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Leavenworth High School
Syllabus
Mission Statement
"Our mission is to create a partnership between academic subjects and real world experience in an active
learning environment that will prepare students for successful careers, promote responsible citizenship
and healthy lifestyles in a diverse society. All students will be given the opportunity to succeed. "
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure”
Colin Powell
Teacher: Dave Schmidt (Coach)
Contact information:
Phone: 684-1550 ext. 1121
E-mail: [email protected] [preferred means of contact]
Plan Period: 1st period (7:45-8:34)
Best time for meetings: Plan or after school (after school, 3:00-3:30)
*** I am unavailable during early release days after students are released
Course Name: AP World History
Textbook: Stearns, Peter N., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th edition, 2007
Supplemental Textbook: Duiker & Spielvogel, World History, 3rd edition, 2004
Primary Source Readings: Strayer, Robert W., Ways of the World, 2011
Kishlansky, Mark A., Sources of World History, Vol. I & II, 3rd edition, 2003
Stearns, Peter N., World History in Documents, 2nd edition, 2008
Stearns, Peter N., etc., Documents in World History, Vol. I & II, 6th edition, 2012
Sherman, Dennis, etc., World Civilizations. Vol. I & II, 4th edition, 2006
Purpose of the Course:
This AP World History course has been modeled after the course description provided by the College Board and is
equivalent to a full-year college course. The College Board designed AP World History to challenge highly
motivated students to understand the global processes that have shaped human history for the last 10,000 years. The
purpose of this course extends beyond the understanding of world history by providing the opportunity to develop
the knowledge and skills that will form a strong foundation for continuing college preparation courses in high
school. AP World History requires analytical thinking, not mere knowledge of facts and comprehension of events.
You will spend a significant amount of time preparing to think critically about the information that you encounter.
Some of the activities designed to help you in this task include: debates, SOAPSTone (document analysis review),
thematic essays, and document-based questions (DBQ’s). This course will stretch you intellectually and require
you to take ownership of your education with extensive reading, writing, and research.
Why take an AP class?
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You want to prepare for the academic rigors of college
You want (or like) an academic challenge
AP performance highly accepted at colleges & universities
Opportunity for dual-credit from St. Mary’s (high school & college credit)
Opportunity to prepare and take the year end College Board exam for AP World History
Course Structure:
The AP World History course content is structured around the investigation of five course themes and 19 key
concepts in six different chronological periods, from approximately 8000 BCE to the present.
Five Themes of AP World History
1. Interaction between humans and the environment (Environment)
Demography & disease; migration; patterns of settlement; technology
2. Development and interaction of cultures (Culture)
Religions, philosophies, & ideologies; science & technology; arts & architecture
3. State-building, expansion, and conflict (Political)
Political structures & forms of governance; empires; nations & nationalism; revolts & revolutions;
regional, trans-regional, & global organizations
4. Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems (Economic)
Agriculture & pastoral production; trade & commerce; labor systems; industrialization; capitalism &
socialism
5. Development and transformation of social structures (Social)
Gender roles & relations; family & kinship; racial & ethnic constructions; social & economic classes
Historical Periodization
Period
Period Title
Technological & Environmental Transformation
1
Organization & Reorganization of Human Societies
2
Regional and Trans-regional Interactions
3
Global Interactions
4
Industrialization and Global Integration
5
Accelerating Global Change & Realignments
6
Date Range
c. 8000 BCE to c. 600 BCE
c. 600 BCE to c. 600 CE
c. 600 CE to c. 1450
c. 1450 to c. 1750
c. 1750 to c. 1900
c. 1900 to the present
Weight
5%
15%
20%
20%
20%
20%
Four Historical Thinking Skills
History is a quest for the meaning about the past that goes beyond the effort of collecting information. Historical
analysis requires familiarity with a great deal of information, including names, facts, and events. Without reliable
and detailed information, historical analysis is not possible. Historical analysis involves much more than the
compilation and recall of data; it also requires several distinctive historical thinking skills.
1. Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence
 Historical argumentation
 Appropriate use of relevant historical information
2. Chronological Reasoning
 Historical causation
 Patterns of continuity and change over time
 Periodization
3. Comparison and Contextualization
4. Historical Interpretation and Synthesis
 Interpretation
 Synthesis
AP Exam Information:
The AP World History Exam given by the AP College Board is approximately three hours and five minutes long and
includes both a 55-minute multiple-choice section and 130-minute free-response section. The multiple-choice
section accounts for half of the student’s exam score and the free-response section for the other half. The score you
receive for this exam is separate from the course and does not affect your course grade. I encourage all students to
take this exam: for the experience and possible opportunity to opt out of a college course. Also scholarship
opportunities are available depending on number of AP College Board exams one takes and the scores they receive.
