AP World History: Modern Overview

  • AP World History: Modern Course and Exam Description: Updated periodically, check AP Central for the most recent version.

  • AP stands for Clarity and Transparency: Teachers and students should have clear expectations. Course frameworks and sample assessments are public.

  • AP is an Unflinching Encounter with Evidence: Students develop independent thinking, drawing conclusions via evidence and the scientific method.

  • AP Opposes Censorship: Intellectual freedom is respected. AP designation can be removed if topics are banned.

  • AP Opposes Indoctrination: Students analyze diverse perspectives; no points awarded for agreeing with a specific viewpoint. Students are not required to feel certain ways about content.

  • AP Courses Foster Open-Mindedness: Study of diverse cultures and histories is essential, grounded in primary sources.

  • Every AP Student is Listened to and Respected: Encourages evaluation of arguments, not individuals. Respects diversity; contributions are sought and considered.

  • AP is a Choice: Parents and students choose to enroll; descriptions are available online. AP materials are crafted by experts and validated by the American Council on Education.

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    -AP teachers are responsible for designing their own curriculum for AP courses, selecting appropriate college-level readings, assignments, and resources.
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    -UNIT GUIDES Appearing in this publication and on AP Classroom, these planning guides outline all required course content and skills, organized into commonly taught units.

  • AP World History: Modern, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 to the present.
    -The course provides six themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation.

  • AP World History: Modern is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college or university survey of modern world history.

  • The historical thinking skills and reasoning processes are central to the study and practice of world history. Students should practice and develop these skills and processes on a regular basis over the span of the course.