AP WORLD HISTORY- GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL
AP World History examines the major developments in the world from c. 8000 BCE to the
present. Naturally, a major focus of the course is on characteristics of civilizations. Students
always question the reasons why some societies are more successful than others, enjoy greater
longevity, or develop better technology. While there are many theories, one of the most popular
pieces of modern scholarship on the subject is Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel (national
bestseller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize). The ideas presented in this book will be referred to
throughout the course as we discuss the rise and fall of civilizations. The ISBN # for the book is
0393317552.
As you read GGS, here are some hints. First, unlike a novel, this book does not have to be read in
order. Obviously, read the prologue first, but the chapters in each part can be read in any order.
Second, Dr. Diamond uses maps, graphs, and charts to illustrate his points. Read the
accompanying graphics as you read the book. As you read, highlight important info, write
comments and/or questions in the margins, or if you cannot stand to write in your book, affix
sticky notes to various pages with important information. Since this is a college-level book,
procrastination will severely hinder your ability to answer this assignment. Pacing is strongly
urged.
This assignment has three parts. ALL parts needs to be hand written. You need to complete ALL
parts and have them ready to turn in September 16th. It is not required that you begin this
assignment over the summer, but you may get an early start if you wish. Late work is not
accepted. The work must be your own work; plagiarism is academic dishonesty, and will earn
you a grade of zero for this assignment, plus whatever additional punishment is determined by
the BHS Honor Board.
1. Obtain the book Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (ISBN #0393317552). You
MUST read the following chapters in the book:
Prologue Yali’s Question
Chapter 4 Farmer Power
Chapter 8 Apples or Indians
Chapter 9 Zebras, Unhappy Marriages, and the Anna Karenina Principle
Chapter 10 Spacious Skies and Tilted Axis
Chapter 11 Lethal Gift of Livestock
Chapter 13 Necessity’s Mother
Epilogue: The Future of Human History as a Science
Yes, that’s right. You don’t have to read the whole book. You can if you want to, but don’t
expect extra credit.
2. Thesis Statements (1 daily grade—1/3 of major grade)
Each of the chapters assigned is integral in the development of Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and
Steel argument. After reading each chapter (including the epilogue and prologue), you should be
able to identify what part of his argument Diamond is addressing. Your assignment is to write a
thesis statement for each chapter that you read. Thesis statements in history should be one to two
sentences that summarize the argument to be presented in a paper, chapter, or book. The thesis
statement should be in your own words (as apposed to copied from the book or someone else)
and in complete sentences. The length should not exceed two sentences. All statements should be
hand written.
3. Visual (1 daily grade—1/3 of major grade)
Choose one of the assigned chapters (4,8,9,10, 11, or 13) and create a visual that illustrates how
the ideas presented in the chapter answer Yali’s question. You can use your own artwork if you
are artistic or you can use a collage-type method with cutouts or computer images. Visuals
should be 8 ½ X 11. Artwork may only be done in pencil if it is one of those fancy pencil
shading type drawings that you do in drawing class. A stick figure drawn in pencil isn’t going to
cut it. All images printed off the computer should be large enough so that I can tell what they are
and they should be print in decent quality. If you the image is blurry, then don’t use it. You
should write a “Tell Me About It” explanation for your visual. Explain how the visual reflects
how Yali’s question is addressed in the chapter. This explanation should be typed and attached to
the back of your visual.
4. Vocabulary (1 daily grade- 1/3 of major grade)
You need to define each word, write a sentence that illustrates your understanding of the word,
and give a page number of GGS where it was used by Dr. Diamond.
Auto-catalytic process
Proximate
Egalitarianism
Kleptocracy
Social organization
Ruling elite
Distinction
Fragmentation
Domestication
Nomadic
“Founder” crops
Cuneiform
Hegemony
Metallurgy
Infrastructure
Sedentary agriculture
Subsistence agriculture
Diffusion
Indigenous
Neolithic
Cultivation