AP European History WHY???
This is sort of a rant but sort of a discussion question. Why is this the social sciences course for high achieving high school sophmores?
We're setting up DS1's schedule for next year and we're trying to decide whether to do the accelerated courses (Honors, AP, IB) or the college prep classes for everything. He did really well with Honors English this year and he'd like to continue next year BUT he can only take it if he ALSO takes European History AP and that's frustrating.
Because I think that is a dumb class for high schoolers to take! I don't have a problem with European History at all. I actually have an MA in Medieval History. I just think that the CP option, World History, presents a much more balanced and useful course for high schoolers! I can't imagine knowing only about European royalty and not about the history of Egypt or China or many of the other topics the CP class will undoubtedly cover. As a history major, I feel like the World History curriculum is much better for general mastery of the subject of history and for preparation for college! I wish that was an option for my honors/AP/IB bound kid.
I think we'll probably end up doing CP English and History. While DS1 has taken mostly honors classes this year, I don't think he necessarily NEEDS to take every single class available. At the same time, I'm sad he'll have to skip out on English Honors this coming year. He loves reading, writing, and great literature.
But does anyone else think that the kids who are high achievers are getting cheated out of a better high school experience by having this be the required coursework for high school sophmores? I feel like in this day and age, European History just seems so much less relevant and useful than a curriculum in World History could be.
Did any of you run into this problem with your kids in high school? Or otherwise wants to weigh in on the subject?