Cross-eyed about AP history--help me decide please!

[Laurie4b]

I was all set to do AP World history. I had chosen the book, and was pleased with the way I thought it would go with other courses ds1 and ds 2 are taking: AP Comparative government, International studies (nonprofits), and Western Lit.

 

Then I ran into an acquaintance at church, who, it turns out, has taught AP history for a number of years. She suggested that I think about AP European history because at ds#1's first choice univ, they give 6 credits toward the history requirement for a 4 on European history and only 3 credits as an elective (not a requirement) for a 4 on World history. At ds#2's first choice, the courses are equal credit for equal scores. She thought that other than ancient history, I could work in a good bit of world history as Europeans had contact with other nations. She lent me several of her books, but I was disappointed at how little of other civilizations was covered in the texts.

 

Part of the issue is that I am personally averse to a purely Eurocentric approach to history.

 

I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons (ds's are fine either way):

 

Western Lit fits better with European history

 

I'm wondering which Comparative Govt fits better with. Anyone know?

 

In response to my angst, my friend at church suggested teaching world up to 1450, then switching to Euro. Do any of you think that is do-able?

 

Another thing I thought of (like a good/crazy homeschooler) was supplementing the Euro with stuff from World when we get to certain civilizations (like when England colonializes India, pause, and do a short tour through India's history) .

 

I would really welcome your experience, opinions, etc. I was aiming to start Tuesday, but now am spinning around in circles. (To complicate things, I found out that cc final exam week is concurrent with first week of AP exams. Will have to check with cc on Tuesday about whether they allow any flexibility in exam time. World doesn't conflict, but Euro does. So do two other exams for AP classes he's taking. Oh for the good old days of teaching them to read and do their times tables !)

[Ame E.]

I would just stick with my original plan. As homeschoolers, we tend to try to find the absolutely perfect best thing for our kids, and sometimes that just does not exist. FOR ME to change plans last minute, there has to be a really compelling reason...otherwise, why put yourself through that...

 

I say stick with the original plan.

 

From a mom whose kids have done NO AP classes so far... but last week, I almost WAS FORCED to change plans last minute, and it nearly drove me crazy... Fortunately, what was planned prevailed, and we start school on Wednesday.

 

Ame

[HollyinNNV]

I was all set to do AP World history. I had chosen the book, and was pleased with the way I thought it would go with other courses ds1 and ds 2 are taking: AP Comparative government, International studies (nonprofits), and Western Lit.

 

Then I ran into an acquaintance at church, who, it turns out, has taught AP history for a number of years. She suggested that I think about AP European history because at ds#1's first choice univ, they give 6 credits toward the history requirement for a 4 on European history and only 3 credits as an elective (not a requirement) for a 4 on World history. At ds#2's first choice, the courses are equal credit for equal scores. She thought that other than ancient history, I could work in a good bit of world history as Europeans had contact with other nations. She lent me several of her books, but I was disappointed at how little of other civilizations was covered in the texts.

 

Part of the issue is that I am personally averse to a purely Eurocentric approach to history.

 

I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons (ds's are fine either way):

 

Western Lit fits better with European history

 

I'm wondering which Comparative Govt fits better with. Anyone know?

 

In response to my angst, my friend at church suggested teaching world up to 1450, then switching to Euro. Do any of you think that is do-able?

 

Another thing I thought of (like a good/crazy homeschooler) was supplementing the Euro with stuff from World when we get to certain civilizations (like when England colonializes India, pause, and do a short tour through India's history) .

 

I would really welcome your experience, opinions, etc. I was aiming to start Tuesday, but now am spinning around in circles. (To complicate things, I found out that cc final exam week is concurrent with first week of AP exams. Will have to check with cc on Tuesday about whether they allow any flexibility in exam time. World doesn't conflict, but Euro does. So do two other exams for AP classes he's taking. Oh for the good old days of teaching them to read and do their times tables !)

 

Hi Laurie,

My dd is doing AP Euro this year. It has been awhile since I did the research, but I remember finding out there is very little overlap between AP Euro and World History. I did teach a Western Literature class last year and my dd has been able to use much of what we studied (Dante, Spenser) in only the first few weeks of Euro. So, even if you do Western Lit this year and Euro next, you will still be able to use that info to help with Euro. I'm not certain that Western Lit would help with World History. It seems like World Lit would be more helpful-but I haven't put a lot of thought into it. My plan is

 

10th Brit Lit, AP Euro

11th US Lit, APUSH, US Gov't

12th World Lit, AP World Hist and maybe Comp. Gov't

 

My dd's experience with Euro thus far has been exciting, yet overwhelming. There is just SO MUCH! I can't imagine supplementing it with anything else. But, this is dd's first AP and she is only a sophomore. Maybe your kids are older and more experienced.

 

Good luck with your decisions!

Holly