Syllabus and Course Expectations 2014-2015: Advanced Placement Human Geography
Teacher:
Scott Appleby
appleby@skitsap.wednet.edu
Office 360-874-6223
AP Human Geography at our school is a yearlong course designed to meet or exceed the experience of an
introductory one-semester college Human Geography course. The purpose of the course is to utilize
geographic processes to systematically study and understand spatial patterns that are evident in the world in
which we live. Translated this means you will learn about where things are in the world and why they are
there. This is an Advanced Placement course: you will take the AP Human Geography Exam in May 2015.
Registration for the exam occurs early 2nd semester.
For most of you, this is your first AP course and it is natural to have doubt if you are ready to take an AP
course. Most students who take the course do very well on the exam. However you will likely work
harder in this course than you have in the past. Homework will be given each night, and we move at
a college-level pace. That may cause some stress, especially early in the year, until your child gets
accustomed to the expectations of this course.
Course Academic Materials
The main text for the course will be The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography (11th
edition 2014) by James M RubensteinAdditional case studies, readings from current resources, films, aerial
photos and field study work will supplement the text. Many videos are from the Power of Place: Geography
for the 21st Century video series.
Organization of Course
Students in this course will meet every day for 50 minute block period. Students in this course will use
interactive notebooks as an organizational and learning tool for the course. Notebooks will include
activities, vocabulary, key concepts and questions for each unit and will be turned in the day of each unit
exam. In addition there will be regular reading quizzes, key vocabulary work and study guide questions that
should be completed. Unit exams will include a 35-45 minute timed multiple-choice exam followed by a
45-minute free response exam that usually involves answering two essay questions. Each unit also includes
a Socratic discussion. Each semester the course includes a field study. First semester field study is the
summer projectto establish a sense of place and an understanding of the concepts of urban geography. The
second trip will be to the Kitsap mall to apply regionalization and cultural landscape principles. Second
semester students participate in a full day urban field study that helps students synthesize concepts from
many units (population, economic, culture and urban). At this time all field trips are tenative.
Purpose of the Course
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 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.
Goals of Course
On successful completion of the course, students should have developed skills that enable them to:
 Use and think about maps and spatial data.
 Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places.
 Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes.
 Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process.


Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.
Additional academic development goals include:
 Improved analytical reading and writing skills.
 Improved foundation for success in future secondary and collegiate course work.
 Introduction to college level reasoning and content.
 Understand the relationship between sustained, focused academic work ethic and
academic success.
 Students who score high enough on the College Board AP Exam may be eligible for
college credit.
Major Topics of study include:







Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives
Population
Cultural Patterns and Processes
Political Organization of Space
Agriculture and Rural Land Use
Industrialization and Economic Development
Cities and Urban Land Use
School Materials each student should have:



3-5 subject spiral notebook –
recommend 8.5 x 11 size paper
Colored Pencils
Note card metal ring




300 notecards (3 x 5)
Highlighters (3 colors)
Pens and pencils
Glue Sticks




Computer Access
Textbook (issued by me)
Work ethic!!
Willingness to study and read!
Grades
Grades are an important part of any course but are of particular importance in an AP course because it will
closely reflect your ability to complete advanced course work. I will use a total points methodology to
determine your grade in this class. Points will be roughly divided based on the following percentages. MC
exams 35%, FRQ essays 35%, all other work in class including (notebook / homework, in class work,
projects, reading quizzes and activities) 30%.
Academic Workshop
This course is rigoures and for this reason I will be having extended school days. The time will be from
2:50 until 4:00. The academic workshop will be for clarification of the day's lesson or that night's
homework, make up tests, and grade saving. Students who choose to attend are required to be in the class
room by 2:50.
Late Work
Any late work (including work turned in after an unexcused absence) will be accepted but for a
substantially reduced grade for that assignment. You may turn in late homework the day after the
assignment is due for a 50% reduction in points. After then, late homework will be given a grade of 1
“completion” point. For students who turn in all of their work I will adjust their grade to reflect their
average performance on unit and final exams if it is higher than their current grade. This will only occur at
the end of the semester. If you want to stay eligible and have a good grade, do your work on time and do it
well!!
Attendance:
If you are absent, it will be your responsibility to find out what you missed during class by reading the
syllabus for the unit. For any assignment that was due the day you had an excused absence, please write
“Absent” on it and hand it to me the first day you return to class. Unit exams will be announced long
before they are given; if you are absent for the class immediately before an exam is given, you will still
take the exam with the rest of the class. If you have a planned extended absence please talk to me well in
advance so a plan can be developed for your work. Students who are absent on an exam day need to
consider the following. Most unit tests receive a bonus 10% add on. If you are absent on the day of an
exam you will not receive the 10% bonus for the exam. In addition you must make up the test the day you
return to school during the extended portion of the day 2:45 until 4:00. You may take the test early if you
notify me and still get the 10% bonus.
Tardies:
MWJH school policy will be enforced. If you have an unexcused tardy and miss a quiz or assignment it
will be considered late.
Written Work:
You will be assessed for spelling and grammar – as well as for content – in all homework assignments. In
any project requiring you to identify your sources, you will be expected to follow the MLA citation format.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated and when in doubt cite. All work in this class is expected to be completed
by you, no exceptions.
Extra Credit:
There is limited extra credit in this course but will only be given credit if all other assignments are
completed. If you do not turn in your assignments extra credit points will be rescinded or taken away. The
most common extra credit is windshield geography and test-corrections, which will be explained in class.
Behavior:
The classroom pledge way (see my wall) is a good guide for behavior in this class. I do expect everyone to
respect each other and the academic environment of our class. Come prepared and ready to learn. We will
work hard but also have fun learning together. If you need help come see me and we can work together for
your success.