Syllabus for AP Human Geography(rev. 6/15)
Robin Foster, MBA CM 223 Ext. 4234
Course Description
An introductory college course in human geography is generally one semester in length, with some variation among colleges. An AP Human Geography course need not follow any specific college course curriculum but is taught as a yearlong course in most high schools. The aim of the AP course is to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college-level introductory human geography courses.
Purpose
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.
Goals
The particular topics studied in an AP Human Geography course should be judged in light of the following five college-level goals that build on the National Geography Standards developed in 1994 and revised in 2012.
Rationale for the Course
To impress upon the student the need for geographic awareness and the role geography plays in our everyday life and to develop the necessary written, verbal and critical thinking skills necessary for Social Studies Advanced Placement classes.
Course Objectives
1. Describe the influence of geography on events of the past and present.
2. Analyze the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment.
3. Identify the characteristics of major landforms, climates and the ecosystems and their relationships.
4. Describe the political, economic and social processes that shape cultural patterns or regions, patterns of settlement; the distribution and movement of world population.
5. Analyze the relationships among people, places and environments utilizing the concept of region.
6. Analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems throughout the world.
7. Identify the processes that influence political divisions of the planet.
8. Analyze how different points of view affect the development of public policies.
9. Compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions.
10. Analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment.
11. Use problem-solving and decision-making skills to ask and answer geographic questions.
Units of Study
Part A:
1. Intro to Geography
2. Political Organization of Space
3. Population and Migration
4. Cultural Patterns and Processes
Part B:
5. Agriculture, Food Production and Rural Land Use
6. Economic Development and Industry
7. Cities and Urban Land Use
8. Current World Events-after AP test
A student’s nine weeks grade will be computed according to the following formula:
Tests: 60%
Daily work/quizzes/homework: 40%
Please refer to the AISD online grading policy
Course Objectives
· Examine the discipline of geography, including its tools, themes, and concepts.
· Utilize and evaluate maps and spatial data.
· Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process.
· Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.
· Evaluate geographic problems on the global, national, and local scale.
· Identify and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes.
· Assess the nature and significance of phenomena that occur in the same place.
· Analyze the diversity of global cultures and their economic characteristics.
· Recognize how tastes and values, political regulations, and economic constraints work together to create particular types of cultural landscapes.
· Examine how cultural landscapes are shaped and how they change over time.
GRADES - Grading Format (Per nine weeks)
Your final grade is based on your capacity to demonstrate your ability to perform the objectives and required skills for each unit. You will be assessed based on value points on the basis of unit exams, essays and FRQ’s, worksheets, projects, quizzes, notebooks, research papers & presentations, group presentations, group projects, cases studies, simulations and homework assignments. Refer to AISD 2015/16AP contract.
Essays/practice FRQ’s (free response questions)
From time to time, you will be given an essay to complete at home that critiques a subject of discussion. Sometimes the assignment will be given as a handout and other times it will come from the companion articles or websites to supplement the book. Assignments given as handouts need to be hand written.
Assignments:
These assignments will normally be due the next day of class, unless specifically noted by the teacher, the assignment is an individual obligation. Collaboration with other classmates will not help you learn the material and will be considered cheating. Cheating is a serious offence and all parties will receive a 0, without exception. Refer to AISD academic dishonesty policy.
Quizzes
It can be argued that your greatest tool for success in this course is the textbook. It is for this reason that you will be quizzed regularly. Quizzes may be given in any format and can vary in duration. Each reading assignment will be one or more chapters in length.
Research Paper & Presentations
You may be given and assignment to research and write a paper. The paper will need to be a least 5 pages and no more than 8 pages. A coversheet and a bibliography will need to be attached and will not be included in the minimum and maximum page requirements. All research papers must be typed and double-spaced in no larger, or smaller, than a font equivalent in size to a 12 point “Times New Roman.” Late Research Papers Will Not Be Accepted After the Deadline! A minimum of six sources will be required. You will also need to give a short presentation on the findings of your paper. You are expected to find an interesting and unique way to present your findings to the class. Understand that I am very Internet savvy and I do check for plagiarism. Plagiarism is illegal and unethical! A paper with any degree of plagiarism will receive a grade of 0! (All research subjects must be cleared with me.)
Notebook
This is a collection of all your work in this course. You must keep all your work, neatly in this notebook, regardless of the previous grade received. The notebook is your study guide for the AP Exam. You need a 2-inch binder with seven dividers. Notebooks may be checked without warning, so it must be brought to class everyday. There will be a deduction for any missing work. All work must be dated and in chronological order.
Dividers must be properly labeled by each of the 7 units of study.
**Remember to keep a hard copy of everything you do. **
Group Presentations
You will be assigned to a group as we cover each chapter or unit. Groups will be given a topic on selected case studies from each chapter or unit in the book. Groups will be expected to find an interesting and unique way to present their findings to the class. This can be anything from a simple presentation using the board or audio-visual materials, to a game or short skit. Groups may utilize the assistance of the teacher or fellow classmates in their presentations. The use of audio-visual materials is highly encouraged. Late presentations will not be permitted! Groups will be given a specific day that their presentation is due and will vary in size and composition. Therefore you may not work with the same people all the time. Grades will be given individually, based on the individual contribution of each participant. For grading purposes, each person must have evidence of their participation.
