AP Human Geography Course Syllabus 2015-2016
Teacher: Joseph Nydle
Course: AP Human Geography
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Room 1110
515-242-7300 x1303
Website: www.nydleap.weebly.com
Teacher’s Educational Background:
 Cleveland State University, B.A. Criminology and Sociology
 Drake University, MAT, Education, Secondary Social Sciences
Teacher Office Hours:
M-F 7:25-7:40am, 2:35-3:10pm
It is the policy of to return parent communication within 24 hours during the work week, post grades in Infinite Campus Every
Thursday by 3:00, communicate with parents when grades fall into the D or F range, and post major assignments in Infinite
Campus when assigned. To facilitate this, it is the expectation of Hoover High School that families will maintain current contact
information (phone, address, e-mail). To update contact information, please call 242-7302. Parents can learn how to access the
Infinite Campus Parent Portal in the parent handbook distributed at Registration and available on the website.
Course Description: Year Long Course, 1 credit; Elective
AP Human Geography will emphasize the distribution, creations, and impacts of human populations around the
globe. The course encompasses several units of study including population, culture, language, religion, political
and urban geography, agriculture, industry, and economic development and change. Students will gain a
working knowledge of many geographic models and concepts and be able to apply them to real-life situations
both globally and locally. The ability to ask geographic questions, provide analysis, and draw conclusions are
paramount in the course. AP Human Geography is a yearlong course designed to be similar to an introductory
one-semester college course. The College Boards official description is at:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-human-geography-course-description.pdf
Major Course Objectives:

Use and think about maps and spatial data. AP Human Geography teaches the use of spatial concepts
and landscape analysis to examine human organization of space. The course teaches students how to
use and interpret maps, data sets, and geographic model. GIS, aerial photographs, and satellite images,
though not required, can be used effectively in the course.

Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places. AP Human
Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human
understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface.

Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes. AP
Human Geography teaches spatial relationships at different scales ranging from the local to the global.

Define regions and evaluate the regionalization processes. AP Human Geography teaches students to
use the methods of geographers, especially including observation, mapmaking, data gathering and
reporting, and technical writing.

Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places. AP Human Geography develops
a geographic perspective with which to view the landscape and understand current events. Employing
spatial concepts, geographic vocabulary, and landscape interpretation to a variety of locations and
situations around the globe and in local areas.
Units of Study
Unit 1: Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives > 5-10% of Exam > 5 weeks
Unit 2: Population >
13-17% of Exam > 4 weeks
Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes >
13-17% of Exam > 6 weeks
Unit 4: Political Organization and Space >
13-17% of Exam > 5 weeks
Unit 5: Agricultural and Rural Land Use >
13-17% of Exam> 4 weeks
Unit 6: Industrial and Economic Development >
13-17% of Exam > 4 weeks
Unit 7: Cities and Urban Land Use >
13-17% of Exam > 4 weeks
AP National Exam FRIDAY MAY 13th. AP SCORE QUALIFICATION (AP Exam Scores Equivalency: 5 is
equivalent to an A in a college course, 4 A- to B, 3 B- to C. No credit for exam score of 2 or below)
5 Extremely well qualified, 4 Well Qualified, 3 Qualified, 2 Possibly Qualified, 1 No Recommendation
Behavior and Attendance:
Classroom Procedures:
Class Policies and Procedures can be viewed in a separate document, which is available by request or available
by download on the Weebly Site
Remember- AP Human Geography is a college level course, with an exam at the end of the year that I highly
advise you take. The grade and exam have nothing to do with each other directly. This class is weighted (“B”
grade counts as 4.0) and the rigor is very high. Your success in this class largely will depend on your work
ethic, but I will be there to coach you all along the way!
Definition of Student Achievement: Student achievement in social studies is measured in proficiency in all
course objectives as demonstrated through summative assessments, daily work, and final semester assessments.
Required Study Skills and Work Habits for Success in Social Studies:
 Come to class every day with materials and ready to engage in learning
 Keep a planner with important assignment due dates
 Ask questions frequently
 Take advantage of tutoring ( lunch and after school) and teacher “office hours” 7:25-7:40 & 2:35-3:10
 Keep track of grades and work completion through Infinite Campus and/or the sheets posted weekly in
the room
 Work well individually and in groups
 Develop skills in reading for understanding and informative and evaluative writing
Grading Scale & Indicators:
Proficiency in Course
Standards
Letter
Grade
Exemplary
A
Mastery
B
Proficient
C
Not Proficient, but
making progress
D
Not Proficient
F
Failing Due to
Attendance
F/A
Description
Student is proficient in all standards and
consistently demonstrates the following levels of
intellectual work – Remembering, Understanding,
Application, Analysis, Evaluation, and Creation
Student is proficient in all standards and
consistently demonstrates the following levels of
intellectual work – Remembering, Understanding,
Application and Analysis
Student is proficient in all standards and
consistently demonstrates the following levels of
intellectual work – Remembering and
Understanding
Not proficient in all course standards, making
progress towards proficiency in remaining
standards. Demonstrates the following levels of
intellectual work – Remembering and
Understanding. Progress is defined as making
repeated attempts with increasing levels of
performance in the standard.
NO CREDIT AWARDED - Not proficient in all
course standards AND not making progress unable to fully evaluate levels of intellectual work.
Progress is defined as making repeated attempts
with increasing levels of performance in the
standard.
OR
The student withdraws / drops a class after the
deadline (7 weeks).
Student is receiving an F in the course AND has
more than 7 absences to that course. Students do
not automatically receive an F when they reach 7
absences; however, this grade is intended to
communicate that low performance was due to ongoing attendance issues.
Scale
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
0-59%
Grading Categories, Descriptions and Weighting:
Category
Summative Assessments
Assessments May Include
Unit tests and quizzes (FRQ’s)
Projects
Weighting
Formative Assessments
Entry/exit activities
Quick writes
Document based questions
Primary source analyses
Homework
Simulations
Written reflections
30%
Semester Exam/Project/Essay
10%
60%
Final Assessments
Improving Subject Proficiency:
Make-Up Work
Students will be given 2 days for each day missed to make up work. Make up time may not exceed 6
school days following the student’s return. The time allowed for make up work may be extended at the
teacher’s discretion. Full credit will be given for schoolwork made up because of absences.
Missing & Late Work, Retakes
Some assessments can be redone or submitted beyond the due date under certain circumstances. However no
assignment submission or retakes will be accepted within one week before each nine week grading period. In
other words, you cannot earn credit for anything that is over eight weeks late/incomplete. That is more than fair.
Instructor reserves the right to set the guidelines for specific retakes or submission of late assignments.
Feedback Processes and Timelines:
 Learning objectives will be posted on the board or via PowerPoint each day.
 Formative assessments will be returned by the next class.
 Summative assessments will be returned within 1 week.
 Major projects will include a timeline for completion of steps.
o Each item on the timeline will be returned by the next class.
o The completed project will be returned within 1 week.
The building policy sets parameters for the establishment of all department policies.
Course Assignments and Activities
Activities:
Various strategies will be used in class to assist students in developing factual knowledge. Lectures,
discussions, debates, and various small group collaborative activities will be used to deepen students’
understanding of concepts gained through the required overnight readings. Relevant excerpts from
documentaries and movies will be used to help enhance students understanding of the key concepts and
locations addressed in the course. A proper study of Human Geography cannot exist without studying the
locations being analyzed throughout the various units of the course. Therefore, an assortment of activities will
incorporate the use of various map projections, globes, atlases, and dry-erase laminated map sets. Internet based
maps/images will also be incorporated into the course as necessary.
Readings:
Students will have required readings that will come primarily from The Cultural Landscape (Rubenstein) with
additional excerpts/selections from the supplemental course texts, periodicals, and websites. Students will need
to be prepared for a reading quiz or other assessment covering the readings. Students are encouraged to take
notes.
Free Response Questions:
AP Human Geography will help students to develop the skills necessary to present a cogent argument based
upon critical analysis of the prompted question and their understanding of geography. Students will be
presented with a multi-component prompt which will generally require defining terms relative to geographic
studies in an in-depth manner and then analyzing the terms within in the context of specific world regions or
case studies.
Tests:
At the conclusion of each unit of study, students will be a given a unit test. These unit tests are comprehensive
and will include material previous covered within the course. Unit tests will be given in two parts: 1) free
response and 2) multiple choice. The essay and multiple choice components of each unit test are designed to
mimic the format of the AP Exam. The National AP Exam is optional but strongly recommended as the focus of
this class is to develop those skills necessary for success on this exam.
Assignments and Major Projects:
Various in-class written assignments will be used so as to facilitate students in a deeper interaction with AP
Human Geography curricular content. Such assignments will include analyzing information in various printed
and electronic (Internet) resources as well as evaluating maps, graphs, charts, and other statistical information
relative to the interaction among Earth and its various human populations.