World Geography Course Summary
Department: Social Studies
Semester 1
Learning Objective #1
Students will analyze the five themes of geography to help them make sense of the use and purpose of
the subject.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #1
 Target 1: define the five themes of geography
 Target 2: use real world examples to demonstrate understanding of the relevance for the five
themes of geography
Timeline
Weeks 1 & 2
Learning Objective #2
Students will explain how geographers organize our world using the theme of location and identify
specific map types.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #2
 Target 1: identify and compare the difference between absolute and relative location
 Target 2: use latitude and longitude coordinates to place specific locations in their respective
hemisphere
 Target 3: examine the purposes, strengths, and weaknesses of various map projections and
types
Timeline
Weeks 2 & 3
Learning Objective #3
Students will identify and explain the internal and external forces that shape Earth.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #3
Target 1: categorize the water, land, and air systems on Earth that support life
Target 2: identify changes to Earth’s surface from volcanoes and earthquakes
Target 3: identify changes to Earth’s surface from erosion and weathering
Target 4: analyze Earth’s water cycle and the impact of water scarcity
Timeline
Weeks 3 & 4
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Learning Objective #4
Students will describe Earth’s rotation and tilt and analyze the effects it has on weather patterns and
climate regions.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #4
 Target 1: locate and describe the importance of the Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of
Capricorn in regards to seasonal changes
 Target 2: define the greenhouse effect and how humanity has contributed to the warming of
our planet
 Target 3: locate and describe different climate types and regions
Timeline
Weeks 3 & 4
Learning Objective #5
Students will explain how geographers study population and culture to identify important trends and
changes over time.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #5
 Target 1: explain how population growth varies from country to country and is influenced by
culture, migration, and development
 Target 2: apply geography’s role in creating and identifying different cultures
Timeline
Weeks 5 & 6
Learning Objective #6
Students will contrast the economic and government systems found in developed and developing
countries.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #6
 Target 1: compare types of government and the social forces that shape them
 Target 2: describe three major economic systems and their role in a larger global economy
Timeline
Weeks 5 & 6
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Learning Objective #7
Students will describe the physical, economic, and political characteristics of world regions.
Targets to Meet Learning Objective #7
 Target 1: explain how physical characteristics contribute to the uniqueness of major regions
in the world
 Target 2: explain how social characteristics contribute to the uniqueness of major regions in
the world
 Target 3: study causes and solutions to current global issues facing the region of study
Timeline
Weeks 7 to end of semester
© Liberty High School 2011