Advanced Placement Human Geography

AP Human Geography is a year-long course focusing on the distribution, processes, and effects of human populations on the planet.  Units of study include population, migration, culture, language, religion, ethnicity, political geography, economic development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography. Students will utilize case studies and geographical models and their uses. Students will be expected to read assigned materials, participate in discussions, and participate in quizzes and exams. Grades are based on the completion and knowledge on assignments, quizzes, individual projects, participation, organized notebooks and exams.

At the beginning of May, students will take the AP Human Geography test where they will be assessed on the seven units of study in our curriculum. Sign-up for the test will occur in the fall of 2019.  More information will be emailed to students/parents in the next few weeks.  The AP test is scored separate from our APHuG class and results are given to students in July.  By earning a passing exam, students can earn college credit, thus benefiting them in their postsecondary education. 

• To introduce students to the study of patterns and processes that have helped shape human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface.
• To learn about and use the methods of geographers, especially including observation, mapmaking, data gathering and reporting, and technical writing.
• To employ spatial concepts, geographic vocabulary, and landscape interpretation to a variety of locations and situations around the globe and in local areas.
• To develop a geographic perspective which will enable students to observe the landscape and to better understand and evaluate how current and past events apply to these landscapes.

Textbook (issued): Human Geography: People, Place, and Culture by Wiley 

Textbook (class only): The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography College Board Dashboard Notebook, Folder, Binder: You will need to create a system in which to organize your notes and assignments. You will need this material throughout the school year and will use it to prepare for both the AP exam and Final class exam. A notebook (or 2) is required to classroom notes, textbook notes and vocabulary. The more organized you are, the more prepared you will be for the assessments throughout the year.

You will also need a folder (minimum) and/or 3 ring binder. You cannot use your textbook as your folder. Any damage to textbooks will result in a fine at the end of the year (cost of textbook is approx $175.00)

Students will take progress checks during every unit.

More comprehensive unit exams will occur every two to four weeks at the end of each unit. These exams will be in either FRQ (free response question) and/or multiple choice form. Missed quizzes or exams: ​Must be made up within four school days of the missed quiz or exam. Quizzes and exams not made up within four days will receive a zero. (Exceptions will be made for extraordinary circumstances or extended illness.)

Late daily work will not be accepted. (Exceptions will be made for extraordinary circumstances or extended illness.)

There will be review/help sessions during Academic Wednesday advisory time. Students are highly encouraged to attend these sessions if they are struggling with content. AP Human Geography is a college level course, which sophomores have not had experience with before. This will be a challenging course in which many students may struggle. Sessions outside of class will help students learn how to apply thier learning and adapt to the rigor of the course. Students are also encouraged to come get help before or after schoo. Students should speak with Mr. Erickson or Ms. Murphy if they want additional help with course material outside of class.

FRQ writing: This question and answer method will be new to most students. We will have writing workshops on how to read and respond to this form of question.

Reading/Note Taking: While all students have read and taken notes throughout their school career, this is the first Advanced Placement course offered and the book is a college level text. We will guide students in reading, understanding and taking notes on this written material.

Pre-Exam Study Sessions: This is simply additional time to help you prepare for the exam. Most of these sessions will be during the Academic Wednesday Advisory time.

Pre-Exam Practice Exams: As the Ap exam approaches, we will offere timed practice exams to help students prepare for the Multiple Choice Section of the AP exam. Students will be required to attend one of the practice exams for a test score, however we encourage students to attend multiple sessions to practice the skills and content required for the MC Exam.

Outside work: There will be regular assginements given to students to help with understanding of course material. Due to the rigor and increase content with the AP course, students are also expected to complete assigned readings (Textbooks and other sources) to participate in classroom discussion. Students are encouraged to make connections with events happening in the world to the Human Geography curriculum to aid them in understanding and test preparation.

We will be using Google Classroom for many assignments and class readings. I will post the code you need to access your specific hours site on the front board of the classroom. Many times throughout the year, assignments will be submitted only through Google Classroom and some assignments will only be available this way. In addition to assignments, classroom powerpoints and unit schedules will be available on Google Classroom only. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on the whiteboard in the classroom as well as Google Classroom.

Students will earn their grade. This means you will have to work hard to receive the grade that you want. To earn your grade, more than class attendance will be required and studying outside of class will not be optional to do well on exams and show understanding of content. This class is an Advanced Placement course and your grade is weighted. This means that your GPA will be calculated into your GPA as one letter grade higher than the grade you earned in the course (except in the case of and F.) The grade you earned in class is the one that will remain on your transcript. Your grade in the class will follow HHS grade scale:

A 89.5- 100

B 79.5- 89.49

C 69.5- 79.49

D 59.5- 69.49

Students will be issued Chromebooks in the beginning of the school year. In addition to district guidelines that students and parents agree to in regards to technology and acceptable use, there will be additional guidelines for our class.

Students will be expected to have their chromebooks with them for class and fully charged for use in the classroom. While in class, chromebooks are to be used only when direction is given for them to be used in the class and only used for class related purposes. If any student is found to be using the chromebooks unrelated to our class material such as games or working on material for other classes, privileges to use chromebooks in class will be revoked.

With every student now having a Chromebook, other personal devices including cell phones, iPads, etc., are not allowed in the class. Please make sure that these devices stay in your lockers during class.

With every student being issued a locker, please try to keep your backpacks in your lockers. This will help facilitate movement within the classroom and with encouraging student organization that was discussed above. If you do, they should be placed under your desk, out of the path of walkways in the classroom.

Please read over the syllabus with your student. Once you are finished please sign and date below. If you have any questions about the course or this syllabus feel free to call or email:

Mrs. Murphy at 715-377-3800 ext. 6403 or​ murphykh@hudsonraiders.org

Mr. Erickson at 715-377-3800 ext. 6417 or​ ericksondustan@hudsonraiders.org

I, the parent/guardian of (students name), have read and agree with the syllabus for AP Human Geography. Type in the box below