AP Human Geography
Mrs. Buchanan
Spring 2016
AP Human Geography is a semester-long course designed to meet or exceed the experience of a
one-semester college human geography course. The purpose of this course is to utilize
geographic processes to analyze spatial patterns in the world in which we live. Human
geography is an opportunity for students to study the patterns that exist on the earth’s surface due
to human interaction.
Tentative
timeframe
5 days
Unit of Study
Unit One:
Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives
% of AP
Exam
5-10%
Textbook
Rubenstein Ch. 1
11 days
Unit Two:
Population and Migration
13-17%
Rubenstein Ch. 2, 3
11 days
Unit Three:
Cultural Patterns and Processes
13-17%
Rubenstein Ch. 4, 5, 6, 7
11 days
Unit Four:
Political Organization of Space
13-17%
Rubenstein Ch. 8
11 days
Unit Five:
Agricultural, Food Production, and
Rural Land Use
Unit Six:
Industrialization and Economic
Development
Unit Seven:
Cities and Urban Land Use
13-17%
Rubenstein Ch. 10
13-17%
Rubenstein Ch. 9, 11
13-17%
Rubenstein Ch. 12, 13
11 days
11 days
AP Exam: May 13, 2016
Expectations of Students:
Students in an AP course are expected to be highly motivated and dedicated. There is absolutely
no room or time for poor work ethic or attitude. It is important for all students to understand the
commitment required for success in this course.
1. Come to class prepared: this means do all homework, read all assigned reading, and have
proper materials needed for class. It is recommended that you have the assigned reading done
for a section before we take notes on it and discuss it in class. Bring your textbook and binder
each day!
2. Engage in class discussions. You will not be allowed to “sit and get” in this class!
3. Be respectful of others’ opinions: You do not have to agree, but you must show respect
towards your peers. We will be discussing some controversial issues in this class and it is
important to come to class with an open mind.
4. Keep all electronic devices put away unless directly instructed to have them out. They will be
taken away. If you have your phone out, it means you are not working hard enough!
Late Work/Absent Work:
1. Late homework will be docked 10% for each day late, for up to four days. After four
days, a maximum grade of 60% for “late credit” will be available on the assignment for
the rest of the term. It is in your best interest to complete and turn in work even if it is late,
for the sake of your grade and for the information needed for the AP test.
2. If you are absent the day an assignment is given, you will have the same amount of days to
complete the assignment as the rest of the class did. You need to ask for the assignment and
hand in the assignment on your own; I will not ask for it later.
3. If you are absent for a quiz or test, you are responsible for making it up within a reasonable
amount of time, preferably during BRONCOS period.
Map Quizzes:
Approximately every-other Friday we will have a map quiz on a specified region of the world.
Students will be expected to study outside of class and will have two weeks’ notice for each quiz.
Map quizzes will consist of all world countries, major cities, and major physical features. Refer
to the atlas you complete the first week of class to study for map quizzes.
Quizzes:
You will have several quizzes on information and vocabulary. Plan on about one each week.
Keeping up with notes and vocabulary is the best way to prepare for quizzes.
Supplies needed:
It is recommended that you have a 3-ring binder with at least 8 tabbed dividers for this class.
Label them Units 1 – 7 and Atlas. Include some lined notebook paper in your binder as well.
Recommended but not required: folder, highlighter, ultra-fine point Sharpie marker, colored
pencils, lined index cards, post-it notes – regular and “flags” since you can’t write in the
textbook. The more organized you are, the more prepared you will be to study for the exam!
Grading:
Assignments and in-class participation: 30%
Tests: 50%
Quizzes: 20%
Test corrections:
Test corrections will be allowed on all unit tests for half points and up to 10 questions corrected.
It is the student’s responsibility to come to Broncos period or come after school to do these
corrections. In order to receive credit for corrections, the question, correct answer, and reason
that the answer is correct must be written out.
Resources:
Textbook: Rubenstein, James M. The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human
Geography, 11th Edition (2014). You are responsible for this textbook. Its replacement cost is
$140. In other words, take care of it and don’t lose it!
Suggested study guide books: AP Human Geography Crash Course or AP Human Geography
All Access, both by Dr. Christian Sawyer (can be found on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble for
under $15.00) are recommended. There are other options available if you find one you like
better. I will be providing you with a lot of resources for studying as well.
Suggested study app: iScore5 app (cost $4.99)
Class website: aphugbuchanan.weebly.com. This site will contain power point notes, answer
keys to study guides, extra copies of assignments you can print, and links to various articles and
assignments for class. I will also keep a calendar updated on the site with upcoming dates for
quizzes and tests. Study materials for the AP exam are also linked through the site.
The AP Exam:
You are not required to take the AP exam on May13, although it is highly recommended. This
class will be focused on preparation for the exam. Registration for the exam is open from Feb.
29 to March 16. See Mrs. Buchanan or Mrs. Duchrow to learn how to register.
The cost of the exam is $92 and if you score a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam (on a scale of 1 – 5) you
will receive college credit from most universities. It is absolutely worth the attempt to receive
very cheap college credit! It will also help you learn “how to study” for other big exams.
Section I: Multiple Choice | 75 Questions | 60 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
Section II: Free Response Questions “FRQs” | 3 Questions | 75 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
Past scores on AP Human Geography exam, in percentages. Note that a score of 3, 4, or 5 is
considered passing for most colleges and universities to grant college credit. This information is
not meant to be discouraging – it just means you really need to study and work hard!
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Percentage
of students
earing a…
5
12.1
11
12
12.6
11.7
4
20.5
20
20.3
19.5
18.1
3
21.2
21.1
20.8
20.4
21.3
2
16.8
19.4
18.7
17.9
17.5
1
29.4
29.5
29.2
29.6
31.4