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.

It is highly recommended that students take the national Advanced Placement Exam in May of the next calendar year.  If a student scores well, some colleges and universities may grant credit of the course.  

Students who pass the AP Exam with a score of 3 will be eligible for a +5% grade adjustment, with an "A-" grade ceiling (e.g. 76% → B-; 85% →  A-), for both semesters.  Students who pass the AP Exam with a score of 4 or 5 will be eligible for a +10% grade adjustment with an “A-“ grade ceiling, (e.g. 78% → B+; 84% → A-), for both semesters.  However, students with a grade below 70% or are guilty of academic dishonesty will not be eligible for a grade change, regardless of his/her AP score.  

The cost of the AP Exam is $99; please sign up in AP Classroom and submit payments through the school.

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. ENTRANCE/EXIT: Be on-time and be ready to work. When the bell rings, the door will be locked; please wait outside until you are invited into the class. Once in class, be ready to work with your Chromebook booted to our Google Classroom home screen. Mr. To will determine use of electronics and dismissal—not time or bells. No student will be dismissed until classroom is cleaned, furniture moved back to their original locations, and chargers/extension cords returned.

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: Water only; make sure food does not have nut products.

6. CELL PHONES: No usage under any circumstance without explicit permission (see colored light and hall pass). Only a single warning will 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. Unwarranted cell phone usage will also result in the revoking of a hall pass.

7. HALL PASSES: Students are given four hall passes each semester for restroom, breaks, or cell phone usage. Unused passes will become extra credit. If you need to use a pass, fill in the required information and raise your passes up in the air. Mr. To will check you in and check you out; so check back in with him to prevent accumulating an NAL point.

8. ACADEMIC HONESTY: All work in this class will be produced digitally, but it also means it has unique vulnerabilities and temptations. 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 must be original. All assignments not marked as "groupwork/GW" will be done individually without the aid of other students. Allowing other students to view your work or providing copies to your individual assignments is also considered academic dishonesty. Any assignments completed with the help of artificial intelligence software is also 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. The first incident will also be marked in the student's permanent record as a minor referral.  Any recurring incidents of academic dishonesty will result in a 10% grade deduction in the overall semester grade, per instance. THIS IS A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY AND NO SECOND CHANCES WILL BE GIVEN. 

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail using your Synergy account or, preferably, at wto@egusd.netor through Talking Points. 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.