Advanced Placement Human Geography

Introduction to AP Human Geography The Advanced Placement course in Human Geography is designed to introduce students to the systematic study of the processes that have shaped the human landscape. Students will embark on a course of inquiry prepared to teach them methods and skills geographers use in their field. This course is structured to the course outline published by the College Board. Goals of AP Human Geography On successful completion of the course, students will have developed the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve the five college-level goals established by the National Geography Standards. The National Geography Standards state that students will be able to:

1) Use and think about maps and spatial data sets. 2) Understand and interpret the implication of associations among phenomena in places. 3) Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes. 4) Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process. 5) Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.

In addition to meeting the five National Geography Standards, students will obtain knowledge and skills that are essential at the college level:

1) Effective writing. 2) Ability to make and defend arguments. 3) Ability to read and critic scholarly work. 4) Ability to analyze and synthesize data.

AP Human Geography Primary and Supplemental Texts Primary Text Rubenstein, James M. The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Supplemental Texts/Sources Kuby, Michael, John Harner, and Patricia Gober. Human Geography in Action. 4th ed. New York: John Wiley, 2007 The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century series. Video.N.p. :Annenberg/CPB Project, 1996. Various local, national, and international newspapers, magazines, and journals. Various websites used to collect and analyze maps and other data.

AP Human Geography Course Outline

Unit Text Readings % of Multiple Choice AP Exam

Time

I. Geography: Its Nature and Perspective

Rubenstein Ch. 1 Kuby Ch. 1, 3, 14

5-10% 4 weeks

II. Population Geography Rubenstein Ch. 2-3 Kuby Ch. 4-5

13-17% 5 weeks

III. Cultural Patterns and Processes

Rubenstein Ch. 4-7 Kuby Ch. 2

13-17% 6 weeks

IV. Political Organizations of Space

Rubenstein Ch. 8 Kuby Ch. 12-13

13-17% 5 weeks

V. Agricultural and Rural Land Use

Rubenstein Ch. 10 Kuby Ch. 8

13-17% 4 weeks

VI. Industrialization and Economic Development

Rubenstein Ch. 9, 11, 14 Kuby Ch. 6-7

13-17% 4 weeks

VII. Cities and Urban Land Use

Rubenstein Ch. 12-13 Kuby Ch. 9-11

13-17% 4 weeks

AP Exam Review 2 weeks AP Human Geography Unit Outlines Each unit will include, but is not limited to:

• Completion of reading guides to Rubenstein and/or extended outline. • Supplemental reading of Kuby to reinforce unit themes. • Chapter reading quiz. • Discussion questions to help reinforce unit themes and to be discussed and defended in class. • Completion of vocabulary assignments used to strengthen and enhance chapter comprehension. • Analysis of maps and spatial data sets. • Supplemental readings to reinforce and enhance unit themes. • Free Response Questions to improve writing and prepare for AP exam. • Document Based Questions to improve document analysis and writing to prepare for AP exam. • Multiple choice tests, often timed, to simulate and prepare for AP exam. • Additional assignments that will vary by unit.

Unit I: Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives Weeks 1-4 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 1 � Kuby Ch. 1, 3, 14

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Geography as a field of inquiry • Evolution of key geographical concepts and models associated with notable geographers • Key concepts underlying the geographical perspective: location, space, place, scale, pattern,

regionalization, and globalization • Key geographical skills, including application of latitude and longitude and scale • New geographic technologies, such as GIS, remote sensing, and GPS • Sources of geographical ideas and data, the field, census data, and satellite imagery • Develop skills to use and interpret maps and spatial data sets

Unit Objectives

• Define geography and human geography and their relationship to other social sciences. • Explain the five themes of geography and their relevance to the field of human geography. • Distinguish between different types of map projections and scales and provide information regarding

their strengths and weaknesses. • Explain the meaning of spatial perspective and apply the concept to human geography on the local,

national, and international level. • Explain the process and history of mapmaking.

Unit II: Population Geography Weeks 5-9 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 2-3 � Kuby Ch. 4-5

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Geographical analysis of population • Population growth and decline over time and space • Population movement

Unit Objectives

• Explain the demographic transition model. • Identify factors for population movement (within and across national boundaries) and provide examples

of major migrations over time, space, and scale. • Explain the elements of population pyramids and describe demographic characteristics of each. • Define key demographic terms and identify which regions highs and lows of each can be found. • Analyze the population distribution at the local, national, and international level. • Determine reasons for residential mobility or immobility. • Discuss spatial patterns of health and disease.

