Luther Burbank High School
AP World History Syllabus
2011 – 2012
2011 – 2012
Instructor: Carlos De León
Email: jdeleon3@saisd.net
Phone No.: (210) 373-7994
Course Purpose: The purpose of the AP World History course is to prepare students to meet the requirements determined by the CollegeBoard Advanced Placement program and by the State of Texas Texas
Textbook and Supplement(s):
Andrea, Alfred J., James H. Overfield Boston
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, David Northrup. The Earth and Its People: A Global History. 2nd ed. Boston
Diamond, Jared. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York
Reilly, Kevin. Worlds of History: A Comparative Reader. 3rd ed. Boston
AP World History Themes …
Theme 1: Interaction between humans and the environment: Demography and disease, migration, patterns of settlement, technology.
Theme 2: Development and interaction of cultures: Religions, belief systems, philosophies and ideologies, science and technology, the arts and agriculture
Theme 3: State-building, expansion, and conflict: Political structures and forms of governance, empires, nations and nationalism, revolts and revolutions, regional, trans-regional, and global structures and organizations
Theme 4: Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems: Agricultural and pastoral Production, trade and commerce, labor systems, industrialization, capitalism and socialism
Theme 5: Development and transformation of social structures: Gender roles and relations, family and kinship, racial and ethnic constructions, social and economic classes
Make-up Work: Assignments must be submitted on time. Since a sufficient amount of time is allowed for a student to finish an assignment LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED for full credit! When absent from class, you are responsible for any missed assignment(s) … RETRIEVE THEM FROM THE BOX!! Students have two school days – from the day they return – to submit any missing assignment(s). Missed tests are made up only after school.
Grading Criteria: Each student will be assessed individually. The assessment will be carried out through a variety of methods including oral presentations, teacher observations, participation, written assignments, projects, seminars, course notebook, quizzes and tests.
Period Grade:
60% Daily Assignments
40% Assessments
Projects: Throughout the course of both semesters students will develop, organize, and submit a typed research paper on a specific topic that shall be used as a comprehensive course final. Students will also be required to develop a history project (research paper, exhibit, performance, documentary, or interpretive website) to be submitted for National History Day. Timelines will be distributed on a future date.
Free-Response Essays: A series of free-response essays will be assigned throughout the semester (1-2 per grading period). Each essay will be on a specific topic in-line with CollegeBoard requirements for the free-response portion of the AP World History exam. A timeline and rubric will be issued with each essay prompt. Failure to follow essay formats will result in a failing grade.
Primary Source Analysis: Analysis of primary sources – both textual and visual – will be essential. The primary source analysis will assist with the tasks required for the Document-Based Question (DBQ) on the AP World History exam. The use of historical materials will help students practice using evidence to make plausible arguments. Student ability to identify point of view, context, and bias in these sources shall be emphasized.
Simulations: In order to prepare and determine the readiness of each student, periodic AP style examinations will be held. These sessions may be divided into a series of practice exams to be conducted on a number of days due to class period time constraints. Failure to receive an acceptable score in any part of these examinations may require for the student to attend tutoring.
Blog: Due to the nature and time constraints of the CollegeBoard AP World History course, students will be required to participate in an online web log, commonly referred to as a blog. The website used for this activity will be www.blogger.com (blogspot). Students will need to register for free in order to securely post on the web log. The link to the blog after registering is lbhsapwh.blogspot.com.
Tutoring: Tutoring will be available in the morning from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. A tutoring schedule will be conveniently posted inside and outside the classroom door. In addition, the effective use of email and phone communication (with appropriate discretion) is permitted and encouraged, especially if the set tutoring schedule proves unaccommodating.
Attendance: Excessive absences will result in automatic failure of the course in-line with district and state policy. After two absences guardians will be contacted, and will continue to be so every absence thereafter.
Supplies Required: 3-ring binder w/ 5 dividers; pencils (#2) and pens (black/blue only); notebook paper (NO spiral sheets); and flashdrive
Tabs: Foundations, 600 c.e. – 1450 c.e., 1450 c.e. – 1750 c.e., 1750 c.e. – 1914 c.e., 1914 – Present
Food/Drinks:
1. Food, sodas, gum, etc., are not allowed in the classroom.
2. Students may bring bottled water into the classroom … bottles must be clear plastic with screw cap and are subject to inspection.
