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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:__________________