Projects
Occasionally you will be given an assignment to complete, as homework, during class, or in one of the Computer Labs. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have a current and active school computer password. If you do not have an active password now, you need to register for one before or after school with-in a week of the start of class. Collaboration with other classmates will not help you learn the material and will be considered cheating, unless it is a group project. Projects are not accepted late and if you are on campus any part of the day a project is due, you are still responsible for turning in the project.
Class Discussion
It is critical that everyone participate in class discussions and class activities in order to get a variety of viewpoints on the subjects that we will be covering. Class discussions are an integral part of this course and every student is required to respond when questioned and encouraged to give input to class discussions.
Extra Credit-extra implies you have completed all work and will be completing above and beyond the scope of the assessments given during the course of a nine weeks. Each student will have ample assessment opportunities during each grading period. Therefore, extra credit is not necessary. Additionally, graded papers cannot be corrected by students and resubmitted for a higher grade.
Important information if you are Absent
You are responsible for the material discussed in class, this includes days you are absent. Bellringers and warm-ups may be excused, but quizzes and tests will not. Make-up tests are your responsibility. When you return remind me that you need a make-up test. Make-up tests will be different and have a different format than the original test.. It is your responsibility to pick up your assignments and turn in your work the day after you return from any absence. Being absent from class does not excuse you from doing the assignment. It is your responsibility to collect and complete missed assignments when you are absent.
EXTRA HELP AND COMMUNICATION
Course Grades will be posted on online and course information can always be found on my website. Tutoring time Mon., Tue., or Thursday after school.
Electronic devices-Put them away, they are not more important than your grade in AP Geography. Ms. Foster’s policies will be in effect regarding bring your own device. Your purse, backpack, etc must be on the floor during class, NOT on your desk or lap. Your hands must be visible and on your desk. AISD published BYOD policy will be followed.
Seven Simple Rules
I) Be on time each day. When the bell rings, you must be in your seat or well on your way. If you are standing around outside talking, you will be marked tardy.
II) You will be assigned a seat and will be expected to sit in that seat each day. If you are sitting in an unassigned seat, you may be marked absent.
III) Be prepared. Bring paper, pen or pencil and your notebook to class each day. You will not be permitted to go leave class or to another classroom to get your notebook or assignments once class has started.
IV) Do not bring food, drink, into the classroom. Let’s keep our school clean. It’s an issue of pride.
V) It is your responsibility to make sure that your assignments are completed and turned in on time.
VI) No one will be allowed to sleep (or put their head down) in class. If you have a health issue, please let me know. Your privacy will be completely respected.
VII) School rules will be adhered to strictly. You are expected to know them and follow them. Any variation will result in immediate disciplinary action.
Books
The textbooks for the course are:
Ethel Woods Review book
Human Geography-Fouberg, Murphy and DeBlij 11th Edition
Human Geography-Rubenstein, 9th edition
Optional
APHG review-5 steps to a 5, Barrons, etc.
APHG flash cards.
Additional materials needed:
70 page spiral or journal as a media journal
Colored pencils/markers
Student atlas
New to AP classes-FRQ AP Human Geography
1. What is the difference between an AP Class and a regular or Pre-AP class?
AP classes are taught to College Board standards. The course has much more rigor than a regular class and is based on a College Board approved curriculum for the course.
2. What is the AP contract?
The Alvin ISD AP contract explains the district expectations for AP and Pre-AP students and parents. The contract outlines the policy for dropping an AP class.
3. What is the grading scale for an AP course?’
Tests/projects-60%
Daily work (including quizzes)/homework-40%
Refer to the AISD AP contract regarding late work.
4. Will there be any projects?
Any projects are assigned and grading rubric distributed at the start of each academic unit along with due date. Most projects are individual projects, completed outside of class. Projects are not accepted late, if students are on campus any part of the day the project is due, they are expected to turn in the project.
5. What will help my child in class?
Read the book, make flash cards; reading the book supplements the lecture just like college classes. Phones have flash card apps that are very useful. Additionally, do not get behind with homework and projects as there is no late work.
6. What is the purpose of the AP test?
The AP test allows your student to gain college credit for the class. A score of 3, 4, or 5 depending on the college will give your student college credit.
7. What are the reading requirements?
Each unit is associated with chapters in the book, these correlations are found on the syllabus and on each units packet of work. It is important to read each chapter prior to class. Each unit has pre-reading pages assigned; those need to be completed and will be collected for a grade.
8. Is there a review book for the AP test?
The Princeton Review is one option and is available at any bookstore or online.
9. How is the AP test structured?
The AP test consists of two parts. This is a timed test-there are 75 multiple choice to complete in 60 minutes, and three Free Response Questions(FRQ’s) to answer in 75 minutes.
In general, the AP composite score points are set so that the lowest raw score needed to earn an AP Exam score of 5 is equivalent to the average score among college students earning grades of A in the college course. Similarly, AP Exam scores of 4 are equivalent to college grades of A–, B+, and B. AP Exam scores of 3 are equivalent to college grades of B–, C+, and C.