AP Human Geography
2015 Fall Semester
Course Syllabus
Copeland, Clifton
Course Overview
AP Human Geography is a semester-long course that focuses on the distribution, processes and effects of human
populations on the planet. Units/areas of study include: population, migration, culture, language, religion, ethnicity,
political geography, economic development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography. The field of Human
Geography focuses on how people make places, how we organize space and society, how we interact with each
other in places and across space, and how we make sense of others and ourselves in our localities, regions and the
world.
Course Objectives
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Students will be involved in asking geographical questions, acquiring geographical information, organizing
geographical information, analyzing geographical information and answering geographical questions
In order to achieve the above, students will 1) use and think about maps and spatial data. Geography is
fundamentally concerned with the ways in which patterns on Earth’s surface reflect and influence physical
and human processes, 2) understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places.
Geography looks at the world from a spatial perspective – seeking to understand the changing spatial
organization and material character of Earth’s surface, and 3) recognize and interpret at different scales the
relationships among patterns and processes. Geographical analysis requires a sensitivity to scale – not just as
a spatial category but as a framework for understanding how events and processes at different scales
influence one another. (AP Human Geography Course Description)
Texts, Study Materials and Websites
Texts

The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography, by James M. Rubenstein
(9th ed., 2007)
 Supplemental Workbook – Human Geography In Action, by Michael Kuby (2007)
Class Set will stay in Room 311
Websites
 Teacher’s Blog
 Rubenstein Companion Website, http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_rubenstein_humangeo_8/0,9140,1362726,00.html
 Human Geography in Action Student Companion Website
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0471701211&bcsId=3206
 Power of Place Video Streaming/Program Descriptions
http://www.learner.org/resources/series180.html#
 AP Central – Human Geography
http://collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_humangeo.html?humangeo
 Earthpoint
www.theearthpoint.com
Suggested Readings/Study Materials
Barron’s AP Human Geography Prep Guide*
(Will assist you in vocab quiz preparation, test preparation and AP Exam Preparation)
Necessary Supplies
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Dedicated section in binder or separate binder (minimum 2 inches). Students should be prepared to
organize their notebook by unit to include vocab lists, lecture notes, in-class activities, and supplemental
readings.
Colored Pencils, ink pens (more than one color), pencils and highlighters. These are necessary for the
completion of various maps, note-taking, and test-taking (Scantron & free response).
Notebook paper (college-ruled/lined). Students will be engaged in note-taking for at least part of every
class meeting.
Computer/printer access. While having this access at home is most beneficial, students without it are
required to find alternative avenues. Websites above, especially the teacher’s blog will need to be visited
daily. Suggestions: media center (before/after school or during lunch), friend/neighbor’s house, teacher’s
classroom (before school – clear time with teacher beforehand).
Flash Drive. Needed for projects, assessments.
Agenda/Calendar. You will have multiple due dates per week to remember. It is your responsibility to
keep up when things are due.
Classroom Expectations
1. Daily Attendance. Due to the fact that we are completing a college-level course in the span of a high school
semester on block scheduling, you can imagine the pace by which we must cover the necessary material.
Therefore, your attendance in this class is imperative. Please do not schedule any appointments of any kind
that will keep you absent from class. Also, you are required to adhere to the school-established tardy policy.
2. Make-Up Work and Assignment Completion. All missed assignments and notes can be found on my blog.
It is your responsibility, as an AP student, to obtain those notes on your own time. All assignments are due at
the beginning of the period on the due-date given. Late work will be given a maximum grade, prior to
normal grading deductions, of 70% of the maximum point value of the assignment. NO late work will be
accepted after the unit test following the unit in which the assignment was given. Late work is to be
placed in the designated drawer for your class. Late work is collected from the drawer each day and
stamped at 330 PM each day. Make-up tests and quizzes must be made up during the allotted time for
Social Studies Department make-ups which are held on Wednesday mornings (715-800) and Thursday
afternoons (330-430) in a location TBD. You have five school days to make up any missed quizzes and
tests.
3. Nightly/Daily Reading. Your understanding of vocabulary and concepts in this course is vital to your
success. Therefore, it is required that you spend some time each night reading the necessary, assigned
passages and preparing for class the following day. Do not expect many free nights or weekends without
some reading and/or class preparations. Assigned readings will come from the aforementioned texts and
article compilations.
4. Zero Tolerance for Cheating. Cheating is an act of cowardice and convenience and will not be tolerated in
any fashion. AP classes frequently require increased personal integrity of students that are asked to
complete take-home exams or write papers. Cheating offenses will be investigated to the fullest extent and
those found guilty will receive a zero for the assignment and an unsatisfactory in conduct for the semester.
5. Collaborate with your Classmates. You are one of many brilliant minds in this class. Use the resources that
you have been provided with. Suggestion: find a study buddy, if not multiple study buddies.
6. Respect. We will often have very lively, mature, academic discussions in this class. Many topics and
opinions will be addressed that you may or may not agree with. I ask that you respect the opinions of others
and they, in return, will respect yours. Participate in this college-level class like mature college-equivalent
students.
Classroom Rights/Regulations.
1. Be Honest, be on time, use appropriate language and …
2. You will be allowed to eat or drink and…
3. Use the pass to go to the restroom or wherever it is that you are going.
Advanced Placement, the College Board and the APHG Exam
The Advanced Placement Program® is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and
colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the Program has provided motivated high school students with
the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the program not
only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school.
(College Board, AP Central)
In May 2001, 3,272 trail-blazing students took the very first exam in AP Human Geography. Last year, over 160,000
students took part in the AP Human Geography Exam. The course has become the most popular AP course offered in
social studies. We had a record number of students participate in the exam in the 2013-14 school year.
The exam covers a one-semester introductory college course in human geography. The exam is conducted as
follows:
% of Grade Number of Questions Minutes Allotted
Section I
50
Section II
50
75
3 Essays
60
75
AP Human Geography Exam will be conducted on Friday, May 13 @ 8AM at Harrison HS
***It is expected that all class participants take the AP Exam and represent yourself, your instructor and your school in a
positive fashion.
Course Outline/Units
Unit I
Unit II
Unit III
Unit IV
Unit V
Unit VI
Unit VII
Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives
Population and Migration
Cultural Patterns and Processes
Political Organization of Space
Agricultural and Rural Land Use
Industrial and Economic Development
Cities and Urban Land Use
Grading
Unit Tests (FRQs and MCQs)
Vocabulary Quizzes
SLO (Student Learning Objective) Assessment
Map Quizzes
Projects
Midterm
Enrichment Activities
STATE Portfolio
35%
20%
10%
7%
8%
8%
5%
7%
*** Each unit of study will be followed by a unit test/assessment that includes concept application/multiple choice objective questions and free
response questions.
Facilitator Teaching Assignments and Contact Information
Schedule
1st
AP Human Geography
Advisement ( Tues/Fri)
2nd
Planning
3rd
World Literature
4th
World Literature
Room 116
Room 116
Room 116
Room 116
Room 116
A HOYA is ROCK SOLID
Room 116
Contact Information:
Julie.Clifton@cobbk12.org
678-594-8104
APHG Acknowledgement Form
FOR THE STUDENT:
I have received the APHG Syllabus for the fall semester of the 2015-16 school year. I have
also reviewed/read the APHG Course Syllabus and understand the requirements for
APHG in regards to course calendar, assignments, expectations, academic
honesty/dishonesty, make-up work policy and any other information included in the
syllabus. Please detach this form after completion and turn in to your teacher.
Name of Student: ______________________________________
Student Signature: _______________________________________________________
Student e-mail account: ___________________________________________________