1. Themes & Skills in AP World History
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Chinese Proverb

2. What Historians “Do”
Describe and interpret the past using primary source documents and artifacts
Biases get in the way
Let’s take Columbus for example…
Historical revision – events do not change, but the way we look at them does
Historians used to neglect artifacts from China; upon further study they reveal that a millennium ago China had the world’s most dynamic economy and sophisticated technology

3. Why study World History?
Each nation, culture, civilization develops in the context of a wider world
This has become even more so today
Events in one hemisphere can affect life in another

4. Rethinking the Dating System
All dating systems are based on the assumptions of a particular culture
The dating system used throughout the Western world is based on the Gregorian Christian calendar, created by a 16th century pope, Gregory XIII
It uses the birth of Jesus as the turning point (A.D. – anno domini, “in the year of our Lord”)

5. Rethinking the Dating System
Recently historians have moved toward a more secular concept, the Common Era, since many influential, dynamic societies existed two millennia ago
B.C.E. – Before Common Era
C.E. – Common Era

6. Periodization Process of dividing time 100,000 – 600 BCE – Ancient
600 BCE – 600 CE – Classical
600 – 1500 – Intermediate
1450 – 1750 – Early Modern
1750 – 1945 – Modern
1945 – present - Contemporary

7. Official APWH Themes
What happens when people come in contact with each other? (encounter / interaction)
Why and in what ways do some things change while other things stay the same?
How does the development of new technology and movement of people affect the world?

8. Official APWH Themes
How do societies organize themselves socially and what roles do men and women play?
How do people identify themselves and express themselves culturally and intellectually? What is the impact of ideas?
How do people govern themselves?

9. APWH Habits of Mind general history methodologies
Using evidence to make plausible arguments (primary documents)
Using documents to analyze point of view
Explaining why some things change and some things stay the same
Understanding different points of view in documents and other evidence

10. So what should I expect? A challenge! You must read!
Lots of document analysis
Always think of encounter / interaction, change and continuity, & comparisons
A TRUE global understanding