Political Geography Competencies TYPE A – Students need to be proficient in all parts of the standard to expect to pass unit test and achieve at least a C in class (3-5 Unit Test Questions) TYPE B – Students should master all parts of both standard types to expect a B+ or higher for class grade and to be in a position to pass the AP test (1-3 Unit Test Questions)

#1: Vocabulary TYPE A – Mastery level indicated by underline Be able to define most (or all) BASIC vocabulary Identify examples of BASIC vocabulary words Be able to define non-basic vocabulary words

#2: Evolution of the Modern State TYPE B Describe characteristics (including location) of states (or equivalent) for each time period (ancient, medieval, Colonization, de-colonization, modern) Give 2 or more examples of states for each time period Explain the cause of the shift in the definition of the state during the transition from one time period to another

# 3: Colonialism TYPE A – Mastery level indicated by underline Describe three causes for European colonialism Identify 3 (or more) colonizer/colony relationships Explain 1 (or more) effect of decolonization on the Global South Explain the concept of neo-colonialism with multiple examples

# 4: Globalization TYPE B Explain at least three ways that globalization of western culture/technology/economy creates difficulties for the governments of states

# 5: Geographic Characteristics TYPE A – Mastery level indicated by underline Identify advantages and disadvantages for a state based on land area Explain characteristics of how each state shape may affect a state’s stability Give examples of all 5 shapes given a map (or using your mental map) Define border all types Describe possible disputes for each of the border types.

#6: Core/Periphery TYPE B Describe characteristics of countries in the global core and global periphery Explain relationships between the core and periphery at the global, national, and local scale

#7: Devolution TYPE A – Mastery level indicated by underline Explain common causes of devolution Provide details for two (or more) examples of full devolution Provide details for one (or more) example(s) of partial devolution

#8: Supranationalism TYPE A – Mastery level indicated by underline Describe characteristics of each type of supranationalist organizations (political, economic, military) Explain how supranational organizations present a challenge to state sovereignty Provide goals, methods, and membership details for one (or more) example(s) of each type of supranational organization

#9: Government Organization of Space Compare and contrast Unitary and Federal forms of government Explain the regional autonomy form of federalism and provide multiple examples Describe historic and modern examples of confederations

#10: Terrorism TYPE A – Mastery level indicated by underline Distinguish between an act of war and a terrorist act Describe the 3 primary motivations for Al Qaeda Provide 1 or more additional examples of modern international terrorism Provide 1 example of domestic terrorism Explain effects of terrorism on the United States

#11: Electoral Geography TYPE B Explain how electors are appropriated to U.S. states for Presidential elections Define re-apportionment Explain the purpose and method of the three types of gerrymandering

#12: Geopolitics TYPE B Explain Mahan’s thesis in “The Effect of Sea Power on History” Explain Mackinder’s Heartland Theory Explain Spykman’s Rimland Theory Describe effects that the above theories had on particular states

#13: Primary Examples European Union (A): – Describe agreements between member states United Nations (B) – Explain goals – Describe role of Security Council Iraq War (A) – Explain causes of 2003 U.S. invasion – Describe role of religion and ethnicity in conflict – Explain effect on the region and geopolitics Afghanistan War (B) – Describe historical background of Afghanistan – Explain the role of the Taliban in the conflict Arab Spring (A) – Describe causes and identify participating states – Compare U.S. reaction in Libya and Syria