The goal of this course is to get you to THINK HISTORICALLY. We will investigate complex questions concerning historical development, questions that will require you to read closely, think deeply, and consider multiple relevant viewpoints before attempting to answer them. In this class we deal with core ideas concerning humanity and seek genuine knowledge rather than rote memorization. Therefore, the quality of your questioning is directly related to the quality of your thinking (and, yes, is also related to grades).

Thinking Historically includes the following:

• Understanding a Historical Question
• Determining the Meaning and Credibility of Documents
• Separating Fact from Opinion
• Establishing Cause and Effect
• Analyzing Points of View and Recognizing Bias
• Recognizing Unstated Assumptions in Documents
• Developing a Thesis
• Sequencing Evidence to Support a Thesis
• Relating Knowledge to Current Circumstances

Expected Skill Outcomes:

• ability to ask relevant and complex questions continuously
• ability to read closely, identifying central arguments and analyzing the logic of what was read
• ability to assess information, distinguishing relevant from irrelevant when reasoning through a problem, and reach a conclusion based on the information
• ability to distinguish between fact, opinion, assumption and inference
• ability to use language with care and precision
• ability to assess consequences of thought and action
• awareness of multiple points of view, vigorously questioning your own and recognizing reasonable dissenting views
• develop intellectual perseverance and a commitment to high standards of evidence
• ability to monitor your own thinking, to amend your own mistakes, and to reach well-reasoned conclusions

This full year advanced placement course examines the development of Europe from the mid-14th to the mid- 20th century and is designed to be taught at a university level. Needless to say, these seven centuries witnessed one of the more dramatic transformations in human history and saw European states extend their political, commercial, and cultural power across the globe. Politically, European governmental structures underwent fundamental overhauls, morphing from the atomized estates of baronial lords into great militarized nation states. Socially, individualism and the cult of personality overtook corporate Christendom. Economically, the primitive system of local fairs and markets was transformed into the first truly global trading network, with attendant cultural interaction. And geographically…well, the geography of Europe did not much change, but during this period Europeans discovered and exploited the natural world beyond anything that had gone before. Because time is limited and we have so much ground to cover, this course will trace major developments in politics, economics, thought and culture, stressing grand movements and major trends rather than detailed national histories or postmodern cant.

The AP curriculum demands higher-order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context. Students will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate both primary and secondary sources while comprehending, memorizing, and applying historical facts. Mastery is demonstrated by digesting and recalling a great deal of factual material, by understanding chronology and principle themes of historical development, by comprehending historical methodology, and by expressing knowledge and analytical skills through effective writing. This requires 1) close reading of assigned materials, 2) effective note-taking in class, 3) the ability to analyze and weigh evidence and reach well-reasoned conclusions, 4) a dedication to improving written expression by  listening to criticism and conferring with me when possible.