The course will introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students will employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They will also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. The seven topics include Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives, Population, Cultural Patterns and Processes, Political Organization of Space, Agriculture and Rural Land Use, Industrialization and Economic Development and Cities and Urban Land Use. A significant outcome of the course is students’ awareness of the relevance of academic geography to everyday life and decision making. This combination of the academic and the applied gives students a sophisticated view of the world and an understanding of the manifold applications of what they have learned in the course.

In addition to providing a systematic study of human geography, the goals of this class are to develop:

· an understanding of the use of spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human organization of space

· an understanding of spatial relationships at different scales ranging from the local to the global.

· an ability to interpret maps, data sets, and geographic models using atlases, graph, charts, tables, photographs, and the Internet.

· an ability to read critically.

· an ability to express the skills listed above in writing.

Students are expected to register for and to take the Advanced Placement Government exam in May with their school.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement VHS courses are required to take the AP exam, and are required to report their AP examination scores to VHS (note: students who are failing their AP class are not required to take the exam). Upon receipt of the student's exam score, each score will be recorded by VHS and assigned an anonymous tracking number to ensure student anonymity and confidentiality. By enrolling in an AP VHS class, the student authorizes their school site coordinator and school administration to report AP examination scores to VHS. Exam results will not affect the student's VHS grade or future enrollment in VHS courses.

This course has recommended summer reading. Students are encouraged to complete and submit the summer assignment for extra credit. The summer assignments will help students prepare for the course as well as the AP exam.


Delivery Method