What is AP European History?
Advanced Placement European History is a study of European history from the Renaissance to today. It introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. This is an important class that gives students a “scaffolding” of political, economic, social, and artistic literacy. Students will learn about the impact of the Black Death, the courage of Martin Luther, why Henry IV wanted a “chicken in every pot,” and how long one can survive the Guillotine—about 15 seconds! European History helps students to understand the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse.
What skills does AP European History develop?
In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the AP program in European History are to develop (a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European History, (b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and (c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing. The course work consists of Chapter notes, questions, and vocabulary. Students learn to write Free Response Essays (FRE) and Document Based Questions (DBQ) to help prepare them for the AP European History Exam in mid-May.