Introduction to AP* Human Geography from edX

Are you interested in what’s happening in your global community? Explore economic, social, political, and environmental issues through the lens of geography.

By exploring human influences and patterns, you can better understand the world around you, make predictions, and propose solutions to current issues. In this course, you will investigate geographic perspectives and analyze historical and current patterns of migration, population, political organization of space, agriculture, food production, land use, industrialization and economic development.

In addition, you will learn helpful strategies for answering multiple-choice questions and free response essay questions on the AP Human Geography test.

Each of the seven modules in this course aligns with the concepts in the Advanced Placement* Human Geography course.

This course is specifically designed for students who are interested in learning more about the AP Human Geography course before enrolling, supplementary support and exam review, and for use in blended learning classrooms.

* Advanced Placement® and AP® are trademarks registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, these offerings.

What you'll learn

how to interpret maps and analyze geospatial data
ways to determine implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places
how to recognize relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis
methods to define regions and regionalization processes
strategies for analyzing interconnections among places
how the AP* Human Geography exam is structured and helpful strategies for doing your best

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to interpret maps and analyze geospatial data
Ways to determine implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places
How to recognize relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis

Methods to define regions and regionalization processes
Strategies for analyzing interconnections among places
How the ap* human geography exam is structured and helpful strategies for doing your best

How to interpret maps and analyze geospatial data
Ways to determine implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places
How to recognize relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis
Methods to define regions and regionalization processes
Strategies for analyzing interconnections among places
How the ap* human geography exam is structured and helpful strategies for doing your best

Syllabus

Module 1: Geography: Its Nature and PerspectivesModule 2: Population and MigrationModule 3: Cultural Patterns and ProcessesModule 4: Political Organization of SpaceModule 5: Agriculture, Food Production, and Rural Land UseModule 6: Industrialization and Economic DevelopmentModule 7: Cities and Urban Land Use

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appropriate for undergrads who need a refresher before jumping into an AP course or exam

Fitting for high school students aiming to excel on the AP exam

Suitable for individuals seeking supplementary support in understanding AP Human Geography concepts

Examines human influences on the environment, offering insights for addressing current issues

Provides strategies for answering multiple-choice and free-response questions on the AP exam, enhancing exam preparation

Covers key concepts in AP Human Geography, aligning with the College Board's curriculum

Reviews summary

Informative and thought-provoking course

Learners say this course is informative and offers a fresh perspective on global events.

The course presents complex ideas in an engaging way.

"This course is very informative, as in it helps you understand things in the world in a completely different way than what the news may be reporting on TV."

Some learners may find the material challenging at times.

"It may take awhile for some people to fully grasp the concepts discussed in this course"

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to AP* Human Geography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Geographer

Geographers study the physical features of the earth and its human inhabitants. This course will introduce learners to the fundamental concepts of geography, including the nature and perspectives of geography, population and migration, cultural patterns and processes, political organization of space, agriculture, food production, and rural land use, industrialization and economic development, and cities and urban land use. This comprehensive overview of geography will help learners to develop a strong foundation for success in the field.

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Geospatial Analyst

Geospatial analysts use geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze spatial data. This course will introduce learners to the methods of interpreting maps and analyzing geospatial data. This skill will be very useful to geospatial analysts, since they regularly use GIS to analyze spatial data. Additionally, this course will introduce learners to the concept of spatial reasoning, which may be applied by geospatial analysts toward the planning and analysis of spatial data.

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Cartographer

Cartographers create and interpret maps that depict geographic features. This course will introduce learners to the methods of interpreting maps and analyzing geospatial data. This skill will be very useful to cartographers, since they regularly use maps as their primary medium. Additionally, this course will introduce learners to the concept of spatial reasoning, which may be applied by cartographers toward the planning and creation of maps.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policies and programs. This course will introduce learners to the methods of determining implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places, recognizing relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis, defining regions and regionalization processes, and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills will be very useful to policy analysts, since they regularly analyze the impact of public policies and programs on different geographic areas.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop plans for the use of land in urban areas. This course will introduce learners to the methods of defining regions and regionalization processes, analyzing interconnections among places, and analyzing the political organization of space. These skills will be very useful to urban planners, since they regularly plan for the use of land in urban areas.

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GIS Technician

GIS technicians use geographic information systems (GIS) to create and maintain maps and other geospatial data. This course will introduce learners to the methods of interpreting maps and analyzing geospatial data. This skill will be very useful to GIS technicians, since they regularly use GIS to create and maintain maps and other geospatial data.

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Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study market conditions and trends to help businesses make informed decisions. This course will introduce learners to the methods of recognizing relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills will be very useful to market research analysts, since they regularly study market conditions and trends in different geographic areas.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability managers develop and implement sustainability plans for businesses and organizations. This course will introduce learners to the methods of analyzing the political organization of space and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills will be very useful to sustainability managers, since they regularly work with businesses and organizations in different geographic areas.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants help businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations. This course will introduce learners to the methods of analyzing the political organization of space and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills will be very useful to environmental consultants, since they regularly work with businesses and organizations in different geographic areas.

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Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents help people buy and sell property. This course may introduce learners to the methods of defining regions and regionalization processes and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills may be useful to real estate agents, since they regularly work with people buying and selling property in different geographic areas.

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Travel Agent

Travel agents help people plan and book travel. This course may introduce learners to the methods of analyzing interconnections among places. This skill may be useful to travel agents, since they regularly plan and book travel to different geographic areas.

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Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a business. This course may introduce learners to the methods of analyzing the political organization of space and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills may be useful to operations managers, since they regularly oversee the day-to-day operations of a business in different geographic areas.

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Project Manager

Project managers plan and execute projects. This course may introduce learners to the methods of analyzing the political organization of space and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills may be useful to project managers, since they regularly plan and execute projects in different geographic areas.

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Logistics Manager

Logistics managers plan and coordinate the movement of goods and materials. This course may introduce learners to the methods of analyzing interconnections among places. This skill may be useful to logistics managers, since they regularly plan and coordinate the movement of goods and materials to different geographic areas.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply chain managers oversee the flow of goods and materials from suppliers to consumers. This course may introduce learners to the methods of analyzing the political organization of space and analyzing interconnections among places. These skills may be useful to supply chain managers, since they regularly oversee the flow of goods and materials to different geographic areas.

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Introduction to AP* Human Geography