Houston Independent School District



Course Overview

AP ® Human Geography is a year-long course designed to fulfill the curriculum expectations of a one-semester university human geography course. The course focuses on the processes and cause and effect relationships of human populations. Emphasis throughout the course is on the spatial distribution, differences in scale and cultural determinants influenced by global interaction and integration. Major themes that transcend the course of study at multiple levels of scale include globalization, diffusion, assimilation, acculturation, integration and interaction. The course provides a systematic study of human geography in a prescribed set of topics:

• Nature of and Perspectives on Geography

• Population

• Cultural Patterns and Processes

• Political Organization of Space

• Agricultural and Rural Land Use

• Industrialization and Economic Development

• Cities and Urban Land Use

Course Objectives:

• The student will develop a geographic perspective to better understand the intricate relationship between peoples and events at varying degrees of scale

• The student will use interpretive abilities to develop spatial concepts at different scales

• The student will use spatial concepts, geographic terminology and landscape analysis to examine human organization of space at multiple levels of scale.

• The student will use and interpret maps, data sets, and geographic models from different sources to evaluate the human landscape. This includes sources from GIS, aerial photographs, and satellite images and data sets from NGO’s and Government agencies.

Course Materials

Fellman, Jerome, et al. Human Geography Landscapes of Human Activities. 9th ed. New York: McGraw Hill publ. 2007.

Hudson, John C. Goode’s World Atlas. 22nd ed. N.p: Rand McNally, 2005

Rubenstein, James M. 8th edition, The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography, Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education, Inc., 2005.

Kuby, Michael, John Harner, and Patricia Gober. 4th Edition, Human Geography in Action, New York: John Wiley, Inc., 2007

Human Geography: People, Places and Change; Annenberg Films

Human Geography combines economic and cultural geography to explore the relationships between humans and their natural environment, and to track the broad social patterns that shape human societies. Featuring communities around the world that are grappling with major socioeconomic change, the programs help students understand present-day events within the scope of clearly recognizable trends, and realize the impact that government, corporate, and individual decisions may have on people and places near and far.

Additional case studies, films, articles and websites are incorporated in the units. In order to apply the concepts and illustrate the connectivity of people and places continual incorporation of outside materials is essential. Some of those sources include:

The Economist, Foreign Policy, New York Times, Population Reference Bureau, GeoTimes, Census Department, Annual Editions: Urban Society, Development, Geography, Global Issues, World Politics, A Global World, A Place in the World, A Shrinking World among others.

Selected Websites:

United Nations Development and Trade

Globalization 101

GlobalPolicy forum globaliz/

NASA Photo Gallery

Teaching Geography/Annenberg/CPB:

The Lonely Planet:

Population Pyramids & world info:

United States Census Bureau:

Center for Immigration Studies :

:

Human Development Reports :

UNHCR Statistics:

World Economic Forum:

Environmental Protection Agency:

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy:

National Agricultural Library: nal.

National Agricultural Statistics Service Main Page

US Dept. of Agriculture:

Foreign Policy Association:

Foreign Policy organization :

The Carter Center:

World Press Review:

National :

The Living Earth, Inc./Earth Images:

Earth Observatory:

Course Organization

Students meet everyday in 55 minute periods for two semesters. The first 12 weeks is a survey of physical geography with different materials, labs, and procedures then those requested in this audit. The length of study for the human geography portion of this course extends from November to May of the school year. Students are provided with a study guide of key terms, questions, concepts and objectives to master as well as supplemental readings. Each unit of study in human geography concludes with a 50 minute multiple-choice exam on the assigned test day and a 25 minute free response writing on the following day. Both testing periods are designed to better familiarize the student with the time and content expectations of the AP ® Human Geography exam. Field work is required in this course and each semester the student will conduct a data collection and observation culminating in a formal field study analysis.

Geography Course Description:

Geography—Its Nature and Perspectives

A. Historical development of the discipline

B. Defining “human geography”

C. Basic concepts of geography: Space, Place, Region, Scale, Connectivity, Accessibility, Assimilation…

D. Methods and skills of geography including map reading, usage and construction

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 1: “Introduction Some Background Basics”

Rubenstein, Chapter 1: “Thinking Geographically”

• Lab Activity: Kuby, Chapter 1: “True Maps, False Impressions: Making, Manipulating, and Interpreting Maps”

Population

A. Population Patterns

1. Factors of population growth: statistics and influences

2. Identify concepts and terminology associated with demographic analysis i.e. ZPG, BR, DR, TFR, IMR, HDI, GDP, PPP etc..

