AP® World History: Modern
Course Overview:
This AP® World History: Modern online course is modeled after a college-level world history course consisting of topics commonly taught at the college level and that will be found on the AP® World History: Modern test. AP® World History: Modern comprises two separate semesters, semester A, which covers the time period between 1200 and 1750, and semester B which covers the time period between 1750 and present. In each semester, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes. Students develop and use skills, practices, and methods such as: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course explores six themes that are woven throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: humans and the environment (ENV), cultural developments and interactions (CDI), governance (GOV), economic systems (ECN), social interactions and organization (SIO), and technology and innovation (TEC).
Semester A
Semester A begins with a focus on the global tapestry from 1200 to 1450, covering developments in regions such as East Asia, the rise of Islam, state-building in the Americas, and more. Unit 2 explores networks of exchange during the same period, emphasizing technology, trade, and cultural transfers. Semester A concludes by examining land-based empires and transoceanic interconnections from 1450 to 1750.
Semester B
In Semester B, students delve into the era of revolutions from 1750 to 1900, which includes political and industrial revolutions and the interconnected world market. The course continues to explore the consequences of industrialization, global conflicts, and the Cold War, touching on topics like imperialism, world wars, and decolonization. Finally, students will investigate globalization in the modern era, examining advances in technology, trade, terrorism, globalized culture, and the development of international institutions.
Throughout the course, they will gain a deep understanding of the historical forces that have shaped our world.