AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography Syllabus First Semester 2023-2024
Mr. Adam Shedd Thomson High School Room: 401 Thomson, GA
Google Classroom Code:
Textbook
The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography. Rubenstein, James M. 13th Edition. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall 2020
Course Objectives
This course, AP Human Geography, is constructed to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, human use and/or human alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students will learn and employ the methods of geographers. These include observation, mapmaking, data gathering and reporting, and technical writing. Students will also learn how to employ spatial concepts, geographic vocabulary, and landscape interpretation to a variety of locations and situations around the globe as well as in local areas. Overall, students will develop a geographic perspective in their manner of thinking with which to view the landscape of the world and better understand current events.
Required Materials: Students must come to each class equipped with a 3-ring binder, dividers, paper, pencils or pens.
Teaching Strategies
This course is taught as a survey course and as such students are expected to keep up with readings and be prepared for classroom discussion. Periodic quizzes requiring a summary of the assigned readings are given to ensure students meet these responsibilities. In the area of instruction, this course features a mixture of lecture and student activities.
Student Assessment
Each chapter will be evaluated using chapter tests, chapter notes, chapter vocabulary, map assignments, presentations, group work, and scores from daily work assignments. Every assignment will be given a point value, which will be communicated to all students through the online grade book. Daily/Homework assignments will make up 30% of the grade, quizzes will make up 20% of the grade, test/projects will make up 30% of your grade and the final exam will be 20%. At the end of the semester the points will be added up and assigned a letter grade based on the percentage. At the end of each grading period student’s grades will be compiled and measured. Please do not ask Mr. Shedd to change a borderline grade. A grade will be assigned according to the following:
Percentage-Based Scores
90 - 100 A
80 – 89.9 B
70 – 79.9 C
0– 69.9 F
Semester grades will be determined by averaging both quarterly grades and the semester exam score. Each quarter grade will count as 2/5 of the semester grade, and the cumulative semester exam will count for 1/5.
Tutoring: Tutoring will be available upon request. Scheduling will be determined by the teacher.