The AP® European History course and exam tests students’ knowledge on the breadth of European culture, history, and politics. But you may be asking yourself: Why exactly should I take AP® European History? After all, there are a ton of AP® courses out there. What makes this one so special?
Great question! We want to help answer it by giving you the 5 reasons you should take AP® European History.
5 reasons to take AP® European History
Below are the 5 reasons you should take the course. While we think there are a lot of other reasons why you should take this exam, these are a good place to start.
Reason #1: Makes you more worldly
All too often, students in the United States and Canada have a limited understanding of the world around them. That’s not a knock on you. That’s simply the reality of the situation.
That’s why a course like AP® European History is so valuable. Young people in the U.S. and Canada now have an opportunity to broaden their worldview by learning the vibrant and consequential history of a continent across the ocean!
In doing so, they’ll be able to get a depth of knowledge about the world at large that they otherwise wouldn’t have. This can develop those valuable but more “unteachable” traits like empathy, openness, and experience that students will carry with them throughout their entire life.
Reason #2: Develops critical thinking skills
AP® European History requires students to “analyze text, visual sources, and other historical evidence” along with penning essays regarding the political and social climates of European history—and if that doesn’t help develop critical thinking skills, we don’t know what does.
This means students must look at the wealth of European history from 1450 through current times and critically analyze it. They will also learn to craft arguments based on what they learn, as well as data about cultural and political developments in Europe.
This course encourages students to develop their critical thinking skills. As such, they’ll be much better prepared for their college career—and beyond.
Reason #3: Challenges you
The AP® European History course challenges students like no other course will.
Though that might seem like a bad thing, it’s actually the best thing for a student’s development. This isn’t hyperbole. There are a lot of studies out there that attest to this exact fact.
And if you’re looking for a challenging course, look no further than AP® European History. The course itself covers European history from 1450 to modern times and includes these nine units:
- Renaissance and Exploration
- Age of Reformation
- Absolutism and Constitutionalism
- Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
- Conflict, Crisis, and Reaction in the Late 18th Century
- Industrialization and Its Effects
- 19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments
- 20th-Century Global Conflicts
This will give your students an extensive, collegiate-level primer on European culture, politics, and history. And that’s a challenge that’s worth taking up.
Let us help you
If you’re looking to get a leg up on your AP® European History course, we want to help you out.
Marco Learning has created several free AP® practice exams for you to take on your own time so you can test out your knowledge.
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