AP World History- 2012-2013
Summer Assignment
Welcome to AP World History (WHAP!) at Zachary High School for 2012-2013.
AP World History is a yearlong college level survey course that covers the history of
the world from approximately 8,000 B.C.E. to the present. Your summer
assignment for WHAP consists of 2 parts: 1)summer reading of Genghis Khan and
the Making of the Modern World and accompanying discussion questions and
2)Artifacts in a Box assignment
Part I.
Book: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Author: Jack Weatherford
Publisher: Crown Publishers, New York, 2004
Availability: Books may be checked out from the school library before school ends
or at selected times during the summer. It would be best to get the book from the
library before leaving school for the summer to be sure that you have the book. If
you do not pick up the book before leaving school, you will need to check the school
website for information on which days you may come to school to check out the
book. You may NOT write or highlight in the books. Books may also be purchased
if you choose at Books-a-Million or Barnes and Noble stores in Baton Rouge (they
may have to order it for you); available via the internet from both of the previous
sources or from Amazon.com as well as other sites. The Zachary branch of the East
Baton Rouge Parish Public Library may also have a copy or two of the book that
can be checked out.
Assignment: Read the book and complete the following discussion questions. All
answers must be in complete sentences and should be arranged in proper multiparagraph form. Correct spelling and grammar are required as part of this
assignment—you must be able to communicate effectively in written form in order
to be successful in this course. Assignment must be typed—use Times New Roman
style; font size must be no smaller than 12 nor larger than 14. This assignment is
worth 90 points. Note- no specific length has been assigned for this assignment-you
are EXPECTED to produce QUALITY answers for each question-do not mistake
QUALITY to mean that a bare minimum is acceptable! The quality of your answers
will factor into the grade that you receive along with grammar and spelling.
Remember that you are in an AP course-you should produce work which is on par
with a first-year college student.
Due Date: Assignments are due during the first week of the 2012-2013 school yearThursday, August 9 or Friday, August 10-you may submit them on either day and
receive full credit. Late assignments will be accepted from August 13 -August 17
but will have 5 points deducted for each day that the assignment is late. No late
assignments will be accepted after Friday, August 17-you will receive a “0”. You
must submit a hard copy of your assignment-do not email your assignment.
If you have any questions regarding the assignment, you may email them to:
chris.staggs@zacharyschools.org
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World-AP World History
Summer Reading Assignment -2012
Note: As much as possible, illustrate your responses with quotes and evidence from
the book. Attempt to answer the questions using an analytical thesis and then
support your thesis with evidence.
1. Why has it been difficult to get information about Genghis Khan and the
Mongol Empire until recently? Why has new information now become
available? (introduction of book)
2. Describe Genghis Khan’s early life. What do you believe motivated him to
become a leader, first of the Mongol people, and later of his huge empire?
3. What was unique about the Mongol military? How did this give them a
significant advantage over their enemies?
4. How did Mongol rule compare with that of other kingdoms and empires of
the day in terms of each of the following: a)trade; b)religious freedom; c)the
treatment of criminals and prisoners of war; d)the treatment of aristocrats
and the rule of law.
5. How did the “Pax Mongolica” (Mongol Peace) contribute to the development
of a new, global culture?
6. How did the bubonic plague epidemic of the 1300s lead to the destruction of
the Mongol Empire?
7. In the author’s view, what part of the world benefited the most from the
Mongols? Why?
8. How did the image of Genghis Khan and the Mongols change into one of
subhuman barbarians for modern Europeans? Why were modern Asians
interested in restoring a more positive image of Genghis Khan and the
Mongols?
9. After reading the book, what are your general feelings about Genghis Khan
and the Mongols? How do you feel about the importance of understanding
history?
Part II
Artifacts in a Box
As part of the introduction to the course we will be discussing sources of
history and the concept of historiography. “History” has only been around for
approximately 5500 years or so-“prehistory” has been around for hundreds of
thousands of years. In the absence of written documents during prehistoric times,
archaeologists and other social scientists must rely on other forms of evidence to
provide us information on the history of the world before about 3000 B.C.E. One
technique that has been common involves the study of artifacts. Artifacts are items
made and left behind by humans. Artifacts can reveal a great deal about the
lifestyle of the people that used them.
Your task is to assemble a collection of 10 artifacts that reveal something
about you. These artifacts should be placed in a small shoebox (or similar sized
box) and brought with you to class on the first day of school (August 9). Your name
should NOT be written anywhere on the box! During the first days of class we will
try and derive information about the person based on the contents of the box.
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In addition to your box of artifacts, bring a typed list of your artifacts with
your name on it to submit to me on the first day of school.
Put some careful thought into the selection of each artifact; we will do some
written follow-up and discussion on the boxes and their contents during the
first few days of class.
Please keep a few things in mind when choosing your artifacts:
 All items should be “appropriate” for school! (no weapons,
pornography, illegal substances, etc.-you know what I mean!)
 Items should be of little monetary value
 Most of the items should be common items.
 Please avoid items that are too personal in nature.
 Artifacts should have little if any significant writing on them that
reveals information.
 Try and select items of importance to you and your life.
 Items should not be organic, or anything that will smell, leak, mold, or
escape the box!
The artifacts will be returned after we finish with them in class but once again don’t
include anything too valuable just in case something happens. Your box of artifacts
is due on the first day of school-August 9! This is a 20 point assignment. 5 points a
day will be deducted for late assignments and no boxes will be accepted after
Monday, August 13.