AP Human Geography
Course Description
College-level introduction to the patterns and processes that shape how humans understand, use, and transform Earth’s surface. Students apply spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine population, culture, politics, development, and urban systems, using maps, data, and geospatial tools to interpret real-world change.
| Credits | 10 (year-long) |
| UC A–G Area | G — College-Preparatory Elective (confirm on UCOP A–G list) |
| Level & GPA Weight | AP (weighted per UCOP/district policy) |
| Recommended Grades | G9–G11 |
| Prerequisites | 9th-grade level critical reading & writing skills. |
| Textbook | Rubenstein, The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography (12th ed.). ISBN: 978-0134270197. (Student prepares hard-copy text.) |
What You’ll Learn
- Interpret maps and analyze geospatial data.
- Explain networks and associations among phenomena across places.
- Relate patterns and processes across different spatial scales.
- Define regions and evaluate regionalization processes.
- Analyze changing interconnections among places. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Course Outline
1. Geography: Its Nature & Perspectives — spatial concepts, scale, diffusion, methods & tools.
2–3. Population & Migration — growth, distribution, demographic transition, migration patterns & policies.
4–7. Cultural Patterns & Processes — language, religion, ethnicity, folk vs. popular culture, cultural landscapes.
8. Political Organization of Space — states, boundaries, supranationalism, geopolitics.
9. Agriculture, Food Production & Rural Land Use — agricultural revolutions, systems, sustainability.
10–11. Industrialization & Economic Development — location theory, development indicators, global trade.
12–13. Cities & Urban Land Use — urban models, services, housing, planning & policy.
Delivery Options & Tuition
| Model | What’s Included | Live Hours | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Asynchronous | Self-paced modules, graded work, email Q&A | — | $1,098 |
| Teacher-Guided Asynchronous | Instructor pacing, periodic check-ins, grading & feedback | ~ 8 hours | $1,970 |
| Mini-One-on-One | Targeted coaching, DBQ/FRQ practice, exam strategies | ~ 20 hours | $2,380 |
| One-on-One | Fully personalized instruction & pacing | ≈ 38 to 40 hrs (typical) | $119 per hour |
Time & Workload Expectations
- Learning of Curriculum: 80 to 90 hours in total, including independent work (and live sessions where applicable), assignment completion, studying to review the tests and quizzes.
- Communication: Email Q&A and periodic progress updates are available in all models.
- Weekly load scales with your course window (start/end dates). Example:
(live hours + independent hours) ÷ weeks ≈ weekly time
Grading & Course Policies
- Coursework: quizzes, homework, one midterm, and a final each semester (semesters graded independently).
- Preparedness: have materials ready and complete assigned reading before class.
- Tardiness: >15 min = UT (Unexcused Tardy); >30 min = UA (Unexcused Absence).
- Devices: phones on silent for instructional capture only; unauthorized use during assessments = automatic F.
- Absences: notify instructor/office of planned absences as early as possible.
Office Hours & Notes
- Office Hours: by appointment.
- Pacing Guide: Personalized to your start/end dates and seasonal schedules.
- Accessibility: Reasonable accommodations available—please notify counselor/instructor during onboarding.
- Parent Updates: Progress check-ins available upon request (per FERPA/guardian permissions).