2014-2015 AP Human Geography Course Syllabus
Instructor Contact Information:
Elizabeth Smith, MAT, NBCT
Social Studies Teacher
Providence High School
1800 Pineville Matthews Rd
Charlotte, NC 28270
elizabeth.smith@cms.k12.nc.us
http://elizabethsmith.cmswikispaces.net/APHGeo
Course Description
AP Human Geography is a yearlong college level survey course designed to introduce students to the effects
humans have on the Earth’s surface. Units of study have been outlined in the AP Human Geography Course
Description booklet published by the College Board. Topics include: the nature of geography, population,
movement/migration, culture, language, religion, ethnicity and gender, political geography, economic
development, agriculture, industry and urban geography.
Course Objectives
Emphasis is placed on geographic models and their applications. Case studies from around the globe are
compared to the situation in both the United States, and North Carolina and internet activities are used to
explore certain topics. Students are introduced to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have
shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students will learn about and employ the
methods of geographers, including observation, mapmaking, data gathering and reporting, and technical
writing. Students will employ spatial concepts, geographic vocabulary, and landscape interpretation to a variety
of locations and situations around the globe and in local areas. Students will develop a geographic perspective
with which to view the landscape and understand current events.
Texts, Study Materials and Websites
Rubenstein, James M. The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography. 11th ed. Upper Saddle
River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2014.
Students will be issued this textbook
De Blij, Harm Why Geography Matters: More than Ever. Oxford University Press, 2012
Moore, John. Cracking the AP Human Geography Exam. 20115 ed. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press
Students are expected to purchase this book from Barnes and Noble or see teacher with in the first two weeks of
school if financial hardships prevent purchase
Students will be instructed to use a number of supplemental web sites which provide relevant examples or
activities to deepen understanding of course concepts. Sites often used include but are not limited to:
http://www.prb.org/
http://galen.metapath.org/popclk.html
http://www.worldmapper.org/
http://www.uccs.edu/~coga/
www.census.gov/
http://130.166.124.2/USpage1.html
www.nass.usda.gov/census/census97/atlas97/
www.nationalatlas.gov/
Students will also be instructed to use a number of supplemental articles from newspapers and popular periodicals which
provide relevant examples of course concepts. News papers and periodicals often used include but are not limited to
The Charlotte Observer
National Geographic
Time
The Wall Street Journal
New York Times
Economist
Course Outline
Unit 1/ 8 class periods / The Nature of Geography / Rubenstein, Chapter 1: “Thinking Geographically”
Unit 2/ 8 class periods / Population and Migration/ Rubenstein, Chapter 2: “Population” and Rubenstein, Chapter 3:
“Migration”
Unit 3/ 8 class periods / Geography of Language and Religion / Rubenstein, Chapter 5: “Language” / Rubenstein,
Chapter 6: “Religion”
Unit 4/ Culture and Ethnicity / Rubenstein, Chapter 4: “Folk and Popular Culture” / Rubenstein, Chapter 7 “Ethnicity”
Unit 5/ 8 class periods/ Rubenstein, Chapter 8: “Political Geography”
Unit 6/ 6 class periods/ Rubenstein, Chapter 10: “Agriculture”
Unit 7/ 7 class periods/ Rubenstein, Chapter 11 : “Industry” and Rubenstein, Chapter 12: “Services”
Unit 8/7 class periods/ Rubenstein, Chapter 9: “Development”
Unit 9/ 7class periods/ Rubenstein, Chapter 13: “Urban Patterns
Unit 10/ 4 class periods/ Rubenstein, Chapter 14 “Resource Issues”
Student Evaluation
Grading System:
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools grading scale is as follows:
Grades in this class calculated as follows:
A 
93 to 100
B 
85 to 92
60% Tests, Projects
C 
77 to 84
40% Notebook Portfolio,
D 
70 to 76
F 
69 and below
Homework(1/2), Assignments and Quizzes
Homework and Studying for Quizzes: Homework is designed to give the student additional practice and is graded daily. Students
should read through their notes and class work after each class to ensure all work is complete and to prepare for any possible quiz. All
students start with 100 points for homework in each unit. Twenty points are deducted for late homework not due to an absence and
may not be earned. However, the homework must still be completed in order to have a complete portfolio. Homework will have a
weight of ½ an assignment.
Assignments: Assignments are an extension of class work that are to be handed in for a grade. Late assignments not due to an
absence will lose 20 points if 1 class late and may not earn more than 50 points after that.
Tests and Projects: Tests will be announced and students are expected to study for them. Projects will be outlined separately and
have an extended but firm due date. If students are absent on the day a project is due, the project is still due by class time for full
credit. Projects may be e-mailed or left at the front office. Projects not received by the due date for any reason will follow the late
assignment rules. Tests must be made up with in 5 days of the students first day back to school.
Notebook Portfolio: Notebook Portfolios are a very important part of this class. Students will log in every activity and assignment for
each unit and be expected to have EVERY ACTIVITY INCLUDING ALL HOMEWORK. Portfolios are due on the test day for each
unit. Late portfolio's not due to an absence will follow the late assignment rules
Tutoring Time: Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 2:15p.m. in Room 233
AP Human Geography Parent Acknowledgement Form
Student Name Printed
______________________________________________________________________________
AP Human Geography Block
________________________________________________________________________
Mother’s/Guardian’s Name Printed
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Father’s Name Printed
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Mother’s/Guardian’s
email_________________________________________________________________________
Father’s
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Mother’s/Guardian’s home phone
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Father’s home
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Mother’s/Guardian’s cell
phone_____________________________________________________________________
Father’s cell
phone________________________________________________________________________________
Anything parent/guardian or student would like me to know about this
student_________________________________
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Student
Signature_________________________________________________________________________________
Parent /Guardian
Signature__________________________________________________________________________
I acknowledge that I have read the AP Human Geography “Course Prospectus” and this is current contact
information