ADVANCED PLACEMENT
WORLD HISTORY
Course Syllabus
2009-2010
Advanced Placement World History
Course Information
Course Description:
The Advanced Placement World History (APWH) course is an intensive, year long, examination of global
history from the period of 8000 B.C.E. (Before Common Era) to the present. The purpose of APWH is to
develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with
different types of human societies. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks
and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. This course also
builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with
geography, set the human stage.
The course is broken down into five major periods of study. They are:
Period
Foundations: 8000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.
600 C.E. to 1450
1450 to 1750
1750 to 1914
1914 to the Present
Class Time (Approx.)
7 Weeks
8 Weeks
7 Weeks
7 Weeks
7 Weeks
APWH Course Themes
The APWH course is guided by six themes which will receive equal attention throughout the course:
1. The dynamics of change and continuity across the world history periods covered in this course,
and the causes and processes involved in major changes of these dynamics.
2. Patterns and effects of interaction among societies and regions: trade, war, diplomacy, and
international organizations.
3. The effects of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment (population
growth and decline, disease, labor systems, manufacturing, migrations, agriculture, weaponry).
4. Systems of social structure and gender structure (comparing major features within and among
societies, and assessing change and continuity).
5. Cultural, intellectual, and religious developments, including interactions among and within
societies.
6. Changes in functions and structures of states and attitudes toward states and political identities
(political culture), including the emergence of the nation-state (types of political organization).
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AP World History
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APWH Habits of Mind or Skills
The APWH course addresses habits of mind or skills in two categories: (1) those addressed by any
rigorous history course, and (2) those addressed by a world history course.
Four habits of mind are in the first category:
 Constructing and evaluating arguments: using evidence to make plausible arguments.
 Using documents and other primary data: developing the skills necessary to analyze point of view,
context, and bias, and to understand and interpret information.
 Assessing issues of change and continuity over time, including the capacity to deal with change as
a process and with questions or causation.
 Understanding diversity of interpretations through analysis of context, point of view, and frame of
reference.
Three habits of mind are in the second category:
 Seeing global patterns and processes over time and space while also connecting local
developments to global ones and moving through levels of generalizations from the global to the
particular.
 Comparing within and among societies, including comparing societies' reactions to global
processes.
 Being aware of human commonalities and differences while assessing claims of universal
standards, and understanding culturally diverse ideas and values in historical context.
Instructor Information
Name: Mr. J. Edwards
Title: Teacher
Planning Period/Time: Room: # 218
A Days 10:30 to Noon
B Days 10:30 to Noon
Hours Available for calls:
11:00 to 11:30
11:00 to 11:30
E-mail: jack.edwards@pgcps.org
Mail: 7001 Beltz Drive, Forestville, MD 20747
Office Phone: (301) 817-0400 ext. 398
Required Textbook:
Bentley, J. and Ziegler, H. (2003). Traditions and encounters: A global perspective on the past. (3rd Ed.).
Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Supplemental Text: (Teacher provided)
Andrea, A. and Overfield, J. (2005). The human record: Sources of global history, Volume I: To 1700. (5th
Ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Andrea, A. and Overfield, J. (2005). The human record: Sources of global history, Volume II: Since 1500.
(5th Ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Grupe, D. and Reynolds, S. (2007). AP achiever: Advanced placement exam prep guide: World history.
Boston: McGraw Hill.
