AP Human Geography Course Outline of Content for Chapters I and II

Geography as a Discipline; and Population

The outline below represents the major content areas covered by the AP Examination in Human Geography. The outline is a guide for content and is not intended to be an exclusive list of topics. The outline is the starting point for utilizing resources at this support site. Click on underlined words to read narration which elaborates the topics. Click on the buttons to go to pages with supporting information indicated by the button name. Each area is designed to help teach the AP Human Geography course. Return to this page by using the "Back" button on your browser or the "AP Outline"navigation button.

I. Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives

A. Geography as a field of inquiry

B. Evolution of key geographical concepts and models associated with notable geographers

C. Key concepts underlying the geographical perspective: space, place, and scale

D. Key geographical skills

1. How to use and think about maps and spatial data sets
2. How to understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places
3. How to recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes
4. How to define regions and evaluate the regionalization process
5. How to characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places
E. Sources of geographical ideas and data: the field, census data, etc.

II. Population

A. Geographical analysis of population

1. Boundaries and areal units, and densities
2. Scale and process
3. Population and environment

B. Population distribution and composition

1. Factors affecting distribution
2. Consequences of particular distributions
3. Patterns of age, sex, race, and ethnicity
4. Responses to natural hazards: past, present, and future

C. Population growth and decline over time and space

1. Historical trends and projections for the future
2. Patterns of fertility, mortality, and health
3. Regional variations of demographic transitions
4. Effects of pro- and anti-natalist policies

D. Population movement

1. Major voluntary and involuntary migrations at different scales
2. Short-term, local movements, and activity space