AP Human Geography Syllabus
2014-2015
Mrs. Pamela Stephens
pstephe3@houstonisd.org
S225
Resources:
 Textbook: Human Geography, People, Place and Culture, by DeBlij, Murphy, and Fouberg
Supplies
 Three Ring Binder (1-1½in) with 5 tab dividers
 Pen/Pencil (no preference)
 Graph Paper
 Map Pencils
 Notebook Paper
 Brain
Course Description/Objectives
AP Human Geography, as defined by Harm De Blij (the guy who wrote your textbook) as how we make places, how we organize
society, how we interact with each other in places across space, and how we make sense of ourselves and others in our locality, region
and world. Confused? Good, that means that this course is for you. Simply put, Human Geography is the study of people and places.
Our study for the year will be divided up topically, starting with:
1.
2.
3.1.
3.2.
4.
5.1.
5.2.
6.
Geography, its nature and perspectives
Population & Migration
Culture: Patterns and Processes
Culture: Identity, Religion & Language
Political Organization of Space
Urbanology
Agricultural and Rural Land Use
Economic Development & Environmental Impact
The ultimate objective of any AP course is to take and excel at the AP Human Geography exam, which will be administered on
Friday, May 15, 2015.
A note on Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement courses are approved and administrated by the AP College board. Every AP class is not “like” a college course, it
IS a college course. As such, the topics discussed will be on a very advanced scale due to the fact that earning a good score on the AP
exam will allow this course to be counted as college credit. This is my version of “Pirates, ye be warned”, except it is “Students, ye be
warned”. This is a very advanced course and as such, the most common grade for an AP class is a mid to low “B”. The
second most common is a high “C”. You will have to work hard to excel
Classroom Expectations:
1. RESPECT: I hold this quality at the highest of expectations in my classroom. In order for this classroom to be as successful
as possible, we all must respect one another. I, as your teacher, will show you the same respect I expect to be shown.
Students will be expected to be respectful to everyone and everything in my classroom. This is includes but is not limited to:
me, other students, themselves, school property, school rules, etc…
2. Preparation: This includes being on time to class with your appropriate materials and assigned work. I also expect students to
come to class prepared to participate in the lesson.
3. Honesty and Integrity: I have a NO TOLERANCE policy on cheating or plagiarism. If a student is caught cheating on any
assignment, they will receive a zero on the assignment and their parent will be notified of the situation via phone call.
Remember, your integrity is one of your most prized possessions and it is not worth compromising over a few extra
points.
4. 100% Effort: As your teacher, I give 100% to teaching and preparing you in the classroom to the best of my ability; therefore,
I expect the same from you. Come to class prepared to work and participate. I want an open, interactive classroom, where
we can discuss and investigate things together. Therefore, in order for this to be successful, you must do your part. This
includes completing assigned readings BEFORE class so that you can actively participate in discussions and activities, as
well as actively participating and contributing during group work assignments.
Classroom Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Be on time and prepared for class.
Raise your hand to speak—do not speak without permission!
All students must be in their seats when the bell rings before the class is dismissed.
100% Participation!! Do your BEST!
NO PUT DOWNS! Everyone’s opinion in class matters. ESPECIALLY YOURS!
Be RESPECTFUL at all times.
Grading Policy
A school wide grading policy will be in effect this year. The policy is as follows:
 Major Grades: 60%
Daily Grades: 40%
Retake Policy
Students may retake any Major Grade if they receive less than a 75. In order to qualify for the retake, students must:
 Attend a tutorial session to review material
 Complete all related or missing assignments
Policies and Procedures: All Westside High School policies and procedures will be followed and enforced in the classroom.
1. Arrival: Arrive to class on time with all supplies every day. Take care of all errands before class begins, this includes using the
restroom. Any student walking in after the bell will be marked tardy and be subject to the WHS tardy policy. Restroom policy will
be discussed in class.
2. Beginning Procedures:
 Warm-Up Activity: The daily warm-up will be up on the board OR be on the table as you enter. All Warm-Up assignments
will be kept in the student binder. These will be collected on a regular basis for a daily grade. Every Warm-Up must be
labeled with the correct date it was assigned. This is an easy daily grade- so take advantage of it!
3. Class Time: Students will remain seated at their desks during instruction time unless given permission by the teacher to do
otherwise. This procedure applies to all of the following incidents. Just use some common sense!
 Throwing trash away
 Sharpening your pencil
 Obtaining supplies for projects
4. Absences: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up all missed work.
 Make-Up Folder: Upon returning to class after an absence, all of your assignments will be in the Make-Up Folder with your
name and instructions on them. You must pick these up the day you return and complete any missed assignment within three
school days. You are also responsible for any notes you missed, you need to ask a classmate for the notes.
 Missed Tests: All missed tests must be made up within one week of your return to school. Make arrangements with me to
take a make up tests before or after school or during lunch. Failure to make up a test will result in a zero.
5. Tutoring: I will post the official tutorial times in class. But, tutorials are always available “by appointment” (meaning, just ask me
ahead of time so I know to be available)
6. Electronics: NO Cell Phones, IPODS, CD Players, Radios, etc… in class. They will be taken, and Westside policy will be
followed.
I am really looking forward to a fun and successful year in this class. I am genuinely excited to be teaching one of my FAVORITE
subjects and I feel strongly that a strong Social Studies education is essential for everyone! This will be a group effort, meaning we will
all work together to learn and achieve in this classroom. I have very high expectations for each and every one of you, which should be
taken as a compliment! With that said, please remember that your success is my primary goal this semester, so if you need anything or
have any questions ALWAYS ask. I look forward to a great year!
I have read and discussed syllabus with my parents/guardians, and understand all policies, procedures, and the grading
system of Mrs. Stephens’ classroom. (this link can be found on my lesson plan site, so you do not have to type this huge
URL) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Vy8xj8BOmprUr1Sur8Ru6EJeKdaEWimH2_amFjsYpt0/viewform?usp=send_form