Download AP World History (Syllabus)

Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are pleased to welcome your child to Advanced Placement World History (APWH). APWH
is a very rigorous program designed to provide students with a survey of the political, economic,
social, and cultural history of mankind. It is a challenging year-long course that is structured
around the investigation of five (5) World History themes woven into key concepts covering six
(6) chronological time periods. This class is academically equivalent to an introductory
college survey course, and as such the workload and expectations will be equivalent..
Course Purpose
The course has a three-fold purpose:
1.
First, it is designed to prepare students for the more challenging secondary
curriculum they will face in college as well their successful placement into higherlevel college and university history courses.
2.
Second, it is designed to develop research; analytical and critical thinking skills as
well as organizational and study skills.
3.
Finally, successful completion of this class will prepare students to show mastery
of the World History curriculum on the College Board AP World History Exam in
May 2017.
Course Structure
The course will use college level resources, including texts and secondary/primary source
documents, that will assist in developing the skills required to analyze point of view; to interpret
evidence and to create historical arguments. A variety of resources will also be used to assess
change and continuity over time; to identify global processes, to make comparisons within and
among societies, and to understand diverse interpretations.
Students will be required to participate in class discussions using the Socratic seminar format. In
addition, students will develop class presentations. An extensive amount of time will be devoted
to note taking, research, reading and writing. Students will be required to complete significant
assignments outside of class time.
Course Assignments will include:
 Reading assignments
A major component of the AP World history course is reading. There will be reading
material assigned on both a daily and weekly basis. Students may be given questions to
answer, daily reading quizzes, or group discussions. If they fall behind on the reading,
they will fall behind on the course. The amount of reading may equate to a chapter or
more a night so please ensure that the required, assigned readings are adhered to when
they are assigned. In addition, it is understood that reading ahead is always expected. For
instance, if the unit on Egypt has begun, then students should go ahead and read the
chapter(s) associated with that topic.
 Vocabulary Notebook and Quizzes
Throughout the year each student will be responsible for keeping a notebook with the
year’s vocabulary terms. Students will be tested on these terms regularly. Students will
not only understand the definition of the terms but also be able to elaborate on the
historical significance of the term in relation to overall AP course themes.
 Primary Source Analyses
In addition to interpreting and discussing primary sources throughout the course, each 9
week grading period students will complete a minimum of three primary source analyses.
These assessments will require the students to analyze and interpret a relevant primary
source.
 Formal Essays
Essays will be given in class and as homework and must be completed within an allotted
time. Students will be given essay exercises to help prepare for the formal essays. They
will be graded for thesis, content, construction, spelling and grammar.
 Major Multiple Choice Tests
Students will take a cumulative multiple choice test at the end of each unit that will
follow the format of the actual AP exam. The test will be composed of AP caliber
questions and will utilize the information presented in class, from primary resources, and
additional readings.
Student and Parent Commitment
Being successful in this course requires a strong commitment and the utmost academic integrity
on the part of the student. This letter and the information it provides will serve as a contract
between the instructors and the students that all work with be completed when expected. It
cannot be stressed enough that the work load to be completed will occur both inside and outside
of class. Students are to be motivated and are expected to complete ALL graded and non-graded
activities.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Sincerely,
Sallie Manning ([email protected])
Social Studies Department Chair
Matthew Ryan ([email protected])
AP World History Teacher
Agreed to:
______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date: _________________
______________________
Student Signature
Date:__________________