Advanced Placement Human Geography



Advanced Placement Human Geography

Mrs. Susan Soulard – Room 4-111

soularsu@

2017 -2018 Course Syllabus

I. Course Design

Advanced Placement Human Geography is designed to prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands similar to those of an introductory college course in human geography. The purpose of AP Human Geography is to develop an understanding of the world through the use of a spatial perspective, rather than a chronological perspective as used in historical analysis. The course analyzes human activity across the Earth’s surface. Daily discussions focus on understanding the location of people, places, and events, and the connections among places and landscapes. The study of geography has many applications to everyday life that enable students to build a sophisticated view of the world. The course is an introduction to college level reading, writing, critical thinking, and research. Mathematical and statistical models are an important part of the course. All students are required to take the AP Human Geography Examination in May.

II. Course Objectives

Geography is about asking questions, analyzing maps and spatial data in an effort to answer these questions, and using evidence to draw conclusions and build an argument. The questions that follow will guide our study of human geography.

Human Geography Themes:

- What is location? How does affect what happens and why?

- What is place? How does place affect spatial organization?

- What is the relationship between humans and the natural world?

- What affects the distribution of human activities across the Earth’s surface?

- What are the characteristics of a region?

- What is landscape?

- How do people interact with and change the environment?

- How does the movement of people affect location and place?

III. Course Organization

The course consists of 12 units of instruction. A yearly calendar will be distributed and posted on Angel listing all exam dates. Students are expected to complete all readings and assignments on a timely basis. Units 1 through 10 are taught as interdisciplinary units with English I. The units are as follows:

1 Introduction to Advanced Placement Human Geography 15 days

2 / 3 Culture 26 days

▪ Folk Culture

▪ Religion

▪ Language

▪ Race and Ethnicity

4 / 5 Population 26 days

▪ Population

▪ Migration

6. Agriculture and Land Use 13 days

7 / 8 Economic Geography 24 days

▪ Industrialization

▪ Development and Services

9. Urban Land Use 11 days

10. Political Geography 14 days

11 . Review (for each exam/midterms/final) 21 days

12. Map Tests 11 days

IV. Course Requirements and Grades

1. Homework – Readings Homework assignments are assigned readings to be read for comprehension. You will have 2 – 3 of these assigned readings per week. Each reading will be between 6 – 10 pages in length.

2. Quizzes (20 points each) – Quizzes will be given following each reading assignment. The format for these quizzes will be short response. Doing well on these is imperative to succeeding in this class – THEREFORE you must READ.

4. Tests (100 points each) – Tests (100) will be given at the end of each unit with the exception of the last unit. This unit is devoted to a review for the AP Examination. Midterm and final examinations assessing your cumulative knowledge of human geography and the strength of your geography skills are recorded separately.

5. Map Tests (30 – 60 points): Students are required to know the basic geography of the world. Regional exams will be given throughout the year.

6. Portfolio (May Final Examination) - Preparation to the AP Examination is an important part of the course. You will need to keep well organized notes and records throughout the course. Your final grade will be based on a portfolio that you build throughout the year. Refer to the separate instruction guide for organizing your portfolio.

Quarterly grades are based on the grade scale established by the State of Florida: 90-100 (A), 80-89 (B), 70-79 (C),60-69 (D),0-59 (F)

There is homework every night for this class. Homework for this class will consist of:

1. Reading 6 – 10 pages in the textbook for understanding – taking notes is highly recommended. Quizzes will be given in class over the material read. The format of the quizzes is always written responses. Students must thoroughly understand the reading prior to class. These 6 – 10 pages will be spread out over 2 – 3 days.

2. Map skills: there will be map tests throughout the year covering physical and political characteristics of states.

3. Vocabulary Quizzes: There will be a vocabulary quiz for each unit. The vocabulary quiz will be fill in the blank and there will not be a word bank provided. The AP Human Geography test demands students know all the vocabulary presented in the textbook.

4. Typed lecture notes will be turned in on the day of each unit test. I highly recommend students type and know their lecture notes each night. This will enhance the ability of students to perform well on unit and cumulative tests.

*Each evening, you should be:

(1) reading and taking notes on an assigned reading

(2) typing lecture notes and reviewing the material learned in class that day

V. Course Readings

AP Human Geography includes readings from a college human geography textbook. Additional readings will be provided throughout the course. Textbook prices for students who wish to purchase the textbook will be provided on the first day of class.

VI. Classroom Policies and Procedures

A. Materials: All students are expected to bring their COVERED text, a pen, a pencil, and a two inch three-ring binder to class each day unless otherwise stated. The binder must be organized as specified in the portfolio assignment. This binder will be collected at random points during the year.

B. Attendance:

1. All students are to be in their seats and ready to begin the day’s work when the bell rings. Your textbook and your notebook should be ready for action, and your homework prepared for collection.

2. Any student with an excused absence from class is responsible for all work missed. It is your responsibility to make up work that you missed. Make arrangements with classmates to get the day’s notes, or talk to me on the day that you return to class.

3. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated. Such absences will result in a grade of “0” on the day’s work and on assignments due on the day of the absence. school policy.

C. Participation

1. Students are expected to participate in all classroom debates and discussions. The time given over to discussion provides an opportunity for students to think through their ideas and learn from others in the class.

2. Follow the rule of common courtesy - allow others to speak, don’t use vulgar, profane, degrading, or condescending language. Remember that you earn respect by showing respect to others.

D. Assignments

1. Most assignments will be readings in the textbook. You must complete the reading if you expect to be successful in this class.

E. Quizzes and Tests

1. Test dates are listed on the yearly calendar.

F. Make-up policy

1. Tests must be made-up on the day the student returns to school.

2. Quizzes can be made-up after school on Tuesdays.

3. It is your responsibility to make up quizzes and tests that you missed due to an excused absence. Quizzes missed because of tardiness are scored as a zero. You will only be excused from a scheduled test if you have been absent from school for two or more consecutive days before the exam.

G. Other Policies

1. This classroom is where I spend my day. I expect that you will treat the room and its contents with respect. Many of the items available for your use are my personal property.

2. In the event that a substitute teacher is present, I expect you to be as respectful and cooperative as you are when I am in class. Substitutes will collect all homework and in-class assignments. These assignments will be graded.

3. The proper rules of conduct and all school rules apply at all times.

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