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AP World History Course Requirements Mrs. Martinez
dmartinez@smrhs.org The purpose Advanced Placement World History is to provide a college level course which fosters a greater understanding of how the global community came to be the way it is today. That understanding is developed through a balanced study of historical events and by developing the analytical skills necessary to identify changes in thematic issues across history and to analyze historical evidence to that end. Becoming more perceptive analysts of primary and secondary sources, enables the student to develop skills needed to become a lifelong learner, knowledgeable of the origins of many of today’s economic, political, and social conditions, which are often imbedded in the history. The course provides a balanced global coverage with the Americas,Europe, Africa, and Asia each represented. It is designed to follow the periodization recommended for the advanced placement world history course: Unit I - Foundations – c. 8000 BCE to 600 CE Unit II - Postclassical - 600 CE to 1450 CE Unit III - Early Modern - 1450 CE to 1750 CE Unit IV - Long 19th century - 1750 CE to 1914 CE Unit V - Contemporary - 1914 CE to present Assessment: - Unit tests and quizzes: The five periods are tested as separate units but chapter quick quizzes are given. Each unit test is comprised of multiple choice and essay questions, similar to the ones expected on the AP exam. - Notebook/journal: Preparation of a yearlong notebook/journal is required. Each notebook must include: o charts for each period, one for each of the six themes, indicatingchanges over time through the period and giving specific examples of these changes. The themes will be used throughout the course: - The relationship of change and continuity from 8,000 BCE to the present - Impact of interaction among and within major societies. - Impact of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment. - Systems of social structure and gender structure. - Cultural, religious, and intellectual developments. - Changes in functions and structures of states o for each unit, a world “snapshot” map showing the changes in major political units by the end of the period. Map quizzes are given for each period as well. o evidence that current events for an assigned region of the world have been followed during the unit (and throughout the year) - This builds upon an initial comparative activity regarding coverage of world news by today’s media. This information will be used as part “an after exam” activity in May. o Inclusion of other activities required for this course other than class notes such as SOAPS (document analysis), article reviews, and essay outlines. Class notes are kept in a separate notebook of the student’s choice. - Written assessments: Because the course includes sophomores as well as juniors, and seniors, adequate developmental writing experiences are included as part of the course plan, beginning with simple comparisons and mini-Document Based Questions (D.B.Q.’ s) in the first quarter. As the first unit is completed the Change Over Time (COT) question is introduced. By the end of the 2nd quarter, after adequate practice with analysis of primary and secondary sources, the fully developed DBQ is introduced. By 3rd quarter timed testing in all three types of essays is done either as in-class essay or as part of the unit test. - Class participation: active participation in class discussions, seminars, and debates is evaluated. For example, class participation may include contributions to the discussion of document samples in the textbook and document book, changes and continuities in themes during the period, and debates regarding diverse interpretations of specific events or of critical reading of current articles which may challenge established views. |