Unit III: Cultural Patterns and Processes Weeks 10-15 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 4-7 � Kuby Ch. 2

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Concepts of culture • Cultural differences • Cultural landscapes and cultural identity

Unit Objectives • Define key cultural terms, including culture and cultural geography. • Explain and identify key cultural regions • Describe the spatial diffusion over time and space of key cultural traits, including language, religion, and

ethnicity. • Discuss ways in which cultural traits, including language, religion, and ethnicity, influence and are

influenced by the natural environment. • Analyze key language and religious patterns. • Identify and analyze different cultural landscapes and explain their significance to the cultural region. • Analyze aspects of cultural diversity and challenges created by them.

Unit IV: Political Organization of Space Weeks 16-20 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 8 � Kuby Ch. 12-13

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Territorial dimensions of politics • Evolution of the contemporary political pattern • Changes and challenges to political-territorial arrangements

Unit Objectives

• Define key political terms, including political geography and its relationship with national and international policy-making.

• Explain the concept of state, nation, and nation-state by identifying examples of each over time and space.

• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different types of boundaries and provide examples over time and space.

• Analyze the impact of colonialism and imperialism and describe consequences created by them in contemporary political units.

• Summarize the creation and history of the United Nations. • Analyze the political landscape of key nations and their impact in world politics.

Unit V: Agricultural and Rural Land Use Weeks 21-24 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 10 � Kuby Ch. 8

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Development and diffusion of agriculture • Major agricultural production regions • Rural land use and settlement patterns • Modern commercial agriculture

Unit Objectives

• Identify and explain major agricultural revolutions and their impact on societies over time and space. • Describe and apply the von Thünen model of agricultural land use. • Explain how agriculture is affected by climate, terrain, and culture. • Identify the predominate agricultural practices associated with various world regions. • Discuss the evolution from subsistence farming to the industrialization and globalization of agriculture. • Analyze the advantages and disadvantages to the increased use of technology in agriculture, including

the use of biotechnology and genetic modification.

• Analyze rural land use and settlement patterns and explain their impact on human populations. Unit VI: Industrialization and Economic Development Weeks 25-28 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 9, 11, 14 � Kuby Ch. 6-7

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Growth and diffusion of industrialization • Contemporary patterns and impacts of industrialization and development

Unit Objectives

• Summarize the Industrial Revolution and explain the impact it had over time and space. • Explain the evolution of economic cores and peripheries and identify countries in each. • Compare different indexes of development for core and periphery countries. • Describe how site and situation influence the location of manufacturing regions. • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using natural resources at the local, national, and

international level. • Analyze the spatial organization of the world economy and the impact of globalization.

Unit VII: Cities and Urban Land Use Weeks 29-32 Reading Assignments

� Rubenstein Ch. 12-13 � Kuby Ch. 9-11

AP Human Geography Topic Outline

• Development and character of cities • Models of urban systems • Models of internal city structure • Built environment and social space

Unit Objectives

• Define key terms relating to urban land use. • Summarize the history and evolution of cities. • Explain patterns of urbanization at the local, national, and international level.

• Describe and apply urban models over time and space. • List and evaluate problems associated with the inner city. • Compare and contrast spatial characteristics of cities across regions. • Explain the growth of suburbs and edge cities. • Analyze urban land use and explain its impact on human populations.

Teaching Strategies This course will be implemented in a variety of teaching strategies. Lectures, videos, discussion and debates, case studies, newspaper and magazine articles, and student activities will all be used to enhance student understanding of human geography. A typical day will consist of three to four activities, including a lecture to reinforce reading, a case study to enhance the major topics and practice analysis skills, and a writing assignment assessed using AP guidelines. Other activities employed will consist of video case studies and student led discussions and debates based on current events and global trends. Student Evaluation AP Human Geography is divided in to four quarters. Student’s quarter grades will be based on the following weighted scale:

50% - Exams and writing (including free-response questions) 20% - Quizzes (including one reading quiz per chapter reading) 15% - Class participation in discussion, debates, and in-class assignments 10% - Projects 5% - Class assignments