In this homeschool-friendly class, students will engage in reading and discussion about the impact of geography on the modern world. This is a great opportunity to see how geography, politics, economics, history, and current events connect! Is this class the right one for you?

Are you interested in understanding how the world works (or sometimes doesn't)? Would you like to know more about how nations interact, and why it seems that some are always more successful than others? Would you like to know what impact a nation's geography may have on its political, economic, and military standing in the world? Come join this class and let's read one author's take on geopolitical relationships around the globe.

New York Time's bestselling author Tim Marshall suggests that geography shapes war, power, politics, economics, and social development within every state on the globe. Marshall has written "Prisoners of Geography" to examine these connections. Specifically, geopolitics looks at the ways in which international affairs can be understood through geography - the physical landscape, the climate, demographics, culture, natural resources. 

Homeschooling families may find that this class meets state requirements for Geography, or for Modern World History (the book is frequently used in AP Human Geography classes).  If you need help determining how this may fit onto a homeschool transcript, please ask!

What to expect:
Before each class:  Students are expected to read the assigned chapter and additional supporting information, completing the comprehension questions provided. These questions will serve as the basis for our class discussion. Students should plan on 2 hours of homework per week.
In class:  After a brief overview of the subject of the week, students will engage in a group discussion based on the reading done before class and the assigned comprehension questions. 

Students must purchase their own copy of the book "Prisoners of Geography." They may access the book in print, as an ebook, or as an audiobook. All forms of reading are acceptable reading! Additional assigned reading can be accessed using a text to voice reader. Simply put, however the student accesses the information is fine. If accomodations are needed for learning differences, please talk to me!

As in all of my social studies classes, I strive to help students find the answer to the "so what" question. Why does all of this matter? How does this puzzle piece fit with all of the other pieces I can already see and understand? I work to help students develop critical thinking skills including how to find the links between ideas and events, and how to identify errors or inconsistencies in thinking. I encourage learners to apply what we are learning to what they already know.

As a mom to two "twice exceptional" kids, I'm also well-versed in accommodating learning differences and guiding students to develop their passions. Because I appreciate that all learners are coming to a classroom with personal strengths and preferences, I work hard to make all students feel comfortable. While I ask that all students follow Outschool policy and have their camera on long enough for me to verify they are a student, I do not require that cameras stay on for the complete class. Additionally, I do not call on students without notice, though I encourage students to contribute in any way possible.