AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY A ONE-YEAR COURSE LABELLE COURSE OVERVIEW: 2014-2015 AP Human Geography is a yearlong course that focuses on the distribution, processes, and effects of human populations on the planet. This course is designed based on the seven units of study developed by the AP College Board in the course outline. The purpose of this course is to pass the AP Exam in May, and potentially earn college credit. Please note that every aspect of this course timed assessments, critical thinking, writing, and daily reading is designed to optimize student performance on the AP College Board Human Geography Exam. SEVEN UNITS OF STUDY: Unit I: Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives Unit II: Population and Migration Unit III: Cultural Patterns and Processes Unit IV: Political Organization of Space Unit V: Agricultural and Rural Land Use Unit VI: Industrialization and Economic Development Unit VII: Cities and Urban Land Use CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS AND GOALS: C1 The course provides a systematic study of human geography including the following topics outlined in the Course Description: o Nature of and Perspectives on Geography o Population o Cultural Patterns and Processes o Political Organization of Space o Agricultural and Rural Land Use o Industrialization and Economic Development o Cities and Urban Land Use C2 The course teaches the use of spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human organization of space. C3 The course teaches spatial relationships at different scales ranging from the local to the global. C4 The course teaches students how to use and interpret maps, data sets, and geographic models. GIS, aerial photographs, and satellite images, though not required, can be used effectively in this course.
TEXTBOOK: Rubenstein, James. The Cultural Landscape an Introduction to Human Geography. 9th. Prentice Hall, 2007. Print. COURSE SUPPLIES: 1. Internet Access, Schoology account, and Twitter account (Twitter optional) 2. 3-5 Subject Spiral 3. Red Pen 4. Black or Blue Pen 5. Highlighter or Post-Its (optional to assist in studying) 6. Pencil (for test days ONLY) 7. Map Colors (Not necessary every day; I will also have some available in class) UNIT OUTLINE: [C1] Unit I: Nature of and Perspectives on Geography o Description: This unit focuses on Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives unit of study. The unit discusses main geographical concepts including geography as a field of inquiry, notable geographers, location, scale, space, place, pattern, regionalization, maps, data usage, technological advances (GPS, GIS), and globalization. Unit II: Population o Description: This unit focuses on the population unit of study. This unit covers the geographical analysis of population including but not limited to: density, distribution, migration, hazards, and patterns. Unit III: Cultural Patterns and Processes Part I o Description: This unit focuses on the cultural patterns and processes unit of study. This unit of study is broken into two parts (units). This first unit discusses concepts of culture and identity. This unit includes the following topics but is not limited to: traits, diffusion, race, ethnicity, gender, and cultural landscapes. Unit III: Cultural Patterns and Processes Part II o Description: This unit focuses on the cultural patterns and processes unit of study. This unit of study is broken into two parts (units). This second unit discusses concepts regarding language and religion. Unit IV: Political Organization of Space o Description: This unit focuses on the political organization of space unit of study. This unit discusses the following topics but is not limited to: territorial dimensions, evolution of political patterns, and electoral geography. Unit V: Agricultural and Rural Land Use o Description: This unit focuses on the region agricultural and rural land use unit of study. This unit discusses the following topics but is not limited to: development and diffusion of agriculture, major agricultural production regions, and rural land use. Unit VI: Industrialization and Economic Development Description: This unit focuses on the industrialization and economic development unit of study. This unit covers the following topics but is not limited to: key concepts in industrialization, growth and diffusion of industrialization, and impacts of industrialization and development.
Unit VII: Cities and Urban Land Use/Globalization o Description: This unit focuses on the cities and urban land use unit of study. This unit discusses the following topics but is not limited to: urbanism, origin and evolution of cities, functional character of contemporary cities, and built environment and social space. Human Environment o Description: This unit focuses on the Human Environment. The unit discusses how the environment has changed over time, how humans have impacted the Earth, major factors contributing to environmental change, and how humans are responding. AP Exam Review o Description: This unit focuses on reviewing the key concepts and vocabulary that surround the seven units of study. Students will focus on the seven units and the structure of the AP exam. o Activities: Practice Exams Timed Writing Vocabulary Review Games Partnered Analysis of seven units Review of test structure and scoring TEACHING STRATEGIES: My course features a combination of lecture, class discussion, instructional videos, independent work, and student collaborative activities which are research and inquiry based. My strategy is to focus on the seven units of study. Supplemental texts and video will be used to provide students with a better understanding on major geographical topics, touching on the seven units of study including population, cultural patterns, and political organization. STUDENT EVALUATION: Each unit of study, outlined in the course planner, includes the following activities and assessments: Weekly textbook reading quizzes. Interactive Student Notebook Checks Weekly quizzes from both the textbook and additional vocabulary provided by teacher. Map and region quizzes. Current Events related to Human Geography: Students will reflect on these using comparison charts and ESPNs, and will be able to explain how Human Geography connects to global topics [C2] Bi-monthly timed Essays in the Free-Response format. Practice AP questions. Timed Exams (Multiple Choice, Free Response) at the completion of a unit. Some units will be split into two tests Case Studies: These provide the students with a hands-on activity which demonstrates the concepts of geography they are learning. Regular homework assignments available over Schoology and Twitter.
