World Geography and Cultures

Course Description:
Welcome to World Geography and Cultures! Over the course of the year,
students will be exploring cultural and geographic content through
multisensory and critical thinking activities to achieve a deeper
understanding of how humans interact with each other and the world around
them. Students will understand the worlds physical features, how they blend
with social systems and how they affect economies, politics, and human
interaction. Students will explore cultures and societies from North America,
South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Students will learn the
broad concepts of spatial patterns, mapping, population and physical
systems (land, air, water). By the end of the year students will have learned
a combination of geographic facts and broad concepts to provide a deeper
understanding of world geography and its effects on societies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Understand how the Five Themes of Geography: location,
place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region
outline the study of geography.
Explore how technology affects the global cultural exchange
and indentify areas that are affected the most and least by
technological development.
Understand the fundamentals of the worlds major religions
including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and
Shintoism.
Analyze human systems with and emphasis on religion,
economics, and politics, and how they affect human interaction
around the globe.
Gain exposure to the contemporary issues that affect our society
and the world.
Learn to visualize and empathize with the people of different
times, places, and cultures.
Learn about influential figures from around the World and
places made famous through natural and human means.
Methods and Materials:

Students will be exploring World Geography and Cultures using a variety of

primary and secondary resources. Students will also have the opportunity to
use online resources, view videos and read literature from specific areas of
focus.
Textbook: World Geography and Cultures (McGraw Hill, 2012)
Workbook: World Geography and Cultures, Reading Essentials and Note
Taking Guide (McGraw Hill, 2012)
Student Expectations
As a high school student, you will be responsible for:
Being on time
Bringing all necessary materials to class (pen/pencil, books, etc.)
Completing assigned coursework on time
Keeping class materials organized in your binder
Participating in class
Respecting others
Giving your best effort, cooperation and attention
Assessment
Students will be evaluated on their mastery of geographic content and skills
using a variety of methods: reports, projects, oral presentations, essays,
quizzes and written tests. Students will also be assessed on their ability to
acquire, organize, analyze, and interpret geographic information in order to
answer geographic questions
Grading Policy
Test/Projects
Class work/Homework
Participation
Contact:
Kevin OBrien
Kevin.obrien@staracademy.org
(415) 456-8728 ex 201

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