Download World Geography course syllabus

Course Syllabus
Claflin University
Spring 2016
Course name: World Geography – GEOG 201 (3 credits)
Course Instructor: Camelia-Maria Kantor, PhD, MBA
Email Address: [email protected]
Office Phone: 803-535-5414
Office: History & Sociology Department Building 782 Goff Avenue (Downstairs)
Office Hours: MWF 9:00-12:00 am and all other days by appointment only
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In GEOG 201 World Geography, we will examine the world through the eyes of a
geographer. The course provides an overview of the world continents with a special
emphasis on economic, political, and social conditions and their impact on the lands and
people. As it is obviously not possible to cover the world in detail, we will broadly scan
the regions, and bring our focus down to one or two important geographic issues within
each region in order to get a global understanding of past and current world events and
phenomena. Our units of study will be regions, broad areas we define as having some
commonality or unifying feature. Utilizing geographic concepts including scale, place,
region, and location, this course examines international linkages, such as global capital,
which help forge a global community. It is a topical introduction to the many themes and
subfields of human geography, especially population, economic, cultural, urban, and
political geography. Examples highlighting these themes draw from relevant
contemporary events in both the industrialized and developing worlds.
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The course also examines local situations that contradict our understanding of a
global community and examines a variety of "voices" struggling to be heard in the world:
those embracing the global economy and an international culture and those rejecting a
homogenizing global capital and culture because they see their resources being exploited.
Concepts such as North and South, acculturation, developed and developing, globalizing
capital and homogenizing world culture, take on new meaning when they are explored at
a regional level.
Any student interested in how the world functions socially, politically,
economically and culturally should enroll in World Regional Geography. The applied
section of the course gives students the possibility to expand on topics of special interest
to them (e.g. educational systems, the social, health, environmental, and economic effects
of population growth, state policies that impact birth rates, etc.) that can be analyzed from
a location standpoint, to learn to interact constructively with people from different
cultures, and to understand viewpoints different from their own.
My goal is to get your feedback and to have an exciting and informative class. I
am here to help you learn to think, as well as to provide you with important information.
Therefore, please do not hesitate to write me about any possible problems you may be
having with course material. (Make sure you do that before the due dates for your
assignments!).
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon Completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Understand the focus of Geography and the two main branches of the
discipline;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of Earth’s structure, major land forms, water,
climate and vegetation;
3. Understand how the Earth is changing and distinguish elements that make
each world region unique;
4. Explain the environmental, economical, political, and social challenges the
world regions are facing today;
5. Analyze by comparing and contrasting the physical, economic and cultural
geography of the world continents;
6. Discuss and debate current world issues and events based on individual
readings and research.
TEXTBOOK
Title: World Regional Geography: People, Places, and Globalization
Author(s): Royal Berglee
e-ISBN: 978-1-4533-2978-8
Check Bookstore for book code (only electronic book required for class)
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METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
The following methods will be used to assess how each student is meeting the course
objectives:
1. Discussion & Study questions: to assess knowledge of key geography concepts
(objectives #1 and #2); identification and basic geographic analysis of world regions
(objectives #3 and # 4).
2. Assignments: to apply analytical methods in order to understand natural phenomena
that have been major factors in the social, economic, and political evolution of the world
regions (objective # 5).
3. Projects: to demonstrate achievement and use critical thinking, creativity, and acquired
knowledge in the development of group and individual projects related to characteristics
of specific countries within studied regions and to the current world issues (objectives #5
and #6)
4. Articles: to stay informed about latest events and to examine factors leading to the
existent situations (objectives #4 and #5).
GRADING:
Your final grade for the course is determined based on the weighted total of all the grades
as follows:
Claflin University grading scale
Weighted total
90 - 100 = A
85 - 89 = B+
80 - 84=
B
75 - 79 = C+
70 -74 =
C
65 - 69 = D+
60 -64 = D
Below 60 = F
Articles & Study questions
Tests(3)
Project InTeGrate
Class participation
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
TOTAL
25%
15%
20%
15%
10%
15%
100%
There will be a Make-up work discussion section available in Moodle containing three
individual topics. If any assignment is missed, students are responsible for downloading
and submitting the make-up work two weeks before midterms and/or final exams week
for the assignments to be graded and count towards the weighted average. No
additional make up work opportunities will be given except for the three assignments.
You will have to upload ten up-to-date articles on a given topic before the beginning
of the class period (in order to count). The upcoming topic will be announced at the
end of each class and it will be related to the studied book chapter. By the end of the
semester you should have uploaded 10 articles.