3. Historical patterns of growth

4. Contemporary patterns and regional variations of demographic data i.e., fertility, mortality, and health

5. Demographic transition model: factors related to development and population shifts

6. Population policies—role of women, children

7. Evaluation of population patterns in population pyramids and graphical trends

B. Population Distribution

1. Spatial patterns of distribution: global, regional, local

2. Demographic trends in developing and developed countries

3. Spatial variations in factors of growth

C. Population Movement

1. Push and pull factors of migration classify among political, economic, environmental, social, cultural

2. Periods of voluntary and involuntary migrations: reasons, routes, and impacts, streams, channels

3. Contemporary migrations

4. Local migrations and activity space

5. Migration to and within the U.S.

6. Models, Theories and Policies

i. Immigration policies

ii. Distance decay, intervening opportunities,

iii. gravity model, circulation patterns

iv. Ravenstein’s theories and applicability to today

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 3: “Spatial Interaction and Spatial Behavior”

Chapter 4: “Population: World Patterns, Regional Trends”

Or

Rubenstein Chapter 2: “Population”

Chapter 3: “Migration”

Gray Dawn: The Global Aging Crisis, Peter G. Peterson, In Annual Editions: Geography

02/03, edited by Gerald Pitzl, 89-90. Guilford, CT: Duskin, 2002.

Helping the World’s Poorest, Jeffrey Sachs. In Annual Editions: Geography 02/03, edited

by Gerald Pitzl, 89-90. Guilford, CT: Duskin, 2002.

• Lab Activity:

Kuby, Chapter 7: “The Hidden Momentum of Population Growth” ;

Kuby, Chapter 4: “Newton's First Law of Migration: The Gravity Model”

• Video:

World in Balance: The People Paradox

Power of Place ISBN: 1-55946-925-0

14. Migration and Conquest Case Studies

-Migration patterns both within and outside Mexico.

-The "cycles of conquest" borne by Maya peoples in Guatemala.

18. Population, Food Supply, and Energy Development Case Studies

-Rapid population growth and agriculture in Egypt.

-Oil revenue, Muslim life, and new industries in Oman.

19. The Legacy of Colonization Case Studies

-Disparity between elite and poor in the Ivory Coast.

-A failed attempt at growth and a poorly developed infrastructure in Gabon.

• Patterns of Population: Manipulating Population Growth-Predicting the Future

• Choropleth Map construction of World demographic data; Regional analysis based on data from the current Population Reference Bureau World Data Sheet

• Case study: Modern Refugees- student activity

Cultural Patterns and Processes

A. Culture and Culture Traits

1. Defining culture: material, nonmaterial, traits, complexes, acculturation, assimilation

2. Cultural diffusion and change

3. Major culture hearths, regions and realms

4. Cultural Diversity; ethnicity, race, color

B. Languages

1. Distribution and origin of language families

2. Preservation of languages;

3. Dialects and vernacular influences on regional cultural patterns

C. Religions

1. Religion and Philosophy

2. Purpose of Religion

3. Universalizing and Ethnic Religions: philosophic differences

4. Spatial diffusion of religion

D. Folk & Pop Cultures

1. differentiation and diffusion

2. influential changes altering folk and pop cultures

3. Globalization and assimilation of Pop culture: Cultural Icons

4. survival of folk culture; Amish & Old Order Religions

E. Cultural landscapes

1. Culture on the landscape: toponyms and land use

2. Perceptions of natural hazards

3. Culture and group identity—values and preferences

4. Cultural conflict

5. Carl Sauer: Cultural Landscape

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 2: “Roots and Meaning of Culture”

Chapter 5: “Language and Religion”

Chapter 6: “Ethnic Geography”

Chapter 7: “Folk and Popular Culture”

Or

Rubenstein, Chapter 4: “Folk and Popular Culture”

Chapter 5: “Language”

Chapter 6: Religion

Chapter 7: Ethnicity

• Case study: Ethnic Cleansing; Genocide

• Micro Melting Pots, William H. Frey. In Annual Editions: Geography 02/03, edited by Gerald Pitzl, 89-90. Guilford, CT: Duskin, 2002.

