Mr. Filie, Rm. L52
312.445.4680
Thursdays from 4:15 to 6:00pm and by appointment
I. Course Description
AP World History is different than any other academic discipline, since it covers so much significant information in just one year. In AP World History, students will be expected to both develop a wide-range of skills, while learning about the past on a broad scale. AP World History gives students the opportunity to learn about what happened in the past in order to investigate why the world looks like it does today. This course gives students the chance to ask questions about the world and to use their inquisition to learn more about both the past and the present. Additionally, no other class has the capacity to influence students’ worldviews as significantly as AP World History. By learning about different civilizations, events, figures, and developments from all around the world throughout history, students will view the world from a more global perspective. Studying world history shifts students from viewing the world through a flashlight to viewing the world through a spotlight.
World history is critically important to the cultural context of all of students, since it will give students the opportunity to investigate the world and history from so many different points of view. The course will teach students the importance of asking questions, examining different perspectives, and staying informed about what is taking place in the world around them. Also, the course will make students understand how people have influenced history from a wide variety of cultural, economic, and social backgrounds. Essentially, this course prides itself on being the antithesis of reading a world history textbook titled Western Civilization.
Please note: In order to best prepare students for the AP World History exam in May, students will be given daily reading and work to complete outside of class. They will also take weekly quizzes and will be challenged by the AP rigor emulated in the unit exams. Additionally, unit exams may include questions that were not explicitly discussed in class but were covered in assigned readings.
II. Required Text and Materials
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World. 2013.
Cox, Phil and Drzonek, David L. World History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination - Student Edition Softcover. 2017 ed.
Standage, Tom. A History of the World in 6 Glasses. 2005.
Students will be expected to have the following materials in class everyday:
Spiral Notebook, college ruled (used only for AP Human Geography)
- Daily Agenda (supplied by school)
- Pen (blue or black ink)
- Lined, college ruled, loose-leaf paper
III. Grading Information
97-100 A+ 87-89 B+ 77-79 C+ 67-69 D+ 0-59 F
93-96 A 83-86 B 73-76 C 63-66 D
90-92 A- 80-82 B- 70-72 C- 60-62 D-
Total Points System Breakdown (1,800 points total per semester)
Category / Frequency per semester / Approx. # assignments / Points per assignment / Total points / Approx. weight in courseClasswork & Homework / 2 per week / 40 / 10 / 400 / 20%
Written Essays/ Free-Response Questions / 8 per semester / 8 / 50 / 400 / 20%
Unit Exams / 4 per semester / 4 / 150 / 600 / 40%
Projects / 2 per semester / 2 / 100 / 200 / 10%
Final Exam / 1 per semester / 1 / 200 / 200 / 10%
IV. Student Expectations
1. Work hard.
2. Be SMART.
3. Be on time and prepared.
4. Be proactive: ask for help when you need it.
5. Be respectful of yourself, your classmates, and your teacher.
Absence and Tardiness Policy
Students are expected to attend class every day. If a student is absent from class, it is that student’s responsibility to visit his/her teacher’s classroom before or after school in order to pick up missed work. Additionally, students will generally be referred to Muchin College Prep’s Wiki page (http://muchincollegeprep.wikispaces.com/), which contains links for most of the course materials. Students are not to ask his/her teacher for make-up work during class time or during passing periods. Make-up work must be returned to his/her teacher the day after the student returns to school (e.g., if a student is absent on Tuesday and returns Wednesday, all of their absent work must be completed by Thursday). If a student is absent for an extended period of time, he or she is responsible for making arrangements to gather make-up work from his/her teacher. Students who are not in their seats at the beginning of class will be considered tardy and will be given consequences as follows:
1. Tardy to class less than a minute: 1 demerit
2. Tardy to class between 1 and 3 minutes: 2 demerits
3. Tardy to class more than 3 minutes: 4 demerits/ 1 detention
Homework: Since this is an advanced placement course, students will receive homework on a daily basis. All late work must be handed before the next class day and will only receive half-credit. Late work will only be accepted before the following class day in my mailbox.