Useful on-line links:
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Claflin University library site: electronic sources
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073522864/information_center_view0/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/earth_climate/geography/
http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/googleearth.htm
http://www.educypedia.be/education/geography.htm
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0001-hello-earth.php
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/
http://www.worldbank.org/
http://www.sage.wisc.edu/atlas/maps.php
http://geography.about.com/library/maps/blrindex.htm
HonorCode
I will not tolerate any form of dishonest behavior, especially plagiarism.
Attendance Policy
I expect you to attend class everyday and be active participants in class discussions. You
are permitted up to three unmotivated absences. After that, each class you miss will result
in 10 points deduction from your attendance grade unless properly
documented/explained. In case you have had any valid reasons (based on what I consider
to be valid) to miss classes or assignments, please discuss them with me as soon as
possible upon your return so that we can adjust and help you make up and be successful
in this class. Each accumulated tardy counts as 5 points from your attendance grade.
Daily access to internet and Moodle is mandatory for this class. Try to limit the
number of e-mailed assignments as those might get lost among my daily e-mails. If you
do not see a grade and you have proof (kept e-mail) of your submission, do not hesitate to
let me know ASAP so that I can fix the issue. If issues occur with your Moodle
submissions, please check with Dr. Singh, our in site Moodle specialist or check with the
24/7 chat technical support from Learning House. Moodle or internet issues will not
excuse you from any missed assignment, so make sure that you plan ahead and that you
don’t wait until the last minute to submit your paper.
Classroom Attendance expectations: Students are expected to be on time and attend
class regularly. Not attending class regularly will make it difficult to achieve a passing
grade in this class. The material will be posted online and you are also required to buy
the textbook for this class, so there will be no excuse whatsoever not to be ready for
class after missing the previous session. I will not provide hard copy materials or notes,
or schedule special meeting times to go over material that is missed due to a nonuniversity sanctioned absence. You should not schedule activities that conflict with class
time (such as work, doctor’s appointment or personal travel). You are responsible for all
materials and information presented in class, including any announcements made.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. The class attendance policy and
rules listed in the University Catalog and Student Handbook will be strictly followed (see
below excerpt).
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Students may obtain official university excuses for absences from the Office of Student
Development and Services or other designated campus officials. After students obtain
signatures from the appropriate course instructors, all excuses must be returned to the
Office of Student Development and Services.
Students who may miss classes while representing the university in an official capacity
are exempt from regulations governing absences only to the extent that their excessive
absences result from the performance of such university business or affairs. Absence
from class for any reason does not relieve the student from responsibility for any class
assignments that may be missed during the period of absence.
Classroom Decorum: This class is meant to be an enriching and enjoyable experience
for everyone; disrupting the class results in depriving your fellow classmates and yourself
of this experience.
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Tardiness: Class begins promptly at its designated time. Part of your
responsibility as a student is to arrive to class on time. Attendance will be taken at
the start of every class period. Your attendance grade will be penalized both by
not coming to class and by consistently arriving late to class as listed under
attendance policies.
Cell Phone: Please put your electronic devices (including cell phones) on silent
and refrain from text messaging during class. If observed by instructor,
unauthorized cell phone usage during class period will result in absence for the
day and student will be asked to leave class.
Student Conduct: If you are behaving inappropriately (Eg. sleeping, disturbing
the class while talking to your peers, etc.), I will give you an explicit warning and
I will count you late for the day.
NOTE: I reserve the right to withdraw disrespectful and disruptive students and the right
to refuse entry to extremely late students from the class. These sanctions will result in a
lower attendance grade.
Late work policy Although I am philosophically opposed to accepting late work of any
kind, if you should have a legitimate problem, please see me a few days prior to an
assignment deadline to discuss possible options. All work is due at the Beginning of
class unless otherwise specified and at the time indicated by the instructor. On time
submission will be promptly corrected and feedback will be given to students. Late work
will be corrected and graded, but only based on instructor’s own availability.
CODE OF HONOR POLICY STATEMENT
REFERENCE: CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY CODE OF HONOR (Final Revision:
5/14/07)
Claflin University prohibits all forms of academic or scholarly dishonesty, including
written or oral examinations, term and research papers or theses, modes of creative
expression, and computer-based work.
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Scholarly dishonesty includes lying, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and the falsification
or misrepresentation of experimental data. (For social behavior, see Claflin University
Student Handbook: Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics).
EARLY ALERT STATEMENT
The Claflin University Early Alert Program is designed to assist you with your academic
success. Should your instructor determine that you need additional help, you will be
referred to the Academic Success Center. The Academic Success Center will assist you in
successfully completing the course.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
Assurance Statement
Claflin University adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and
guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with
disabilities. Individuals with disabilities should register with Disability Services and
contact their instructor(s) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
This is just a tentative schedule. The instructor has the right to modify the course syllabus
in the best interest of students based on their strengths and weaknesses as identified
throughout the semester.
