Are you looking for an extra challenge in your schedule next year? With scheduling appointments quickly approaching, let’s take a look at some of Pat-Med’s course offerings. Each week, we will be highlighting a different class and providing a brief description of the course, and some words from our teachers!
Our first spotlight class is going to be AP European History. At Pat-Med, this class is only offered to seniors, where you have a choice of three social studies courses. This course begins with the Renaissance and ends in the present day. It is very content-heavy, as you are only learning about one continent, but has proved to be an intriguing course.
The exam follows the same format as AP World and United States History, with multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and two essays (the LEQ and DBQ). Because most students have been doing the same type of exam for the last two years, they tend to lean more towards a class like AP Government in their senior year, which is not the same style of testing in terms of free response questions. However, this shouldn’t stop you from enrolling in the class.
In fact, just this year, the College Board has altered their rubric for the essays for the three history courses (World, US, and Euro), making it much easier to score higher than previous years where it was nearly impossible to gain every point. This was a relief for all students taking AP history.
Additionally, there are pieces of art history in each of the units. Questions typically ask how art is influenced by or highlights the period.
AP Euro is taught by Mrs. Sweda and Mrs. Carluccio. Both make the class very interesting and fun by doing lots of activities that go along with the lessons and like to have class discussions.
Some of these include the wives of Henry VIII tournament, a mercantilism game, and a food tasting while learning about the Thirty Years’ War.
They ease their students into the free response questions in an engaging way where it makes the essays seem much more doable. Besides the study guides, Euro is also not a class where you will be bombarded with homework each night, which is always a plus.
“My favorite thing about teaching this class is that we get to re-examine significant moments in European history, and I love that art history is a big component,” says Mrs. Sweda.
She also adds that students should take this course because “there are so many great topics that are so much fun to look at closely.”
Overall, AP Euro, like all other advanced classes, requires you to put in a lot of effort to do well, but it will be a class that is enjoyable and makes you want to learn more, and should be something you consider adding to your schedule!
