AP World History versus AP Human Geography

[Anonymous]

DD is interested in pursuing a career in conservation, possibly majoring in environmental science and policy in college. She’s enrolled in AP World History but considering switching into AP Human Geography. Anyone with experience to share?

[Anonymous]

World History is a graduation requirement.

[Anonymous]

Wow I totally missed this. I’m not qualified to be an MCPS parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:World History is a graduation requirement.

But not AP.

[Anonymous]

AP Human Geography is a great class, though, if she gets a chance to take it. I had my kids take it at the same time as APES because there are multiple overlapping units (population; agriculture; urban sustainability, etc.) and others where understanding one helps in the other (like stages of industrial development.) I've taught both classes; hope she can fit it in.

[Anonymous]

Can someone put me in the direction of a normal pathway for kids in high school. I am new to MCPS and it is much more confusing than our other school district

[Anonymous]

AP World History is far more rigorous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone put me in the direction of a normal pathway for kids in high school. I am new to MCPS and it is much more confusing than our other school district

For social studies and science, there can be school-specific variations in the order classes are taken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP World History is far more rigorous.

I’ve heard that as well. Interestingly, fewer students do well on the AP exam. Not sure why that would be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP World History is far more rigorous.

Yes, and better recognized. If he had the room, my son would have taken every single Social Studies AP course. Alas, he had to end with AP World, but he is majoring in International Affairs and is taking all kinds of exciting, similar coursework in undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone put me in the direction of a normal pathway for kids in high school. I am new to MCPS and it is much more confusing than our other school district

There is no normal, PP. If your kid is targeting very selective universities, you want your kid to have as many APs as possible. If they already know what they want to study in college, they need to take the most advanced high school classes in that area to show their interest.
It all depends on where the student wants to land.

[Anonymous]

AP world isn’t that great but probably better than honors. Both my kids took it. One of my kids also took Human Geography and loved it. It was his favorite class I think. My other child is at a diff high school where it isn’t offered unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP World History is far more rigorous.

I’ve heard that as well. Interestingly, fewer students do well on the AP exam. Not sure why that would be.

Because the teaching is not adequately focused on training for the test.

[Anonymous]

AP Human Geography is considered an easy, "fluff" class while AP World History is considered more challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP Human Geography is considered an easy, "fluff" class while AP World History is considered more challenging.

This.