AP® Human Geography is the fastest growing AP subject according to recent statistics! This is a year-long course for grades 9 through 12 that is designed to meet or exceed the experience of an introductory one-semester college human geography course. The purpose of the course is to utilize geographic processes to systematically study and understand spatial patterns that are evident in the world in which we live.

My Ph.D. in Geography Education is from Texas State University – San Marcos and I have taught geography several years at the college level. In addition, I have been asked to score AP Human Geography free responses for ETS since the course’s inception. I have also written an essay for the AP® Human Geography website – “Survival of a Folk Culture- The Old Order Amish” and authored several books and articles centering on geographic themes. As a cultural geographer, I am constantly exploring regions and their people and want to share some of the exciting and wonderful discoveries I have made with you!

Textbooks and Required Resources:

• Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities, 9th ed. By Fellmann, Getis, & Getis
• Human Geography in Action, 4th ed. By Kuby, Harner, & Gober
• Internet Access and Internet Explorer 6.0 or above (for interactive hands-on activities)

Course Format: The course will consist of a full academic year broken into units. The main topics or themes of the course are: Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives, Population, Cultural Patterns and Processes, Political Organization of Space, Agricultural and Rural Land Use, Industrialization and Economic Development, and Cities and Urban Land Use. Geographic skills such as using and thinking about maps and spatial data, recognizing and interpreting relationships at different scales, and defining regions are taught and learned in this course.

Since geography is a spatial science and is learned best by “doing,” a combination of required readings and hands-on activities will make this an exciting and relevant course. On-line video clips, case studies, and other special features make this a diverse and fascinating experience in learning about the world and the people who are its inhabitants. You will also keep an interactive Geography Journal and weekly vocabulary notebook as part of your course requirements. The last weeks will consist of a review for the AP exam and more practice in comprehending the questions and in responding to them in the expected manner to receive credit for your knowledge.

Assessment: Student assessment will consist of a combination of homework, interactive Geography Journal activities, and unit exams. Since free-response questions comprise 50 percent of the AP Exam, all unit tests include free-response questions. Students also practice writing free-responses from time to time throughout the year. These responses are graded using a scoring guideline in the same manner as the AP Exam is scored. My experience with designing scoring rubrics and assessing student responses will help me ensure that the students taking this course are well-prepared for a good score on the AP® Human Geography exam next spring!

If you are interested in taking this course, please e-mail me at: cagillespie@zoominternet.net or phone me at (724) 772-3853 and I will give you an application to complete and return. Thank you!

Dr. Carol Ann Gillespie
109 Fox Chase Ct.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066

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