AP Human Geography
Coach Williams
Fall Semester 2015
williamsmt@fultonschools.org
770-740-7000
http://coachwilliamsworld.wordpress.com/
Classroom Expectations
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Be Courteous! Use your manners at all times! Be positive! Keep it ‘G’ rated!
Be Respectful! Teachers, staff members, and other students should be treated with respect if you want to be treated
with respect.
Be Focused! Concentrate on what is going on in THIS class; do NOT pull out other classwork without permission.
Please don’t sleep in class.
Come Prepared! Bring your materials and your textbook each day, NO EXCUSES!
Be on Time! 4 tardies = detention
No Electronics in use without permission! NO PHONES DURING CLASS!
Course Description
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 the Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and
landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the
methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_humangeo.html?humangeo
The aim of this AP course is to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college
introductory human geography courses. Therefore there is a heavy emphasis on the development of reading, writing, and
critical thinking skills. In addition, and as a constant point of emphasis, this class will prepare students to take the AP Human
Geography exam. To aid the preparation for the AP test, the course will be divided into seven topic areas: 1. Geography: Its
Nature and Perspectives, 2. Population, 3. Cultural Patterns and Processes, 4. Political Organization of Space, 5. Agricultural
and Rural Land Use, 6. Industrialization and Development, and 7. Cities and Urban Land Use.
Fall Semester Schedule
Topic
Multiple Choice Coverage
on AP Exam
Readings
Time
I. Geography: It’s Nature &
Perspectives
5-10%
Fellman, Ch 1
Rubenstein, Ch 1
3-4 weeks
II. Population
13-17%
Fellman, Ch 3-4
5-6 weeks
III. Cultural Patterns &
Processes
13-17%
Fellman, Ch 2, 5-7
6 weeks
Semester final exam
Grading Scale
• Daily work
• Quizzes
• Performance Tasks
• Unit Tests
• Final Exam
Textbook Info
Includes Units I-III
10%
15%
25%
35%
15%
Week of Finals
Materials Needed for Class
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3–ring binder just for this class!
Dividers labeled for each unit (1-7)
Notebook paper
Pencils & Pens
Highlighters, colored pencils, or markers
 Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities, Fellman, Getis and Getis, 9 th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.
Additional Textbooks (used to prepare lectures)
 Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, Knox and Marston
 De Blij, H.J., & Alexander B. Murphy. Human Geography: Culture, Society, and Space. 7th ed. New York: John Wiley,
2003.
 The Human Mosaic: A thematic Introduction to Cultural Geography, Jordan & Domosh
 An Introduction to Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape, Rubenstein
 AP Human Geography: A Study Guide 3rd Edition
Assessments
This is a college course, and as such, grading will be strict. Test grades tend to be an indicator of how well you can expect to
perform on the AP Exam. Each unit will have a test modeled on the AP Exam. Unit tests will be over a two day period and
will consist of a multiple choice exam as well as FRQs (Free-Response Questions). Reviews for tests will be held in class as
well as study sessions by appointment. After the tests, there will be morning & afternoon sessions to go over the test.
There will be short quizzes over vocabulary each Friday as well as a map quiz every other Monday. You will also have short
term & extensive projects in selected units. Please refer to class calendars for dates.
National AP Exam
You will take the national Advanced Placement Exam on Friday May 13, 2016. It will be structured as follows:
 75 multiple choice questions in a 60-minute section
 3 free response questions in a 75 minute section
Milton Honor Code
“I understand that academic integrity creates a strong academic and ethical environment at Milton High School. I pledge that I
will be personally responsible for upholding the values of academic integrity by being honest and not tolerating academic
dishonesty.”
Honor Code Violations
In accordance with Fulton County School Board Policy JCD, when a student is suspected of cheating the following must
happen:
a. The teacher will notify the appropriate administrator.
b. The administrator will thoroughly investigate the incident in a timely manner.
c. The student’s parents will be notified.
d. If the student is found guilty of violating the honor code, the student will either have to repeat the assignment,
receive a zero, or have other administrative consequences.
e. Honor Code violations may result in an entry on the student’s permanent disciplinary record.
Honor Code violations can be issued for, but are not limited to, the following incidents:
 copying or "borrowing" from another source and submitting it as one's own work
 seeking or accepting unauthorized assistance on tests, projects or other assignments
 altering or forging grades, grade books, progress reports, report cards or other academic records
 fabricating data, signatures or resources
 providing or receiving test questions in advance without permission
 working collaboratively with other students when individual work is expected
 using technology in a manner that gives unauthorized assistance
Social Studies Dept. Testing Protocols
When students are being evaluated for a grade during class times, all students will put cell phones and any other mobile devices
in their backpacks and the backpacks will be placed against the walls away from the students for the entire class time. If a student
refuses to cooperate with this policy, is found at any time during the class to have the mobile device out, or cheats in any other
way, the student will be referred to the principal for disciplinary action.
Late Work
Assignments turned in late will receive points off the grade. This includes reasons such as computer/printer problems, work
schedules, last minute conflicts, etc. For each day late, 10% of maximum points possible will be deducted from earned grade
for a maximum of 5 school days. On the 6th day, the grade becomes a zero. This rule may be relaxed due to extended illness
and/or extenuating circumstances that will be determined on a case by case basis by the teacher.
Make-Up Work
Make-up work is the responsibility of the STUDENT. It is the student’s responsibility to remember to schedule make-up work
with the teacher according to the timeframe explained below. Grades for missed assignments will be entered as a 0 in the
grade program until the assignment is made up.
If your absence is excused, you have the same number of days to make up your work (including tests & quizzes) as the number
of days that you missed. For example, if you missed three days, you have three days to turn in your make-up work (or take
your test or quiz). If you do not meet this time frame, you will not receive credit for the work.
If your absence is unexcused, you have the same number of days to make up your work as the number of days that you
missed. However, the grade you earn on any make-up work will be reduced by 10 %. Work for unexcused absences submitted
after this timeline will not be accepted.
This make up policy may be amended due to unusual circumstances as determined by the teacher.
Recovery Policy
“Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative 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. 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.” An application for
recovery must be submitted to the teacher before recovery can be attempted.
Teacher Availability: Please do not hesitate to contact me at any point during the semester with your questions or concerns.
The best way to get in touch with me is via email (williamsmt@fultonschools.org). I am available in the morning by
appointment for students or parents. Appointments can be scheduled for help sessions, make up exams, private detentions
and conferences, just talk to me. Students, please drop by if you are confused or concerned about anything so we can remedy
the situation before it becomes a problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please read over this syllabus carefully. Both students and parents please sign and date on the lines below. Please return this
sheet to Coach Williams NO LATER than August 14, 2015; keep your syllabus in your AP Human Geography binder throughout
the year. Your signature below indicates that you have read the class syllabus for AP Human Geography and are aware of class
policies, course requirements, grading policies and teacher contact information.
Again, please feel free to contact me at any time with your questions, comments and concerns. I look forward to working
with both parents and students to make this year successful.
Matt Williams
Williamsmt@fultonschools.org
Student: (please print clearly)
Class Period:
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Parent/Guardian Signature:
Email (main form of communication):
Phone: (cell or home)
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