Future+AP+World+History+Students+Information

What is AP World History?
Advanced Placement World History is the first of three social science AP classes offered at West Hills High School. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. This results in a more holistic, systematic, and global view of history. The course offers balanced global coverage – with Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe each represented.

Why take AP World History?
• You are interested in world history and like to challenge yourself. • Colleges like that you challenge yourself. • If you pass the AP Exam in May, you will earn college credit.

What should I expect in AP World History?
• Interesting discussions about the last 10,000 years of human history. • Projects, discussions, riveting lectures, weekly quizzes, and regular essays • Reading almost every page of a college level text book. • Learning skills to help you be successful on the AP Exam and in college.

What’s on the AP World History exam?
The AP exam covers 10,000 years of human history. The AP exam consists of three different types of essays and 70 multiple-choice questions.

How much homework is there?
On most weeks in AP World History, you will be expected to read one chapter of the textbook, take notes on it, label a related map, answers questions, and create flash cards. For most students, doing this assignment well takes 4-8 hours. This is not a class that can be done the night before. Additional work includes studying for weekly quizzes and completing various in class assignments.

How can I be successful in AP World History?
You have to really want to be here. This is a tough class that will challenge you every week. We change regions and nations almost every week and falling behind is not an option. You must have or be willing to develop a good work ethic.

Why is there a summer assignment?
We have about 30 weeks during the school year to cover 40 chapters. By assigning a summer assignment, we eliminate the need to read two chapters a week and burden you with extensive reading assignments over winter and spring breaks. Think of it as an investment. You will be very happy that you do not have to read those chapters during the school year. Once enrolled in AP World History, you will receive information regarding this assignment before the end of the school year.

Where can I get more information?
• See Mr. Norris (mnorris@guhsd.net) in SS11 or Mr. McDowell (danmcdowell@gmail.com) in SS8. • You can also visit the CollegeBoard web site at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_worldhist.html