GRADING SCALE: Grades are calculated using the following weighted scale: THE AP EXAM: Exams & Projects 60% Quizzes/Homework 20% Class work 20% It is an expectation that the student will take the AP test at the end of the course. There will a $30 fee per test (waiver available for free/reduced lunch student). Grading & Classroom Expectations: 1. Late Work: Under College Board and Alvin ISD policy for AP classes, a student will receive a zero on any assignment not turned in by the due date. Late work will not be accepted. 2. Tardies: If a student is tardy or absent for any reason, that student is responsible for any missed warm-ups, notes, or assignments. 3. Absences: Please see the AISD Student Handbook and AP Contract for more details. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to communicate with the teacher regarding makeup work. If a student fails to communicate with the teacher or fails to turn in their assignment in a timely manner, the student will receive a zero. A student has an equal number of days to make up an assignment as they were absent. Students absent on a test day need to make up the test in tutorials within one week. Students absent the day before a test are still expected to take the test on the scheduled test date. All test reviews will be available online in advance of the test. 4. ISNs: Each student is expected to keep and maintain an interactive student notebook. This will be a 3-5 subject spiral, and will include a Table of Contents, Warm-ups (dated and in red ink), reading notes (black/blue pen), classroom notes (black/blue) pen, and graded quizzes and homework assignments. The ISN must be organized and up to date. All ISNs will be graded on test days and will be worth 2 Classwork/Daily grades each time. 5. Quizzes: Quizzes are open-note and largely based on reading. Notes must be hand-written in your WHAP ISN (Interactive Student Notebook) to be able to use them on a quiz (they may not be typed notes, and they may not be on loose-leaf paper). If you are absent the day before a quiz, you are still expected to take the scheduled reading quiz unless there are extenuating circumstances which are communicated to the teacher in advance of the quiz. If you are absent the day of a quiz, you will be expected to take the quiz at the beginning
of class the following day. All quizzes are taken in red pen, and are attached in your ISN after it is graded. Most quizzes are announced, but some are not. If you have reading homework, it is always possible to have a reading quiz the next day. All quizzes are timed based on the AP Exam. 6. Homework: The majority of homework will be reading, followed by a reading quiz the following day. Homework can also consist of take home assignments. Late homework is not accepted in an AP course unless you have extenuating circumstances. Homework is due at the beginning of the class. If you arrive to the class late, you must turn in your homework immediately upon arrival, or it will be late and not accepted. Homework will be filed in your ISN after being graded. 7. Tests: Tests are mostly multiple choice in structure, but can also include short answer questions. Some tests, however, will be purely Essay/Free-Response tests. All tests are timed, based on the timing of the AP Exam. 8. Makeup Tests: From the AP Contract, In a Pre-AP/AP class, students may retest once per nine weeks for a maximum replacement grade of 70. The request for retesting should be made by the student within one week after the test has been returned. 9. Exiting an AP Course: Please see the AP Contract for more information regarding exiting AP World History. This must be done within the first nine weeks on instruction. 10. Electronic Devices: Please do not use electronic devices in this class. Your phone/device needs to be silenced and put away upon entering the class. The teacher may request that all bags and purses be placed at the front of the class, especially on test days. Devices may also be taken and turned into the principal s office if they are used in class. 11. Communication: There are many ways I will communicate with you during this course In class, in tutorials, on Schoology, and through my website. Please be sure to check the calendar and Schoology regularly, especially if you are absent. If you fall behind or are struggling, it is imperative you communicate with me via email or in person, so that I may help you. I cannot help you if I don t know you need help. I am very understanding of your circumstances if you communicate with me in advance. Grading Structure: Assessments will be weighted as follows: Major Exams & Projects 60% In-Class Assignments & Participation 20% Homework and Quizzes 20% Total 100% Required Materials: 1. Pens Red (Quizzes and Warm-ups) and Black/Blue (everything else) 2. 3-5 subject spiral 3. Internet Access and Schoology account
4. Pencil (for scantron tests only) Plagiarism and Cheating: A zero-tolerance policy is practiced for plagiarism and for cheating. Students caught plagiarizing or cheating on any part of an assignment will receive zero credit for that assignment. The student will then be reported to administration. AP Human Geography Exam: By enrolling in AP Human Geography, the student is dedicated to taking the AP Exam at the end of the year in May. Further details on registering for the AP World History exam will be given in class. The cost of the Exam is $30. A waiver is available for those students on free/reduced lunch. Consequences: Dedicated students who exemplify regular attendance, completion of coursework and reading, attentiveness in class and active participation, will experience positive consequences. Students with excessive tardies or absences, missing assignments/readings, off-task behavior, or lack of participation will experience negative consequences. Positive Consequences Praise Bright Future College Credit Academic Accolades Negative Consequences Verbal or written warning Student-Teacher Conference/Detention Parent Contact Office Referral