Classroom Rewards / Classroom ConsequencesStudents who meet the expectations of the class will be rewarded in several ways, including:
- Praise and recognition
- Merits
- Positive communication to parents / Students who choose to break a rule or not meet the expectations of class will be responsible for the following consequences, depending on the severity of the behavior:
- Demerits, LaSalle, or Detention
- Call home to parents/guardians
- Possible suspension or expulsion from school
No Name Papers: Students who turn in work with no name on it get one warning. After that every paper turned in without a name will receive a zero.
Assigned Seating: The teacher will assign students seats. The seating arrangement will only be altered at the teacher’s discretion.
V. Classroom Procedures
Beginning of Class / Students are expected to take their seats and silently begin work on the Do Now as soon as they have entered class unless otherwise instructed. Students who are not in their seats at the start of class will be considered tardy.Personal Needs / Students will not be allowed to address bathroom/ locker/ water fountain needs during class time. Should an emergency arise, students should raise their hands and wait to be addressed by the teacher. Students should be advised that addressing these needs during classroom time will earn them 1 demerit for being escorted out of class.
Speaking / Students are expected to raise their hands to be acknowledged unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.
Classroom Cleanliness / Students are expected to take ownership of the classroom by cleaning up after themselves and leaving communal items (bookshelves, papers, etc.) tidy. If desks have been moved, students will be expected to return them to their original position. 2 demerits will be given for materials left behind.
Homework / Students will place homework on their desks at the beginning of the period before they start the Do Now so that it can be checked unless otherwise notified.
Dismissal / The teacher, not the bell, will dismiss all students when the class period is over. Students should not pack up materials until instructed to do so by the teacher.
SSR / Reading is an essential element of this course. Additionally, there will never be a moment wasted in class. Students are required to bring an SSR book to class every day in order to maximize their time in the classroom by having the ability to read a great book during transition time. Students are encouraged to ask his/her teacher for book recommendations and suggestions!
Late Work / In order to earn full credit for an assignment, students must have that assignment complete, on their desk, and stapled (if necessary) when the bells rings at the beginning of class. Students will earn a LaSalle and their grade on the assignment will be reduced by 50% for not turning in an assignment on time. The one exception is an excused absence (please refer to the above “Absence and Tardiness Policy” for details).
Portfolios/Papers / Students must submit his/her paper to Turnitin.com by 7:50am on the morning after the paper is due. If students fail to do so, points will be deducted and LaSalles will be issued. If students have concerns and/or issues with Turnitin.com, please speak with the teacher during office hours or before/after class.
Disability Statement: Students in this course will receive all accommodations outlined in their Individualized Education Plan and/or 504 Plan. Students are encouraged to advocate for themselves. If there are any additional resources or supports needed, please approach the teacher before or after class.
VI. Important Dates
Understand that these dates are subject to change. Certain units will include portfolios and/or projects.
Unit / Exam DateUnit 1: Technological and Environmental
Transformations (to 600 B.C.E.) / Unit Exam: September 7
Unit 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.) / Unit Exam: October 6
Unit 3: Regional and Transregional Interactions (600 C.E. to 1450) / Unit Exam: November 21
Unit 4: Global Interactions (1450 to 1750) / First Semester Final Exam: Jan. 21 - 23
Unit 5: Industrialization and Global Integration (1750 to 1900) / Unit Exam: March 9
Unit 6: Accelerating Global Change and Realignments (1900 to the Present) / Unit Exam: April 27
Unit 7: AP Exam Review and Course Review / AP World History Exam: May 17
Unit 8: Historical Analysis Reflection / Second Semester Final Exam: June 11 - 13
AP World History
Student Agreement
I certify that I have read and understand the AP World History syllabus. I agree to abide by the expectations and procedures described above. I also understand that there will be certain rigor associated with this course that will challenge me to think at the college level.
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Student Name Printed
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Student Signature Date
Parent / Guardian Agreement
I have read and understand the AP World History Syllabus. I agree to the classroom expectations and procedures described above. I understand that this class will require my student to think at the college level through advanced course content.
I will encourage my students throughout his/her AP World History preparation and will contact the teacher if I have any questions or concerns.
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Parent / Guardian Name Printed
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Parent / Guardian Signature Date