Your Future World

Cairo

New York City

Hong Kong

Colombia

"Your Future World: Human Geography 2050"

"Your Future World" is a 14-week in-person or live online class for 8th-12th graders that focuses on the physical and human geography of the 12 countries that the U.N. has forecast to be the world's most populous in the year 2050. After all, that is the world in which our kids will live.

After the introductory week, "Your Future World" pairs readings in human geography with the study of a different country each week. "Your Future World" is similar in scope to AP Human Geography but studied through the prism of 12 specific case studies (and without the writing and 19th century models to memorize).

Over the course of 90 minutes, we discuss current readings in human geography and consider the physical geography, cultural geography, history, politics (including its relations with its neighbors), economics, and demographics of the week's assigned country. Each week, students read, conduct research, and prepare a short cultural assignment in advance of our in-class discussion. We conclude each week with a country-specific game to reinforce learning.

Prior geographic knowledge is helpful but not assumed. Excellent reading skills (high school+ level) are a must. This class is at a high school+ level, with content that may touch on potentially disturbing topics (e.g., war, poverty, terrorism).

When taught in person, "Your Future World" includes an "international snack" each week (e.g., guava wafers from Brazil, spicy chickpeas from India, coconut cookies from Indonesia). Investigating where the week's snack is from and then sampling something that teens in another country might enjoy is generally a student favorite.

Honors option: for students who would like to extend their learning, there is the option of doing one of two honors projects exploring the physical and human geographic issues shaping the future of specific countries.

$350 for the 14-week online class; $375 for the honors option

"We appreciate the opportunity that [our child] has had to expand her world knowledge through this course and appreciate your time and skills in offering the course. This is definitely material that I would not have thought to research and that is needed to be a well informed citizen of world."