Course Syllabus

In Advanced Placement World History 10, you will develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and effects of human contacts over time. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies.  To explore a thematic approach of studying world history, we will use the reasoning processes of comparison (COMP), causation (CAUS), and change/continuity over time (CCOT) and utilize specific historical thinking skills.

1. Developments and Processes: Identify and explain historical developments and processes.

2. Sourcing and Situation: Analyze sourcing and situation of primary and secondary sources.

3. Claims and Evidence in Sources: Analyze arguments in primary and secondary sources.

4. Contextualization: Analyze the context of historical events, developments, or processes.

5. Making Connections: Using historical reasoning processes (see above), analyze the patterns and connections between and among historical developments and processes.

6. Argumentation: Develop an argument with historically defensible claims and evidence.

THEME 3: GOVERNANCE
A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions. policies. and procedures. and governments obtain, retain, and exercise powers in different ways and for different purposes.

THEME 2: CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND INTERACTIONS
The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves. and the interactions of societies and the beliefs often have political, social. and cultural implications. 

THEME 4: ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
As societies develop, they affect and are affected by the ways that they produce. exchange. and consume goods and services. 

THEME 5: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND ORGANIZATION
The process by which societies group their members and the norms that govern the interactions between these groups and between individuals influence political. economic. and cultural institutions and organization. 

THEME 1: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The environment shapes human societies, and as populations grow and change, these populations in turn shape their environments. 

THEME 6: TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Human adaptation and innovation have resulted in increased efficiency, comfort, and security and have shaped human development and interactions with both intended and unintended consequences.

• Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, by Karras, Pollard, Rosenberg, and Tignor, New York: W.W. Norton & Company; AP ed., 2015.

• Ways of the World: A Global History with Sources, Strayer and Nelson, Bedford, Freedman, & Worth; 5th Edition, 2023.

• Various primary and secondary source material provided online.

Grades will be updated through Google Classroom and will be mirrored on Synergy. Assignments have digital grading rubrics that must be viewed from a personal computer. The traditional A-F scale is used (no rounding) and weighted accordingly:

• 35% - FORMAL ASSESSMENTS: Unit Exams, Cumulative Final, and Quizzes: stimulus-based multiple choice, content-based multiple choice and written responses (DBQ essays, long essays, and short answer question) scores weighted based on the achievement of all APWH periods on a 100-point scale

• 60% - ASSIGNMENTS: INDIVIDUAL WORK AND COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES

  • Textbook reading: Approximately 40 points per chapter (app. 25-35 pts. for completion; 3-5 points for quality)

  • Vocabulary flashcards: 45-75 pts per unit; 90% graded on completion; 10% on quality of response – due at end of unit

  • In-class assignments: Scores vary; graded on thoroughness and completion

  • Collaborative activities and presentations

• 5% - CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION: Asking questions, providing voluntary and involuntary responses, etc.

Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Exam in the second week of May of the next calendar year.  If a student scores well, some colleges may grant credit of the course.  However, most colleges look very favorably on the rigor of AP course work as part of the overall student college admission process.  Students, with semester grades 70% and above, who pass the AP Exam with a score of 3 or higher will be eligible for a +10% grade adjustment with an “A-“ grade ceiling.  (e.g. 78%  B+; 85%  A-).  Students with a grade below 70% or were caught being academically dishonest will not be eligible for a grade change, regardless of his/her AP score.  The cost of the AP Exam is $98.

1. BEHAVIOR: Be respectful citizens in the classroom—respect the thoughts and ideas of your classmates and teacher; no cursing or inappropriate language, even in private conversation.  Behavior that violates the class rules will result in logical consequences including: verbal warning, time out, on-campus intervention or after school detention and parent/guardian contact, after-school detention, and referral to an administrator.

2. TARDIES: Be on-time (3rd+ tardy = after-school detention and “U” on citizenship; 5th+ tardy = Saturday school) and bring supplies to class everyday

3. READ, read, and read—success in this class depends on keeping up with the reading and doing the reading assignments.  Students fail, not because they do badly on tests, but because they don’t read and do the work!

4. KEY TO SUCCESS—DO YOUR WORK: Almost everything you need is in Google Classroom or on the course website. It is suggested that you bookmark this page. You are responsible for tracking the due dates/times. Assignments that are late will be docked -50%.

5. FOOD/DRINK: Food/water okay; please be sensitive to food allergies, particularly nut allergies

6. CELL PHONES AND GAMING DEVICES: No usage under any circumstance without explicit permission (see colored light).  One warning may be issued.  A second and/or subsequent incident(s) will result in an on-campus suspension or after school detention.  Makeup work and class instruction will not be given for missing class time.

7. HALL PASSES: Students are given two hall passes for each semester. Unused passes will become assignment extra credit.

8. ACADEMIC HONESTY:  Not only does this mean not cheating on exams and quizzes, but it also means that all the work you do in this class is original.  Copying homework and reading notes is considered cheating.  If caught, you will be given a “0” on the assignment or exam and you are disqualified from the grade change for passing the AP exam. A second incident of academic dishonesty will result in an “F” grade in the class.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail using your Synergy account or, preferably, at wto@egusd.net.  Please write all emails formally.  Also, class information, material, and updates can be found on our Google classroom website.  If you need to see me in person, please make an appointment beforehand, especially if you plan on making up a test or require help and assistance.