AP World History Syllabus

World History Mr. Houston
Advanced Placement Fall 2007

AP World History is a rigorous, year long course that takes a college level approach to World History, beginning with the earliest civilizations and continuing up to the present. This course concentrates on major themes common to all cultures and civilizations.

The AP Exam will be administered on May 15, 2008. I expect all students that remain in the class to prepare for and take this exam. If you can succeed in this course, you will do well on the exam.

Be Advised: If grades are more important to you than the process of learning, you are in the wrong class.
Rigorous Learning
Academic rigor means the consistent expectation of excellence and the aspiration to significant achievement. It should pervade the entire atmosphere of this course.
Rigorous students are part of the equation of rigorous teaching and learning. A rigorous education is difficult, deeply satisfying work, and it requires a lifestyle conducive to achieving excellence. This College-Level course is not a temporary diversion or a period of entertainment, but a fundamental piece of student character, citizenship, and employment future. A diploma and good grades from a demanding institution count for something. AP World History is the first real test of your post-secondary academic promise. Rigorous students
· Demonstrate complete honesty and integrity.
· Set high personal standards, develop a strong sense of purpose, come to class well-prepared, and complete assignments on time.
· Develop an effective relationship with the instructor, in and outside of class, and make the most of campus advising and other services.
· Treat fellow students and the classroom environment with complete respect. Give each class full attention and participation. Do not miss class, arrive late, or leave early.
· Accept continuing responsibility for learning and for grades earned.
·
Text: The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History, Bulliet, Crossley, Headrick,
Hirsch, Johnson, NorthrupApproach each class in a professional manner, as if the class were real employment. Treat a full-course load as full-time work and spend no less time on it. Determine exactly what is expected.

*** The text will be considered your primary resource for the basic content knowledge. In addition, there will be SEVERAL supplemental texts provided by the teacher containing primary documents including:

World History in Documents: A Comparative Reader, Peter Stearns

The Nystrom World History Series (Mapbook)


Objectives: Students will:
1. Examine the political, social, economic, and cultural influences throughout history.
2. Investigate the issues that reflect change and continuity between cultures and eras.
3. Explore the various approaches and interpretations of World History.
4. Gain insight into current trends and problems in modern society through an examination of past experiences.
5. Develop higher levels of written and oral expression, as well as higher level thinking.

Expectations:
1. This is a college level course and as such, each student has the potential to earn college credit by successfully completing the assigned work and earning a 3 or better on the National Advanced Placement Exam in May.
2. Each student is expected to keep up with the workload. YOU CANNOT FALL BEHIND. This will include readings in the text, outside readings, Document Based Questions (DBQ), homework, class work, and quizzes. Each student is required to keep an organized notebook. DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY, especially if it is graded. Keep everything for your records and review.
3. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, group work, and activities.
4. Students will complete approximately 5 exams, combining multiple choice and essay questions. Each student will also complete a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester.

Major Units: Grade Scale:
8000 BCE – 600 CE 90-100 = A
600 CE – 1450 CE 80-89 = B
1450 CE – 1750 CE 70-79 = C
1750 CE – 1914 CE Below 70 = F
1914 CE – Present

Course Requirements:
TESTS:
Each unit will conclude with a two part exam. Part I will involve a day of multiple choice questions. Part II will involve the Essay sections. Both are equal in value and count as a major grade.

The Final Exam will be comprehensive and worth 20% of the grade.

Each student will be required to complete at least 2 Document Based Questions (DBQ) and two summaries of historical articles this semester. These will count as a major paper grade.

QUIZZES:
Quizzes in this class are designed to force students to read the chapters thoroughly. Unit tests usually cover 3 chapters (approx. 100 pages) and “cramming” on the last night may be hazardous to your grade. If you learn the material for the quizzes this allows for better class discussion and less stress on test days. These quizzes are agonizingly picky but success on the quizzes is an excellent indicator of success on the tests.

