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Advanced Placement World History:
Mrs. Douglass & Mrs. Matyskiel
SUMMER Reading Assignment
WHY STUDY HISTORY???
History insists that the past MUST be understood on its own terms and in its context – as part of a web of
interrelated institutions, values, and beliefs that define that era. History is concerned with understanding change . . .
how many people are shocked or overwhelmed with cable news programs, the internet, talk radio or the culture of the
moment? Without the links to our past traditions, we in ignorance begin to think our own modern challenges – war,
cloning, massive deficits, terrorism, etc., are UNIQUE and don’t raise issues comparable to those dealt with AND
solved in the past! The humanities also provide a unique insight into human nature and civilization. The historic
record is filled with human achievement, but also of human failure, cruelty, and barbarity; the study of history
provides us with an extensive framework for understanding the human condition and grappling with moral questions
and problems.
SO . . . a general overview of AP World History or what is known as WHAP is necessary . . . . The course
is broken up into a set of TIME PERIODS, with a set of THEMES and KEY CONCEPTS.
PERIODIZATION: Given the vast stretch of time and geography covered in this course, one needs a way to
keep the information and concepts manageable and at the same time highlight changes and continuities over time.
Periodization helps to do just that!
By breaking the timeline into six sections, there are definite boundaries within which to operate. The
information is easier to grasp and there is also a way to connect a history to other events in world history occurring in
that period. MAKING CONNECTIONS!!!
Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations (FOUNDATIONS)
c. 8000 BCE to c. 600 BCE
Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (CLASSICAL)
c. 600 BCE to 600 CE
Period 3: Regional and Transregional Interactions (POSTCLASSICAL)
c. 600 CE to c. 1450
Period 4: Global Interactions (EARLY MODERN)
c. 1450 to c. 1750
Period 5: Industrialization & Global Integration (INDUSTRIAL)
c. 1750 to 1900
Period 6: Acceleration Global Change and Realignments (20TH C.)
c. 1900 to Present
THEMES: Societies are looked at through the prism of themes that help you make connections between
various societies in various periods. The themes also allow a better view of the whole of world history.
WELCOME
to A. P. World History!!!! So that you have time to
digest some history on your own time and at your own speed, there IS summer
reading with accompanying study guides. These will be your first 3 grades in the
course and a Unit 1 test will be given within the first full week of school.
All three chapters (PDF format) and study guides will be on the school
website!!!
Format: 1) Please HAND WRITE each assignment!!! NO typing, please. 2) This
is NOT honors! 3) Read the chapter and take notes . . . you have to get used to
doing this as you will NOT have time to “reread” chapters . . . it’s a college
textbook! You have NOT had a formal history course . . . EVER. Do not be afraid
to do too much! Overachieve! It is the history of the world . . . you have not had
that either! This is as different a course as you’ve ever had in your entire
educational career so more time will have to be devoted to it until YOU adjust.
BUT, it is a process. We read and we write in history!
The due date is Wednesday, August 21, 2014. (School starts on
Monday, 8/19/14.) Also expected: All students should have a working
knowledge of basic geography and its cultural characteristics & a comprehension
of the five primary world faiths! (All of this gets reviewed but the course moves
quickly, especially the 1st 9-weeks!!)
If you have any questions please contact us at:
[email protected] or [email protected]
PLEASE do NOT wait until the week before school to start these assignments! Get
it done NOW as you know how quickly summer passes!
Mrs. Douglass & Mrs. Matyskiel