Mr. Eugene A Stanton E-Mail: Eugene_A_Stanton@mcpsmd.org or
Room: P6 mr.s@worldjourney.net
Office Phone: 301-972-7923 Website: http://www.worldjourney.net/phs/
Advance Placement World History Test (Given by College Board) Thursday
- May 14, 2009
OVERVIEW - Course Description
Advance
Placement World History is a two-semester program that follows a course of
study similar to that of a college introductory course in World History.
Throughout the year, we will be looking for patterns in historical events, many
of which revolve around the contacts among different human societies. Our greatest
emphasis will be on the last one thousand years of human history. To understand
history, it is important to study not only the events that occur in time, but
the methodology of those events. In Advance Placement World History, we will
examine not only what happened, but also why it happened. We will look at
historical continuity, along with change. Our studies will include the
examination of world cultures, human institutions, the effects of new
technologies, and world geography. It is my goal to give students the tools to
obtain a score on their AP test, which could amount to credit for a 3-credit
college course. Strong writing skills and advanced cognitive aptitude are
required to succeed on the college level and it is for this reason that these
skills will be emphasized in this course.
“Man lives consciously for
himself, but is an unconscious instrument in the attainment of the historic,
universal, aims of humanity.”
Leo Tolstoy (1829–1910), Russian novelist, philosopher.
“Consider
your breed; you were not
made to live like beasts,
but
to follow virtue and knowledge.” Dante Alighieri (1265–1321), Italian
poet.
“When
a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.” Lao-Tzu (6th century B.C.), Chinese philosopher.
UNITS OF STUDY - Exams &
Projects
Evaluation General Subject(s) Approximate
Exam Date
Unit 1 Test The Foundations of Human History. World History Prior to 600CE. 9/26/08
Unit
2A Test World History from 600CE
to 1200CE. 10/24/08
Unit
2B Test World History from 1200CE
to 1450CE. 11/21/08
Unit
3 Test World History from 1450CE
to 1750CE. 1/14/09 & 1/15/09
Exam Semester Exams 1/16/09 thru 1/23/09
Unit
4 Test World History from 1750CE
to 1914CE.
3/3/09
Unit
5 Test World History from 1914CE
to the Present.
5/1/09
Test Prep AP Test Study, Writing Practice,
and actual AP Test. 5/4/09 thru 5/13/09
Projects
Due Research Projects on Present
day Global Issues. 5/15/09 thru 6/7/09
Note: Dates are approximate and may be changed at the discretion of the Teacher, the Administration, the College Board, or MCPS for a variety of reasons.
Course Objectives
- Identify the impact of
interaction among major world societies in trade, international exchange,
war, and diplomacy from the foundations of human history to the present.
- Explore relationships and
distinctions in Human political, social, economic, and intellectual
history.
- Analyze the impact of
technology and change on human and non-human populations and the emergence
of human social structures from relatively isolated despotic
administrations to that of the present day series of globally connected
nation states.
- Evaluate the social structure,
gender structures and intellectual developments of humans and the
interactions among and with-in the various societies.
- Use and analyze primary
sources, including documentary materials, maps statistical tables, and
pictorial and graphic evidence, to study historical events.
- Examine the problems faced
by people at any given period in history, to relate these problems to the
present, to investigate the attempts to find remedies for these problems
and to plot humankind’s path to the future.
GRADES - Grading Format (Per
Quarter)
Type of Evaluation Percentage % Value
Summative Assessments (This
includes mostly Unit Exams, 40%
but may also include Research
Papers and Research Presentations)
Formative Assessments
(Quizzes, Essays, Worksheets,
Projects, DBQ’s 50%
Simulations, Notebooks, Group Projects, and Group Presentations.)
Homework (Graded on
accuracy or quality in relation to established 10%
learning outcomes. This includes
mostly Chapter Worksheets)
Exams
AP World History tests are designed
to prepare you for a challenging Advance Placement Exam in May. There will be five tests that will cover
all 36 Chapters in the book. The exams will center on the AP designated unit of
study and may include up to 10 chapters at one time. It is critical that you
keep up with your reading and your assignments so that you will be adequately
prepared for the test. Because there will be an assignment associated with the
exam, it is essential that you not miss the exam on the test date. However, if
this is unavoidable, you will need to take a make-up exam, different than that
administered in class, with-in the MCPS designated allotted days.
Essays & DBQ’s
Two to four times a month, you will be given an essay
or a DBQ (Document Based Question) that critiques a subject of discussion. This assignment is to be at least two pages in
length, but no more than four pages. It should also be hand written. You need to
use the writing format for AP that we will study in class. Essays and DBQ’s
will be graded on a 20 point scale with a maximum of 9 points given for the
draft essay, 9 points maximum for the re-write, and 2 points for the thesis
worksheet.