• Video: The God’s Must be Crazy (if time permits)

Human Geography: People, Places and Change; Annenberg Films

2. Reflections on a Global Screen

• Lab Activity:

Kuby, Chapter 2: “Layers of Tradition: Culture Regions at Different Scales”

Chapter 3: “Tracking the AIDS Epidemic: Diffusion through Space and Time”

I. Economic Systems and Patterns

A. Economic Structure/Development

1. Sectors of economic development: primary to quinary

2. Factors of development, underdevelopment, challenges to development

3. Developed vs. Less Developed nations

4. Economic and development models of Rostow and Weber; core-periphery development at different levels of scale; terminology: MDC, LDC, NIC, NDC, entrepot,

B. Industrialization

1. Centers and historical patterns of industrialization

2. Major industrial regions for resources and manufacturing

3. Shifting industrial regions

4. Deindustrialization

5. Industrialization and HDI

C. Global Economy

1. Trade and transportation patterns

2. Shifting patterns of production and labor sources including Transnational, footloose and outsourcing

3. export based economies,

4. Interdependence and global competition

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 9: “Livelihood and Economy”

Chapter 10 “Patterns of Development and Change”

Or

Rubenstein, Chapter 9: “Development

“Least Cost Theory of Industrial Location” see pg. 74, Student Study Guide, Human Geography, Landscapes of Human Activities, Fellman & Getis, McGraw-Hill publishers.

Helping the World’s Poorest, Jeffrey Sachs. In Annual Editions: Geography 02/03, edited by Gerald Pitzl, 89-90. Guilford, CT: Duskin, 2002.

• Lab Activity:

Kuby, Chapter 7: “From Rags to Riches

Kuby, Chapter 6: “Help Wanted: The Changing Geography of Jobs”

• Video: (options)

Human Geography: People, Places and Change; Annenberg Films

1. Imagining New Worlds

2. Reflections on a Global Screen

3. Global Firms in the Industrializing East

4. Global Tourism

Power of Place

13. Global Interaction Case Studies

-How Singapore exploits its location to play a key commercial role in Pacific Asia.

-Australia's European roots and recent Asian influences in economic development.

16. Accelerating Growth Case Studies

-Urban homesteaders in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

-The lure of an export economy in Santiago, Chile.

8. Central and Remote Economic Development Case Studies

-The effects of the shift to a market economy on real estate values in St. Petersburg.

-The difficulties of industrial production in Bratsk, Siberia.

22. Life in China's Frontier Cities Case Studies

-The settlement of Lanzhou in northwestern China.

-Struggling manufacturing industry in Shenyang.

18. Population, Food Supply, and Energy Development Case Studies

-Rapid population growth and agriculture in Egypt.

-Oil revenue, Muslim life, and new industries in Oman.

V. Agriculture and Rural Land Usage

A. Origins and spread of agriculture

1. Major agricultural production regions, domestic and international

2. Linkages and flows of products, regionally and globally

3. Commercial agriculture; aquaculture;

4. Changes in agriculture practices over time

5. Green revolution and Biotechnology

B. Rural land use/settlement patterns

1. Land use models; von Thunen and shifts in market distances

2. Energy and changing land use

3. Rural activity and environmental issues

4. rural settlement patterns

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 8: “Livelihood and Economy”

Or

Rubenstein, Chapter 10: “Agriculture”

• Lab Activity:

Kuby, Chapter 8: “Food for Thought: The Globalization of Agriculture”

• Exercises:

“Von Thunen Agricultural Location: Economic Rent” see pg. 65, Student Study Guide, Human Geography, Landscapes of Human Activities, Fellman & Getis, McGraw-Hill publishers.

“Least Cost Theory of Industrial Location” see pg. 74, Student Study Guide, Human Geography, Landscapes of Human Activities, Fellman & Getis, McGraw-Hill publishers.

