Curriculum Unit Name of Course: AP Human Geography Grade Level(s): 9-12 Brief Description (Course Catalog): The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processe have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concep landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. Length of Course (Qtr, Sem or Year): Year Instructional Unit #1 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Thinking Geographically (Chapter 1) The purpose of Unit 1 is to introduce you to the study of Geography. Although this is a human geography course we will need to look at what physical geography is, how geographers know what they know, the science behind the study of our world, in order to know where places are located around the globe. This unit will cover chapter 1 from your textbook and we will spend about two weeks learning the material. The information you learn in this unit will help as we make our way through the various fields of Human Geography over the course of the school year. 2 Weeks A. Geography as a field of inquiry B. Geographical concepts and models C. Key concepts underlying the geographical perspective D. Key geographical skills: 1) Maps and Spatial Data 2) Implications of associations among phenomena in places 3) Different scales and relationships among patterns 4) Regions and the regionalization processes 5) Changing interconnections among places E. Geographic technologies F. Sources of geographical ideas and data Chapter 1 Key Terms 1. Define and explain geography and human geography as a field of inquiry. 2. Explain the meaning of the spatial perspective. 3. Describe the evolution of key geographical concepts Assessment: Chapter 1 Quiz, Map Quiz over North America, Unit Exam
and models associated with notable geographers. 4. Understand the key concepts underlying the geographical perspective: location, space, place, scale, pattern, regionalization, and globalization. 5. Demonstrate the ability to complete key geographical skills: how to use and think about maps and spatial data; understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places; recognize and interpret different scales and the relationships among patterns and processes; define regions and evaluate the process of regionalization; characterize and analyze the changing interconnections among places. 6. List and describe the various projections used for map making and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. 7. Understand and describe the role of geographic technologies (GIS and GPS) 8. Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute a FRQ question based on the College Board expectations.
Instructional Unit #2 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Population Geography (Chapters 2 & 3) This unit will cover chapters 2 and 3 in the textbook and we will spend about 4 weeks going over the material. Not only will be look at key terms associated with population and movement, but we will also focus on what causes growth, why do people move, and what will population trends look like in the future. This unit puts an interesting focus on population, and I can promise you will never look at a nation's population as just a simple number ever again! 4 Weeks A. Geographical analysis of population 1) Density, distribution, and scale 2) Consequences of various densities and distributions 3) Patterns of composition: age, sex, race, ethnicity 4) Population and natural hazards B. Population growth and decline over time 1) Historical trends and projections 2) Theories of population growth 3) Patterns of fertility, mortality and health 4) Regional variations of demographic transitions 5) Effects of population policies C. Population movement 1) Migration selectivity 2) Major voluntary and involuntary migrations 3) Theories of migration 4) International migration and refugees 5) Socioeconomic consequences of migration Chapter 2 & 3 Key Terms 1. Develop an understanding of geographical analysis of population as it relates to the following: Chapter Quizzes, Map Quiz the Americas, Unit Exam with multiple Density, distribution, and scale choice and FRQ. Consequences of various densities and distributions -Migration Report Patterns of composition: age, sex, race, and ethnicity Population and natural hazards: past, present, and future
2. Describe the growth and decline of population over time and space with a focus on: Historical trends and projections for the future Theories of population growth, including the demographic transition model Patterns of fertility, mortality, and health Regional variations of demographic transitions Effects of population polices 3. Evaluate population movement as it relates to the following: Push and pull factors Major voluntary and involuntary migrations at different scales Migration selectivity Short-term, local movements, and activity space
Instructional Unit #3 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Cultural Patterns and Processes (Chapters 4-6) We will continue with our focus on human geography as begin our look at Cultural Patterns and Processes. We will cover chapters 4, 5 and 6 over the course of 6 weeks, and you will need to learn key terms associated with culture, key reasons why cultures are different- religion, language, ethnicity- and we will look at popular and folk culture. These chapters are key to understanding what makes each person and group of people on earth different from one another. Many of the issues in the world today revolve around these cultures differences. This unit will give you valuable insight into the people of our world that you can carry with you into the future. 6 Weeks A. Concepts of Culture 1) Traits 2) Diffusion 3) Acculturation 4) Cultural regions B. Cultural Differences 1) Language 2) Religion 3) Ethnicity 4) Gender 5) Popular and Folk Culture C. Cultural landscapes and cultural identity 1) Values and preferences 2) Symbolic landscapes and sense of place 3) Environmental impact of cultural attitudes and practices Key Terms for Chapters 4-6 1. Define culture, cultural geography, and compare and contrast the various aspects of folk and popular culture. 2. Examine examples of specific popular cultural traits and discuss their diffusion, and discuss how these traits are affected by and affect the natural environment. 3. Discuss the role of racism and ethnocentrism in the understanding of the cultural landscape. 4. Explain how languages are classified and related; Chapter Quizzes, Map Quiz over Europe, Unit Exam with multiple choice and FRQ. -Food Culture Project
describe what role language plays as an element of culture, and map the location and distribution of language families worldwide. 5. Discuss the regional and local variety in langue using the terms slang, isogloss, and accent. 6. Explain how toponyms are derived and classified and give examples. 7. Identify the fundamental characteristics of all major religions including point of origin, method of diffusion, current distribution and landscape expression. 8. Distinguish between ethnic and universalizing religions. 9. Describe the ways in which the environment influences religion and ways in which religions affect the natural environment. 10. Discuss various specific religious conflicts around the world in terms of religion versus politics, interfaith conflicts, and intrafaith conflicts.