Week 1 (1/11-15):
INTRODUCTION
Objectives:
Learn about the tools geographers use to study the earth’s surface.
Summarize the grid system of latitude and longitude and how it relates to seasons
and time zones
Determine the basic geographic realms and their location.
Activities:
Welcome. Introduction to Geography (What is Geography? How can learning Geography
help me and my career? Which are the sub-fields of Geography? What are the main areas
covered by Geography?): Physical Geography, Human Geography, Environmental
Geography, Regional Geography, and Geomatics. What is GIS? Opportunities in
Geography (page 44-45)
 Initial evaluation- quiz on general geographic knowledge.
 Instructions to download Google Earth (free)
 Chapter 1 Geography basics (branches of geography, geography tools, graticule
location). Discussion and study questions.
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 Short assignment 1: (requirement: download Google Earth): Identify key places
on map.
Week 2 (1/18-22)
Objectives:
Explain how climate and human habitation are related
Distinguish between the main climate types
Explain the dynamics of tectonic plates and their relationship to earthquakes and
volcanic activity
Understand how climate change occurs and its causes.
Activities:
 Chapter 1: The environment and human activity discussion and study questions.
 Discussion on the water-food-energy nexus. Future forecasts.
 Short assignment 2: Research and determine when the last three earthquakes
nearest where you live occurred. What damage did they cause?
Week 3 (1/25-29)
Objectives:
Explain the demographic transition process;
Outline the relationship between urbanization and family size;
Name the main language families and the world’s major religions.
Activities:
 Chapter 1 part 3 Population and Culture discussion and study questions.
 Short practice: Compare population pyramids for countries from each world
region found at
http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/informationGateway.php
Week 4 (2/1-5)
EUROPE
Objectives:
Identify Europe’s boundaries and physical features and explain how its physical
geography has supported its development;
Understand historical development patterns of Europe (The Roman Empire and
Vikings, colonialism, Industrial Revolution)
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Outline major reasons for declining family size in Europe and its consequences.
Discuss current major political events in Europe.
Activities:
 Chapter 2 Europe Discussion and Study questions
 Map practice: Identify key places on the map of Europe (capitals and major
cities):
Accesshttp://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0073522864/student_view0/chapter3/
then Interactive base maps, Interactive base map 3.
Objectives:
Outline how Europe has been divided during the twentieth century
Understand supranationalism and the role of EU as a core economic region for the
planet.
Activities:
 Chapter 2 part 3 The European Union and Supranationalism discussion and study
questions.
 Practice: Map locator (the Benelux countries, regions of Europe where Germanic,
Slavic, and Romance languages are dominant, the countries of Europe that are not
members of the EU).
 Case study (chat room discussion): Esperanto.
Week 5 (2/8-12)
Objectives:
Locate and describe the traditional regions of Western Europe
Outline physical, cultural, and economic differences between regions
Activities:
 Read part 4 from Chapter 2 (Regions of Western Europe)
 Discussion and study questions
 Identify key places on the map (Baltic Sea, Greenland, Faeroe Islands, Balkan
Peninsula)
 Choose one country in Western Europe and describe it in one page. Further details
will be given during the online session.
Objectives:
Define the former and the current borders of Eastern Europe;
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Describe the socialist society and the various aspects of transition from socialism
systems to capitalist democracies;
Describe some of the cultural dynamics that make each country unique;
Understand the cultural and political geography of former Yugoslavia.
Activities:
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Read part 5 in Chapter 2 (Eastern Europe)
Discussion and Study questions
Case study Former Yugoslavia
Watch video lecture on Romanian reconstruction after 1989: positives and
negatives and create a SWOT Analysis of the country’s potential for tourism.
 Revision Europe: Test 1
Week 6 (2/15-19)
RUSSIA
Objectives:
Identify the boundaries and subdivisions of the Russian Federation and of the
former USSR;
Discuss the role of Russia in the world economy
Describe the physical attributes of Russia
Understand the political involvement of Russia in Chechnya and Georgia
Activities:
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Read chapter 3
Discussion and study questions
Identify key places on the map
Case study: Chechnya (video)
Case study: Transcaucasia
Week 11 (October 27 and 29)
Revision Russia- Test 2
CASE STUDY: Political issues in Europe and Russia: Syrian migration.
Week 7 (2/22-26) Midterm revision
Week 8 (2/29-3/4) MIDTERM EXAM.
Week 9 (3/7-11) SPRING BREAK
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Week 10 (3/14-18) NSF-Carleton College Earth Science course infusion
1. Overview of CU InTeGrated! Project
2. Link to pre-module survey available in Moodle. Due date for submission: end of
week 1.
