AP World History
AP World History is a rigorous year-long course designed to help students better understand today’s complex global world. It is a college level survey course that challenges students to exercise their critical thinking skills as they analyze patterns of cross-cultural interaction, as well as change and continuity over time. In order to be successful in AP World History students must commit themselves to a demanding regimen of college-level reading, and must continuously strive to improve their academic writing skills. We will analyze primary source documents, such as maps, diaries, letters, works of art, literature and demographic data during most class sessions. In addition, we will actively analyze competing scholarly interpretations of the past by reading a variety of secondary source material, comparing their interpretations, and noting changes-over-time. To do this, we will hold Socratic seminars and debates, and cooperatively work with peers to apply the AP World History Themes to a broad global framework of cross-cultural connection. The course content focuses heavily on the themes and skills outlined by the College Board.
Historical Thinking & Reasoning Skills
Thinking like an historian is a skill that is assessed on the AP Exam. Six historical thinking and reasoning skills will be emphasized in class and on exams.
Skill 1: Contextualization
Describe accurate historical context for a specific historical development or process.
Skill 2: Comparison
Describe similarities and/or differences between different historical developments or processes.
Skill 3: Causation
Describe causes or effects of a specific historical development or process.
Skill 4: Continuity and Change over Time
Describe patterns of continuity and/or change over time.
Skill 5: Sourcing
Evaluate and explain a primary or secondary source’s point of view, purpose, historical situation or audience.
Skill 6: Argumentation
Support a historically defensible claim using evidence. Corroborate, qualify or modify an argument using evidence.
Six Themes of History- ESCPTE (think… “escaped”)
AP World History emphasizes six thematic learning concepts:
- Economic: creation and interaction of economic systems (i.e. trade, agriculture, labor)
- Social: social interactions and organization (i.e. class, race, gender)
- Cultural: cultural developments and interactions (i.e. religion, language, arts, architecture)
- Political: governance, state-building, expansion, conflict (i.e. governments, empire, revolution)
- Technological: human adaptation & innovation (i.e. tools, transportation, communication, production)
- Environmental: interaction between humans and environment (i.e. migration, demography, disease, settlement)
Primary Text
Ways of the World, by Robert Strayer, Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2nd Ed., 2013.
Tutoring is offered at the following times in room 832. Occasionally, conflicts arise that could prompt a cancellation. Check in advance to assure that tutoring will take place as planned.
Tuesday, 3:00-5:00
Wednesday, 3:00-5:00
Thursday, 3:00-5:00
Friday by appointment
