Honors World Geography Course Summary
Department: Social Studies
All World Regional Geography courses (Honors or otherwise) utilize the same targets and indicators for
student performance. However, students enrolled in Honors World Regional Geography will cover course
content at a faster pace and/or in greater depth than those students enrolled in other World Regional
Geography classes. In addition, critical thinking and writing skills crucial for success in Advanced
Placement Social Studies courses and future Honors Social Studies courses are developed and refined as
part of the Honors curriculum.
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
© Liberty High School 2011
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
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
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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
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