Instructional Unit #4 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Political Organization of Space (Chapters 7 & 8) Unit 4 will be the last unit of study for 1st Semester. All material from Units 1-4 will be on the semester final exam in January. Within this unit we will cover chapters 7 and 8 while we look at how the space on earth has been politically organized. You will learn what types of boundaries divide up the land, how nations interact, and how ethnicity impacts territorial claims to land. This unit will give you valuable insight into past and present clashes between ethnic groups and various nations over land claims. 4 Weeks A. Territorial dimensions of politics 1) Concept of territoriality 2) Nature and meaning of boundaries 3) Influences of boundaries on identity, interaction and exchange 4) Federal and unitary states 5) Partial relationships between political patterns and patterns of ethnicity, economy, and environment B. Evolution of the contemporary political pattern 1) Nation-state concept 2) Colonialism and Imperialism Key Terms for Chapters 7 and 8 1. Where are ethnicities distributed? Give real-world examples. Chapter Quizzes, Map Quiz over Russia & the former Republics, Unit 2. Why have ethnicities been transformed into nationalities? Why do ethnicities clash? Exam with multiple choice and FRQ. 3. Where are states located? Where are boundaries drawn between states? 4. List advantages and disadvantages of different types of boundaries using real-world examples. 5. Explain the concept of state by identifying necessary qualifications and characteristics, give examples. 6. Why do states cooperate with one another? What happens when states clash? 7. Summarize the history of the United Nations and identify issues of current importance confronting them.
Instructional Unit #5 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Agriculture and Rural Land Use (Chapter 10) As we move into Unit 5 we will be looking at chapter 10 in our textbook. Over the course of 3 weeks we will be looking at the development of agriculture out of key hearths, the various revolutions in agriculture, and the difference between farming in developed and less developed countries. Beyond the key terms you will learn what it takes to feed not only a nation, but the world! 3 Weeks A. Development and diffusion of agriculture 1) Neolithic Agricultural Revolution 2) Second Agricultural Revolution 3) Green Revolution 4) Modern commercial agriculture B. Major agricultural production regions 1) Agricultural systems associated with bioclimatic zones 2) Variations within major zones and effects of markets 3) Linkages and flows among regions of food production and consumption C. Rural land use and settlement patterns 1) Models of agricultural land use, including von Thünen s model 2) Settlement patterns associated with major agriculture types 3) Land use/land cover change, irrigation, conservation D. Modern commercial agriculture 1) Biotechnology 2) Spatial organization and diffusion of industrial agriculture 3) Organic farming and local food production 4) Environmental impacts of agriculture Key Terms for Chapter 10 1. Where did agriculture originate? Explain and identify the various hearths. Chapter Quizzes, Map Quiz over Africa, Unit Exam with multiple choice 2. Locate agricultural regions in both less and more developed countries. Explain why this is the given location for agriculture. and FRQ. 3. Use agricultural practice to differentiate between less developed and relatively developed countries. 4. Describe the evolution of agriculture: Neolithic Revolution, Agricultural Revolution, Green Revolution, and biotechnology.
5. Consider how factors such as climate, terrain, culture, and the relation to world markets correlate with specific agricultural regions. 6. Compare and contrast different types of rural landscapes and settlements including linear villages, cluster villages, and dispersed settlements.
