AP World History: Modern

Course Themes Chart with examples

E.C.S.E.T.S. (like “exits”) Themes and Definitions* Examples

Humans and the ENVIRONMENT: ● Spread of disease

● Climate change or destruction of an
The environment shapes human societies, and as populations grow and ecosystem (i.e., deforestation)
change, these populations in turn shape their environments. ● Advances in farming techniques

CULTURAL Developments and Interactions: ● Language

● Religion and belief systems
The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in ● Food
society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs ● Dress
often have political, social, and cultural implications. ● Customs

SOCIAL Interactions and Organization: ● Social hierarchies based on race, gender,

economic status, etc.
The process by which societies group their members and the norms that ● Differences in professions
govern the interactions between these groups and between individuals ● Enslavement
influence political, economic, and cultural institutions and organization. ● Societal “norms”

ECONOMIC Systems: ● Money and systems of exchange

● Trade
As societies develop, they affect and are affected by the ways that they produce, ● Concentration of wealth
exchange, and consume goods and services. ● State/government policies

TECHNOLOGY and Innovation: ● Farming tools

● Industrialization
Human adaptation and innovation have resulted in increased efficiency, comfort, ● Forms of transportation
and security, and technological advances have shaped human development ● Medicine
and interactions with both intended and unintended consequences. ● Writing and communication systems

Governance and STATE BUILDING: ● Power structures - who is in charge

● Territorial gain
A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, ● International relations
expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of ● Policies for trade, travel, technology, etc.
administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, ● Legal systems
retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes. ● Rise and fall of states/empires
* All definitions taken from the College Board Course and Exam Description for AP World History: Modern
 AP World History: Modern
Course Themes Chart with examples
E.C.S.E.T.S. (like “exits”) Themes and Definitions* Examples

Humans and the ENVIRONMENT:

The environment shapes human societies, and as populations grow and

change, these populations in turn shape their environments.

CULTURAL Developments and Interactions:

The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in

society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs
often have political, social, and cultural implications.

SOCIAL Interactions and Organization:

The process by which societies group their members and the norms that
govern the interactions between these groups and between individuals
influence political, economic, and cultural institutions and organization.

ECONOMIC Systems:

As societies develop, they affect and are affected by the ways that they produce,
exchange, and consume goods and services.

TECHNOLOGY and Innovation:

Human adaptation and innovation have resulted in increased efficiency, comfort,

and security, and technological advances have shaped human development
and interactions with both intended and unintended consequences.

Governance and STATE BUILDING:

A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation,

expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of
administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain,
retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.
* All definitions taken from the College Board Course and Exam Description for AP World History: Modern
 Course Themes Chart with examples
E.C.S.E.T.S. (like “exits”) Themes and Definitions* Examples

Humans and the ENVIRONMENT:

The environment shapes human societies, and as populations grow and

change, these populations in turn shape their environments.

CULTURAL Developments and Interactions:

The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in

society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs
often have political, social, and cultural implications.

SOCIAL Interactions and Organization:

The process by which societies group their members and the norms that
govern the interactions between these groups and between individuals
influence political, economic, and cultural institutions and organization.

ECONOMIC Systems:

As societies develop, they affect and are affected by the ways that they produce,
exchange, and consume goods and services.

Governance and STATE BUILDING:

A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation,

expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of
administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain,
retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.