Exam Format:
70 multiple-choice questions --- 55 minutes
3 essay questions --- 130 minutes (DBQ, Continuity & Change Over Time, Comparison)
Assessment:
Assessment in class will parallel the tasks required for the AP World History College Board Exam. Unit exams,
essays (CCOT, Comparison, DBQ), and unit projects (individual or group) will count for 70% of the class grade.
Unit activities (ID’s, question & discussion, primary source reflections, quizzes) will count 30% of the final grade.
Semester final will be no more 10% of the final grade. Those who take the AP College Board Exam in the spring
may opt out of the spring semester final.
A=90 and above
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59 and below
Course is based on cumulative grade throughout the semester. It is not where we are at during the semester, but
where we want to be at the end of the semester!!!
Attendance: per school policy
Tardies: per school policy
(to be successful in this college prep course, being on time and attendance is essential)
Class Requirements:
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3X5 index cards for ID’s *may use graphic organizer as an option which will go in your binder
3 ring binder (unit packets, class & textbook notes, primary source reflections, comparison charts, maps,
etc.)
Pencil and pen (either for note taking, pencil for essay writing, & red pen for peer editing)
Classroom Expectation:
 An academic & friendly environment
 Respect: fellow students, teacher, yourself
Suggestions to help with the expectation:
 In seats and ready when bell ring: includes binder, writing utensil, & textbook (if needed)
 Come prepared to interact during question & discussion periods
 Respect all students & teacher during discussions & presentations: to earn respect, respect others
 Maintain classroom behavior that supports learning by others
 Students with early release pass, this is a privilege, not a right. You will be dismissed when class activity
is done.
 School policy will be followed in regard to plagiarism & cheating: Do not do it
 Turn all assignments in when due: if you run into a road block or situation, bring it to my attention so we
can work around it. Points will be deducted for assignments with extended due dates
 Any unit packet or assignment handed out: put in binder. I only make a couple of extra copies.
 If you miss a test: your responsibility to arrange a time to make up the test (before or after school). Must
be made up within 3 school days of the exam unless due to an extended illness. After allotted time, score
will be zero.
 Cell phones: put away. Will be times that they can be used for academic purposes.
Additional Information:
 Use the unit packet and calendar. You are responsible for keeping yourself aware of all assignments and
their due dates. There will be a weekly calendar posted on the back board Organization and time
management is important.
 Unit assignments could be handouts as a in-class activity or on my school webpage as an assignment to do
outside of class. (all unit activities will be outlined in unit packet and on the unit calendar)
 Question of the day: could be a question from the reading, a word from the unit packet, or information
from the previous day. Would do these a couple times a week, depending on activity for the day.
 Late assignments: have three days to get the assignment in with 20% deduction. After 3 days, the
assignment is a zero.
 If you are absent from class you will have the opportunity to turn in the assignment when you return. If
the assignment was not done, you will have the 3 days to turn in assignment. If an extended absence,
school policy will be followed.
 Any assignment that is done in class and due that day, must be turned in on that day. Will not be accepted
late.
 If you are going to be absent for a school activity, appointment, or vacation you are required to turn in
any assignments that are to be due during that planned absence early.
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All assignments (if absent or late) are listed as a zero (in power school) until made up.
 Safety net points: these are extra credit points given for extra work during each unit. No more than 10
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safety net points may be earned per unit. Other opportunities may arise during the semester as well.
For research assignments: MLA format will be used. The following site will be very useful
http://www.owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01. MLA is also found in your student handbook
Utilize my website. Will contain calendars, assignments, readings, power points
Go to high school website, click on staff, click on department, click on social studies, click my name.
Edmodo will also be utilized.
Utilize the district Google e-mail: to send power point presentations, essays, research papers, or to just
ask a question.
Contact info: [email protected] or thru district Google e-mail [email protected].
Tutoring: morning (6:45-7:30) or afternoon (2:55-3:30).
Resource Tree: information on writing essays and DBQ’s along with rubrics and explanations plus ‘must
know dates and map information.
Major activities for the course:
1st semester: Mock Trial, preliminary research for course paper
2nd semester: Revolutions, WHDC (either Ending the war with Japan or turmoil in the Middle
East), research paper (hard copy & presentation)
College credit: students may earn 3 credit hours per semester thru St. Mary’s University. This is a dualcredit class, so if take this option, you will get a high school grade and a college grade.
Attached is the AP Social Studies contract. Must be signed by you and your parents.
Signature due: Friday, August 15
Parents: please put the best e-mail to contact you and send class information.
Comments, special situations, or concerns that you may have for me (please note IEP or 504 Plan)
Write the e-mail address and/or any information on the back of the contract.