Download AP World History 2008 – 2009

AP World History 2012 – 2013 / Higginbotham / Summer Assignments
The AP World History summer assignments will expose you to important themes in World History, and the
diverse content that is essential to the class. You are required to read 3 books for this class, one of them you will read for
Honors English (A Little History of the World by Gombrich), and the other two are classic historical novels about Africa,
Things Fall Apart and Cry, The Beloved Country.
Read (and enjoy!) the books then, follow the directions on this paper to complete the rest of the summer
assignments. The books can be found in either the school library, the public library, or at a local bookstore. Inexpensive
used copies can be found online. Do not hesitate to use a dictionary to better understand confusing words, or the internet
to better understand the historical settings for these novels. Depending on the edition of the novels there may be
important information as part of an introduction or epilogue – don’t forget to read that too! Things Fall Apart takes place
in the late 1800s, in what is today Nigeria. Cry, the Beloved Country takes place in the first half of the 1900s in preapartheid South Africa. You may want to research the authors’ backgrounds as well.
Summer assignments #1 and #2 must be turned in by July 13, 2012. You may submit your Summer Assignments
in one of the following ways: deliver it to the school, or mail it to the school. If your work has not been received by July
13, you will be dropped from the course. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Assignments #3, #4, #5, and #6 are minimal work and reading, but will get you prepared for the 1st week of
school. Assignments #3 and #5 will be turned in the first day of school, August 15th. Assignments #4 and #6 will get you
ready for a quiz and discussion in the first few days of school.
If you have any questions over the summer, I would prefer you email me first at [email protected], or as a
last resort - you can call me at 623-4575. I look forward to having you in class this fall. Good luck with the summer
work.
Part 1 – Due July 13
1.
Read the books, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton,
then complete book reviews for each using the guide below. – 100 points (Due July 13)
Answer the following prompts about the book. The answers to the book review prompts should be typed in
12pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Include a title page with your name and the book’s title.
Completed reviews should be about 2-3 pages.
 Describe the setting for the book
 Briefly describe the main characters and their relevance to the story
 Summarize the plot
 Explain this work of fiction’s connection to history (You are encouraged to research this part)
 Explain the themes that are used in the book
 Explain what you believe is the author’s perspective and reason for writing this story
2. After reading the books Things Fall Apart and Cry, The Beloved Country, write a paper comparing and
analyzing the texts based on the following criteria: - 50 points (Due July 13)
 The elements of traditional African culture that are being challenged by European influences.
 The effect of Christianity in the lives of the main characters of the novels.
 Stephen Kumalo’s and Okonkwo’s actions in response to the changes that are happening within their
culture.
 Assess blame for the tragedies that occur in both stories
 Explain what the authors’ want the reader to understand about the colonial history of Africa.
 Evaluate the authors’ opinions about European involvement in Africa
Papers should be typed in 12pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and 2-3 pages in length with a title
page.
Part II – Due August 15th and 16th
3. Read the following articles online at the National Geographic website, and view additional
photographic and video elements that accompany them. Answer the questions that go with each
article. Please type your responses.

“The Greatest Journey,” http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/03/human-journey/shreeve-text
o How can archaeologists/historians use biologists’ work with genetics to help them better
understand Mankind’s distant pre-historical past?
o Explain the paths of human migration throughout the world that archaeologists and biologists
have identified.
o Explain the traditional view of migration into the Americas, and how it is now being challenged.

“The Birth of Religion,” http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/gobekli-tepe/mann-text
o Explain the thoughts on the origins of Gobekli Tepe?
o What is the traditional view of prehistory as defined by the idea of the Neolithic Revolution?
o How does Gobekli Tepe’s existence, and the time of its creation challenge the traditional view of
the Neolithic Revolution?
o What does the Gobekli Tepe site tell us about prehistoric religious beliefs?
4. You will need to purchase a copy of 5 Steps to a 5: AP World History 2012-2013 by Peggy Martin
(McGraw-Hill). You will use this book throughout the year to review content and prepare for the
APWH exam. You can get a new or used copy, but make sure it is the 2012-2013 text. I will have
several used copies for sale - if you wish to purchase one from me during exam week.
 Read Section 4 – Period 1 pgs.51-75 in preparation for the first few days of school. You
will have a quiz on the material on the 2nd day of school, August 16th.
5. Complete the chart and map assignment included in this folder. The 2 assignments are due August
15th, on the first day of school. Use information from the NG articles, the “5 Steps to a 5” book, the
Gombrich book, or the internet to help you fill in the chart. You can use any current world map in a
book at home, from the library, or online to complete the map.
6. Be prepared to discuss the Gombrich book, “A Little History of the World,” according to the
following prompts. Every student will be required to participate in this discussion on the 2nd day of
school, August 16th.
 How does he organize World History?
 What is his perspective on World History?
 Does he give the reader a broad view of global cultures, and their significance?
 What does he leave out about World History?
 What does the title imply about the book?
 Does he have a positive or negative view of World History?
 How does Gombrich represent the history of Africa?