Download Artifact Portfolio Assignment

AP World History
Artifact Portfolio Project
Overview: The study of history is almost entirely a study of what people left behind for historians to
discover, observe, and analyze. The things left behind, which we call “artifacts,” include physical objects,
written documents, and works of art. Historians use artifacts to help determine exactly what happened in
the past, what caused certain events or trends to occur, what effect those events or trends produced,
and to try to link the present with the past. This project will require you to think and act like a historian as
you build your knowledge of World History.
Definition: Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “artifact” as:
“something created by humans usually for a practical purpose especially an object remaining
from a particular period; or something characteristic of or resulting from a particular human
institution, trend, period, or individual.”
Grading: Your portfolios will be graded after each time period based on the attached rubric. You will
complete your portfolio in the 4th term.
Instructions:
1) For each AP Time Period you will select 4 artifacts from the period covered in AP World History
class. The artifacts must meet the parameters of the definition provided above.
2) Artifacts can be anything you deem to have a role in shaping World History during the periods
covered in class. You are not limited at all by the artifacts mentioned in your textbook or other
assigned readings. You are free to discover and research additional artifacts you feel are
important to the study of World History.
3) Artifacts can be physical objects, historical documents, works of art, or even non-tangible things
like ideas or theories. However, although humans are “something created by humans,” people
CANNOT be artifacts.
4) The artifact must come from the period(s) covered.
5) You must provide a picture or some other visual image of the artifact. The picture can be a
modern example of the historical object.
6) You must provide a description of each artifact.
7) You must explain why the artifact is important to the study of World History as well as an
important example of the historical period during which it was created or produced.
8) You must identify and explain how the artifact relates to at LEAST TWO of the “GRAPES” World
History themes.
9) You may use a written presentation of each of your artifacts. You may come up with a portfolio of
your own design. While creativity in presentation is rewarded, the historical analysis of your
artifacts is the most important aspect of this project.
10) The AP World History class consists of the study of 6 historical periods; therefore, your final
portfolio will consist of historical analysis of 24 artifacts you deem important to World History.
G.R.A.P.E.S.
Geography-- Interaction between humans and the environment
• Demography and disease
• Migration
• Patterns of settlement
• Technology
Religion/Art -- --Development and interaction of cultures
• Religions
• Belief systems, philosophies, and ideologies
• Science and technology
• The arts and architecture
Political--State-building, expansion, and conflict
• Political structures and forms of governance
• Empires
• Nations and nationalism
• Revolts and revolutions
• Regional, trans-regional, and global structures and organizations
Economic--Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems
• Agricultural and pastoral production
• Trade and commerce
• Labor systems
• Industrialization
• Capitalism and socialism
Social--Development and transformation of social structures
• Gender roles and relations
• Family and kinship
• Racial and ethnic constructions
• Social and economic classes
Artifact Portfolio Rubric
Name: _______________________________ Time Period: ____________________________
Class Period: _____________
Required Element
Criteria
1) Student selects appropriate
items as artifacts.
Items are physical objects, historical
documents, works of art, ideas, theories,
etc. Artifact is not human or a specific
person.
Artifacts must be relevant to one of the AP
World History chronological period as listed
in the student’s analysis.
2) Student selects 4 artifacts
per historical period.
Points
(maximum)
20
20
3) Student includes a picture
or other visual image or
representation of the artifact.
Visual image can be either historical or a
modern rendition of the artifact but must
closely resemble, or be easily associated
with, the actual artifact chosen.
20
4) Student provides a written
description of the artifact.
The description must include the uses of
the artifact and/or the physical appearance
of the artifact and/or a summary of the
artifact’s purpose or design.
40
5) For each artifact, the
student provides an
explanation of the artifact’s
importance to the study of
World History.
Explanation must demonstrate thoughtful
analysis of the artifact’s significance in
World History.
6) For each artifact, the
student provides an
explanation of the artifact’s
importance to the historical
period during which it was
created or produced.
Explanation will put the artifact in the proper
context of the period and provide analysis
of the artifact’s significance to the historical
period.
7) For each artifact, the
student demonstrates
how the artifact relates
to at least two of the AP
World History themes
(see “GRAPES” handout)
Student provides accurate historical
evidence to show how the artifact relates to
at least two of the World History themes
and makes connections between the
artifact’s cause and effects.
40
Total Points:
200
40
40
Points
Earned