Advanced Placement Human Geography

2022-2023 Course Syllabus

University Academy Charter High School

Mr. Richey

Room 219

Email: [email protected]

 

About AP Classes:

The Advanced Placement Program® (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school.

The program consists of college-level courses developed by the AP Program that high schools can choose to offer, and corresponding exams that are administered once a year.

Fast Facts:

There are 38 AP courses in seven subject categories.

Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject.

Each course culminates in a standardized college-level assessment, or AP Exam.

AP Exams are given in May each year at testing locations all over the world.

Schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to offer approved AP courses and use the AP designation.

Benefits:

Taking AP courses and exams can help students:

Stand out on college applications. AP courses on a student’s transcript shows that they’ve challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses available to them. And success on an AP Exam shows that they’re ready for college-level coursework.

Earn college credit and/or skip introductory courses in college. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States—as well as many institutions in more than 100 other countries—grant students credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. Search credit policies by college.

AP Exams Assess Knowledge and Skills Learned in the Course:

 

Each AP course concludes with an AP Exam. These assessments are designed by the same expert committee that designed the course. The exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 by college and university professors and experienced AP teachers. Many U.S. colleges offer credit for AP Exam scores of 3 or higher.

 

AP Exams are administered at authorized schools and test centers. Most high schools that offer AP courses choose to administer AP Exams to their own students as well as external AP students. Schools that opt not to administer AP Exams can refer students to another AP testing location.

 

Course Scope:

 

Explore how humans have understood, used, and changed the surface of Earth. You’ll use the tools and thinking processes of geographers to examine patterns of human population, migration, and land use.

 

Course Content:

 

Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

You’ll learn about the tools and methods geographers use in their study of places

 

Unit 2: Population and Migration Patterns and ProcessesYou’ll explore the patterns associated with human populations.

 

Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes

You’ll focus on how and why language, religion, and other cultural practices spread over space and time.

 

Unit 4: Political Patterns and Processes

You’ll build on your knowledge of populations and cultural patterns as you learn about the political organization of the world.

 

Unit 5: Agriculture and Rural Land-Use Patterns and Processes

You’ll learn where humans first developed agriculture and how farming practices spread throughout the world.

 

Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes

You’ll explore the origins and influences of urbanization, examining cities across the world and the role of those cities in globalization.

 

Unit 7: Industrial and Economic Development Patterns and Processes

You’ll study the origins and influences of industrialization, along with the role industrialization plays in economic development.

 

 

 

 

 

The AP Exam

 

The AP Human Geography Exam is Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 8 AM. It is 2 hours and 15 minutes long.

 

Section I: Multiple Choice

60 questions, 1hr, 50% of Score

 

Section II: Free Response

3 questions, 1hr 15mins, 50% of Score

 

You will be scored on a scale of 1 to 5.  Colleges require either a 3, 4 or 5 for college credit, depending on their policy.  The exam will require extensive studying outside class.  The exam grade is separate from your class grade.

 

Textbooks/Resources:

We will be using the AMSCO Advanced Placement Human Geography Textbook.  Additional resources will be posted on Google Classroom and/or given to students in printed form.  

Student Supplies: 

Students are expected to have and maintain the following supplies throughout the year:

Mandatory: AMSCO Book, two-pocket folder, lined paper, pencils, charged computer (issued by school)

Recommended: homework pad, highlighter, notebook full of lined paper

 

Classroom Expectations and Procedures:

1. Respect yourself, others, and the teacher. 

Show respect for yourself, others and the teacher at all times. Respect others’ property. Avoid touching or writing on anything that does not belong to you.  Do not put trash on the floor or leave it on your desk. Do not throw anything in the classroom. Use appropriate language as defined by the student handbook. Do not talk when it is another student or the teacher’s turn to talk. Do not respond to a request to stop talking by explaining why you were talking or listing other students you believe were talking. Raise your hand to answer questions or comment. 