REVIEW SHEETSFor each chapter you will receive a “Review Sheet” of terms that may or may not be important. I suggest, but do not require, that you fill these out as you read. It may help with the quizzes but more importantly they are excellent review sheets for Unit Tests, Final Exams, and the AP Exam. In May you can study 1000 pages in the text, or 33 well-done Review Sheets.

Grade Breakdown:
Tests and Papers 65%
Quizzes and Homework 15%
Final Exam 20% (Comprehensive)
Make-Up Policy:
It is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher about any work missed while out with an excused absence. If you are in school but not in class on any given day, it is your responsibility to hand in any work due that day and pick up any homework assignments for the next day.

The following policy will apply to all make-up work:
Tests: Tests will be made up on the day that a student returns from an absence. If the student is absent for several consecutive days, the student must make arrangements to make it up in the mornings, during lunch or after school. If you are absent the day before a test, you will still be required to take the test that day. I reserve the right to change the format of make-up tests.

Homework: Missed homework is due the day after the student returns.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be made up the day a student returns.

Major Papers: These will be due on the day assigned whether you are in school or not.

Cheating and Plagiarism:
The Social Studies Department considers academic integrity a top priority. Any copying or sharing of answers on homework, class work, assignments, tests or projects is cheating. The only exception to this rule is if the teacher has explicitly stated that the work is a “cooperative learning” experience. If in doubt, ask the teacher.

Plagiarism is also a form of cheating. Plagiarism is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language as the “act of stealing and using the ideas or writings of another as one’s own.” Although the direct copying of another’s work is the most blatant example, any time a student takes another’s ideas and passes them off as their own it is plagiarism. A student must note the source even if he or she “rephrases” the material.

The consequences for cheating or plagiarism on any assignment are the awarding of a zero grade and an honor code referral for all parties involved. Allowing one’s work to be copied is also considered cheating.

Be advised: Discussing, sharing, or soliciting information about a test, quiz, or essay from any student in any period is a strict violation of the honor code. DO NOT DISCUSS ANYTHING ABOUT AP WORLD HISTORY WITH ANOTHER STUDENT. If you witness students sharing information, please report it in person or drop an anonymous note in my box or on my desk.

Discipline:
I will abide by and enforce the guidelines set forth by the Fulton County Board of Education. You will not have time to misbehave. The most important thing to remember is to respect the rights of others. This is an AP class but that does not change the policy on tardiness or classroom behavior.

NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM EXCEPT WATER.

Recovery:
Since this is an AP class, recovery for failed tests and assignments is not available. If you cannot pass the work you need to drop back to regular World History. I will be more than willing to work with students who are having problems. This is a challenging class and requires both time and ability.

Important Information:

School phone # - 770-521-7600

Email: houstonp@fulton.k12.ga.us

Website for the College Board:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/



AP World History Test Dates

8/24 Fri MC Test 1, 2, 3
8/27 Mon – Take Home Essay Due

9/17 Mon – MC Test CH 4, 5, 6
9/18 Tue - Morning Essay 7:30am

10/10 Wed – MC Test
10/11 Thur – Take Home DBQ Due

10/29 Mon – MC Test
10/30 Tue - Morning Essay 7:30am

11/16 Mon – Morning Essay 7:30am
11/19 Tue – MC Test

12/14 Fri – Morning Essay – Final Exam 7:00AM


Please sign and return by the 2nd day of class. This acknowledges that both student and parent have received, read, and understand the contents of the course syllabus for AP World History. It also recognizes that this course does not belong to Mr. Houston, to Chattahoochee High School, or to Fulton County, but to the AP College Board. This course will be the most demanding, and perhaps the most rewarding course of your academic career to date. Parents: The essential minimum your student should spend on homework for this course is 1 hour per night.

____________________________ _______________________________
Student Signature Parent Signature

____________________________ ________________________________
Print Student Name Legibly Print Parent Name Legibly