If you’re interested in taking an AP World History course, you may have come across two different options – AP World History and AP World History: Modern. Many students wonder if these two courses are the same or if there are significant differences between them. In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between these two courses.
What is AP World History?
AP World History is a course offered by the College Board that covers world history from prehistory to the present day. The course is designed to develop your understanding of historical events, processes, and concepts across six different periods. These periods include:
- Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations (prehistory to c. 600 BCE)
- Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (c. 600 BCE to c. 600 CE)
- Period 3: Regional and Transregional Interactions (c. 600 CE to c. 1450)
- Period 4: Global Interactions (c.1450 to c.1750)
- Period 5: Industrialization and Global Integration (c.1750 to c.1900)
- Period 6: Accelerating Global Change and Realignments (c.1900 to present)
The exam for this course includes multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, document-based questions, and long essay questions.
What is AP World History: Modern?
AP World History: Modern is a more recent addition to the College Board’s AP program, introduced in the fall of 2019 as a replacement for the previous AP World History course. This course covers world history from approximately the year 1200 CE to the present day. The main focus of this course is on the modern period and how it has shaped the world we live in today.
What are the similarities between AP World History and AP World History: Modern?
Both AP World History and AP World History: Modern cover world history, including events, processes, and concepts from different time periods. Both courses also require students to develop skills in analyzing historical sources, evaluating evidence, and constructing historical arguments. Additionally, both courses include similar types of questions on their exams, such as document-based questions and long essay questions.
What are the differences between AP World History and AP World History: Modern?
The main difference between these two courses is their focus. While AP World History covers world history from prehistory to the present day, AP World History: Modern focuses specifically on the modern period from 1200 CE to the present day. This means that while some topics may overlap between the two courses, there will be significant differences in what you study.
Another difference is the format of the exam. While both exams include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, document-based questions, and long essay questions, the weighting of each section is different. For example, in AP World History, multiple-choice questions make up 40% of your score while in AP World History: Modern they make up 50%.
Which course should you take?
Deciding which course to take depends on your interests and goals. If you’re interested in studying world history from prehistory to present day or if you plan to major in history in college, then AP World History may be a better fit for you. However, if you’re specifically interested in modern history or if you plan to major in a field related to modern history such as political science or international relations then AP World History: Modern may be a better choice.
Conclusion
In summary, while there are similarities between AP World History and AP World History: Modern, there are also significant differences in their focus and format. Ultimately, the best course for you depends on your interests and academic goals. By understanding the similarities and differences between these two courses, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.