AP Human Geography 

Course Overview:

This will be an active learning class with plentiful opportunities for discussion, which I encourage you to actively participate in.  Likewise, this discussion will be geographic and spatial in nature.  You WILL have to read the textbook and take notes.  Likewise, much of this class discussion will be related to current event articles that I will be bringing in at the beginning of class each day.  Please feel free to bring in any articles and the like that you feel would be worthwhile for the class to hear about and discuss.  You will be applying this knowledge by creating your own maps, looking at case studies and engaging in outside research projects. The curriculum for AP Human Geography consists of material from seven interrelated units of study.  For each unit that we cover I will give you a list of readings from your text and others that you will be required to read.  Throughout the course of each unit there will be homework assignments, quizzes, class discussions, computer labs, and at the end of each unit a comprehensive (this means, for example, that questions on an exam in April will include material from September) exam that will follow the format of the AP exam that is given in May.  For example, this end of unit exam will include multiple choice questions as well as a constructed (free) response question(s). 

The course is structured according to the course outline found in the most recent AP Human Geography Course Description published by the College Board.  There are seven units of study.  At the beginning of each unit, students received a unit calendar that indicates the lecture topics or activities for each day, the reading assignments, the quiz dates, and other information about the unit.

One of my goals as your instructor is to prepare you for college.  Therefore, this class is designed as a college experience with a rigorous concentration of reading, writing, and discussion.  This experience remains pseudo college versus thoroughly collegiate due to our allegiance to the Mashpee High School rotating schedule and time allotment.  Therefore, you will experience some of the independence and responsibility of a college course, without all of the freedom.  The six most important requirements to be successful in this class remain

Attendance:  Full attendance is mandatory;  absences will hinder your progress, understanding, and ability to participate effectively limiting the growth and development of both you and your peers.  Naturally emergencies and illnesses occur, however, be sure any absences are excused and absolutely necessary.

Independence:  I expect you to work for your learning.  Therefore, you are to keep track of all notes, handouts, and assignments discussed and/or administered during class time.  You must manage your own time and take advantage of any class time provided.  Additionally, I expect you to e a self-advocate. Before seeking assistance from myself or another adult, access all possible resources.  When these avenues are exhausted and you are still seeking help I will be happy to assist you or point you in a better direction.

Stamina:  This will a long year with a great deal of work and academic pressure.  Pace yourself.  Know you are not going through this alone and plan ahead.  YOU CAN DO IT!

Diligence:  Focus and commitment will be important elements of this course.  Don’t quit!  If things are teetering precariously close to this choice, please talk with me.  We can work through it together.

Maturity:  This is a college level course.  Please conduct yourself like young men and women.

Responsibility:  You and only you are the only person responsible for your success in this class.  Own your SUCCESS!

I once heard a teacher of mine, Ken Keller, state “Geography is in everything and everything is in Geography.”  Human Geography will help students gain a clear sense of how humans use earth’s space and why the events they see and hear on the news and observe around them every day turn out the way they do. The way the course curriculum is setup along with the format of the associated AP exam allows the teacher to interconnect the many different content area subjects such as culture, demographics, land use and economics. The design of the course allows the teacher to take his/her students on an exciting and engaging look at spatial diffusion and man’s imprint on our environment.