Grading Criteria:
Tests/Quizzes/ Essays/ Projects: 60%
Homework/ Class-work: 30%
Participation: 10%
Course Syllabus Signatures
_____________________________________
Mr. J. Edwards, Instructor
_____________________________________
Mrs. V. Thomas, Chairperson
_____________________________________
Nathanial R. Laney Jr, Principal
_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian/Student
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Unit One: Foundations 8000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Additional Readings
Week One:
Agricultural Revolution (Transition)
World Geography
Geographic Determinism- Jared Diamond Discussion/Debate
Course Introduction/Overview
Chapter 1, Bentley
Comparative Graphic Organizer: Early Civilizations
Quiz: Chapter 1
Timed Writing: Comparative Essays on Early Civilizations
Jared Diamond Take-Home Essay
Weeks Two and Three:
Civilization Discussion/Debate
Early Civilizations (Complex Societies)
Economic Specialization/Trade
Bantu/Aryan Migrations
Religion
Chapters 2-5/ 6, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5
Foundation Exam, Part I: Chapters 1-6
Weeks Four and Five:
Classical Societies/Empires
Economic Specialization/Development of Long-Distance Trade
Belief Systems (Religions of Salvation)
Chapters 7-11, Bentley
Comparative Graphic Organizer: Classical Societies/Empires
Comparative Graphic Organizer: Belief Systems (Religions of
Salvation)
Quiz: Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11
Timed Writing: Document Based Question (DBQ)-Buddhism
Week Six and Seven
Cross-cultural Interactions/Migrations
Long-distance Trade
Spread/Diffusion of Religion
Spread/Diffusion of Disease
Collapse of the Classical Societies/Empires
Chapter 12, Bentley
ASPIRE Chart
Annotated Timeline (AP Themes)
Foundations Exam, Part II: Chapters 7-12
Andrea/Overfield (Vol.I): Part I: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 1.10,
1.11, 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.46, 1.47, 1.48, 1.53, 1.54
Part II: 1.18, 1.20, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.32, 1.33, 1.34, 1.35, 1.36, 1.37,
1.25, 1.27, 1.30, 1.31, 1.39, 1.41, 1.42
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Unit Two: 600 C.E. to 1450
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Week 8
Byzantium: A Survivor Society
Islam: Rise and Expansion
Economy and Society: Urbanization, Hemispheric Trade
Schism
Chapters 13-14, Bentley
Map Activity: Dar al Islam
Quiz: Chapter 13; Chapter 14
Week 9
Restoration of imperial rule in China
Islamic and Hindu Kingdoms
Economic Development and Trade
Culture and Society
Chapters 15-16, Bentley
Continuity-Change Over Time Graphic Organizer (CCOT) Chinese
Dynasties
Quiz: Chapter 15; Chapter 16
Timed Writing: DBQ-The Silk Roads
Week 10
Political Stability
Economy and Society
The Papacy
Regional States and Expansion
The Crusades
Chapters 17 and 20, Bentley
Comparative Graphic Organizer: European and Japanese Feudalism
Mini-DBQ: The Crusades
Quiz: Chapter 17; Chapter 20
Unit II Exam, Part I: Chapters 13-17, and Chapter 20
Week 11
Turkish Migrations and Expansion
Mongol Expansion and Empire Building
Chapter 18, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 18
Timed Writing: CCOT Essay: The Mongols
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Unit Two: 600 C.E. to 1450
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Additional Readings
Weeks 12 and 13
West African Kingdoms/Empires
Islamic Kingdoms/Empires
Long-distance Trade: Trans-Saharan Trade/Indian Ocean Trade
Culture and Society
Mesoamerican Empires
Chapter 19 and 21, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 19; Chapter 21
Timed Writing: CCOT Essay: The Mongols
Week 14
Cross-cultural Interactions
Long-distance Trade
Crisis and Recovery
Exploration and Colonization
Chapter 22, Bentley
ASPIRE Chart
Annotated Timeline (AP Themes)
Quiz: Chapter 22
Unit II Exam, Part II: Chapters 18-22 (Excluding Chapter 20)
Andrea/Overfield (Vol.I): 1.81, 1.82, 1.55, 1.57, 1.58, 1.60, 1.61,
1.62, 1.68, 1.69, 1.70, 1.71, 1.72, 1.73, 1.65, 1.66, 1.67, 1.78, 1.79,
1.80, 1.83, 1.84, 1.100, 1.101, 1.102, 1.105, 1.106, 1.108, 1.109,
1.110, 1.107, 1.113
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Unit Three: 1450 to 1750
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Week 15
Exploration
Colonization
Exchange
Chapter 23, Bentley
Map Activity
Quiz: Chapter 23
Week 16
Reformation/Counter Reformation
Revival of Empire
Capitalism-Expansion of Trade (Global Trade)—Labor Systems
Chapter 24, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 24
Timed Writing: DBQ-Christian and Muslim Attitudes Towards Trade
Week 17
The Spanish in the Americas
Colonial Society
European expansion into the Pacific
Chapter 25, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 25
