Fraternity Assignment
XIII.
Napoleonic Europe
Book Review Due
The Directory
Rise of Napoleon
Confederation of the Rhine
The Napoleonic Code
The Continental System
Congress of Vienna
100 Days
Brinton Quiz 2
Readings:
Brinton; Ch.’s 4 -5.
Chambers; Ch. 21.
Sherman; Ch. 10.
Giant or Midget Assignment
XIV.
Revolution in Energy & Industry and the advent of “Isms.”
Industrial Revolution in Britain
Industrialization in Continental Europe
Capitol and Labor
Taming the City
Rich & Poor and Those in Between
Changing Family
Science and Thought
Readings:
Brinton; Ch. 6.
McKay; Ch. 22.
Perry; Ch. 5.
Sherman; Ch. 11.
Human Side Assignment
XV.
Ideologies & Upheavals
Intervention & Repression
Metternich & Conservatism
Birth of “Isms”
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Romanticism
Reforms & Revolutions
1848 the Year of Revolutions
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 23
Chambers; Ch. 23.
Brinton; Ch. 7.
Perry; Ch. 6.
Sherman; Ch. 12.
In Search of an Economic View Assignment
The Revolutions of 1848 Assignment
XVI.
Emerging Urban Society
Growth of Cities
Public Health
Urban planning
Middle & Working Class
The Changing Family
Social Science & Evolution
Realism
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 24.
Brinton; Ch. 8.
Perry; Ch.’s 7 & 8.
Sherman; Ch. 14.
XVII. Age of Nationalism
Paris & Vienna
Revolutions in Central Europe & Italy
Liberal Germany? & the Frankfurt Assembly
New European “Isms”
Bonapartism
Italian Unification
German Unification
Dual Monarchy
Liberal Russia
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 25.
Sherman; Ch. 13
Changing Threads of Unity Assignment
Shapers of Nationalism Assignment
XVIII. The West & the World
The World Market
Population
Migration
Western Imperialism
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Responses
Brinton Quiz 3
Readings:
Chambers; Ch. 25.
McKay; Ch. 26.
Brinton; Ch. 9
Perry; Ch. 9.
Imperialism Assignment
XIX.
The Great Break: War and Revolution.
World War I
The Alliance System
Stalemate & Slaughter
US Entry
The Home Front
Monarchical Collapse
The Russian Revolution
The Peace of Paris, 1919
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 27.
(Chambers; 27/28)
Perry; Ch. 11.
Sherman; Ch. 15
The Alliance System Assignment
Treaty of Versailles: An Outside Perspective Assignment
XXI.
Age of Anxiety
Modern Philosophy
Revival of Christianity
New Physics
Economic Crisis
Great Depression
US New Deal
Scandinavian Response
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 28
Sherman; Ch. 16.
Revisionist Socialism Assignment
Art: The Classes to the Masses Assignment
XXII. Political Experiments & the Second World War
German Republic
Democracy in Britain & France
Trials in France
Italian Fascism
Totalitarianism: The German Third Reich
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The Spanish Civil War
Appeasement
Axis Triumph
Western-Soviet Alliance
Allied Victory
Conferences
Foundations of Peace
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 29.
(Chambers; 28)
Chambers; Ch. 29.
Perry; .
Sherman; Ch. 17
The French Search for Security Assignment
The Mind of Nazis Assignment
XXIII. Post War Europe & the Cold War
The Cold War
Economic Reconstruction
Political Reconstruction
Reshaping the Global Economy
The Communist World
China
NATO & the Warsaw Pact
The Korean War
Final Research Powerpoints Due
Readings:
Chambers; Ch. 29.
McKay; Ch. 30.
Perry; Ch.
Sherman; Ch. 18.
XXIV. New Europe and the 21st Century
The African Revolution
Turbulent Middle East
Latin America
Confrontation & Détente
Global Economy of the 70’s & 80’s
China after Mao
The Collapse of Communism
Intellectual & Social Currents
The 21st Century Dawns
Readings:
McKay; Ch. 31.
(Chambers; Ch. 30)
Perry; Ch. 15.
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Sherman; Ch. 19.
Westernizing the World Assignment
Requirements:
1.) Assignments:
Students are expected to turn in all work by the end of the
unit, on the day the assessment. If late, see note below. All
assignments and assignment sheets will be posted on
School Wires. Students are responsible for checking School
Wires regularly for any added notes, power points or
supplemental assignments.
2.) Absentees:
Absent students are expected to check School Wires first,
ask fellow classmates second, and only if absolutely
necessary should the teacher be consulted on missed work.
Quizzes and exams must be re-scheduled and such
arrangements are the students responsibility. Ten days
before grades are due, all make-ups and missed
assignments must be submitted. Several assessments
will not be accepted late, FOR ANY REASON
WHATSOEVER! Students will be notified well in advance
on any such assignment and will know they cannot turn-in
late work on such an assignment.
3.) Participation:
10% of the final grade will be based on class
participation. Factors such as attitude, effort,
quality of questions raised all contribute to this grade.
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4.) Grading:
Assessments include various projects that will allow students to demonstrate what they
have learned using a variety of skills. Some will be geared toward group work, while
others may be oral or more artistically focused. This allows the student to experience
various methods of assessment. Each project will have an assessment package which
will contain a rubric. A rubric provides specific details on how the assignment is to be
completed and how it will be graded. These rubrics and assignment outlines will be
posted on School Wires. It is the student’s responsibility to check School Wires if
they miss class or lose original handout. Any changes on assignments will be
announced in class and updated forms will be available on School Wires.
Research topics are assigned at the start of the fall semester. Topics are selected by
the student and are subject to the teacher’s approval. The revised and corrected final
power point lesson is due prior to spring break. Presentations will begin in November.
One book review must be completed by the midterm as well.
Quizzes will normally be given once a week on some part of the unit being studied, but
some additional quizzes may be given without notice. Students are allowed to use
notes and outlines when taking all quizzes. These notes and outlines are checked
during quizzes and tests. Quizzes will be mixed with Multiple-Choice tests and essays.
MC test will be cumulative, while essays will consist of Free Response questions
and/or DBQ’s. Once a marking period students may re-take a quiz they did poorly on;
such quizzes will be given on Monday or Tuesday and must be retaken by Friday.
Each semester a student may defer taking a quiz or submitting an essay on an
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assigned day. The deferred quiz/essay must be made-up within two weeks. A request
must be made on a full sheet of paper and turned-in at the start of class.
All assignments are to be kept in a 3 ring binder, or on a thumb drive. This will
build a review manual to be used in April/May to study for the AP Exam.
5.) AP Exam and Final Exam Exemption:
This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam taken on the first Friday in
May. We will be pushing very hard through April to finish the material and prepare for
the exam. Regardless of whether or not you decide to take the exam, you will be
expected to keep up with the class doing all assignments and readings, taking all tests
and quizzes, and writing all essays and DBQs.
In May, we will begin our film festival and discussions to culminate the class. Each film
is accompanied by 1 – 3 worksheets which will count as a quiz grade. Film discussions
go toward class participation. A zero will be given for every worksheet not submitted for
grading.
To earn an exemption on the Final Exam, a student must maintain a B+ average
through out the course of the year, including 4th marking period and midterm exam. A
student who takes the AP exam can also earn an exemption, no exceptions to these
guidelines will be made.
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