Themes for AP World History

              1.    The dynamics of change and continuity across the world history periods and the causes

                   and processes involved in major changes of these dynamics

            2.    Patterns and effects of interaction among societies and regions: trade, war, diplomacy, and

                   international organizations

            3.    The effects of technology, economics, and demography on people and the

                   environment (population growth and decline, disease, labor systems, manufacturing,

                   migrations, agriculture, weaponry)

            4.    Systems of social structure and gender structure (comparing major features within and among

                   societies, and assessing change and continuity)

            5.    Cultural, intellectual, and religious developments, including interactions among and

                   within societies.

            6.    Changes in functions and structures of states and in attitudes toward states and political identities

                   (political culture), including the emergence of the nation-state (types of political organization)

        The themes serve throughout the course as unifying threads, helping students to put what is particular

        about each period or society into a larger framework. The themes also provide ways to make

        comparisons over time. The interaction of Themes and Periodization encourage cross-period questions

        such as "To what extent have civilizations maintained their cultural and political distinctiveness over the

        time periods the course covers?"   

        (ACORN AP World 2006)