1. World History Advanced Placement WHAP
Mr. Daniel Hunter
Instructor

2. Welcome to WHAP!
WHAP is an opportunity to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. In other words, how did the world get where it is today. To affect this understanding, students need a combination of factual knowledge and analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in the global framework and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. Special attention will be given to the WHAP Themes. This course is truly global in its scope, with Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe represented.

3. Why Take WHAP?
The AP World History course offers motivated students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the study of global history. This course is taught at a college level, and will require a great deal more homework than the average high school course, perhaps pages of reading per week as well as extensive writing assignments. All students are encouraged to take the AP test in May, and those who score well can receive college credit. Although one purpose of the course is to provide students with the skills required to do well on the AP test, the larger purpose is to develop a variety of analytical skills and to "do history" rather than just reading about it. This requires a great deal of critical thinking, interpretation of written material, logical argumentation and analysis. Special attention will be given to the WHAP Habits of Mind. These skills will certainly benefit all students regardless of their future plans.

4. Expectations
Because of the pace of this class, which is much faster than the average high school course, it is absolutely vital that students have good attendance and complete all assignments or readings in a timely manner. Students who fall behind might have serious problems catching up. Please contact me in person or via if you are having difficulties.

5. Classroom Rules
Respect for me, your teacher, as well as your fellow classmates is the most important rule to follow.
The school rules will be enforced.
Cursing and derogatory remarks are not allowed.
Do not change settings or alter the classroom computers in any way.
School and personal property are to be respected.
Communication is the key.
It is your responsibility to talk to me if you do not understand something.
You may me if you need clarification while doing your homework or on weekends.
Make an appointment with me during the day, before or after school if needed.
Check my website often.
Attendance is crucial.
You are considered absent from class if you are 5 minutes late.
It is your responsibility to make up work in a timely manner if you are absent.
Tests are made up in the testing center. Quizzes are made in up in my room at lunch.
If a planned assignment is due and you miss that day, the assignment is due the day you get back.
If you have a planned absence, assignment is still due on the due date.
Preparedness is essential. Do not procrastinate! Keep up with your reading every day and do your homework. Bring your notebook and pen everyday to class. Check the board for other items that are needed in class. You are expected to complete all tests and assignments when assigned.
If you are not prepared for class, I will communicate with your parents.
Cheating will not be tolerated. The Honor Code will be enforced.
Participation is expected. Discussion over readings and current events will be a daily expectation.
Thinking critically is the only way to really learn. You are responsible for your learning! Up the ante! I do not want you to just learn facts. I want you to know how and why. I want you to understand the BIG PICTURE!

6. Respect
We spend a good deal of time analyzing religions and religious documents because they reflect the culture and historical perspective of the people and events that shaped history. Many religions, cultures, values and cultural practices will be studied. No particular religious or cultural view will be favored over others; however, the course will consider how different aspects of culture, including religion, affected and shaped history. Since this is a global course, we will explore the point of view of a variety of peoples and countries, only one of which will be the United States. Be respectful of others, their opinions, and cultural differences. I will not tolerate rudeness or insensitivity.

7. Chronology
The course is divided into five chronological periods that will be the 6 main units of study:
8,000 BCE to 600 BCE; Ancient
600 BCE to 600 CE; Classical
600 to 1450; Middle Ages
1450 to 1750; Renaissance, Exploration
1750 to 1900; Revolutions, Colonization
1900 to the present; World Wars, Globalization

8. World History Themes
These themes serve throughout the course as unifying threads, helping to put what is particular about each period or society into a larger framework. The themes also provide ways to make comparisons over time.
Interaction between humans and the environment
Demography and disease
Migration
Patterns of settlement
Technology
Development and interaction of cultures
Religions
Belief systems, philosophies, and ideologies
Science and technology
The arts and architecture
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

9. Themes continued
Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems
Agricultural and pastoral production
Trade and commerce
Labor systems
Industrialization
Capitalism and socialism
Development and transformation of social structures
Gender roles and relations
Family and kinship
Racial and ethnic constructions
Social and economic classes

10. WHAP Historical Thinking Skills & Expectations
Analyzing Evidence: Content and Sourcing
Interpretation
Comparison- differing events, developments, people, ect
Contextualization- put todays assignment in the broader “global” context
Synthesis- Connect this event with other events in differing regions or time periods.
Causation
Patterns of Continuity and Change over time
Periodization- organize history into “periods”
Argumentation- Develop thesis, support with evidence, explain relevance of evidence, relate to other historical events, ect

11. Classroom Supplies
1 - 3 ring Binder or folder (to keep daily work organized)
Map pencils, at least 12 colors.
Pens (blue or black)
1 box Kleenex (tissue)
Purchase the following book at Barnes & Noble or any other book store of choice:
Cracking the AP World History Exam, Any Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback) by Princeton Review. (mandatory)

12. Grading 50% -Tests, projects, essays 50%- Daily work, quizzes (30/20)
If you fail a test (69 and below), you may re-take or make test corrections to possibly make a grade no higher than a “70”.
50%- Daily work, quizzes (30/20)
All late work will receive a 30 point deduction before grading the assignment.

13. E-mail: Daniel.hunter@Austinisd.org
Contact Information

14. Lunch Fit By appointment
Tutorials
Lunch
Fit
By appointment

15. Be resourceful!
Have fun learning!