The power and beauty of geography allows all students to see, understand and appreciate the web of relationships between people, places and environments. Geography provides knowledge of Earth’s physical and human systems and of the interdependency of living things and physical environments. This geography course is based on the six essential elements and five themes of geography stressing the contemporary world and the role of the U.S. in the global community. Students will use geographic perspectives and technology to interpret culture, environment and the connection between them. Students will use the geographic skills of asking geographic questions, acquiring geographic information, organizing geographic information, analyzing geographic information and answering geographic questions.

SS.G.1

Interpret, use and construct maps, globes and other geographic tools to locate and derive information about personal directions, people, places and environments (The World in Spatial Terms).

SS.G.2

Describe the physical and human characteristics of place and explain how the lives of people are rooted in places and regions (Places and Regions).

SS.G.3

Describe and explain the physical processes that shape the earth’s surface and create, sustain and modify the cultural and natural environment (Physical Systems).

SS.G.4

Identify, explain and analyze how the earth is shaped by the movement of people and their activities (Human Systems).

SS.G.5

Analyze the interaction of society with the environment (Environment and Society).

SS.G.6

Explain geographic perspective and the tools and techniques available for geographic study (Uses of Geography).

SS.G.7

Analyze the world and account for consequences of human/environment interactions depicting the geographic implications of world events (e.g. catastrophic environmental and climatic events, wars and conflicts, ethnic cleansing and genocide).

SS.G.8

Explain components of the Earth’s physical systems and their interrelationships (e.g. landforms, bodies of water, atmosphere and geologic factors).

SS.G.9

Explain components of the Earth’s physical systems and their interrelationships (e.g. landforms, bodies of water, atmosphere and geologic factors).

SS.G.10

Identify and define the world’s physical and cultural regions, including political and historical characteristics, and their interdependence in regard to trade, services, migration and cultural values.

SS.G.11

Analyze populations with regard to life expectancy, infant mortality rates, population pyramids, migration, birth and death rates.

SS.G.12

Evaluate the impact of migration on physical and human systems (e.g., demand for housing, schools, water supply, sewer systems, welfare systems, political systems and food production).

SS.G.13

Analyze growth, decline, and development of cities over time.

SS.G.14

Compare and contrast the impact of competition for limited resources on an interdependent global economy (e.g. distribution, sustainability, conflict and resolution).

SS.G.15

Examine global social and political factors and their implications (e.g., climate change, endangered species, terrorism, air pollution, habitat destruction, floods and universal human rights).

SS.G.16

Analyze ethnicity, nationalism and religion on regional cultures in a global society (e.g. major world religions, various ethnic groups and rigidity of societal norms).

SS.G.17

Analyze the influence of geographical features on the evolution of significant historic events and movements.

SS.G.18

Analyze the impact of technology or its lack on environments and societies over time.

SS.G.19

Analyze connections between physical geography and isolation from the world community which result in cultural and political instability (e.g., Afghanistan, rural areas throughout the world, drought stricken areas of Africa, North Korea, China and Iran).

SS.G.20

Identify causes and draw conclusions about landless cultures (e.g., Kurds, Basques, and Palestinians).

SS.G.21

Compare and contrast standards of living in poverty-stricken areas with advanced societies (e.g. basic needs, education, economic opportunities and technological advances).

SS.G.22

Utilize various geographic information systems to gain insight into people and their place in the world.

SS.G.23

Career options:

  • Identify careers in geography.
  • Identify resources to help select geography programs for further study.

SS.G.24

Educational requirements:

  • Identify degree requirements for geographers and geography-related careers.
  • Identify resources to help select psychology programs for further study.

SS.G.25

Vocational applications of geography:

  • Discuss ways in which geography addresses domestic and global issues.
  • Identify careers in geography that have evolved as a result of domestic and global issues.