VHS Course Catalog

AP® European History Section LDJ

Prerequisites

Several activities in this course require audio collaboration and interaction and therefore students are required to have a computer microphone.

Description
AP European History is a rigorous academic course that furnishes a basic narrative of events and movements in European History from 1450 to the present. It prepares students for the demands of a college education by providing experience in college level reading, writing and responsibility for learning. AP European History is challenging and stimulating, yet requires much more time than other high school courses. Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and study, are necessary to succeed. This course promotes just the type of effective time management skills and organization that are necessary for success in higher education.

Students will investigate the broad themes of intellectual, cultural and political history and will appreciate how those ideas are reflected in trends of philosophy, popular literature and the arts. As events in history can only be understood in terms of their social context, this course will examine demographics and the influences of social classes and gender roles on history. The course will also focus on economic history and the role of industrialization by reviewing the development of commercial practices and changing economic structures to recognize Europe's influence on the world.

Throughout the course, AP European History students can expect to:
Watch or listen to traditional history lectures produced by the teacher or offered by colleges and
universities online.
Participate in class discussions of primary documents and events in threaded discussions.
Debate key issues or role-play historic figures through student audio recordings.
Exercise essay writing skills designed to meet the requirements outlined by the College Board for Advanced Placement exams.
Collaborate with other students in research groups using Web 2.0 information tools.
Supplement traditional textbook reading with historical journals and primary documents.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement VHS courses are expected to take the AP exam, and are required to report their AP examination scores to VHS (note: students who are failing their AP class are not required to take the exam). Upon receipt of the student's exam score, each score will be recorded by VHS and assigned an anonymous tracking number to ensure student anonymity and confidentiality. By enrolling in an AP VHS class, the student authorizes their school site coordinator and school administration to report AP examination scores to VHS. Exam results will not affect the student's VHS grade or future enrollment in VHS courses.

Course Objectives
1. This course will be designed to successfully prepare students for the College Board’s AP European History Exam.
2. This class will provide an understanding of past concepts related to present ones.
3. This course allows students to develop academic skills required for success in college and post-secondary education.