Download Advanced Placement World History: Summer

Advanced Placement World History: Summer Reading Assignment
Welcome to WHAP 2007-2008. You will be members of Zachary High
School’s third group of “WHAPers”. This is a challenging and enriching course
that should help you understand the world you live in a little better. You will have
the chance to explore the last 10,000 years of world history and to discover many
interesting stories, ideas, and people. You will also continue to advance your
analytical and writing skills as part of the course. Like all AP courses, World
History will require dedication and concentration from each of you on a consistent
basis.
We will discuss specific course requirements and other items when school
begins in August as well as talk about the AP exam which is offered in May. Your
first task as a new WHAPer is to spend a little time this summer getting your brain
in world history mode by completing a summer reading assignment. The selections
for the summer reading are designed to get you thinking about the themes and
topics addressed in world history and to give you an overview of the world’s early
development.
Your summer assignment asks you to completely read Genghis Khan and the
Making of the Modern World and to respond to a few essay questions based on the
book. Also, you will be asked to read a portion of The Human Story as an
introduction to the period of history to be discussed during the first couple of weeks
of school; this book will continue to serve as a reference throughout the school year.
Specific instructions for each book along with due dates, etc. are included in the
pages attached to this letter. If you have any questions about anything, don’t
hesitate to contact me at: [email protected]. I hope you have a great
summer and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Chris Staggs
World History AP
World History-Advanced Placement (WHAP) 2007/2008
Summer Reading Assignment
Book: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Author: Jack Weatherford
Publisher: Crown Publishers, New York, 2004 (available in paperback and
hardback)
Availability: may be purchased at Books-a-Million or Barnes and Noble stores in
Baton Rouge (they may have to order it for you); available via the internet from
both of the previous sources or from Amazon.com as well as other sites; Books Plus
in Zachary has been notified of the assignment along with the Zachary branch of
the East Baton Rouge Parish Library.
Assignment: Read the book and complete the essay questions. All answers must be
in complete sentences and should be arranged in proper essay form. Correct
spelling and grammar are required as part of this assignment—you must be able to
communicate effectively in written form in order to be successful in this course.
Assignment must be typed—use Times New Roman style; font size must be no
smaller than 12 nor larger than 14. This assignment is worth 100 points. Also, an
objective quiz will be given on the reading during the first week of school in addition
to a scored class discussion.
Due Date: Due on the first day of the 2007/2008 school year. Late assignments will
be accepted on the second day of school but will be penalized 2 letter grades; NO
assignments will be accepted after the second day of school—NO EXCUSES! If you
choose, you may email me the assignment at any point during the summer. Use the
following address: [email protected] . Be certain that you keep a
HARD COPY on hand. If for some reason I do not receive or can not access the
assignment via your email, I will not accept cyberspace problems as an excuse—you
will be required to submit a hard copy on the first day of school like everyone else.
Note: I encourage you to discuss the book and your thoughts with other members of
the class; however, make certain that your answers are your own! Assignments that
appear to be plagiarized will receive a “0” out of 100 points.
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World—WHAP-Summer 2007
Note: As much as possible, illustrate your responses with quotes from the book.
1. Why has it been difficult to get information about Genghis Khan and the
Mongol Empire until recently? Why has new information now become
available? (introduction of book)
2. Describe Genghis Khan’s early life. What do you believe motivated him to
become a leader, first of the Mongol people, and later of his huge empire?
3. What was unique about the Mongol military? How did this give them a
significant advantage over their enemies?
4. How did Mongol rule compare with that of other kingdoms and empires of
the day in terms of: a)trade; b)religious freedom; c)the treatment of
criminals and prisoners of war; d)the treatment of aristocrats and the rule of
law.
5. How did the “Pax Mongolica” (Mongol Peace) contribute to the development
of a new, global culture?
6. How did the bubonic plague epidemic of the 1300s lead to the destruction of
the Mongol Empire?
7. In the author’s view, what part of the world benefited the most from the
Mongols? Why?
8. How did the image of Genghis Khan and the Mongols change into one of
subhuman barbarians for modern Europeans? Why were modern Asians
interested in restoring a more positive image of Genghis Khan and the
Mongols?
9. After reading the book, what are your general feelings about Genghis Khan
and the Mongols? How do you feel about the importance of understanding
history?
World History—Advanced Placement (WHAP) 2007/2008
Summer Reading Assignment
Book: The Human Story (Our History from the Stone Age to Today)
Author: James C. Davis
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2004 (available in paperback and hardback)
Availability: may be purchased at Barnes and Noble or Books-a-Million stores in
Baton Rouge (they may have to order it); available via the internet from both of the
previous sources or from Amazon.com, half.com, and other sites. Books Plus will
likely also have some copies.
Assignment: Completely read the first three chapters of the book (less than 50
pages). You may want to take a few notes as you go for reference sake. We will
discuss the various parts of the first three chapters as we address the related topics
and time periods in class.
Note: this book will be used as a source reader throughout the year so hang on to it!