Instructional Unit #6 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Development and Industrialization (Chapters 9, 11, 14) As we move into Unit 6 we will spend about 5 weeks covering the development of economics and industry through chapters 9 and 11 in the textbook. We will begin with the Industrial Revolution, and then look at how development is spread across the globe. We will look at the Human Develop Index in order to see the difference between life in the developed world and the developing world. In addition you will also see how economies vary widely from place to place, as well as daily life as a result of this uneven development around the globe. We will conclude our unit with a look at the resource issues that our plant needs to deal with in the coming years. 6 Weeks A. Growth and diffusion of industrialization 1) Changing role of energy and technology 2) Industrial Revolution 3) Evolution of economic cores and peripheries 4) Geographic critiques of models of economic localization, industrial location, economic development and world systems B. Contemporary patterns and impacts of industrialization and development 1) Spatial organization of the world economy 2) Variations in levels of development 3) Deindustrialization and economic restructuring 4) Globalization and international division of labor 5) Natural resources and environmental concerns 6) Sustainable development 7) Local development initiatives: government policies 8) Women in development Key Terms for Chapters 9, 11, 14 1. Why does development vary among countries? Use examples of human welfare indicators to distinguish between relatively developed and less developed countries. Chapter Quizzes, Map Quiz over Southwest Asia and South Asia, Unit Exam with multiple choice and FRQ. -Industry Project 2. Classify countries based on economic indicators. 3. What is the Brandt Line? Be able to draw it on a regional or world map. 4. Compare and contrast different theories and models of economic development in both developed and developing countries.
5. Give examples of different sectors within a country s economy and example how they interact. 6. Where are more and less developed countries distributed? 7. Map regional manufacturing zones on each continent. Include origin, diffusion, current strengths and weaknesses. 8. What obstacles to less stand in the way of less developed countries developing? 9. Explain the Industrial Revolution- origins, diffusion, and current pattern of industrial growth. 10. Discuss the problems that are created by or are associated with industrialization in developed and developing countries. 11. Describe how site and situation factors influence the location of manufacturing. 12. Compare and contrast preindustrial, industrial, and postindustrial societies, daily life, and landscape. 13. Explain why fossil fuel resources are being depleted. 14. Discuss what alternative ideas have been or are being developed in order to deal with this lack of resources in the future. (Solar Energy, Geothermal, Wind, Hydroelectric, etc.) 15. Discuss the impact of pollution on resources- land, water, and air. 16. Evaluate efforts to conserve resources. Discuss sustainable development and biodiversity.
Instructional Unit #7 Name of Unit/Big Idea: Services and Urban Patterns Look around you? We are living in a perfect place to learn about cities and urban land use! Not only are we on the outskirts of a major city, but I would guess that most of you live in a perfectly-planned suburban neighborhood (including me!). We are going to spend about 4 weeks using chapters 12 and 13 to learn about how cities have developed, where and why we see the most urban growth, and we will evaluate the impact of suburbanization. In addition to the United States we will also look at the European, Asia, and Latin America city models, all of which are different then our North American cities. This should be a very interesting and informative look at the world you live in! 4 Weeks A. Development and character of cities 1) Origin of cities 2) Rural-urban migration and urban growth 3) Global cities and megacities 4) Suburbanization and edge cities B. Models of urban systems 1) Rank-size rule 2) Central place theory 3) Gravity theory C. Models of internal city structure 1) Concentric zone model 2) Sector model 3) Multiple-nuclei model 4) Changing employment mix 5) Changing demographic and social structures 6) Uneven development, ghettoization, and gentrification D. Built environment and social space 1) Housing 2) Transportation and infrastructure 3) Political organization of urban areas 4) Urban planning and design 5) Patterns of race, ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status Key Terms for Chapters 12 & 13 1. Where have urban areas grown and what has made this Chapter Quizzes, Map Quiz over East growth possible? Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, 2. Where are people distributed within an urban area? How Unit Exam with multiple choice and
does this distribution vary from country to country? (European vs. North American Models, Location of CBD, and Suburbs) 3. Why do inner cities have distinctive problems? List them and evaluate them. 4. Explain the growth of the suburbs in terms of social, transportation, and economic changes. 5. Differentiate between three models of North American cities. 6. Why do suburbs have distinctive problems? List them and evaluate them. 7. Explain and illustrate important models dealing with the urban hierarchy including central-place theory, rank-size rule and primate cities. 8. Compare and contrast spatial characteristics of cities in various regions including Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. FRQ.