APHUG+-+Unit+4+--+Political+Geography+Published
Unit 4: Political Geography
Overview
Focus on the political organization of space
Relates to historical and current processes, events, and ideas
Includes various topics relevant to AP Human Geography
Page 1
Introduction to Political Geography
Discusses different facets of political geography such as political entities, power, boundaries, governance, etc.
Page 2
College Board Topics
Topics covered by AP Human Geography curriculum related to Political Geography
Page 3
Topic Overview
TOPIC 4.1: Introduction to Political Geography
TOPIC 4.2: Political Processes
Enduring Understandings and Learning Objectives
Enduring Understanding PSO-4: The political organization of space results from historical and current processes, events, and ideas.
Learning Objective PSO-4.A:
Define different types of political entities.
Identify contemporary examples.
Essential Knowledge
PSO-4.A.1: Independent states are the primary building blocks of the world political map.
PSO-4.A.2: Types of political entities include:
Nations
Nation-states
Stateless nations
Multinational states
Multistate nations
Autonomous and semi-autonomous regions (e.g., American Indian reservations)
Learning Objective PSO-4.B
Explain processes shaping contemporary political geography.
PSO-4.B.1: Concepts of sovereignty, nation-states, and self-determination shape the contemporary world.
PSO-4.B.2: Colonialism, imperialism, independence movements, and devolution along national lines influence political boundaries.
Page 4
Topic 4.3: Political Power and Territoriality
Enduring Understanding: Political organization of space results from historical and current processes.
Learning Objective PSO-4.C: Describe concepts of political power and territoriality as used by geographers.
Essential Knowledge
PSO-4.C.1: Political power is expressed geographically as control over people, land, and resources. Examples include neocolonialism, shatterbelts, and choke points.
PSO-4.C.2: Territoriality connects people, culture, and economic systems to the land.
Page 5
Topic 4.4: Defining Political Boundaries
Enduring Understanding IMP-4: Political boundaries reflect negotiated or imposed balances of power.
Learning Objective IMP-4.A: Define types of political boundaries.
Essential Knowledge
IMP-4.A.1: Types of political boundaries:
Relic
Superimposed
Subsequent
Antecedent
Geometric
Consequent
Page 6
Topic 4.6: Internal Boundaries
Essential Knowledge
IMP-4.B.5: Voting districts, redistricting, and gerrymandering affect election results at various scales.
Page 7
Topic 4.7: Forms of Governance
Enduring Understandings: Political changes can challenge state sovereignty.
Learning Objectives
IMP-4.C: Define federal and unitary states.
IMP-4.D: Explain how federal and unitary states affect spatial organization.
Essential Knowledge
IMP-4.C.1: Forms of governance:
Unitary states
Federal states
IMP-4.D.1: Unitary states have a centralized form of governance, whereas federal states have dispersed power centers.
Page 8
Topic 4.9: Challenges to Sovereignty
Enduring Understanding
Political changes can challenge state sovereignty.
Learning Objective SPS-4.B
Explain how political, economic, cultural, and technological changes challenge state sovereignty.
Essential Knowledge
SPS-4.B.1: Devolution occurs when states fragment or disintegrate.
SPS-4.B.4: Supranational organizations challenge state sovereignty, limiting members' economic or political actions.
Page 9
Political Organization of Space
Analyze how space is politically organized into states and nations.
Page 10
Definition of Political Geography
The study of the political organization of the world, including states and sub-states.
Page 12
Definition of a State
A politically organized territory with:
Permanent population
Defined territory
Recognized government
Page 13
Candidates of Statehood
Criteria for statehood include permanent population and defined territory.
Page 14
States with Limited Recognition
Examples: Palestine and Taiwan, discussing international recognition dynamics.
Page 15
Territoriality
Definition and significance of territoriality in political geography.
Page 17
Sovereignty
The ability of a state to govern itself without external interference.
Page 18
State Morphology
The study of how a state's shape affects governance, culture, and economics.
Page 19
Types of States Based on Shape
Compact State: Uniform distance to boundaries.
Elongated State: Long and narrow shape.
Prorupted State: Compact with an extension.
Perforated State: Surrounds another state.
Fragmented State: Discontinuous pieces of territory.
Landlocked State: No direct access to ocean.
Pages 20-31
State Examples and Characteristics
Detailed implications of different state shapes and examples like Burundi, Namibia, and the significance of geography and resource allocation.
Page 33
Landlocked States
Advantages and disadvantages of being landlocked in terms of trade and logistics.
Page 35
Summary of Political Geography Concepts
The roles of microstates, sovereign states, and various types of nations including multistate and stateless nations.
Page 37
Enclaves and Exclaves
Definitions and examples of enclaves and exclaves and their significance in political geography.
Page 38
Examples of Enclaves
Lesotho as an enclave.
Future Pages
Various concepts related to sovereignty, global organizations, and devolution processes.
Detailed discussions on various political movements, historical events affecting political geography, and definitions of key terms like irredentism.
Summary of Political Forces
Analyze centripetal and centrifugal forces affecting state cohesion and fragmentation.
Political Geography in Practice
How these concepts apply in real-world situations like election results, geopolitical conflicts, and international organizations.