CLAA World Geography – Course Overview

A complete geography course for high school students in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.

UNIT I: Foundations of Classical Geography

  1. What Is Geography? – A Catholic and Classical View

  2. Sacred Geography: The Earth in Sacred Scripture

  3. Ancient and Medieval World Maps (Ptolemy to T-O Maps)

  4. Cardinal Directions, Latitude, Longitude, and Time

  5. Earth’s Motion: Day, Night, Seasons

  6. The Continents and Oceans: An Overview

  7. Understanding Climate Zones and Biomes

  8. Major Landforms and Bodies of Water (Mountains, Deserts, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans)

UNIT II: Human Geography and Catholic Social Teaching

  1. The Origins of Civilization and the Geography of Settlement

  2. Peoples, Languages, and Cultures of the World

  3. Religions of the World and the Spread of Christianity

  4. Political Geography: Nations, Borders, Empires

  5. Urban and Rural Geography

  6. Natural Resources and Economic Systems

  7. Trade, Transportation, and Global Networks

  8. Catholic Teachings on Environment and Human Development

UNIT III: Africa

  1. Geography and Climate of Africa

  2. North Africa: Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

  3. West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast

  4. Central Africa: Congo Basin, Chad, Cameroon

  5. East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania

  6. Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique

  7. African Religions, Christianity, and Missions

  8. African Culture, Language Families, and Economies

UNIT IV: Asia

  1. Geography and Climate of Asia

  2. The Middle East: Israel, Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria

  3. Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

  4. South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

  5. East Asia: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan

  6. Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia

  7. Religions of Asia: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity

  8. Cultural Traditions, Agriculture, and Economic Activity

UNIT V: Europe

  1. Geography and Climate of Europe

  2. Western Europe: France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy

  3. Northern Europe: UK, Ireland, Scandinavia

  4. Eastern Europe: Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Russia

  5. Southern Europe: Greece, Balkans, Turkey

  6. The History of Catholicism in Europe

  7. Languages, Arts, and Economies of Europe

  8. The European Union and Modern Europe

UNIT VI: North America

  1. Geography and Climate of North America

  2. United States – Regions, States, Cultures, Economy

  3. Canada – Provinces, Landscapes, Culture

  4. Mexico – History, Geography, and Catholic Heritage

  5. Central America – Nations and Missions

  6. Indigenous Peoples and Natural Resources

  7. Christianity in North America

  8. Industry, Agriculture, and Modern Development

UNIT VII: South America

  1. Geography and Climate of South America

  2. Brazil – Amazon, Portuguese Heritage, Catholicism

  3. Argentina and the Southern Cone

  4. The Andes Countries: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile

  5. Colombia and Northern Nations

  6. Catholic Missions and Jesuit Reductions

  7. South American Culture, Economy, and Trade

  8. Environmental Stewardship in the Amazon Basin

UNIT VIII: Oceania

  1. Geography and Climate of Oceania

  2. Australia – States, Climate, Economy, Church

  3. New Zealand – Geography and Catholic Missions

  4. Pacific Islands – Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia

  5. Indigenous Peoples and Colonial History

  6. Catholic Evangelization in the South Pacific

  7. Environmental Challenges and Globalization

UNIT IX: Antarctica and the Poles

  1. The Polar Regions and Their Geography

  2. Climate, Ice Sheets, and Wildlife

  3. Exploration and Research Stations

  4. Stewardship of God’s Creation in the Coldest Places

UNIT X: Synthesis and Review

  1. Review of All Continents, Nations, and Religions

  2. Catholic Perspective on the Family of Nations

  3. World Geography Map Challenge (by memory)

  4. Final Project: World Geography Portfolio or Atlas

  5. Final Exam and Course Summary

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