CURRICULUM GUIDE 2019-2020
163
TOPICS IN WORLD HISTORY
1.0 credit
This survey course, designed for students enrolled in Intro to Literature and English Composition, focuses upon the
development of civilizations, will allow the student to examine chronologically and thematically, the evolution of civilizations
(e.g. Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Greece, Rome, East and West Africa, etc.). The students will become acquainted with the
basic evolutionary nature of world history, while at the same time tracing the origins and development of many modern
institutions and values. Additional emphasis is placed on the development of study patterns and skill sets (including reading
fluency, comprehension and active retrieval) consistent with a college preparatory model.
167
AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
1.0 credit
Prerequisites: 80% in English Honors OR 80% in previous Social Studies AP Course
Students are introduced to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study politics in a variety of countries (UK,
Russia, China, Nigeria, Mexico, and Iran). The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life and to communicate
to students the importance of global political and economic changes. Comparison assists both in identifying problems and
in analyzing policy making. By using these six countries, the course can move the discussion of concepts from abstract
definition to concrete example, noting that not all concepts will be equally useful in all country settings. Additionally,
students will develop a foundational understanding of the government of the United States through the process of
comparison to various other government systems.
168
$
A fee is charged for the AP exam.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
1.0 credit
Prerequisites: 93% in Honors World History, 90% in Honors English, successful completion of Marian’s AP application process
The Advanced Placement program in European History is designed to provide students with the basic chronology of major
events from the Renaissance to the present as preparation for the AP College Board examination. If you enjoy voicing your
opinions and actively participating in philosophical classroom discussions, than this is the right class for you. Students will be
taught to write thesis-proving examinations and analytical papers equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college
courses. Admission to the AP program depends upon a student’s completion of an application form which will be reviewed
by the Social Studies Department for final approval.
$
A fee is charged for the AP exam.
169 AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
1.0 credit
Prerequisites: 80% in World History Honors OR 80% in previous Social Studies AP Course
AP Human Geography is a yearlong course focusing on the spatial variations among cultural groups with an emphasis
on analyzing geographic differences in language, religion, economy, and government. In this course students will discern
patterns of land usage, internal structures of cities, size and spacing of human settlements, as well as interpret maps,
graphs, and tables. Units of study include culture, population, migration, language, religion, ethnicity, political geography,
economic development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography.
261
$
A fee is charged for the AP exam.
WORLD IN THE 20TH CENTURY
0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Completion of World History
This one semester course requires enrollment in World Geography. This course is largely a chronological investigation of the
major historical developments of the 20th century. Through the use of films, lecture, discussion and readings, the student
will ideally develop an understanding of the following major topics: (1) colonial and imperialist rivalries, (2) WWI and its
origins, (3) peacemaking and the aftermath of the war, (4) 1930’s and the Great Depression, (5) WWII and its origins, (6) Cold
War, (7) search for peace in the Middle East, (8) Vietnam, (9) current international conditions.
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26
Suggested to pair with 262 World Geography