Download AP World History~ Mrs. Jolley

Stone Bridge High School
AP WORLD HISTORY~ MRS. JOLLEY
Course Description
The AP course in World History invites students to view historical processes and contacts
among people in different societies through a global perspective. The course emphasizes the past 1400
years, however, the class will spend the first four weeks in the “Foundations” period (pre 600 C.E.)
reviewing major themes learned in ninth grade World History I. Students will learn factual knowledge,
in addition to developing analytical skills. Major interpretative issues among historians will be explored,
as will the techniques used in interpreting both primary historical evidence and secondary sources. The
basic approach will be chronological, although themes will be explored as well. Students will pay
particular attention to change and continuity over time, characteristics and values of societies, and the
way these values have been affected as a result of contacts among peoples.
This course will be both rigorous and rewarding. Emphasis will be placed on preparing students
for the AP World History Exam, which will be administered in May. An extensive selection of in-depth
readings – including the textbook – and the writing of different types of essays will be stressed in this
course. The ultimate benefits of this class will be an informed view of how the world has developed up to
the start of the third millennium, the stimulation of intellectual growth, and the acquisition of important
“habits of mind.”
All students in this course will take the AP Exam in addition to the Virginia World History II
SOL Exam. Our class will, of course, continue after this test with student projects and presentations.
Habits of Mind: The AP World History curriculum emphasizes specific habits of mind.
1) Constructing and evaluating arguments
2) Gaining information and understanding from documents and other primary data
3) Developing an ability to assess issues surrounding change over time
4) Increasing the capacity to handle a diversity of interpretations
5) Recognizing global patterns over time
6) Developing the ability to compare within and among societies
7) Developing generalizations through the analysis of specific examples
Course Themes: AP World History highlights six overarching themes
1) Impact of interactions between societies
2) The relationship of change and continuity
3) Impact of technology
4) Systems of social structure and gender structure
5) Cultural and intellectual developments
6) Changes in function and structure of states
Chronological Organization of the Course: the following is a tentative calendar for the course.
Foundations Period
600-1450
1450-1750
1750-1914
1914-present
Course Outline:
Period 1: Foundations
 Geography
 Prehistory and Neolithic Revolution
 Early River Civilizations
 Classical Civilizations
 Emergence of Belief Systems
 International Connections
3 weeks
7 weeks
7 weeks
7 weeks
7 weeks
Period 2: 600-1450
 Expansion of Civilizations
 Rise of Islam: 1st WORLD civilization
 New levels of world (AfroEuroAsia) contact/network
 Spread of world religions
Period 3: 1450-1750
 Rise of the West as a world power
 Columbian Exchange
 Expansion of Empire (Age of the Gunpowder Empire)
 Truly global economy
Period 4: 1750-1914
 Industrial Revolution and Changes in Commerce, Technology
 Political Revolutions and Independence Movements
 Rise of Western Dominance
 Redefinition of world economy
Period 5: 1914-present
 The World Wars: Causes, Events, Aftermath
 Rising Nationalism and Decolonization
 Impact of Global Economic Developments
 New Force of Revolution
 Demographic Changes and Global Culture
Required Reading:
We will read one book each quarter. You will need to obtain a copy of each book before school begins.
These books are available at your local library, at Borders, or on Amazon.com (both new and used
versions available). If you have difficulty obtaining a copy of any of these required books please see me for
assistance.
Quarter 1: Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond (selected excerpts)
Quarter 2: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, Jack Weatherford
Quarter 3: Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe
Quarter 4: Student selected from list of approved titles.
Required Materials:
You will need one binder specifically for history with 7 dividers (Foundations, 600-1450, 1450-1750,
1750-1914, 1914-present, Essays). You will need plenty of loose-leaf paper and blue or black ink pens.
Assessments:
Your grade will be based on various methods of assessment and evaluation: tests, homework quizzes,
essays, book reports, projects, proof of readings, and class activities. You will be expected to produce
proof of reading for every chapter, (i.e. outlines, completion of handout). It is expected that all
assignments will be turned in on time. If you do not submit a homework assignment on time you have a
one day grace period to submit the assignment for ½ credit, otherwise it will be a zero. When you are
absent, please obtain your assignments from me and complete them promptly.
Assistance:
I am available before or after school by appointment. Please advocate for yourself if you have questions or
need help. One of my major goals for this course is that we all grow as learners and historians and strive
for all to succeed.