Timed Writing: Comparative Essay on Labor Systems
Week 18
Labor systems in the New World—Triangular Trade—Plantations…
The African Diaspora (Demographic Impact)
Abolition of Slavery
Chapter 26, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 26
Timed Writing: DBQ on the Abolition of Slavery
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Unit Three: 1450 to 1750
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Additional Readings
Week 19
Political Stability in China (Post Mongols)
Economic and Social Changes
"New" Cultural Influences/Traditions
Unification of Japan
Chapter 27, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter27
Week 20
Islamic Empires
Islamic Society
Empires in Transition
Chapter 28, Bentley
ASPIRE Chart
Annotated Timeline (AP Themes)
Quiz: Chapter 28
Timed Writing: CCOT Essay- The Columbian Exchange
Unit III Exam, Chapters 23-28
Andrea/Overfield (Vol. II): 2.18, 2.19, 2.20, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.21,
2.22, 2.23, 2.24, 2.25, 2.35, 2.36, 2.37, 2.38, 2.39, 2.40, 2.41, 2.30,
2.31, 2.32, 2.33, 2.34, 2.26, 2.27, 2.28, 2.29, 2.48, 2.49, 2.4, 2.3,
2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.54, 2.55, 2.58, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.14, 2.50,
2.52, 2.53
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Unit Four: 1750 to 1914
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Week 21
Enlightenment and Revolution (American/French)
Impact of Revolution—Latin America—Abolitionism—Women's
Rights
Nationalism and the formation of National States (Italy/Germany)
Chapter 29, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 29
Week 22
Industrialization
Changing Industrial Society—Urbanization and Migration
Global Impact
Chapter 30, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 30
Timed Writing: CCOT Essay on the Roles of Women in East Asia,
Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Western Europe, 1750-1914
Week 23
The Americas
State Building
Economic Development
Society and Culture
Chapter 31, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 31
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Unit Four: 1750 to 1914
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Additional Readings
Week 24
Declining Empires
Ottoman's—Russian—China
Chapter 32, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 32
Week 25 and 26
Imperialism: Building of Global Empires
Motives for empire
The Scramble (Africa and Asia)
New Imperial Powers
Impact of Imperialism
Chapter 33, Bentley
Map Activity: Imperialism
Quiz: Chapter 33
Week 27
Review/Reflect/Recover
ASPIRE Chart
Annotated Timeline (AP Themes)
Timed Writing: DBQ-Asian Indentured Labor in the 19th Century
Unit IV Exam, Chapters 29-33
Andrea/Overfield (Vol. II): 2.42, 2.43, 2.44, 2.45, 2.46, 2.47, 2.61,
2.62, 2.63, 2.64, 2.65, 2.66, 2.50, 2.40, 2.41, 2.54, 2.55, 2.56, 2.58,
2.67, 2.68, 2.69, 2.70, 2.71, 2.72, 2.73, 2.79, 2.80, 2.81
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Unit Five: 1914 to the Present
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Week 28
World War I
Global War
Total War
Impact of Versailles
Chapter 34, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 34
Week 29 and 30
Global Depression and Political Challenges
Rise of Totalitarian Movements (Fascism, Communism, National
Socialism)
Nationalism and Political Identity—Asian Autonomy—Colonial
Africa—Latin America
Chapter 35-36, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 35; Chapter 36
Timed Writing: CCOT Essay on Attitudes Towards Political
Structures
Week 31
World War II
Causes and Consequences
Total War
The Holocaust
The Atomic Bomb
Chapter 37, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 37
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Unit Five: 1914 to the Present
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Topics
Readings
Major Assignments
Assessments
Additional Readings
Week 31
The Cold War
Emergence of "Super" Powers
Hot Spots: Korea/Cuba/Vietnam
End of the Cold War
Chapter 38, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 38
Week 32
De-Colonization
Asia—Africa—Latin America
Chapter 39, Bentley
Quiz: Chapter 39
Timed Writing: DBQ-Nationalism Among Muslim Leaders
Week 33
The Global Economy
Cross-cultural Exchanges and Communication
Global Problems—Demography and Environment
Chapter 40, Bentley
ASPIRE Chart
Annotated Timeline (AP Themes)
Quiz: Chapter 40
Unit V Exam, Chapters 34-40
Andrea/Overfield (Vol. II): 2.87, 2.88, 2.89, 2.90, 2.91, 2.92, 2.93,
2.94, 2.98, 2.101, 2.102, 2.103, 2.104, 2.105, 2.106, 2.107, 2.95,
2.96, 2.97, 2.108, 2.109, 2.110, 2.111, 2.112, 2.113, 2.117, 2.118,
2.120, 2.121, 2.122, 2.123
Notes:
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