VI. Urban Geography

A. Patterns of Urbanization

1. Global: rates and regions

2. National: shifting urban centers and causes for economic shifts

B. Cities as Areas

1. Defining an urban place: site, situation, form, primate cities

2. Models of urban location and structure: concentric zone, sector, multiple nuclei, galactic cities

3. Urban hierarchies and Christaller Central Place Theory; rank-size rule

C. Patterns within the city –

1. Global models of cities

2. Demographic and social patterns: urban vs. suburban

3.Transportation and infrastructure

4. Market areas and CBD functions and interdependence

F. Patterns Beyond the City

1. Megacities, conurbations, metropolitan areas,

2. Suburbanization and edge cities

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 11: “Urban Systems and Urban Structures”

Or

Rubenstein, Chapter 13: “Urban Patterns”

Chapter 12: “Services”

• Urban Field Study: Students will conduct a data collection on a topic of their choice as an urban setting influences it. These topics can be economic, locational, cultural or statistically based.

• Lab activity

Kuby, Chapter 10: “Reading the Urban Landscape through Census Data and Field Observation”

Kuby, Chapter 9: “Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Market Areas and the Urban Hierarchy”

Kuby, Chapter 11, “The Disappearing Front Range: Urban Sprawl in Colorado.”

• Video:

“ Understanding Cities” Discovery Channel

“We Built This City” Discovery Channel: London, New York, Paris

Power of Place:

4. East Looks West Case Studies

-Berlin's transition from a weakened and divided city to one of emerging importance.

-Diffusion of democratic ideas throughout Poland.

8. Central and Remote Economic Development Case Studies

-The effects of the shift to a market economy on real estate values in St. Petersburg.

-The difficulties of industrial production in Bratsk, Siberia.

9. Inner vs. "Edge" Cities Case Studies

-An "empowerment zone" proposal in inner-city Boston.

-The pressure of suburban growth on agricultural communities surrounding Chicago.

22. Life in China's Frontier Cities Case Studies

-The settlement of Lanzhou in northwestern China.

-Struggling manufacturing industry in Shenyang.

23. China's Metropolitan Heartland Case Studies

-Physical location and government policy bolster development in Shanghai.

-Recent industrialization near Nanjing.

21. Urban and Rural Contrasts Case Studies

-A geographer studies Delhi as a multicultural, rapidly growing city.

VII. Political Geography

A. Nations and States

1. Define State, Nation, nation-state, quasi-states, Sovereignty

2. Boundaries of scale; types of boundaries; permeable, impermeable

3. State Geomorphology: influence of size and shape

4. Identify economic, political, cultural centripetal and centrifugal forces effecting political stability

5. Centralized vs. decentralized governments

B. Political Space

1. Historical development of boundaries and states

2. Colonialism and neocolonialism

3. Internal order: national and subnational governance

D. Challenges to the State & to National Sovereignty

1. Alliances: NGO’s, UN, Multilateral agreements, military alignments

2. Irredentism, Devolution and Supranationalism as catalyst for change

3. Global challenges to the political state

4. Rise of Terrorism, Modern day terrorism, scale of terrorist activities

Case Study: Terrorist organizations, motivation & operandi

Required Activities:

• Reading & Study guide response

Fellman Chapter 12: “The Political Ordering of Space”

Or

Rubenstein, Chapter 8: “Political Geography”

Continental Divide, Torsten Wohlert. In Annual Editions: Geography 03/04, edited

by Gerald Pitzl,. Guilford, CT: Duskin, 2003.

The Rise of the Region State, Kenichi Ohmae, In Annual Editions: Geography 03/04, edited by Gerald Pitzl,. Guilford, CT: Duskin, 2003.

• Lab activity

Kuby, Chapter 12: “Do Orange and Green Clash? Residential Segregation in Northern Ireland”

Kuby, Chapter 13: “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: Nations, States, and Nation-States”

• Video:

Human Geography: People, Places and Change

9. Berlin: Changing Center of a Changing Europe

10. The World of the Dragon

Power of Place

2. Boundaries and Borderlands

Applies the conceptual tools of the geographer — relative location, distance and scale, realms and regions, and human environmental interaction — all through a spatial perspective.

4. East Looks West Case Studies

-Berlin's transition from a weakened and divided city to one of emerging importance.

-Diffusion of democratic ideas throughout Poland.

13. Global Interaction Case Studies

-How Singapore exploits its location to play a key commercial role in Pacific Asia.

-Australia's European roots and recent Asian influences in economic development.

17. Sacred Space Under Siege?

Case Studies

-Mapping the spatial variation in religious practice in Jerusalem.

-Gaps between rich and poor, and secular and fundamentalist, Turks in Istanbul.

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