Semester A

Course Description

The content of World Geography and Cultures A covers the physical landforms, climate and vegetation, and cultures of the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Russia through map reading, videos, text reading, interactive learning tools, exams, classroom discussion, and researched writing projects. The course is a study of the effects of physical and human geography in the development of cultures. It is designed to engage students through inquiry by questioning, investigation, and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people's lives, now and in the future. Virtual fieldwork is an essential element of this. Students learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images, and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS) to obtain and analyze information. They are challenged to consider more than just facts about who lives where and the problems those people face as a culture. They are also asked to analyze the current culture to determine how it developed and then, based on their analysis, suggest a possible future for the populations living there. The goal of the course is for the student to become a global citizen by exploring their own place in the world, their values, and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.

Major Concepts

Semester B

Course Description

The content of World Geography and Cultures B covers the physical landforms, climate and vegetation, and cultures of Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica through map reading, videos, text reading, interactive learning tools, exams, classroom discussion, and researched writing projects. The course is a study of the effects of physical and human geography in the development of cultures. It is designed to engage students through inquiry by questioning, investigation, and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people's lives, now and in the future. Virtual fieldwork is an essential element of this. Students learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images, and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS) to obtain and analyze information. They are challenged to consider more than just facts about who lives where and the problems those people face as a culture. They are also asked to analyze the current culture to determine how it developed and then, based on their analysis, suggest a possible future for the populations living there. The goal of the course is for the student to become a global citizen by exploring their own place in the world, their values, and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.

Major Concepts

Requirements

Grade Level
9

Materials
None

Duration
2 Semesters

Prerequisites
None

Technology Skills