The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. E. Napp Lao Tzu

What is World History AP? E. Napp

The philosopher, Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), stated that individuals could never see things objectively as things-in-themselves because individuals always understood the world through a culturally formed point of view. • Culture is learned. • It is the framework through which • individuals view their world E. Napp Definition: Culture A particular society at a particular time and place and all the knowledge and values shared by that society

World History, as a teaching field, developed over • the past twenty years. • By studying civilizations and societies, • particularly paying attention to cases • where societies have come into contact with • others as well as emphasizing the forces • that help define contact, World Historians • focus on the world as a whole and how diverse • societies fit into that whole. • World Historians try to move beyond the narrow • confines of one perspective. E. Napp

Can the study of World History help individuals view the world from a less culture-centric point of view? Perhaps it can! E. Napp

Of course, to study something as intellectually enormous as the history of the world, periodization must be used. Definition: Periodization A way to subdivide the continuous flow of world history into categories of time and common themes Periodization allows students of world history to create a framework for understanding the past as well as the flow and sequence of events. E. Napp

The Time Periods: Foundations/Classical Civilizations (1000 BCE - 500 CE) 2. Postclassical Civilizations (500 CE - 1450 CE) 3. Early Modern (1450 CE - 1750/1800 CE) 4. Long 19th Century (1750 CE – 1914 CE) 5. Contemporary E. Napp

A note about historical dating: • World Historians use BCE and CE as opposed • to BC and AD • BC (Before Christ) and AD (anno Domini or • “in the year of the Lord) are Christian • terms. • BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common • Era) are terms that remind students of • the global context and many diverse cultures • of the World History curriculum. E. Napp

So, how does a learner remain calm and balanced in the midst of so much content? E. Napp

Helpful suggestions for academic mastery: Read regularly - History is the written record of past events. - Students of history must read regularly. - Reading reinforces class lessons and increases mastery of content. 2. Interact with the material - Students of history ask questions. - They analyze the impact of ideas, people, and the events of the past. - Students of history participate in their learning of the past. E. Napp

3. Students of history record facts, ideas, observations, and questions for future reference. E. Napp

The Cornell Note-taking System E. Napp

Excerpt Adapted from http://sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/notetaking.systems.html The Cornell Method: The Cornell method provides a systematic format for condensing and organizing notes . Rule your paper with a 2 ½ inch margin on the left side Leave a 6 inch area on the right Leave a 2 inch area on the bottom Record notes on right (6 inch area) Skip a few spaces in between new points Write cues in the 2 ½ inch margin Write summary comments in the bottom area E. Napp

The Advantages of the Cornell Method: Allows learners to record critical facts while creating cues and summaries to aid understanding and memorization 2. Allows learners to interact with materials by requiring reflection and analysis as opposed to merely copying information E. Napp

Grading Policy: Homework: 35% of total grade Participation: 15% of total grade Examinations, Projects, Essays and Quizzes: 50% of total grade E. Napp

What will constitute the Homework component • of the grade? • Chapter Readings • Analytical writing exercises On average, learners will be assigned one chapter per week. E. Napp

Isn’t the assessment of participation subjective? No, there are measurable markers to assess participation. Does the learner record information during the lesson? 2. Is the learner prepared to learn? Does the learner have the appropriate materials for learning? 4. Is the learner ready to learn from bell to bell? E. Napp

The Facts about Exams and Projects: Exams are unit-based. Exams are critical because ultimately, success on the AP examination will determine if college credit is given. However, learning is greater than an an exam. Therefore, projects and essays are included in the examination category. 4. Projects are opportunities for learners to demonstrate mastery in alternative ways. E. Napp

But beyond the assessment is the journey and the journey will take learners through time and cultures. The journey will take learners places. E. Napp

E. Napp

The journey will take us around the world. E. Napp

Questions: How do World Historians differ from historians of other regions and/or time periods? What are some of the concerns of World Historians? World Historians frequently examine three C’s – Change, Comparison, and Connection. How does the examination of these three C’s support world historians in achieving their academic objectives? Describe the Cornell Method of note-taking. What are the advantages of this method of note-taking? What habits of mind can assist learners in achieving academic mastery in the World History classroom? E. Napp

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.