AP Human Geography Course Syllabus
Mr. Robert McKnight - Room # 1613 - rmcknight@conroeisd.net - (936) 709-3000
TWCP webpage: twcp.conroeisd.net/teachers/rmcknight
Welcome to TWCP! This is an advanced placement class and I will treat you as a student planning to excel in
college. Study skills and writing assignments included in this class will prepare you for future high school and
college courses. Please be sure to read the entire syllabus, as this task will affect your success in this course.
Course Description
AP Human Geography is designed to be a college introductory geography course and gives high-ability students the
opportunity to earn college credit in geography while still in high school. More importantly, the content of an AP
Human Geography course helps students develop critical thinking skills through the understanding, application and
analysis of the fundamental concepts of geography. It aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of human
geography and provide a geographic framework for the analysis of current world problems through the use of case
studies. The course develops the students’ ability to ask geographic questions; acquire, organize and analyze
geographic information; and answer geographic questions. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis
to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences. They will also learn about the methods
and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
Curricular Objectives
1. The course provides a systematic study of human geography, including the following topics:
! Nature and Perspectives on Geography (5-10% of AP exam)
! Population and Migration (13-17% of AP exam)
! Culture Patterns and Processes (13-17% of AP exam)
! Political Organization and Space (13-17% of AP exam)
! Agricultural and Rural Land Use (13-17% of AP exam)
! Industrialization and Economic Development (13-17% of AP exam)
! Cities and Urban Land Use (13-17% of AP exam)
2. The course teaches the use of spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human organization of space.
3. The course teaches spatial relationships at different scales ranging from the local to the global.
4. The course teaches students how to use and interpret maps, data sets, and geographic models. GIS, aerial
photographs, and satellite images, though not required, can be used effectively in the course.
" ASSIGNMENTS - Assignments vary in length and difficulty on a daily basis. Students should expect some
type of homework each night, such as required readings. Each unit will have lecture notes, class discussions,
class activities, videos, projects, multiple choice tests, and essay tests that will be geared toward helping
students prepare to do well on the AP Exam. Throughout each unit students will have vocabulary quizzes,
reading quizzes and guided readings to ensure the comprehension of the material read.
" GRADING:
o Daily Grade: 30% of nine weeks grade
# Homework, class work, daily quizzes, participation
o Major Grade: 70% of nine weeks grade
#Unit tests, map tests, projects, portfolios
" LATE WORK – Late daily work will be accepted one day after the due date for a maximum of 50% credit.
Assignments more than one day late will be accepted for feedback, but no credit will be given. All major
assignments and projects are to be turned in on the due date regardless of whether the student is present or
not. Major assignments will be accepted one day late for a maximum of 70% credit and two days late for a
maximum of 50% credit. Major assignments more than two days late will be accepted for feedback, but no
credit will be given.
ALL STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO TAKE THE NATIONAL AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY EXAM
GIVEN ON FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015.
" READING – The textbook to be used in the course is Rubenstein: The Cultural Landscape, 11th ed. Guided
Reading assignments will be assigned for each chapter. Supplemental readings, provided either
electronically or on paper, will also be used. Students will be required to purchase one additional book each
semester. The Fall semester book will be An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina. Please have this book by
the first day of the second nine weeks. The Spring semester book will be announced at a later date. Stay
current with reading assignments.
Recommended Test Prep Books: AP Human Geography Crash Course (Sawyer), AP Human
Geography All Access (Sawyer) AP Human Geography: A Study Guide, 3rd edition (Wood)
" ATTENDANCE – Attendance is essential. Although some work can be made up, there are activities and
discussions that are beneficial to your understanding of the subject matter that cannot be done after or outside
of class. It is your responsibility to get all make-up assignments. If you are absent on the day of an exam,
you will be expected to take the exam on the day that you return to school.
" FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS – This includes those given by administrators, staff, substitutes and me.
Please ask me for help on things you do not understand. I will do my best to be clear but you must pay
attention.
" PREPAREDNESS – Come to class with all required materials including your textbook. Always assume
that you will need all supplies. (All of which you need by Wednesday, August 27, 2014)
o Supplies:
# 2 Single subject binders (half inch to inch binders only)
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*At least 100 pages of paper for ea. (unnecessary to place all paper in the binder at once)
Blue and Black ink pens (avoid ink that bleeds through page)
Pencils with good erasers
Glue stick (not liquid)
Map (colored) pencils
Class gift: 1 package of multiuse copy paper
" RESPECT – I will treat you with respect and consideration and it is expected that you do the same. All
textbooks dealing in any kind of depth with the enormous and complex subject of Human Geography are
secular. All of them have material that students and/or their parents might find potentially offensive,
particularly from a religious or political standpoint. I will not seek to enforce my own opinions. Students
should feel free to express theirs, yet always be respectful of others' religions or political views, even if those
views do not agree with their own. Rude, unpleasant, or insulting remarks during a class discussion will
result in a failing participation grade, parental contact, and administrative referral.
" PLAGIARISM: Academic dishonesty is a severe offense. Plagiarism is using other’s work, ideas, or
passages and representing them as your own. This unethical practice of plagiarism either on a written/oral
assignment or exam will result in a failing grade for the assignment and administrative referral.
" SCHOOL RULES & POLICIES: Read your student handbook and follow all rules described within. No
food will be allowed in the classroom, with the exception of bottled water, and the dress code will be
enforced.
" ELECTRONIC DEVICES: CISD policy, the Student Handbook, and the Code of Conduct allow students to carry
cellular phones or other electronic communication devices during the school day, but they must be turned off and out of
sight during instruction. Students will be asked to store electronic devices in the front of the room on exam days.
Cellular phones, IPODs, MP3 players, headphones/earphones, cameras and other electronic devices are not allowed to
interfere with instruction in any fashion at any time. These devices will be collected if the teacher determines that
instruction is being hindered in any way (including repeatedly having to redirect students who have these devices out or
in use inside the classroom or other instructional venue). In this course, electronic devices may be allowed at certain
times, depending on the nature of instruction and classroom activities. The teacher will notify students of times when
the use of electronic devices is permissible. Use of electronic devices without teacher permission or use of a device that
interferes with the ability of other students to work will be considered a rule violation and will be addressed according
to the Code of Conduct.