Are you a high school student wondering whether you should take AP European History or AP World History? Both courses offer valuable insights into the past, but each has its own unique features. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two courses to help you make an informed decision.
AP European History
Overview: AP European History is a course that covers European history from the Renaissance to the present day. This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of European history and its impact on the world.
Course Content: The course covers various topics such as the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, World War I and II, Cold War, and contemporary Europe.
- The Renaissance: art and literature
- The Reformation: religious movements
- The Scientific Revolution: scientific discoveries
- The Enlightenment: philosophy and ideas
- The French Revolution: political changes
- The Industrial Revolution: economic developments
- World War I and II: global conflicts
- Cold War: political tensions between superpowers
- Contemporary Europe: current events and issues
Benefits:
Taking AP European History can lead to several benefits such as:
- A deeper understanding of European history.
- An ability to analyze historical events in context.
- A strong foundation in critical thinking skills.
- A potential boost in college applications.
AP World History
Overview: AP World History is a course that covers world history from prehistory to the present day. This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of world history and its impact on the world.
Course Content: The course covers various topics such as prehistoric times, ancient civilizations, classical empires, medieval Europe, the Renaissance, colonialism, industrialization, nationalism, World War I and II, Cold War, and contemporary issues.
- Prehistory: early human societies
- Ancient civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome
- Classical empires: China, India
- Medieval Europe: feudalism and knights
- The Renaissance: art and literature
- Colonialism: European expansion
- Industrialization: economic developments
- Nationalism: political movements
- World War I and II: global conflicts
- Cold War: political tensions between superpowers
- Contemporary issues: current events and issues
Taking AP World History can lead to several benefits such as:
- A broader understanding of world history.
- An ability to analyze historical events from various perspectives.
Differences between AP European History and AP World History:
While both courses cover a wide range of historical topics, there are some key differences between them. Here are a few:
- Geographic Focus: AP European History focuses on Europe while AP World History covers global history.
- Time Period: AP European History covers a shorter time period from the Renaissance to the present day, while AP World History covers from prehistory to the present day.
- Course Content: While both courses cover similar topics such as World War I and II and the Cold War, AP European History covers more in-depth content on European history while AP World History provides a broader global perspective.
Conclusion:
In the end, the choice between AP European History and AP World History depends on your interests and goals. If you are interested in European history and want to dive deep into its various aspects, then AP European History may be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are interested in a broader global perspective and want to learn about various cultures and civilizations, then AP World History may be a better fit. Regardless of your choice, both courses provide valuable insights into the past and can help you develop critical thinking skills that will benefit you in college and beyond.