Download AP World syllabus

Mr. Dorsch
[email protected]
AP World History
Room 15-006
PURPOSE: AP World History: The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater
understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of
human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge
and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks
and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course
emphasizes relevant factual knowledge deployed in conjunction with leading interpretive issues and types
of historical evidence. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological
precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. Periodization, explicitly discussed, forms an
organizing principle for dealing with change and continuity throughout the course. Specific themes
provide further organization to the course, along with the consistent attention to contacts among societies
that form the core of world history as a field of study.
Periods of Study per the AP College Board
Period 1.
Technological and Environmental Transformations, to 600 B.C.E.
Period 2.
Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies, 600 B.C.E. to 600C.E.
Period 3.
Regional and Trans-regional Interactions, 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E.
Period 4.
Global Interactions, 1450 C.E. to 1750.C.E.
Period 5.
Industrialization and Global Integration, 1750 C.E. to 1900 C.E.
Period 6.
Accelerating Global Change and Realignments, 1900 C.E. to Present.
Our textbook, Bentley, Jerry & Ziegler, Herbert. Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on
the Past. Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill. 2011, covers these periods in seven units.
The Five Themes of AP World History
1. Interaction between humans & the environment: demography & disease, migration, patterns of
settlement, technology
2. Development and interaction of cultures: religion, belief systems, philosophies, ideologies, science &
technology, arts & architecture
3. State-building, expansion, & conflict: political structures & forms of governance, empires, nations &
nationalism, revolts & revolutions, regional, trans-regional, and global structures and organizations
4. Creation, expansion, & interaction of economic systems: agriculture and pastoral production, trade and
commerce, labor systems, industrialization, capitalism & socialism
5. Development and transformation of social structures: gender roles & relations, family & kinship, racial
& ethnic constructions, social & economic classes
The Four Historical Thinking Skills of AP World History
1. Crafting historical arguments from historical evidence (e.g. historical argumentation, appropriate use
of relevant historical evidence; etc.)
2. Chronological reasoning (e.g. historical causation, patterns of continuity and change over time,
periodization, etc.)
3. Comparison and contextualization
4. Historical interpretation and synthesis
1
AP World History Habits of Mind
1. Constructing and evaluating arguments: using evidence to make plausible arguments
2. Using documents and other primary data: developing skills necessary to analyze point of view, context,
and to understand and interpret information
3. Assessing continuity and change over time and different world regions
4. Understanding diversity of interpretations through analysis of context, point of view, and frame of
reference
5. Seeing global patterns and processes over time and space while connecting local developments to global
ones
6. Comparing within and among societies, including comparing societies’ reactions to global processes
7. Considering human commonalities and differences
8. Exploring claims of universal standards in relation to culturally diverse ideas
9. Exploring the persistent relevance of world history to contemporary development
The proverbial bottom line: When you walk into AP World History, I consider you a mature, adult college student.
That means life here will be very different from high school: much more independence and freedom of choice. Some
people are ready for the responsibility that comes with that new life; others are far from ready. Your success is based
on your willingness to respond as a college student. This includes reading and preparation outside of class, which will
be necessary to succeed. Readings will be outlined on a schedule which will be given to you.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Be
Prompt
Prepared
Positive and
Productive
** Failure to follow the rules will result in disciplinary action in the form of a
warning, phone call home, detention, or referral depending on the situation**
If you are feeling bullied or having any other problems, let me know right away!!!
REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR CLASS:
 3-ring binder (1 – 2 inch), dividers
 Notebook paper
 A working pen or pencil
 Textbook
GRADING POLICY:
Students will be evaluated on their performance in the following areas:
 Positive participation
 Document Based Questions, Writing
 Class/group activities
 Guiding Questions and Notebooks
 Quizzes, tests, exams
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY:
There is no tolerance for cheating or plagiarism in this class. Plagiarism is defined by
Webster’s Dictionary as, “to take and pass off as one’s own (the ideas, writings, etc.) of
another.” This means that ALL WORK done in this class should be your own. Copying
someone else’s work, copying directly from the textbook, pasting and copying from the
internet, buying papers off the internet and also giving your work to someone else to copy
will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating you will receive an automatic zero for the
assignment (classwork, quiz, test etc…) and I will refer you to the administration.