3. Pre-Module Quiz.
4. What does the field of Geosciences involve?
5. Career paths in Geosciences.
6. Unit 1: Hazards, vulnerability and risk Lecture and Discussion
7. Documentary “The Storm” (Frontline investigation).
8. Combined Lecture on Introduction to Risk and Vulnerability for Geoscience
Courses and Introduction to Risk and Vulnerability for Social Science Courses.
Lead group discussions on “think, pair, share” on vulnerability, hazard and risk.
9. Combined Links to US Hazard Maps ppt. with Credible data Interpretation ppt.
Class project announced. Students will receive materials and links needed to
complete the mapping project (maps will be presented in color print). If class time
permits, disseminate survey results to class.
Week 11 (3/21-25) InTeGrate contin.
1. Unit 2: Perception of hazards, vulnerability and risk Lecture
2. Survey data disseminated to class (E-Surveys Pro charts and graphs for analysis).
The mapping project incorporates Part B, students using survey results and hazard
maps to analyze research questions.
Week 12 (3/28-4/1)
InTeGrate Project presentations (oral and written) and Post-Module Quiz (Moodle)
ASIA
Objectives
Outline the countries and territories included in East Asia;
Understand the population dynamics and social characteristics of people living in
East Asia;
Discuss and compare political, economic and environmental policies from the
countries of East Asia.
Activities:
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Read chapter 10 East Asia and answer the discussion and study questions.
Identify key places on the map (Google Earth)
Case study: China’s one-child policy
Case study: North Korea vs. South Korea
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Week 13 (4/4-8)
Objectives:
Outline the countries and territories included in Southeast Asia;
Understand the population dynamics and social characteristics of people living in
Southeast Asia;
Discuss and compare political, economic, and environmental policies from the
countries of Southeast Asia.
Activities:
 Read chapter 11 and answer the discussion and study questions.
 Identify key places on the map (Google Earth)
 Case study: communist countries of the Mainland Southeast Asia and the Golden
Triangle.
 Case study: The success of Singapore.
Objectives:
Outline the countries and territories included in South Asia;
Understand the population dynamics and social characteristics of people living in
South Asia;
Discuss and compare political, economic, and environmental policies from the
countries of South Asia.
Activities:
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Read chapter 9 and answer Discussion and study questions.
Identify key places on the map (Google Earth)
Comparison India-Pakistan-Bangladesh.
Case study: Kashmir.
Assignment: The condition of women in South Asia (essay)
Week 14 (4/11-15)
AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Objectives:
Outline the countries and territories included in Southwest Asia and Northern
Africa;
Understand the population dynamics and social characteristics of people living in
Southwest Asia and Northern Africa;
Discuss and compare political, economic, and environmental policies from the
countries of Southwest Asia and Northern Africa.
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Activities:
 Read Chapter 8 North Africa and Southwest Asia and answer discussion and
study questions;
 Identify key places on the map (Google Earth)
 Case study: Islam (origins, main divisions, Islamic fundamentalism and the debate
between a religious state and a secular state)
 Physical and economic Geography of the Maghreb- map practice
Objectives:
Outline the political issues in Africa;
Understand the transitions and conflicts occurring in the governments of the
regions;
Describe the main qualities of the African Transition zone
Summarize the basic Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa and locate its main
features on the map;
Explain the role played by the European colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa;
Understand the population dynamics and social characteristics of people living in
Sub-Saharan Africa;
Discuss and compare political, economic, and environmental policies from the
countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Activities:
 Read section 3 of chapter 8 North Africa and the African Transition Zone and
answer the Discussion and study questions.
 Identify the key places on the map (Google Earth)
 Read chapter 7 Sub-Saharan Africa and answer Discussion and study questions.
 Identify the key places on the map (Google Earth)
 Design a SWOT analysis for the potential for development of the Sub-Saharan
Africa.
 Essay: The role of women in Central Africa.
Test 3 Africa.
Week 15 (4/18-22)
MIDDLE & SOUTH (LATIN) AMERICA
Objectives:
Summarize the basic Geography of Middle and South America and locate their
main divisions on the map;
Explain the role played by the European colonialism in Middle and Latin America
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Understand the population dynamics and social characteristics of people living in
Middle and Latin America;
Discuss and compare political, economic, and environmental policies from the
countries of Middle and Latin America.
Activities:
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Read Chapter 5 and answer Discussion and study questions;
Identify the key places on the map (Google Earth);
Read Chapter 6 and answer Discussion and study questions;
Identify the key places on the map (Google Earth);
Revision Final Exam.
Week 16 FINAL EXAM WEEK (4/25-30)
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