Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

AP Human Geography

(From apcentral.collegeboard.org): AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. According to surveys of comparable curricula at four-year colleges and universities, it is equivalent to a one-semester introductory college course.

Students successfully completing the course will:

  • Use and think about maps and spatial data
  • Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena
  • Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes
  • Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process
  • Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places

Textbook

The principle resource we will draw from is The Cultural Landscape - An Introduction to Human Geography by James M. Rubenstein – Twelfth Edition, Pearson 2017.

 

Course objectives

  • To guide students through a systematic study of the patterns and processes that have developed human understanding, use, and adaptations of the earth’s surface.
  • To learn and use the spatial concepts we develop, to interpret a variety of locations on the local, national and international levels using geographic terminology.
  • To develop a geographic perspective through which we can view geography and current events.

 

Exam Format

Section I

Multiple Choice — 75 Questions | 1 Hour | 50% of Exam Score

  • Define, explain, and apply geographic concepts
  • Interpret geographic data

Section II

Free Response — 3 Questions | 1 Hour, 15 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score

Questions may require that students:

  • Synthesize different topical areas
  • Analyze and evaluate geographical concepts
  • Supply appropriately selected and well-explained real-world examples to illustrate geographic concepts
  • Interpret verbal descriptions, maps, graphs, photographs, and/or diagrams
  • Formulate responses in narrative form

 

Exam Day: Tuesday, May 5 @12pm

 

----------------------INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO MR. SCHNEE’S CLASS:-----------------------

Regular Classroom Procedures:

  1. Homework: Each week, we will study one chapter of the textbook. In order to actively participate in class, you need to keep up with your reading. There will also be other complementary reading assigned. Some weeks, outlines for the text will be required. Other weeks, comprehension questions, essay prompts, or discussion points will be offered as homework assignments. These will be checked regularly and collected on the days of tests.
  2. DAILY warm ups: These will be at the start of every class and will consist of some discussion, as well as questions relating to previous or upcoming content in class. These are to be done in your notebooks.
  3. If you wish to use the restroom, get some water, or leave the room for any reason, you must try your best to go before or after class. In the event you absolutely have to go during class, wait for an appropriate time to ask, then go and return as efficiently as possible.

***More procedures will be added as we go throughout the semester, but the above are for everyday reference.

Class Rules: (some are also school rules that you should hear again)

  1. Be Prepared – have all necessary materials for the day out when the bell rings, work from bell to bell, and do all necessary work for the class
  2. Pay Attention – hold your head up with your neck, phones and headphones away, only work on my class’s work, and eyes ears and minds focused.
  3. Mind Your Mouth & Manners – respectfully share your opinions and respect others’, think before you speak
  4. No Food – it is distracting, messy, and could trigger allergic reactions.

***School Rules:  We will follow all school and district rules that have been laid out for you in your student handbook.***

Technology Use:

  1. Chromebooks/Computers are ONLY to be used when directed to research a topic or complete other class-related work
  2. Phones: ONLY for class-related activities and when permitted to do so. Otherwise, keep it put AWAY (not just on your desk…).
  3. If you are seen using these items and other devices for something unrelated to class, your privileges will be revoked until further notice. The item will be confiscated for the remainder of the class or turned into the office for pick up.

 

Supplies:

  1. Pens & pencils
  2. Colored pencils
  3. Highlighters
  4. A notebook (composition is sturdiest, but spiral notebooks are OK too).
  5. A binder and/or folders to keep pertinent materials for class in.

 

Parent “Signature”:

Parents/Guardians, please send me an email containing your contact information (Michael.schnee@ucps.k12.nc.us) and any other information you think I should know to help your student in my class.  I will use your email as confirmation that you have read this syllabus and I will give your child credit for completing this assignment.  If you need anything, please feel free to email, call, or schedule a visit.  

 

Weeks 1-9: Cultural Geography

  1. This is Geography – Chapter 1

A.) Key Issues

1.) How do geographers describe where things are?

2.) Why is each point on Earth unique?

3.) Why are different places similar?

4.) Why are some human actions not sustainable?

  1. Population & Health – Chapter 2

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where is the world’s population distributed?

2.) Where has the world’s population increased?

3.) Why is population increasing at different rates in different countries?

4.) Why do some regions face health threats?

III. Migration – Chapter 3

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where are migrants distributed?

2.) Where do people migrate within a country?

3.) Why do people migrate?

4.) Why do migrants face obstacles?

  1. Folk and Popular Culture – Chapter 4

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where are folk and popular leisure activities distributed?

2.) Where are folk and popular material culture distributed?

3.) Why is access to folk and popular culture unequal?

4.) Why do folk and popular culture face sustainability challenges?

  1. Languages – Chapter 5

A.) Key Issues

1.) Why are languages distributed?

2.) Why is English related to other languages?

3.) Why do individual languages vary among places?

4.) Why do people preserve local languages?

  1. Religions – Chapter 6

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where are religions distributed?

2.) Why do religions have different distributions?

3.) Why do religions organize space in distinctive patterns?

4.) Why do territorial conflicts arise among religious groups?

VII. Ethnicities – Chapter 7

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where are ethnicities distributed?

2.) Why do ethnicities have distinctive distributions?

3.) Why do conflicts arise among ethnicities?

4.) Why do ethnicities engage in ethnic cleansing and genocide?

VIII. Political Geography – Chapter 8

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where are states distributed?

2.) Why are nation-states difficult to create?

3.) Why boundaries cause problems?

4.) Why do states cooperate and compete with each other?

  1. Food & Agriculture – Chapter 9

A.) Key Issues

1.) Why does development vary among countries?

2.) Why does development vary by gender?

3.) Why are energy resources important for development?

4.) Why do countries face obstacles to development?

 

Weeks 10-14: Political/Economic Geography

  1. Development – Chapter 10

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where did agriculture originate?

2.) Why do people consume different foods?

3.) Where is agriculture distributed?

4.) Why do farmers face economic difficulties?

  1. Industry & Energy – Chapter 11

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where is industry distributed?

2.) Why are situation and site factors important?

3.) Why does industry cause pollution?

4.) Why are situation and site factors changing?

III. Services & Settlements – Chapter 12

A.) Key Issues

1.) Where are services distributed?

2.) Where are consumer services distributed?

Grading Scale:

A – 90-100

B – 80-89

C – 70-79

D – 60-69

F – Below 60
 

3.) Where are business services distributed?

4.) Why do services cluster in settlements?

  1. Urban patterns – Chapter 13

A.) Key Issues

1.) Why do services cluster downtown?

2.) Where are people distributed within urban areas?

3.) Why are urban areas expanding?

4.) Why do suburbs have distinctive problems?

 

  1. Careers in geography / conclusion

 

Tutoring

Is available every morning until 7:54. Also, during your Warrior Block.
 
  1. Review for AP Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Expect Homework daily
  • Expect a quiz and/or test every week or multiple times a week.
  • Tests, Quizzes, Classwork, Homework, and Projects are all graded based on POINTS, not weights. Each 6-week term counts as 25% of your final grade.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due