AP World History Summer Reading Assignment 2015 Texts: Required: 1. Miguel Leon­Portilla, ​
The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico notes: You can purchase ​
either​
the 1992 or 2006 publication You​
do not ​
have to read the long introduction Choose 1 of the following: 2. Marjane Satrapi, ​
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood note: This is part 1 of a two part graphic novel, you ​
do not ​
have to read part 2 3. Art Spiegelman,​
Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History note: This is part 1 of a two part graphic novel, you ​
do not​
have to read part 2 The Broken Spears Introduction: Engaging in the intellectual study of history means often engaging in what can be an exercise in the deciphering of perspectives or points of view. In order to fully understand primary and secondary texts we must first attempt to understand the perspective of the author or authors, account for their inherent biases, and place them in their historical context. You have all probably encountered, at the very least, a brief history of the conflict between, or encounter between, the Europeans and the Native Americans. What you may not be aware of however, is that you have doubtless encountered a history written by the Europeans from what we would call a “western perspective.” The modern academic discipline of world history was created as an alternative to the western or eurocentric histories that dominated the historical landscape of the 20th century. In ​
The Broken Spears​
, you will study the destruction of the Aztecs from the perspective of the Aztecs themselves, not from their European conquerors. Assignment: 1. Write down 3­5 instances where the text either challenges or affirms your preconceived/eurocentric view of the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. In other words, as you read through the text take note of 3­5 events that: a. seem likely because they fit with what you have always imagined about the conquest of the Aztecs b. seem extraordinary because they are so different from what you have always imagined about the conquest of the Aztecs 2. Be prepared to discuss your events on the first day of class. Persepolis ​
or ​
Maus I Introduction: World History courses at Blessed Trinity are built around 5 broad historical themes. We will study particular civilizations within particular geographic regions during particular time periods but our analysis will be framed at all times by our 5 historical themes. By studying world history through the framework provided by our themes we will be able to reduce the seemingly overwhelming scope of the “history of the world” to a more manageable level. World History Themes: 1. Interactions Between Humans and the Environment Demography and Disease Migration Patterns of Settlement Technology 2. Development and Interaction of Cultures Religions Belief Systems, Philosophies, and Ideologies Science and Technology The Arts and Architecture 3. State­Building, Expansion, and Conflict Political Structures and Forms of Governance Empires Nations and Nationalism Revolts and Revolutions Regional, Transregional, and Global Structures and Organizations 4. Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems Agriculture and Pastoral Production Trade and Commerce Labor Systems Industrialization Capitalism and Socialism 5. Development and Transformation of Social Structures Gender Roles and Relations Family and Kinship Racial and Ethnic Constructions Social and Economic Classes Assignment: As you read either​
Persepolis​
or​
Maus I​
, read with the themes above in mind. Let the structure provided by this thematic framework act as a lens through which you view the text. Your assignment is to see how many thematic characteristics you can find in the text of your choice. For instance, if you are reading ​
Persepolis​
and you notice that the Islamic Revolution of 1979 is a major part of the text you would list it under Theme 3 ­ Revolts and Revolutions. You do not have to come up with a characteristic for each theme or subcategory but you should come up with as many as possible. Be prepared to discuss the text and your list with your classmates on the first day of class.