Advanced Placement World History
Mrs. Wendy Payan
wmpayan528@bpusd.net
Rm 401
626-960-7741 ext. 2401
This course, as designed by College Board, expands upon the traditional World History curriculum by extending both the years
of history covered as well as the depth and complexity of analysis. In addition to assessing the interactions between various
cultures and changes that occur across different time periods, A.P. World History also includes an analytical writing component
for the students.
It is designed to increase the students’ understanding of history content through a combination of factual, course content and
key, necessary analytical skill(s). The course, while rigorous in content, is also a skills-based course that focuses on writing
historically. The students’ A.P. exam score is derived from equal parts essay scores and multiple choice score, and each area
will be focused on throughout the year.
The key to success in this course, as in any A.P. course, is staying prepared for class discussion and activities by actively
participating and having completed your readings and/or work as assigned beforehand – not the period before arriving to class.
Time management is CRUCIAL to the success of all students in A.P. World History.
To access College Board’s A.P. World History course description, please go to:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_worldhist.html
Textbook:
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Global History. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009 to the present
Secondary Sources
- The Human Web: A Bird's-Eye View of World History by William H. McNeill
- Taking Sides: Clashing Views in World History, Volume 2: The Modern Era to the Present by Joseph Mitchell
- Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies - Jared M. Diamond;
- Shaffer, Linda, "Southernization," Journal of World History 5:1-21.
- Lunde, Paul "The Silk Roads: A History”, Saudi Aramco World. pages 11-53 of the July/August 1988
- "SilkRoad." Interactive Media - The Virtual Labs Project at Stanford. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2012.
<http://virtuallabs.stanford.edu/silkroad/SilkRoad.html
Materials
- Pen/ or pencil
- three different colored highlighters
- 2 to 3 inch binder
-Lined paper
- 6 dividers
- 100 -3x5 cards
Course Grades
Categories and Weights
Tests and Quizzes 35%
Homework 25%
Class Work and participation 25%
Projects 15%
ABSENT WORK, LATE WORK & EXTRA CREDIT:
Grade Scale
A- 100%- 89.5%
B- 89.4 % - 79.5
C- 79.4%- 69.5%
D- 69.4 % - 59.5%
F- 59.4% and below

ABSENT WORK: In the event of an EXCUSED absence, you have as many days as you were absent by which to
complete the assignment(s) for full credit. The assignment will be docked accordingly if late.
o If you know AHEAD OF TIME that you are going to be gone, you need to make every effort to get
assignments early and take tests and/or quizzes prior to your absence.

IF YOU MISS A TEST OR QUIZ: If you are absent and miss a test or quiz, you will be given an alternate form of
the test/quiz.
o If you make arrangements ahead of time when you know you are going to miss a test or quiz, it is
possible (though not guaranteed) that you will have the opportunity to take the traditional version of the
exam and/or quiz.

LATE WORK:
o 1 DAY LATE = 25% (quarter credit) deducted from possible points earned.
o 2 DAYS LATE = 50% (half credit) deducted from possible points earned
Historical Periodization of Class:
8000 B.C.E.-600 C.E
19-20%
(6 weeks)
Unit 1 and 2
600 C.E..-1450
22%
(7 weeks)
Unit 3
1450-1750
19-20%
(6 weeks)
Unit 4
1750-1914
19-20%
(6 weeks)
Unit 5
1914-the present
19-20%
(6 weeks)
Unit 6
Rules and Consequences
The Student Will…
1. Abide by all school rules.
2. Be in their seat before the tardy bell.
3. Respect others and their property.
4. Bring necessary school materials every day (notebook, pen or pencil, highlighters, assignments, a covered
textbook, a “good” attitude, etc.).
5. Communicate in a respectful manner (No profanity or put downs).
6. Not use cell phones or other electronic devices in class. They must be put away or turned off completely
Consequences:
1st offense – Verbal warning 2nd offense – Detention 3rd offense – Call parents
4th offense – Referral
Note: Your consequence(s) may vary according to the severity of your action(s).
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Welcome to your son/or daughters 10th grade AP World History class. I am Mrs. Payan, your AP World
History teacher for the year. This is a full year class that is graded cumulatively each semester. Every 6 weeks
your child will receive a progress report grade, and will combine to the semester grade. Throughout the year you
can monitor your child’s grade on Illuminate you should have received a family login at home. I also have a class
website that houses required worksheets, the years calendar with assignments and other activities
www.payanhistory.weebly.com I will also be using edmodo.com for the year. This website is designed to
incorporate technology and student conversations on the curriculum. It is used for one year, and when the year is
over your child will be deleted from the class. ( I will have instructions on how to access your child’s account on
my website)
In this class there are some required materials that he /or she will need to bring each day, they are stated
under “materials” in the course outline. If you are unable to attain these materials have your child talk to me and
arrangements will be made for them to obtain the materials. At the end of the year the goal of your student is to
take the AP World History exam, this is slated to be taken on May 15, 2014.
I am available every day before school and after school on Wednesday’s for help, and if there are any
questions regarding your child or their progress, please feel free to contact me at (626) 960-7741 at ext. 2401 or
email me with any questions at wmpayan528@bpusd.net. I look forward to working with you and your child this
year.
Thank you,
Mrs. Payan
Social Science
Please sign that you have read and understood the class syllabus
Student Signature_____________________________
Parent Signature_________________________________