AP World History: Modern — Course Overview & Policies (Flashcards)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering course purpose, frameworks, units, themes, thinking skills, assessment components, and classroom policies from the provided AP World History: Modern notes.

AP World History: Modern

AP course designed as the equivalent of an introductory college survey of modern world history (1200 CE to present).

Primary sources

Original documents or artifacts created during the period studied; provide direct evidence.

Secondary sources

Analyses or interpretations about historical events produced after the fact.

Historical Thinking Skills

Cognitive practices historians use to analyze sources, contexts, and arguments.

Skill 1: Developments and Processes

Identify and explain historical developments and processes.

Skill 2: Sourcing and Situation

Analyze the origin and context of sources; determine point of view, purpose, audience, and limitations.

Skill 3: Claims and Evidence in Sources

Evaluate arguments in sources; identify claims and supporting evidence; compare arguments.

Skill 4: Contextualization

Place historical developments within a broader historical context.

Skill 5: Making Connections

Analyze patterns and connections across developments using comparison, causation, continuity, and change.

Skill 6: Argumentation

Assess and construct arguments in response to historical questions, including DBQs and long-essay prompts.

The Six Themes

Cross-cutting concepts: Humans and the Environment; Cultural Developments and Interactions; Governance; Economic Systems; Social Interactions and Organization; Technology and Innovation.

Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (c. 1200–1450)

Developments across East Asia, Dar al-Islam, the Americas, Africa, Europe; global connections in this period.

Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (c. 1200–1450)

Silk Roads, Mongol Empire, Indian Ocean trade, Trans-Saharan routes; connectivity and exchange.

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (c. 1450–1750)

Expansion of European, East Asian, and Gunpowder empires; administrations and belief systems.

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections (c. 1450–1750)

Technological innovations, Columbian Exchange, maritime empires linking regions.

Unit 5: Revolutions (c. 1750–1900)

Enlightenment, nationalism, industrialization, and related social and economic changes.

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization (c. 1750–1900)

Imperialism, state expansion, migration, and global economic development.

Unit 7: Global Conflict (c. 1900–Present)

Causes and conduct of World War I and II; interwar period; mass atrocities.

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization (c. 1900–Present)

Cold War dynamics, decolonization, newly independent states, global resistance to power structures.

Unit 9: Globalization (c. 1900–Present)

Technological advances, global exchange, economics, culture, and institutions in a globalized world.

Environment theme (ENV)

Humans shape and are shaped by the environment as populations grow and change.

Cultural Developments and Interactions (CUL)

Ideas, beliefs, religions, and their political, social, and cultural implications.

Governance (GOV)

State formation, expansion, decline, and how governments maintain order.

Economic Systems (ECON)

Production, exchange, and consumption shaping economies.

Social Interactions (SOC)

Norms and group dynamics that influence political, economic, and cultural institutions.

Technology and Innovations (TECH)

Advances that increase efficiency and reshape development and interactions.

Homework

Nightly work and reading/notes contributing to the grade. (10%)

Class Work

In-class activities and assignments contributing to the grade. (10%)

Quizzes

Short assessments that count toward the grade. (20%)

Tests

Major exams that contribute a large portion of the grade. (30%)

FRQS (Essays)

Free-Response Questions: SAQs, LEQs, DBQs and related essays. (20%)

Extra Credit

Optional opportunities to improve the grade beyond required work. (5%)

Career Readiness Score

Rubric-based measure of preparedness including behavior and time management. (5%)

Mixed Courses Policy

Policy allowing EWU High School and AP/college sections to be graded separately on transcripts.

Attendance Policy

Absences require written excuses; check Google Classroom; you’re responsible for missed work.

Tardy Policy

Tardies tracked and may lead to administrative consequences; early handling varies by level. Up to 3 tardies. 4 tardies and you get a stern talking to from administration

Late Work

Late submissions accepted only within the unit; after unit completion, late work may not earn credit.

Plagiarism & Cheating

Cheating and plagiarism prohibited; severe consequences including zeros and discipline referrals.

Cell Phone Policy

The only device you can use during class is your chromebook!!!

Email Etiquette

Professional email guidelines: clear subject, proper greeting, respectful tone, and sign-off.

Active Reading Strategies

Techniques like annotating, summarizing, and questioning texts to improve comprehension and retention, especially for primary and secondary sources.

Effective Note-Taking

Systematically recording key information from lectures and readings to facilitate study and review for quizzes and tests.

Time Management Skills

Organizing and prioritizing academic tasks to meet deadlines, balance workload, and prepare adequately for assessments.

Classroom Participation

Actively engaging in class discussions, asking questions, and contributing insights to deepen understanding and earn class work credit.

Utilizing Teacher Feedback

Applying constructive criticism on assignments, especially FRQs, to improve historical thinking skills and argumentation.

Study Schedule

A planned routine for reviewing course material consistently to reinforce learning and prepare for major exams like tests and FRQs.