AP Human Geography Syllabus 2015-2016
brian.miller@lcps.org
Twitter: @sbhshumangeog
Vision: enrollment key: hokie
Texts:
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Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, 6th
edition (Knox)
Supplemental: The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to
Human Geography (Rubenstein)
Supplemental: Human Geography in Action (Kuby)
Supplemental: Why Geography Matters More than Ever (Blij)
**Recommended Review Text: AP Human Geography Crash Course ($13.00)
**Recommended Review App: IScore5 APHG ($4.99)
AP Course Demands:
It should be understood at the outset that the expectations for this course are consistent with those of any Advanced
Placement course. Students should expect a workload similar to what they would have if they were to complete this
course at the college level. This includes extensive reading, active involvement in class discussions, note taking,
research, and computer labs. One goal of this course is to prepare students to take the AP exam in May. Students who
receive a passing grade on the exam are eligible to receive credit for Human Geography on their college transcript.
What will the AP exam look like?
All AP courses end with a nationally standardized exam. Our exam is comprised of two parts: 75 multiple-choice
questions (60 minutes) and three Free-Response Questions (60 minutes). This year’s human geography exam will take
place on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 8:00am.
What is “human geography?”
Human geography is defined as the branch of geography that studies how human activity affects or is influenced by the
physical characteristics of Earth. Human geography touches upon each and every aspect of our daily lives and will
help forever change your understanding of the world around you.
Summer Assignment Due Dates:
Assignment
US Map Quiz
“Why Geography Matters”
Questions
Canada and Caribbean Maps Quiz
North and South American Maps
Quiz
Africa Map Quiz
Asia Map Quiz
Europe Map Quiz
A-Day
September 9
September 15
B-Day
September 10
September 16
September 17
September 23
September 18
September 24
October 1
October 7
October 14
October 2
October 8
October 15
Course Plan:
UNIT 1: Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives
- 3 weeks
UNIT 2: Population: population growth and migration
- 4 -5 weeks
UNIT 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes: folk and popular culture, language, religion, and ethnicity
- 9 weeks
UNIT 4: Political Organization of Space – how countries created, borders, political disputes, governments
- 3 weeks
UNIT 5: Agricultural and Rural Land Use
- 3 weeks
UNIT 6: Industrialization and Economic Development
- 3 weeks
UNIT 7: Cities and Urban Land Use
- 3 weeks
AP Exam Review - 2 weeks
Quarter Projects: Quarter projects are designed to introduce you to the various methods of research that are
conducted in geography as well as to explore particular topics in depth.
Grade Breakdown: Each unit will be followed by a unit test. These will be modeled after the AP exam in format
with multiple choice and free response questions. There will also be a cumulative midterm given at the end of first
semester as well as a cumulative final exam given at the end of the year.
Daily/weekly reading and writing homework assignments as well as quiz grades will be administered within each
unit. All assignments will be expected on the due date.
*Late Work: Late work is accepted. However, there may be a deduction of points, depending on the type of
assignment. This makes it extremely important for students to make sure that their late work is complete.
Computer, Internet, CD disk failures etc. are not excuses for work not turned in, or turned in late.
All work will be graded and returned in a timely fashion. In addition to quarterly report cards, students will receive a
progress report halfway between each quarter. Beyond these official reports, students may inquire into their grade at
any point. Students will be expected to do their own work on all assignments, including homework, unless directed
otherwise by the teacher. Cheating and copying will not be tolerated and action will be taken in conjunction with an
administrator for each infraction.
Re-teaching/Reassessment: There will be opportunities for re-teaching and reassessing on unit test. You will receive
the official policy regarding this practice.
Attendance and Make Up Work: Students are expected to attend school regularly to achieve academic success.
Requesting assignments upon returning to school and completing them in a prompt manner is the responsibility of
the student.
Expectations:
1. Read the textbook and extra articles as assigned.
2. Be in class on time and prepared, with assignments for that day completed.
3. Contribute to class discussions
4. Respect your classmates
5. Do your own work
You will get out of this class (as far as your grade, your interest, and enjoyment) what you put into it.
I will be available before and after school to help students in any way I can. Parents and students should feel free to
come see me or e-mail me with questions at any time.