Course Overview
The study of Human Geography is the “why of where.” We will examine how human processes and actions have impacted the physical landscape and our surroundings. Students explore the regions of the world and its inhabitants to evaluate how these regions compare and contrast politically, socially, culturally, agriculturally, and economically. Incorporating project-based learning, students will use the methods and tools of geographers to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences.
This course will be conducted with a high degree of collaboration among students and teacher. Lesson formats include individual and group presentations, student and teacher-led discussions, short teacher lectures, and simulations.
Technology will be incorporated into the classroom in a meaningful way and I will use Haiku to communicate with students, posting all unit information, calendar of events and grades. Ultimately, it is my goal that students begin to see the geography is always around them and influences their daily activities. I want students to recognize the “who” and
“what” but really contemplate the “why” and “how.”
Course Outline by Trimester
Trimester One:
Unit 1: Introduction to Human Geography
Unit 2: Population and Migration
Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes
Trimester 2
Book Club: Kaffir Boy
Unit 4: Political Organization of Space
Required Text and Materials (please bring all materials daily)
Unit 5: Industrialization and Economic Development
Trimester 3
Unit 6: Agriculture and Rural Land Use
Unit 7: Environmental Sustainability
Unit 8: Cities and Urban Land Use plus Megacities
Project
 3-ring binder with 8 dividers. Please organize in the following manner:
- Create an interesting cover page for your binder with your name, course name, and teacher name.
- Place your course syllabus in the front.
- Label your dividers with unit names. You will place handouts, notes and returned quizzes and tests.
 Textbook: Visualizing Human Geography by: Alyson L. Greiner
 College-ruled loose leaf paper
 1 set of colored pencils
 Pens, paper, highlighter. Please note all tests and quizzes will be written in pen.
 Your laptop - charged. Please know you are expected to use your laptop appropriately during class time and only when directed by the teacher.
 Ear buds for your computer
Grading Policy: You will be assessed in a number of ways throughout the course including writing assignments, quizzes/tests, oral presentations, debates, homework, and participation. There will be a final exam in the fall and spring trimesters, which count for 20% of your trimester grade.
Homework: 20% Papers, Projects and Presentations: 40% Assignment due dates, instructions, and
Trimester Final Exam: 20% grades will appear on the course Haiku page. Tests/Quizzes:20%
Late work
Major assessments will be marked down 10% for every day they are late. Late means assessment is not submitted in the manner and format designated by your teacher (paper copy, Haiku drop, turnitin.com, etc.).
Homework: Late penalties for homework will also be marked down 10% for every day they are late and not be accepted beyond two days late when you will receive a zero on the assignment. Please note you are still responsible to complete the assignment and learn the material.
Make up work

Student responsibility: If you have an excused absence, you are expected to meet with your teacher on the day of your return to identify work missed and when you will make it up. All quizzes, tests, and other assessments must be made up within the same time frame as school days missed (i.e. within two school days if you were absent two days, even if your class does not meet).
If you have early dismissal, it is your responsibility to make arrangements (conversation, email) with the teacher prior to the actual dismissal to make up missed assignments due that class including quizzes/tests.
Notified unexcused absences: Teachers will provide makeup opportunities for students who have missed assignments, tests or quizzes during an acknowledged unexcused absence. Students can earn up to 80% credit on their makeup work.
Unexcused absences without notification (class cut): Student will receive a zero for the assignment, test or quiz.
Academic Integrity
We expect you to stand strong in your integrity. We will not tolerate cheating. Please note that sharing information
(between classes) regarding tests or quizzes is considered cheating. Plagiarism--presenting another person's words and ideas as your own--is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This includes copying another person’s work or ideas
(whether print or online), allowing that person to copy yours, or using any previous year’s work. In our opinion, it is better to receive an “F” on an assignment than to cheat. An “F” signifies a lack of preparation, but cheating signifies a lack
of integrity and judgment. The Social Studies department views turnitin.com, an online writing service, as a teaching tool for responsible scholarship and as a support for the Bullis Honor Code. The Social Studies department requires students to submit academic, analytical, and/or research-based writing to this service to help students learn effective revision techniques as well as citation protocol. In addition, Turnitin.com is a tool to emphasize intellectual integrity as work submitted for assessment is subject to Bullis School policy regarding plagiarism.
Type all homework and other assignments unless otherwise specified. Headings should follow MLA format
(double-spaced): if more than one page, please staple
In the upper left corner, type:
Your name
Your teacher’s name
The course name and block
The date
Centered on the next line, type an informative title of the assignment
Note: For each additional page, create a header (flush right) with your name and page number.
Classroom Expectations Students are responsible to know and follow all Bullis school-wide policies and procedures.
Be PROMPT: Be on time to class and begin the warm up task shown at the start of class. Submit your assignments by the deadline according to the instructions. If you anticipate a problem submitting your assignment on time, contact you instructor in advance of class, as soon as possible. Make-up exams and work will be handled at the instructor's discretion. When a student is absent and misses a test, quiz or in-class assignment, the work is to be completed upon his/her return to school. Use the restroom before or after class. In the first and last 10 minutes you will not be permitted to leave.
Be PREPARED: Have all necessary class materials, including carefully completed assignments. Be in proper uniform.
Stay organized. Check the course Haiku page daily for course information and assignments. Check GMAIL email daily for course communications. Communicate in a professional manner for both oral and electronic correspondence. Use the bathroom before or after class (refrain from asking to use the bathroom or leaving the classroom unless it is a true emergency, and if necessary, request permission only during independent work time).
Be PRODUCTIVE: Be intentional with your focus during class, listen actively and engage fully in class activities. Do your best work and strive to expand your content knowledge and skills. Appreciate mistakes and learn from them. Be prepared to use (or not use) your laptop responsibly and appropriately as directed. This includes remaining offline (until directed otherwise), not playing computer games, not being on Facebook and other social networks, and not listening to music.
Be POLITE: Respect yourself, others, the space and the learning process. Use “I” statements. Create a safe space for all to learn, share and grow. Clean up after yourself. Refrain from consuming food or drink (except water) and chewing gum.