AP Human Geography
Denise Hartley
Course Syllabus
2016- 2017
(770) 888-3470 Ext 333006
dhartley@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Course Introduction
This year-long, one credit elective course conforms to the College Board topics for the Advanced
Placement Human Geography examination. It introduces students to the patterns and processes that have
shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Topics covered include Basic
Geography Concepts, Population, Cultural Processes, Cities and Urban Land Use, Industrialization and
Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, and the Political Use of Space. Click on the
following link to view the topic outline, as well as sample multiple choice and essay questions.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-human-geography-course-description.pdf
The course curriculum is organized around the themes that will allow students to:
1. use and think about maps & spatial data.
2. understand & interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places.
3. recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes.
4. define regions and evaluate the regionalization process.
5. characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.
Students will take the College Board AP Human Geography exam upon the completion of this course on
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 8 AM. The cost of one exam is $92. Most colleges will give a 1-semester credit
or 3 credit hours for a 3 or 4, whereas a 5 may gain two semesters credit or 6 credit hours in Geography.
Course Materials
Rubenstein, James M. An Introduction to Human Geography. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. 2011.
This book will be provided to you on the first day of class. However, please note that significant
outside reading and assignments should be anticipated as part of the course. Students are expected
to refer to itslearning on a daily basis for additional readings.
Student Study Guide and Supplies
We will be using the following study guide throughout the course, particularly for our vocabulary. Students
can obtain a copy through the publishers or other suppliers such as Amazon. The Media Center at WFHS
has a very limited number of copies available to check out. I have a small number of new copies for sale,
and rising 10th graders have used copies available for sale.
Wood, Ethel AP Human Geography: A Study Guide. 3 rd Edition, Reading, Pennsylvania: WoodYard
Publications. 2012.
You will also need:
Large 3-ring binder
Loose-leaf notebook paper
Highlighters
10 dividers with tabs
Blue or black pen, #2 pencils
Flash drive
Summer Assignment for 2016
This is an invaluable way of introducing you to human geography! This is a mandatory assignment due the
first week of school. Students should obtain a copy of the following book:
Marshall, Tim. Prisoners of Geography, Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World. 1230 Avenue of
the Americas, New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc. 2015
Read the entire book: you are expected to be familiar with the entire content.
Choose four chapters that you found most interesting and write at least 250 words for each chapter as follows:
i.
From studying the map at the beginning of the chapter, what have you learned about that region?
ii.
Summarize the chapter’s main points. From reading the chapter, what have you learned about the
region that you didn’t know before?
iii.
Why do you think this information is important to your understanding of our world?
AP Human Geography
Denise Hartley
Course Syllabus
2016- 2017
(770) 888-3470 Ext 333006
dhartley@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Course Organization
Students are to maintain, by unit, all assignments, handouts, notes, etc., in a binder that must be brought to
class every day.
Vocabulary is an important element of this course. Students are encouraged to create flashcards of
vocabulary either by hand, using index cards, or virtually via a site, such as
http://www.flashcardexchange.com. However, flashcards can be purchased online or at a bookstore.
Announced formative checkups will be given over sections of the Rubenstein text. Students may use their
own constructed chapter outlines, as well as class notes, to assist them with these formative checkups as
they are in the format of AP multiple choice questions.
Units will last from three to five weeks, and each unit will have its own specific test, typically including a
50 AP-style Multiple Choice test and an two free response questions (FRQs). Tests are limited to one class
period with no extra time given. Students will be given 25 minutes to complete each FRQ.
Some units may also include additional projects and assignments designed so that students can examine
how the principles of Human Geography apply to their lives, and as references for specific historical
examples of topics addressed in class.
Classroom Expectations
Have all materials needed for class.
Bottled water is permissible in the classroom.
Be on time. Unexcused tardies will result in lunch detention and ISS.
Keep track of assignments by referring to itslearning.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your missed assignments.
Failure to complete any missed work will result in a zero after five calendar days.
If you are absent when an assignment was to be submitted, it is due the day you return.
Cell phones, laptops, and iPads are allowed only if permission is granted by the instructor. However, a
BYOT form must be completed before such devices can be used in class.
Misuse of Technology Consequences: 1st: Warning; 2nd- Email/phone call home and teacher will keep
cell phone until end of class, and 3rd- Discipline referral for insubordination.
Late Work
Some assignments may be accepted late, but only up to two days past the due date. This does not apply
to assignments that were to be submitted on a day when you were absent.
If an assignment is submitted a day late, the grade will be reduced by 25%.
If the assignment is two days late, the grade will be reduced by 50%.
Grading
Please remember that this is a college-level course and will be both challenging and demanding.
Multipliers of items will differ (.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0) based on level of assignment/effort.
Nine-Week Grading Policy
Tests/Essays/Projects
75%
Checkups/Selected Assignments
25%
Year Grading Policy:
100% based on average of Semester grades
Both the Midterm and Final Exams are weighted as two summatives
Additional Help
Help sessions are available on Tuesdays from 7:45am to 8:15am, and on Thursday
afternoon from 3:45pm to 4:15pm.
Agreement to Syllabus Conditions
Please print and complete the following agreement and bring it to school during the first week.
AP Human Geography
Course Syllabus
2016- 2017
Denise Hartley
(770) 888-3470 Ext 333006
dhartley@forsyth.k12.ga.us
AGREEMENT TO SYLLABUS CONDITIONS
By signing the document below, I acknowledge that I completely understand and fully support all of the
provisions contained in the above course syllabus regarding attendance, grades, and course procedures. I
also voluntarily agree to make the greatest effort in meeting the heightened requirements and expectations
of the Advanced Placement Human Geography course at West Forsyth High School.
Print Student Name ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature
_________________
Date
_____________________________________
Parent Signature
_________________
Date
Parent(s) email address _________________________________________________________________