ATTENDENCE:
To thoroughly acquire the skills and lessons taught in this class, good attendance is
necessary. If you are absent, it is your responsibility for finding out what you missed; I will not
chase you down. Check in with a classmate about what we did during your absence, then
with me if you need further assistance. Handouts for each day can be found in the
appropriate file on the shelves, but be sure to ask if you have missed any quizzes since they
will not be placed with the other handouts.
TARDY POLICY:
UHS Tardy policy says that a student is considered tardy to class if not in their seat before the
tardy bell, unless excused by a note from school personnel.
• 1st infraction: warning
• 2nd infraction: warning (parent contact)
• 3rd-4th infraction: office detention (45 minutes)
• 5th+ infraction: office referral
MAKE UP WORK:
All make-up work is to be handed in within number of days absent plus one. (Provided the
absence is excused). Any work not made up within this time will be recorded as a zero. If
you are absent on the day of a test, you will take that missed test on the first day of your
return. If you are absent on the due date of a long-term project (book report, research
paper, etc.), it is due on the first day of your return. If not turned in it will be recorded as a
zero. For unexcused absences, make-up work is not required to be given or counted as
credit.
LATE POLICY:
Assignments turned in after the due date, which are not a result of excused absence, will be
subject to the Lake County School Board’s Late Policy. This policy states that 10% will be
deducted after one day, 20% after two days, and 50% after three days. An assignment will
not receive credit following the third day.
LEAVING THE CLASSROOM:
 Leaving the classroom for any legitimate reason requires a pass.
o Activities unrelated to this class are not legitimate reasons.
 If you use the pass, you must sign out and in with your name and the correct time of
day or you risk losing privileges.
 Use the restroom facilities prior to coming to class. If I am giving instruction, that is not
the time for restroom use.
WRITING:
Instruction and practice in writing various types of essays, letters, and reports are an
important part of the curriculum and the student’s grade. We will be doing Comparison
essays, Continuity and Change over Time essays, and Document Based Questions (DBQ’s)
where you will analyze historical documents and write essays based on the given
topic/question related to the documents.
NOTEBOOK:
You need to bring your notebook to class every day. All class work will go in it and it
is required that all the work in your Notebook be your own (See “Academic
Dishonesty Policy”). Notebooks are a great way to study and prepare for the exam,
so it is in your best interest not to lose them, and keep them current. If you are absent,
you are still responsible for completing all work missed from that day. Notebooks will
be graded throughout the semester – so keep them up-to-date! We will go over how
to set up your notebooks together as a class.
OTHER PROCEDURES:
1. Parents and students are encouraged to check Skyward Student Access and Family
Access on a regular basis for grade and assignment information.
2. When a substitute teacher is present, all class rules and procedures still apply.
3. Be accountable for your own education.
HATS, MP3 PLAYERS, AND CELL PHONES
 Hats and hoods are not permitted (see UHS dress code policy).
 According to UHS policy, if I see you using or playing with your cell phone, or if I hear it
ring or vibrate, I can confiscate it. Best advice is to turn it off and put it away before
you get to class (This also includes music players). Keep headphones and ear buds
away as well.
CLASS DISMISSAL:
The instructor dismisses the students from the class, not the bell. Students are released only
when everything is put away and the students are quiet. Stay in your seats, do not stand by
the door before bell rings.
It is possible for everyone to do well in this class:
READ!!!
Put effort into your work!
Ask questions if you do not understand something!
If you are having any troubles let me know right away!
Please sign and return this syllabus after reading it.
Student Signature ____________________________________________
Date_____________
Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________________
Date______________