AAE - First Things First (Lesson)

First Things First.

We need to look at the course set-up before we dive into the test format.

As noted on the previous page, AP European History is a college level course that discusses the social, political, economic and cultural history of Europe from 1450 to present day. But beyond that, the course assesses your ability to apply 6 Historical Thinking Skills and your understanding of the 7 Course Themes and the Key Concepts. Each module will include a list of the Key Concepts discussed within. Think of these like the guideposts for the course. NOTHING will be tested on the exam that can not be found within the Key Concepts and the Course Themes. 

The course has been further divided into four Historical Periods and each of the four will be tested equally on the exam.

You can access the College Board's AP European Website for students by clicking here. Links to an external site.

 

Let's take a closer look at some of these items.

 

Historical Periods.

 

Course Themes.

THEME 1: INTERACTION OF EUROPE AND THE WORLD (INT)
Motivated by a variety of factors, Europe’s interaction with the world led to political, economic, social, and cultural exchanges that influenced both European and non-European societies.

THEME 2: ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS (ECD)
Economic development, especially the development of capitalism, played an important role in Europe’s history, often having significant social, political, and cultural effects.

THEME 3: CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTS (CID)
The creation and transmission of knowledge, including the relationship between traditional sources of authority and the development of differing world views, had significant political, intellectual, economic, cultural, and social effects on European and world societies.

THEME 4: STATES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF POWER (SOP)
European states and nations developed governmental and civil institutions from 1450 to the present to organize society and consolidate political power, with a variety of social, cultural, and economic effects.

THEME 5: SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT (SCD)
Economic, political, and cultural factors have influenced the form and status of family, class, and social groups in European history, affecting both the individual and society.

THEME 6: NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN IDENTITY (NEI)
Definitions and perceptions of regional, cultural, national, and European identity have developed and been challenged over time, with varied and often profound effects on the political, social, and cultural order in Europe.

THEME 7: TECHNOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (TSI)
Scientific and technological innovations have increased efficiency, improved daily life, and shaped human development and interactions, having both intended and unintended consequences.

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.