The AP World History: Modern course is an ambitious educational program aimed at high school students, providing a deep dive into the pivotal events, developments, and transformations that have shaped the world from approximately 1200 CE to the contemporary era. This course is designed not only to furnish students with a rich understanding of world history but also to cultivate critical historical thinking and analytical writing skills. The curriculum is aligned with college-level introductory courses in modern world history, offering students a rigorous foundation in the subject matter without the requirement of prior specialized study.

Course Objectives and Skills Development

The primary objectives of the AP World History: Modern course are to:

• Develop an understanding of major concepts in world history, including the processes of state formation, expansion, and interaction among societies, which can include trade, war, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

• Cultivate the ability to critically analyze historical sources, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, and to understand the context, perspective, and bias they may present.

• Enhance skills in making connections between different historical periods and regions, identifying patterns, and comparing and contrasting different historical developments.

• Foster the ability to construct coherent historical arguments, including formulating a thesis, using historical evidence to support arguments, and writing analytically.

Examination Overview

The AP World History: Modern exam is a comprehensive assessment that tests students on the full range of course content. It typically includes multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, document-based questions (DBQ), and long essay questions (LEQ). These components are designed to evaluate students' mastery of content, as well as their analytical and writing skills.

Detailed Course Content

The course content is meticulously organized into nine thematic units, each focusing on distinct historical periods and trends:

1. The Global Tapestry (c. 1200–c. 1450): This unit explores the formation and interaction of early states and societies around the world, including various political, religious, and cultural developments. It covers regions such as Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia, examining how different societies were woven into the global tapestry through trade, conquest, and cultural exchanges.

2. Networks of Exchange (c. 1200–c. 1450): It delves into the trade networks that connected distant regions, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. Key topics include the Silk Roads, the Mongol Empire, the Indian Ocean trade, and the trans-Saharan routes, highlighting their impact on economic systems, societal changes, and cultural diffusion.

3. Land-Based Empires (c. 1450–c. 1750): This unit focuses on the expansion and governance of large empires, such as the Ottoman, Mughal, Safavid, and Qing dynasties. It explores how these empires maintained control over vast territories, the role of religion in empire-building, and the administrative and military challenges they faced.

4. Transoceanic Interconnections (c. 1450–c. 1750): The advent of oceanic exploration and the consequent rise of maritime empires are at the heart of this unit. Topics include the technological and navigational advancements that made exploration possible, the impact of the Columbian Exchange, and the establishment of colonial empires in the Americas.

5. Revolutions (c. 1750–c. 1900): This unit examines the revolutionary transformations that reshaped societies, including the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions, and the Industrial Revolution. It assesses the political, economic, and social ramifications of these upheavals.

6. Consequences of Industrialization (c. 1750–c. 1900): The focus here is on the global impact of industrialization, including the expansion of imperialist practices, the intensification of economic disparities, and the emergence of new social classes and labor movements.

7. Global Conflict (c. 1900–present): This unit addresses the major conflicts of the 20th century, including World Wars I and II, and explores their causes, key events, and outcomes, as well as their profound impact on the global political order and societal norms.

8. Cold War and Decolonization (c. 1900–present): It covers the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War, the spread of nuclear weapons, the struggle for independence in Asia and Africa, and the resulting shifts in international relations and national borders.

9. Globalization (c. 1900–present): The final unit investigates the multifaceted processes of globalization, examining technological advancements, economic integration, cultural exchanges, and the environmental challenges facing the contemporary world.

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on developing a nuanced understanding of how historical events are interconnected across time and space, fostering a global perspective. The AP World History: Modern course equips students with the analytical tools necessary to interpret complex historical narratives and to articulate their insights with clarity and precision.