AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
SUMMER ASSIGNMENT 2015
DUE DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
Welcome to AP Human Geography! This course is a fast paced and challenging collegelevel class that actively critiques and examines our ever changing world. While this
course may include rigorous academic demands, you will leave the class with increased
geographic literacy, and thus, a stronger understanding of our world and the people in it.
Feel free to contact me any time over the summer with any questions or concerns. My
email is househ@bishopmoore.org.
What are the required texts for AP Human Geography?
The textbook for this course is The Cultural Landscape: an Introduction to Human
Geography 11th Edition, James M. Rubenstein (ISBN 978-0-321-83158-3).
The supplemental textbook for this course is AP Human Geography- Swanson, K.
(ISBN-13: 978-1618655516 or ISBN-10: 1618655515). This textbook will serve as a
workbook to better prepare you for the AP Exam.
Why do I have a summer assignment for AP Human Geography?
Completing this assignment will allow you to:
 Assess the relationship of geography to human activities and development.
 Develop an expert understanding countries and their surrounding regions.
What is my summer assignment?
 Your summer assignment consists of three parts. Part one is a current events
assignment to introduce you to the importance of the study of geography. Part two
is an assessment of your background knowledge relating to physical and political
geography. Part three covers the basic concepts of geography corresponding to the
first unit we will study. All assignments are explained as you read through this
assignment overview.
Summer Assignment Part I- Geography of Current Events
Throughout the summer find a total of FIVE current event articles on different regions
throughout the world. Each article should discuss an event dealing with culture, social,
economic, and/or political issues of the region. The regions are the following: Western
Hemisphere (North, Central, and/or South America), Europe, Africa, Asia and Middle
East. Additionally, choose one of the 18 geography standards which best corresponds
with the main idea(s) of each of your articles. The standards are listed below. Credible
sources include current newspapers, news magazines or internet news sites. Wikipedia is
not considered a credible source.
Current Events Format: You should summarize your current event articles in three
paragraphs, explaining your article and illustrating the points which correspond to the
geography standard. Furthermore, articles must be typed using MLA format (double
spacing, 12 point font, 1 inch margins). Articles must be submitted with the summary
(links will not be accepted). Article summaries may be submitted electronically or in
paper format (hard copy).
Grading: Please see the attached rubric for grading requirements.
Geography Standards:
The World in Spatial Terms
1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies
to acquire, process, and report information.
2. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and
environments.
3. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on
Earth's surface.
Places and Regions
4. The physical and human characteristics of places.
5. That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity.
6. How culture and experience influence people's perception of places and
regions.
Physical Systems
7. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.
8. The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface.
Human Systems
9. The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's
surface.
10. The characteristics, distributions, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics.
11. The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface.
12. The process, patterns, and functions of human settlement.
13. How forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division
and control of Earth's surface.
Environment and Society
14. How human actions modify the physical environment.
15. How physical systems affect human systems.
16. The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of
resources.
The Uses of Geography
17. How to apply geography to interpret the past
18. To apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future.
Summer Assignment Part II- Geographic Knowledge Assessment
Part of entering an AP class is an assumption of a certain level of background
knowledge and skills. Please review and be prepared to take an assessment the first
two weeks of school in the fall relating to this list. Your goal is to identify and label
important locations and physical features throughout the world in order to make
pertinent spatial location connections.
Directions:
1. Label all the physical and political features on the maps provided. Use the list of
countries and maps provided in the map packet.
2. Create a map key that shows a symbol of your choice for the following items:
capitals, cities, oceans, rivers, mountain ranges and deserts. Use color to differentiate
bodies of water (oceans, rivers and lakes, etc.), mountain ranges and deserts. Please
carefully select the colors you use to reflect the natural landscape.
Grading: Please see the attached rubric for grading requirements.
Summer Assignment Part III- Unit 1 Basic Concepts of Geography
To help you get off to a positive start, it is important to become familiar with
geographical concepts. Therefore, this part of the summer assignment corresponds
with our first unit of study- basic concepts of geography. This unit covers the
following concepts: location, direction, distance of a place, size and scale,
physical/cultural attributes of a place, spatial interaction between places, spatial
diffusion from places, density, dispersion, pattern and regions (formal, functional,
perceptual).
Directions:
1. Read closely and understand Chapter 1: Basic Concepts from the Rubenstein
textbook.
2. Take notes on the chapter.
3. Complete the Chapter 1 KBAT (attached to this document). This sheet may be
completed electronically or hand written.
Grading: You will be tested on this chapter the first few weeks of school.