Ancient World, Modern World, and U.S. History Final Exam Overview

Material you are respsonsible for:

• Ancient World History:  chapters 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, and all related class material including topics covered during the final week of class (Japan, the Americas, etc.).

• Modern World History:  chapters 19 (pages 542-557--the Industrial Revolution), 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, and all related class material including topics covered druing the final week of class (the Cold War, decolonization, Globalization, etc.).

• United States History:  chapters 10, 11 (pages 347-360--the Abolitionist and Women's movements), 13, 14, 15, chapter summaries of chapters 16, 18, and 20 (Westward expansion, urbanization and Progressivism), 21, 22, 24, 25 and all related class material including topics covered during the final week of class (the Cold War; Civil Rights/Women's movement; the 21st Century, etc.).

Exam Format:

Your exam grade will be based on your response to four essay questions.  Each question will be worth 25% of your total exam grade.  You will have some choice in the questions that you answer (there will be a total of 5-6 essay questions to choose from).  You should plan to spend about 30 minutes on each question (reading it, thinking about it, brainstorming, and writing your response).

What kinds of essay questions will there be?

The essay questions will include compare/contrast questions, questions that deal with change over time, and questions that deal with historical analysis:

• A compare/contrast question would ask you to discuss the similarities and/or differences between two or more societies or aspects of a society (such as government or religion)
• A change over time question would ask you to discuss and explain how a given region, society, or aspect(s) of a society changed over a specific period of time. 
• A historical analysis question would ask you to analyze one or more historical developments, events, people, technology, etc. and demonstrate your understanding of the topic and its overall historical significance.
• There may also be questions that will require you to make use of primary document excerpts (they will be provided with the question) in order to effectively answer the question.
• In addition to these questions, there will be one mandatory cumulative question (this will be the ‘fourth’ question that you answer).  This question will require you to make use of the knowledge you have gained during the year in order to make connections and draw conclusions what you have learned from the course as a whole.

What’s an ‘effective’ answer?

An effective answer is one that:

• Is well thought out and organized.
• Incorporates substantial, relevant, accurate, and specific historical evidence as support for the response.
• Answers all parts of the question.

Points earned by each essay (up to 25) will reflect the extent that the above criteria are met.

How should I study?

While there is no “one way” to effectively study, here are some suggestions:

• Review the study guides from past tests you’ve taken this semester, all of which may still be found on this blog.  Use these guides to break down the material as well as to provide an overall structure.  Past tests themselves can also be helpful if you still have them, though all of the questions on the exam will be new.
• Use the P.E.R.S.I.A. method
• Think in terms of “comparing/contrasting” and “change over time” as you review the material.  Try to anticipate questions—make up your own and then answer them.
• Finally:  give yourself time and do not try to study everything all at once.