 

2. Put forth your best effort at all times. 

Always do your own best work. Put quality ahead of just getting it done. 

 

3. Be prepared for class each day. 

Come prepared with all materials necessary: 

• Charged laptop
• An organized class folder containing all necessary materials and handouts from the last month.  (You can keep older materials at home in a separate folder unless I instruct you to bring them in.)
• Loose-leaf lined paper and pencils 

Recommended Materials: 

• A planner or notebook to help keep you organized - the most successful students are organized. 

 

4. Follow directions when they are given. 

When directions are given, do your best to follow them the first time. 

 

5. Pay attention, participate and ask questions. 

Engage in what is going on in the classroom. If you have a question, ask it by raising your hand until I call on you. Otherwise, I might not know until the test that you didn’t understand something. There are no stupid questions, and chances are, if you are wondering about it, someone else in the class is too. Be proactive about your learning and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel most comfortable waiting until after class, that is okay too, but do keep communication open between us. 

 

6. Preserve a positive learning environment. 

Do not interfere with teaching or learning in the classroom. Use class time to learn. Arrive to class on time.  

 

7. Follow all UACHS Handbook rules:

All handbook rules will be enforced, including but not limited to:

Phones must be put away in the Yondr pouches during class. No headphones. Proper school uniforms must be worn in the school. No T-shirts, cardigans, hoodies, hats, headdresses, or crocs.  No chewing gum in class.  No eating in class. No drinks without a secure lid.  

 

8. Take responsibility for your actions. 

If you are confronted about a rule infraction, own up to it. Take responsibility for missed assignments. Students that choose to break these rules will face the appropriate consequences. 

 

9. Turn in homework to the teacher and tests/quizzes to the bin.

 Homework is due at the beginning of the hour when you come to class. I will not accept work completed once class begins for full credit. Turn absent/late work in to me. Turn in tests to the bin.

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Policy:

Grading and Ranking

Mark	Meaning	% Equivalent	Standard GPA	Honors	AP GPA
A+	Excellent	98-100%	4.2	4.6	4.8
A	Excellent	93-97%	4.0	4.3	4.5
A-	Excellent	90-92%	3.7	4.0	4.2
B+	Good	87-89%	3.3	3.6	3.8
B	Good	83-86%	3.0	3.3	3.5
B-	Good	80-82%	2.7	3.0	3.2
C+	Average	77-79%	2.3	2.6	2.8
C	Average	70-79%	2.0	2.3	2.5
C-	Below-Average	70-72%	1.7	2.0	2.2
D+	Below-Average	67-69%	1.3	1.6	1.8
D	Below-Average	63-69%	1.0	1.3	1.5
D-	Below-Average	60-62%	0.7	1.0	1.2
F	Failure	Below 60	0	0	0

 

 

Description of Grading Practices:

Each assignment will have a point value and then will be further weighted based on the category in which it falls:

Academic Semester Category Weights Tests, Large Projects/Essays                                                                                     40% Participation, Classwork, Homework             40% Quizzes, Projects             20%                         Total                                                                                                                           100%

 

• Participation criteria:
• Notetaking is required in all academic classes, and may be a grade in the Participation category.

 

Late Work Policy: It is the expectation that all assignments and projects are completed and submitted by the due date given by the teacher. However, late work can and should be turned in for reduced credit.  The following grading practices apply when an assignment is not submitted on the given date and time. 

 

• Late essays and projects will receive the following penalties:

One day late: 10% off

Two days late: 20% off

Three days late or more: 25% off

• Late homework and classwork will receive 50% off.

 

 

Absences: Over twenty absences in any class will automatically result in a failing grade and no credit.  3 tardies equals one absence.  

 

Make-Up Work Policy: All students will receive the opportunity to make up assignments for the days they were absent.  Students must come see the teacher on the day they get back for an explanation of the assignments and instruction missed and an extended due date.