Download 2014-15 Academic Year - Tumwater School District

AP World History
Kristine Kramer, Tumwater High School
2014-15 Academic Year
Course Description
The purpose of AP World History is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global
processes and contacts between different types of human societies. The course highlights the
nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as
comparisons among major societies. Covering the development of human societies from 8000
BCE to the present, the course is divided into six chronological periods. Instead of a list of facts,
events and dates, the course is organized around three to four key concepts per chronological
period.
About the College Board
The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to
college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand
access to higher education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students
prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness
and college success.
For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org
Exam Information
The AP World History Exam is 3 hours and 5 minutes long and includes both a 55-minute
multiple-choice section and 130-minute free-response section. The multiple-choice section of the
examination accounts for half of the student’s exam grade, and the free-response section for the
other half.
Section I consists of 70 multiple-choice questions designed to measure the student’s knowledge
of world history from Period 1 to the present. This section follows the percentages listed here:
Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations (to 600 BCE)
5%
Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (600 BCE to 600CE)
15%
Period 3: Regional and Transregional Interactions (600 CE to 1450)
20%
Period 4: Global Interactions (1450 to 1750)
20%
Period 5: Industrialization and Global Integration (1750 to 1900)
20%
Period 6: Accelerating Global Change and Realignments (1900 to present)
20%
Multiple-choice questions will also measure various geographical regions, with no more than 20
percent of multiple-choice questions focusing solely on Europe.
Section II is the free-response section of the exam. Part A begins with a mandatory 10-minute
reading period for the document-based question. Students should answer the document-based
question in approximately 40 minutes. In Part B students are asked to answer a question that
deals with continuity and change over time (covering at least one of the periods in the concept
outline). Students will have 40 minutes to answer this question, 5 minutes of which should be
spent planning and/or outlining the answer. In Part C students are asked to answer a comparative
question that will focus on broad issues or themes in world history and deal with at least two
societies. Students will have 40 minutes to answer this question, 5 minutes of which should be
spent planning and/or outlining the answer.
World History AP Test Date
Thursday
May 14
8am
approx. $90
College Credits?
For most colleges a score 4 or 5 is considered a passing grade. A few will accept a score of 3.
Some colleges do not accept AP scores for credit but may use them to determine what dorm a
student will live in or for admission to the college (Harvard). Check the AP Central Credit Policy,
the individual school or our counselors for information about specific schools. Statistics show that
students who take AP courses in High School are more likely to complete their college degrees
than those who do not take these courses.
Additional Resources
There are many review books available: Princeton is the better one.
Our textbook has an online site with practice tests and other helpful tips and tricks.
The college board site listed on page one has lots of info/practice tests and examples of past tests.
Grades
A student’s grade in this class will be based on assessments and engaged learning/activities.
Assessments will include both multiple choice questions and essays based on the requirements of
the AP Exam. Students will be expected to keep a binder that includes reading notes, in class
notes, and all additional written activities done in and out of class. These binders will be checked
at the end of each unit. Students will be required to READ on their own time.
90% = assessments
10%= engaged learning
Assessments can be retaken upon completion of corrections made to the original test. A student
may receive up to an A- on retakes.
Odds and Ends
Unlike most of the World History classes taught around the country, the AP curriculum deemphasizes European/Western culture and emphasizes connections between societies.
Periodically I will offer an after school review day or documentary day.
We will be continuing our learning even after the actual test is taken in May. The end of the year
will not be “movie” time!
My school email: [email protected]
Students will be able to find most homework assignments and some in-class videos/activities on
my teacher webpage found on the THS homepage.