Dr. McCuskey
Advanced Placement Human Geography
Fall 2008 - Room H119
Chattahoochee High School (770) 521-7600, ext. 167
mccuskey@fulton.k12.ga.us
Texts:
Human Geography, Fellmann, Getis and Getis
Collapse, Jared Diamond (paperback to be purchased)
Other readings as assigned
Required Supplies:
Three-ring binder for ancillary materials, chapter review notes, map exercises, etc.
3 x 5 cards for vocabulary
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study of patterns and processes that have
influenced human use, understanding, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. A global perspective
is critical for understanding population dynamics, growth, and movement; cultural patterns and
processes; the political organization of space; agricultural and urban land use; as well as
industrialization and economic development across the globe. Human Geography is a college
course which uses a college level text and has college level expectations. Critical thinking and
excellent writing skills required.
Assignments will include reading from the Fellmann textbook, Diamond’s book, and other
readings as appropriate. Reading assignments, projects, quizzes and chapter test dates are
provided several weeks in advance of the due date, therefore, if a student is absent one day, he or
she is expected to keep up with all assignments. In compliance with the College Board Advanced
Placement Program, a comprehensive course description is attached.
AP Human Geography requires preparation of critical-thinking essays which will be evaluated for
organization, grammar, and content. Please keep in mind that Advanced Placement Exams are
given May 4 - 15, 2009. We will have practice exams in addition to in-class review. The score
on the AP exam is reported to the high school and to the student’s college but will not be a
component of a student’s grade. Doing well in the AP class is your best strategy for doing well
on the AP exam.
Grades
Grades will be determined by the following categories and percentages:
Major Grades (includes chapter tests)
65%
Quizzes
20%
Comprehensive Final Project
15%
Tests and essays count as major grades.
Occasionally, an assignment will count as two or three quiz grades.
Fulton County Grading Scale:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
F
below 70
Attendance
 Be on time and in your seat, ready to work, when the bell rings.
 Tell me in advance when you are going to miss a class for music lessons, guidance
appointments, etc. It is your responsibility to turn in any assignments due and find out about
what you missed.
 If you are absent, you are expected to make up assignments according to the CHS Make-Up
Work policy (CHS Student Handbook, p. 7). Exchange phone numbers with a classmate so
that you can find out about work you missed.
Tardy Policy
In all Chattahoochee classrooms, instruction occurs from bell to bell. If a student is not in class
before the tardy bell rings, a Tardy Pass or Check-in Pass will be required in order to enter class.
This policy is designed to encourage prompt arrival to class in order to minimize disturbances
that occur when students arrive late. Tardiness to class will be tracked by the Administration on a
weekly basis, and they may result in disciplinary consequences as shown below. Excessive
tardiness to the same class over the duration of the semester may also initiate an administrator’s
response. A class cut occurs when a student is absent from class for more than 10 minutes
without having permission from their assigned teacher or authorization from the office to do so.
Students will not be admitted into any class without a Tardy Machine Pass, Teacher Pass or
Check-in Pass.
Supplies
Each day, you must come prepared with the following:
3-ring binder, with paper
Textbook
Pen, pencil, and highlighter
Chattahoochee agenda book
Text
You will receive a copy of our text book. When you bring your textbook to school, it must be
covered. Our text is:
Fellmann, Getis, Getis, Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities, 9th edition,
McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., New York, New York, 2007.
-other readings will be assigned to supplement the text
Students are financially responsible for all books issued by CHS. Textbooks may not be left in
classrooms and teachers are not responsible for the whereabouts of your book. The copy that was
issued must be turned in at the end of the course. You will not receive credit for turning in
another student’s book and may not turn in replacement books. The cost of replacement ($82.50)
will be assessed to any student that fails to turn in the book they were issued or turns in a
damaged book.
Grades
I am here to support you in doing well in class. Assignments and learning activities are designed
to help you to do your best. If you skip assignments, take shortcuts, or do them half-heartedly,
you will jeopardize your own success. I will make myself available to help you when you need it.
You must take the initiative in showing up and asking for help! The grade you earn is the grade
you receive. A grade is just one measure of your success in the course. Your ultimate goal
should be to do your best and enjoy it!
Your grade will be based upon tests, quizzes, homework assignments, projects, and classroom
performance. Report card grades will be determined by the following categories and percentages:
Major Grades (unit tests and projects)
65%
Quizzes
20%
Comprehensive Final Project
15%
Fulton County Grading Scale
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
F
below 70
Tests
Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will count as 65 percent of your grade. Each test
will typically be formatted similarly to an AP exam, using a combination of multiple-choice and
free response questions.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be given regularly and may consist of AP-style questions, free response questions,
on-demand tasks (activity graded as a quiz). Quizzes will make up 20you’re your grade. Your
participation in class is vital to your success and that of other students; be alert and speak up
during discussions!
Participation
Participation includes each of the following:
being prepared and on time for class
volunteering to answer questions and participating in classroom discussion
taking an active role in learning activities and cooperative lessons
being exclusively focused on classroom activity and staying on task
showing respect for all members of the classroom community
Projects
Periodically you will be assigned a special project that will center on our current topic. This is
your chance to shine and to show your unique talents.
Plagiarism/Cheating
Plagiarism includes copying any portion of another’s work, his thoughts or words, without
correctly citing and/or quoting the information. Papers are often scanned to check for internet
plagiarism. Cheating includes giving and receiving answers or information on any assignment not
deemed as group work. Both of these offenses will result in a zero for the assignment and negate
any chances of recovery.
How to Succeed in AP Human Geography
*Have a positive attitude.
*Take excellent notes.
*Complete all homework and class work.
*Study for tests.
*Ask questions when you don’t understand.
*Avoid unacceptable behavior.
*Pay attention to the important stuff!
*Be prepared for surprises (quizzes).
*Turn in all projects on time.
*Come get extra help when you need it!
*Participate! Do not be a spectator. Raise your hand and have something to say!
FULTON COUNTY RECOVERY POLICY (High School version)
Provision for Improving Grades
1.
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing grade will be
allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has
demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.
2.
Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are
expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during
the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be
completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.
3.
Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may
improve their grades.
CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL RECOVERY GUIDELINES:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2)
major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70%. There will
be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assessment. The individual teacher will
determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE RECOVERY
PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR
ASSESSMENT.
Best wishes for a fun-filled and successful year!
Dr. McCuskey
Student Name (print) ______________________________ Date______________
AP Human Geography, period ____
Student Section
I have read and understand the Course Requirements Sheet.
Student Signature
X____________________________________________
Parent or Guardian Section
My child has shown me the Course Requirements sheet for AP Human Geography. I have
reviewed it and have discussed its provisions with my child. I am aware that I may contact
Dr. McCuskey with questions at any time and that the best way to initiate contact is to e-mail
Dr. McCuskey at mccuskey@fulton.k12.ga.us.
Parent/Guardian’s Signature
X____________________________________________
So that Dr. McCuskey may contact me/us regarding my/our child’s progress…
Parent/ Guardian’s Name
____________________________________________________________
My E-mail Address:
___________________________________________________________________________
My Home Phone:
Phone:
My Work Phone:
_______________
_______________
My Mobile
_______________
Parent/ Guardian’s Name
____________________________________________________________
My E-mail Address:
___________________________________________________________________________
My Home Phone:
Phone:
My Work Phone:
_______________
_______________
My Mobile
_______________
Student: Return only this section to me no later than Friday, August 15. Thank you!