World History AP Summer Reading Assignment

1
World History AP Summer Reading Assignment

• Read the directions carefully and follow them
  exactly!
• The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated
  more lands and people in twenty-five years than
  the Romans did in four hundred. In nearly every
  country the Mongols conquered, they brought an
  unprecedented rise in cultural communication,
  expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
  Vastly more progressive than his European or
  Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished
  torture, granted universal religious freedom, and
  smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege.
  From the story of his rise through the tribal
  culture to the explosion of civilization that the
  Mongol Empire unleashed, this brilliant work of
  revisionist history is nothing less than the epic
  story of how the modern world was made.

Information Book Genghis Khan and the Making of
the Modern World Author Jack Weatherford Availabi
lity Any book store or website such as
www.amazon.com, or your public library Cost
ranges, but list price is 14.95
World History AP takes a thematic
approach to the exploration of history. What
does that mean though? It means that rather than
memorizing dates, famous battles, and important
people, youll be learning about the development
of civilization from a world view. The easiest
way to understand history is to focus on themes
during different time periods, and analyzing
change and continuity within each theme. History
has often overlooked the impact of non-Western
civilizations, including the Mongols, however
World History AP focuses on the entire world,
rather than taking on a Eurocentric approach.
The purpose of reading Genghis Khan and
the Making of the Modern World this summer is to
introduce you to the themes, analytical skills,
and level of reading involved in the World
History AP classroom. World History AP is a
college course, and you will be challenged to
read, think, and write on the collegiate level.
The steps to complete the project are on the back
of this sheet. Read the directions and follow
them exactly. Be prepared to turn in your
project on the first day of school when you
return in the fall.
2

• Read the directions carefully and follow them
  exactly.
• Please be reminded that plagiarism is
  intellectual theft of anothers ideas to pass off
  as your own. Your essay must be your own work.
• Any references must be cited in your essay.
• Step One Examine the six themes of world
  history. Review the attached handout for further
  explanation of the themes of World History AP.
• Patterns and impacts of interaction among major
  societies trade, war, diplomacy, and
  international organizations
• The relationship of change and continuity across
  time periods in world history
• Impact of technology and demography on people and
  the environment population growth and decline,
  disease, manufacturing, migrations, agriculture,
  weaponry
• Systems of social structure and gender relations
• Cultural and intellectual developments and
  interactions among and within societies
• Changes in the functions and structures of states
  and in attitudes toward states
• Step Two Read the book. Take notes as you see
  each of the themes outlined in the book. Make
  sure to mark the page number. You may contact
  any of the World History AP teachers over the
  summer via email if you have any questions. Ms.
  Ely janet.ely_at_risd.org, Mr. Ward
  mike.ward_at_risd.org, and Ms. Webb
  robyn.webb_at_risd.org.
• Step Three Write a paragraph about each theme of
  world history as seen in the Mongol Empire. Cite
  specific examples throughout the book. Then,
  write a paragraph explaining the overall
  significance and impact of the Mongol Empire
  (this will be your FIRST paragraph in your
  essay).
• Step Four Write a paragraph analyzing how the
  book impacted you your knowledge of history and
  your understanding of the themes of history.
  Even though you have already written the other
  paragraphs, this will be your FIRST paragraph in
  your essay.
• Step Five Type, edit, and review your work. Use
  Arial or Times New Roman font, 12pt. Do not
  include a cover sheet. Do not put your work into
  a folder of any kind. Type your name and student
  number into the upper right hand corner of the
  first page of your project. Staple your essay
  in the upper left hand corner. Do not fold or
  wrinkle your essay.