AP Human Geography
Ms. Klecker Room #503
Phone: 773.8100 ext. 6660
Email:
I. Course CONTENT and Structure
Prerequisites: N/A (This is a college-level course so students must have a dedication to their studies and a commitment to the course, as described below. There is no course requirement.)
Materials: textbook, atlas, spiral/composition notebook, folders/3-ring binder, topic outlines, class articles or homework assignment, writing utensil, online access, initiative J
Textbook: Rubenstein, James M.; The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography; 10th edition; Pearson Prentice Hall; 2011.
Key Content Units / Skills Outcomes: {KNOW}
1. Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives
2. Population and Migration
3. Cultural Patterns and Processes
4. Political Organization of Space
5. Agriculture, Food Production, and Rural Land Use
6. Industrialization and Economic Development
7. Cities and Urban Land Use
Essential Skills: “Students will {BE ABLE TO} .”
A. Use and think about maps and geospatial data sets
B. Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places.
C. Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes (local, national, regional, global).
D. Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process.
E. Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.
Cooperate with each other; compete only against yourself! Take the Initiative!
II. Teaching STRATEGIES
In the AP Human Geography course students will examine human patterns of global interaction. They will through multiple scales of analysis—from the local to national then global—through multiple activities and projects. Students will work with a variety of maps (political and physical) to explore global regions and the interactions between places on the globe. Geospatial data sets will be used to study maps and specific phenomena in an analysis of place and how humans alter or manage the lands on which they live. In addition to visual representations in map studies, the class will examine mathematical models to help understand and interpret patterns of human geography. Students will tour the local recycling/trash facilities in town to investigate city planning, as well as tour the farms outside of town in the unit on agriculture and rural cities.
In class, students will work collaboratively to apply concepts in small groups to analyze where humans live and why. Students will participate in lecture/note-taking with companion activities to apply prior knowledge and scaffold new course content. Examination and discussion of a variety of articles and will develop critical thinking and analytical skills, as this course is designed for introduction to AP course-load and necessary skills for study at an AP level of rigor.
III. Course POLICIES
Participants are expected to read carefully, and then sign agreement to, the following policies in order to ensure understanding of the course outline and expectations.
Classroom Expectations: All Flagstaff High policies and procedures will be strictly enforced! Instructor reserves the right to revoke all privileges.
a. Be respectful to yourself and others—No putdowns or “bullying” behavior
b. Electronic devices are prohibited. All electronics must be silenced and put away!
c. Hall pass is an earned privilege, and may be revoked if abused
d. Do your personal best for success. This may be more challenging than some of your previous classes but you can do this!! It is going to be a dynamic, thought-provoking course!!
e. Academic integrity is taken very seriously at all levels. Do your own work and earn your own grade!
Attendance: Students are expected to come to class prepared each day.
Students must be present to get the most out of their classroom experience. FHS school policy will be followed regarding absences and loss of credit. Students must take initiative to gather materials when they are absent. If a student’s absence is unexcused, there will be no credit awarded for assignments missed (including tests), regardless of the reason.
Tardy Policy: Students are “tardy” to this class if not in the classroom and SEATED prior to the bell signaling the start of class. After 10 minutes, that student is considered “absent” and must get an admit slip through the front office, which is the student’s responsibility.
Assignments:
Students will keep all assignments and handouts in their course notebook as study and reference materials. For small team activities, students earn individual grades on assignments with group responsibility (roles vary with assignment). Grades will reflect each student’s contribution to the whole group depending on their individual effort.
Classroom Notebook: Each student is expected to come prepared daily with notebook paper, writing utensil, and a binder (below) minimum. Hole-punched items go into your notebook!
Section 1 Notes + in-class activities as notes + handouts for reference
Section 2 Assignments divided by unit of study + Map activities + CRQ quizzes
Section 3 Glossary of terms and KBATs
¶ Homework activities should be expected 2 – 3 times per week, with nightly textbook readings
¶ Projects and Homework Assignments: Due at the BEGINNING of class on due date
¶ In-class Assignments: Due at END of class, or may be turned in the beginning of the next meeting
¶ Partial Credit: Excused absences allow one day of extended time per one day absent on any missed assignments including homework, class work, project, or test. If an assignment is partially done, it will receive partial credit
¶ NO CREDIT is given beyond 24-hours after the original due date without prior approval
IV. Grading:
Semester Grade assignment categories are broken down as follows:
20% Practice Homework, in-class assignments, article summaries,
personal notebook checks
80% Measurement Assessment of Learning Objectives: Unit projects
and/or presentations; Socratic seminar discussions;
quizzes including CRQs and unit tests
Semester Grades (winter/spring) = 85% Cumulative Quarter Grade + 15% Semester Exam
(Semester 1 = Q1 + Q2; S2 = Q3 + Q4) + (Winter and Spring)
NOTE: This course includes 2 semester exams in addition to the optional AP exam in the spring!
V. AP Test/Grade:
The AP Central College Board will administer the AP exam in the spring (date TBD). The test will take place on school grounds and can be used for college credit. The cost of the exam is approximately $90.00 with a few scholarship-reduced fees available.
Check the AP College Board web site for more information and study materials at:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/home
** Play the game! While the AP exam is not required for high school credit, you are strongly encouraged to take this exam! Why practice and learn the material to not participate in the culminating event?
AP Human Geography Class Topics Outline * Tentative
Units / Topics / Dates* / Chapters1. Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives / Thinking like a geographer
Geospatial data sets
Vocabulary concepts / August (4 weeks) / Ch. 1
2. Population and Migration / Population growth/decline
Factors migration patterns / Sept. – October (6 weeks) / Ch. 2 + Ch. 3
3. Cultural Patterns and Processes / Folk/Popular culture
Language and Religion, Ethnicity / November – December (8 weeks) / Ch. 4 thru Ch. 7
4. Political Organization of Space / Political boundaries and systems
Nations and Nation-states / January (5 weeks) / Ch. 8
Ch. 9^
5. Agriculture, Food Production, and Rural Land Use / Agricultural development
Settlement patterns
Commercial agriculture / February (3 weeks) / Ch. 10
6. Industrialization and Economic Development / Manufacturing and Services
Social implications of economic development / March -April (4 weeks) / Ch. 11
Ch. 9^
7. Cities and Urban Land Use / Urban Growth Patterns
Global cities / Residential / April – May (4 weeks) / Ch. 12 + Ch. 13
Resources
AP Human Geography Wrap-Up / Test Review and Administration
Human effects on environment * / May (2 weeks) / Ch. 14*
AP Human Geography Syllabus Contract
Objective: Discuss the course expectations as outlined on the syllabus, then sign below to verify the student-parent contract with the classroom teacher.
Sign below to confirm your understanding of the classroom requirements and student responsibilities for this AP course. If there are concerns as outlined, those may be raised at any time by any party. I look forward to a great year; thank you for supporting my classroom expectations and your student’s learning!
Sign below and return by * Keep syllabus in your Notebook J
Student Name
Signature X
Parent Printed Name
Parent Signature X Date
Parent Contact (Circle the BEST option):
Phone
Notes/Questions/Comments???
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