Outlines
For each chapter you will be
required to complete a formatted outline. These assignments will normally be due with-in
two days of the assigned reading. This assignment is an individual obligation. Collaboration
with other classmates on the chapter worksheets will not help you learn the
material and is considered cheating. Cheating is a serious offence and all
parties will receive a 0, without exception.
Quizzes
It can
be argued that your greatest tool for success in this course is the textbook.
It is for this reason that you will be
quizzed after each reading assignment. Quizzes may be given in any format
and can vary in duration. Each reading assignment will be one chapter in
length. You are encouraged to read the chapter more than once in order to help
you understand and retain the large amounts of information in each chapter.
Research Paper
You will research and
write a paper on an assigned subject each quarter. The paper is due the day
that subject is discussed in class. The paper must be a least 5 pages and no
more than 8 pages. A coversheet and a bibliography must be attached and are not
included in the minimum and maximum page requirements. It must be typed and
double-spaced in no larger, or smaller, than a font equivalent in size to a
12point “Times New Roman” font. Late Research Papers Will Not Be Accepted
After the Deadline! (See the MCPS Policy statement in the rules section.)A
minimum of six sources will be required. Please understand I am very Internet
savvy and I do check for plagiarism. Plagiarism is illegal and unethical! A paper
with any degree of plagiarism will receive a grade of 0! (All research subjects
must be cleared with me.)
Paper
Presentation Projects
You will need to give a 5
to 10 minute presentation on the findings in your expert paper at the beginning
of class. You are expected to find an interesting and unique way to present
your findings to the class. This can be anything from a simple presentation
using the board or audio-visual materials, to a game or short skit. You may
utilize the assistance of your teacher or fellow classmates in your
presentation. The use of audio-visual materials is highly encouraged. Please
note that anyone that simply reads their paper to the class will not receive
credit for their presentation. Due to time constraints, late
presentations may not be permitted! (See MCPS Policy) (Your presentation is
due the day your paper is due. Date and subjects will be assigned by your
teacher.)
Group Based Projects
Occasionally you will be
given an assignment to complete, as homework, during class, in the
Worksheets
For
each chapter you will receive a worksheet or a non-essay based homework
assignment. These assignments will normally be due the next day of class. This
assignment is an individual obligation. Collaboration with other classmates on
the chapter worksheets will not help you learn the material and is considered
cheating. Cheating is a serious offence and all parties will receive a 0,
without exception.
Class
Discussion
It is critical that everyone participate in class discussions and class
activities in order to get a variety of viewpoints on the subjects that we will
be covering. Class discussions are an integral part of this course and every
student is required to respond when questioned and encouraged to give input to
class discussions.
Reassessment
The
opportunity for reassessment of quizzes will be offered for a maximum of two
quizzes each quarter, provided the student has completed all work associated
with the chapter quiz being reassessed and quiz corrections have been properly
completed. Reassessments must be taken within three days of the original quiz.
The reassessment grade will replace the original grade with no exceptions.
Make-ups must be taken during lunch.
Late Work
Please
note that MCPS guidelines state that late work received prior to the deadline
will receive a 10% deduction in grade. In
accordance to MCPS policy, late work submitted after the deadline will receive
a zero grade. Extenuating circumstances, like a death in
the family or a serious illness will be considered on an individual, one-time
only basis, if allowed under MCPS policy. This rule will be strictly adhered
to, so these circumstances must be exceptional and allowable under the MCPS
policy. Please be aware that MCPS
policy does not allow teachers to give extra credit for any reason;
therefore, it is important to do your work properly and to turn it in early or
on time.
Important information if you are
Absent
You are
responsible for the material discussed in class, this includes days you are
absent. Quizzes may be excused, but tests will not. Make-up tests are your
responsibility. When you return remind me that you need a make-up test. Make-up
tests will be different and have a different format than the original test. They
also must be given with-in the MCPS
designated allotted days. It is your
responsibility to pick up your assignments and turn in your work the day after
you return from any excused absence. Being absent from class does not
excuse you from doing the assignment. It
is your responsibility to collect and complete missed assignments when you are
absent.
EXTRA HELP
Course
Grades will be posted on Edline and Course
information can always be found at my website: www.worldjourney.net/phs. I am
available during lunch daily and periodically before and after school.
Books
The
text for the course is World
Civilizations: The Global Experience 4th Edition, AP* Edition,
by Peter N. Stearns, Michael Adas, Stuart B.
Schwartz, and Marc Jason Gilbert, 2005, published by Pearson/Longman in New
York City, NY.
A
Supplemental book for this course is: Hammond
Historical World Atlas
, by Hammond World Atlas Corporation, 2003 Edition, Langenscheidt
Publishing Group, in