Advanced Placement World History: Mrs. A Durr Room 226 email: andurr@asd5.org
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Course Purpose: Advanced Placement World History is a college-level survey course. For
many, it is the first college-level course a student will take. Because this is a college level course
and not simply an “honors” level course, there is a major difference in the level of difficulty.
Last year more than a million high school students benefited from the opportunity of taking an
AP course and AP exams, but this course is about more than simply passing the AP Exam. The
purpose of this course is to develop skills and knowledge that will form a useful foundation not
only for students’ college experiences, but also to help students prepare for an ever changing
complex global society.
I highly recommend that every student commit to taking the AP exam in May as exposure to this
level of exam gives students practice and experience with college level exams and finals.
Course Philosophy: Since the time of early humans, people have been asking questions about
humanity and our place in the world. Who are we? How do we fit within the world? Why is the
world this way? What does this all mean? What does the future hold for us? How do we solve
the problems of our time? In AP World History, we attempt to answer these questions by
exploring human history through study of the following themes and units.
Course Themes
The interaction of humans and their environment
The development and interaction of and between different cultures.
The growth and expansion of states and empires.
Conflict, change, and continuity of and between cultures.
Global communication and trade.
The development of societies and social structures.
Course Units
Unit 1 The Growth of Agriculture and Settled Society
Unit 2 Organization of Complex Societies
Unit 3 The World in Transition
Unit 4 New Global Interactions
Unit 5 Industrialization and Globalization
Unit 6 Global Change and Realignment
Early People to 589 BCE
600 BCE- 600 CE
600 CE -1450 CE.
1400 CE- 1750 CE
1750 CE- 1900
1900 CE- present
Course Text and Resources
* Class Website: http://www.asd5.org/Page/5635 (bookmark it. We will use it daily).
* Text: Traditions and Encounters, A Global Perspective on the Past, 5th AP Edition, Jerry H
Bentley and Herbert F Ziegler.
*Online Textbook and Resources. Weblink to be shared in class.
* Secondary Text Book: Ways of the World, A Brief Global History, Robert W Strayer
* A Selection of Primary and Secondary Sources from the following websites
(but not limited to this list): Stanford History Education Group, http://sheg.stanford.edu/
World History for Us All, http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/
Big History Project, https://www.bighistoryproject.com/portal
* A selection of Document-Based Questions, Continuity and Change-Over-Time essays, and
Comparative Essays released by the College Board.
* Glencoe Online Learning Center, www/glencoe.com/bentleyAP5
* Glencoe Primary Source Investigator, http://psi-html.historicusinc.com/editions
*Videos: Crash Course World History,
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9
Required Supplies: colored pencils (nothing fancy just the basic colors), writing utensils (pens
and pencils), a college ruled composition book (for class notes, charts, maps, and reading notes),
a charged RT tablet once they are assigned by the school, and highlighters.
Grade Policies
Grading Scale
93-100 = A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C67-69 = D+
60-66 = D
0-59 = F
Tests and Quizzes: Due to the depth of information in the course, you will be required to read the
text and take notes at home Monday-Friday nights starting the second week of school. A home
work reading calendar is available on my webpage and will be shared at the start of the year.
Nearly every Friday there will be an open note quiz on the at home reading worth 10-15 points.
At the end of each unit, there will be a unit exam. Its worth will be based on the number of
critical concepts taught in that unit. Test corrections can only be made on unit exams and will be
due on the Friday following the unit exam.
Classwork, Projects, and Essays: In this class we will be using the tools of historians to read,
analyze, and discuss the content and themes of each unit. We will examine maps, charts, art,
video, and written (both primary and secondary) sources. Classwork assignments and notes are
worth 5-15 points. Periodically, there will be a project or an essay in order to compare concepts
across time and location. Projects and essays are worth 21-50 points. All essays will be written in
class and will be timed.
Absent Work: If you are absent from school for more than one day, please see me before or after
school. It is difficult to catch a student up from a multi-day absence while I am working with
other students. Work assigned BEFORE an absence is due the day the student returns to class.
If you are absent, you have double the time of your absence to make up the work for full credit
(Example: 3 absent days=6 school days after your return to turn in the work). Any work done
during an unexcused absence regarded as truancy cannot be made up per district policy. If a
student has missed more than 10 class sessions during the semester, he or she may be subject
to loss of credit in that class.
Late Work and Retakes: It is important that you turn your work in on time. However, there are
sometimes extenuating circumstances that may prevent this from happening. Please contact me
during class, through email, or by phone if you feel you cannot make a due date due to a
serious family or personal conflict.
AP World students are permitted only 2 late work assignments per grading period (unless you
have made previous arrangements with me). All late or redone work must be turned in for half
credit directly to me by 3:30 on the day of the Friday quiz for that chapter. Once a chapter is
complete, no work (classwork, projects or essays) will be accepted unless previously approved
by the teacher. One extra late work assignment can be earned by bringing in a box of Kleenex.
Participation and Entry Task
Active engagement and participation are essential skills not just for school but also for the world
outside school. Each month you will earn 20 points for being present, on time, prepared, and
actively engaged with home and school work without distracting others.
Class Expectations and Rules.
All school rules automatically apply in this classroom.
In addition to the school rules,
1. Participate.
Be present, on time, prepared and actively engaged with home and school work without
distracting yourself or others. Ask questions when needed.
2. Treat other people and other people’s things with respect.
Be kind to others. Use things the way there were meant to be used (example, a pencil is
for writing on paper and not on a book or desk).
3. Preserve a positive learning environment.
Use your class time to learn. Keep mean and negative thoughts to yourself (Negativity
spreads rapidly). Stay in your seat until the bell rings unless otherwise directed by the
teacher. Follow directions. Don’t interrupt the teacher or your classmates. If you have a
question or comment during instruction, raise your hand.
4. Take responsibility for your actions.
Turn things in on time. Keep track of your work. If you break a rule, show that you
understand and have learned from your mistakes.
Please download this syllabus for future reference on both your RT and home computer.
I look forward to working with you this year and getting to know each of you better. If you have
any questions or concerns please email or call me. I will do my best to reply within 24 hours but
no later than 48 hours. Email is probably the best way to get of hold of me as I check it
regularly.