Welcome to AP World History! This will be, I hope, the most interesting history course you have ever taken. Obviously, it would be impossible to learn every detail of the history of the world in the course of a single year. Instead, we study history by looking at patterns, processes, and themes. Your summer assignment, which includes reading David Christian's This Fleeting World, is designed to introduce you to the course. This Fleeting World is your launchpad for a year of historical exploration, and the questions in the reading guide will help to guide you.
The first thing you’ll notice about This Fleeting World is that it moves fast. But don’t worry; it’s not meant to tell you everything you need to know about human history. Rather, this book provides broad brushstrokes, noting the most significant “threshold moments” that changed the way we have lived on Earth.
Once you join the class, you will find a single assignment posted, which is your summer reading assignment. There are two tasks to complete - a Reading Guide and a Connections to Today activity. Each one will be completed in a separate document. The assignment includes an explanation of how your work will be evaluated as well as a copy of the evaluation rubric. I suggest you consult it frequently as you complete the tasks.
Your assignment will be due on Friday, August 16. You will take a test on the summer assignment during the first full week of class.
If you have questions about the assignment, don't hesitate to contact me via email (lbowen@capefearacademy.org). I will be checking my email regularly throughout the summer. Happy reading!