World Regional Geography GEA 2000-U02, TTh 9:30am 10:45am, CP 197 Spring 2012

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1 World Regional Geography GEA 2000-U02, TTh 9:30am 10:45am, CP 197 Spring 2012 Professor Hudson Office: SIPA 302 Office Hours: TTh 11-11:30am; by appointment Course Description This course provides a systematic survey to the major regions and countries of the world with regard to their physical, cultural, economic, political and environmental characteristics. While the various regions are defined based on overarching characteristics for that particular area, each world region is extremely dynamic, and encompasses a great deal of diversity amongst those commonalities. We will examine both the continuity and diversity within and across world regions. Global Learning & UCC Societies and Identities Learning Outcomes 1. Gain an understanding of the world s human and physical geography. This includes countries, economic activities, international institutions, environmental cycles, cultural complexes, etc. At the most basic level, before you can talk about what connects different parts of the globe, you need to be aware of what the different parts of the globe are. Thus being able to identify major human and environmental features and processes will be a part of the course. But more than that, knowing at least of little bit about the historical geography of major facets of our world provides a base on which to learn more. Like a doctor needs to know anatomy to be able to practice, as a future professional in and citizen of the world, this grounded knowledge is a foundation upon which further growth and learning can be built. (Global Awareness) 2. Understand major processes that shape the world. Very little of what happens on Earth happens in isolation. Large processes such as trade, religion, environmental degradation and migration cut across countries, regions, and hemispheres. At the same time, it is important to understand that these processes always take place in specific on-the-ground circumstances. Thus, it is not enough to know what is out there; it is equally important to understand, develop multiple perspectives on, and be able to articulate how things relate to each other (or sometimes do not). (Global Awareness) 3. Critically examine the world from multiple perspectives. This course is not about adopting any one particular perspective on the world. What this is about is realizing that there are multiple perspectives about many of the world s big and little issues even amongst those who conduct scholarly research on them and being able to examine your and others assumptions about how the world works. This means tempering your own opinions with a willingness to examine other perspectives on their own terms. This geography course is an excellent vehicle for gaining multiple perspectives, since geography as a discipline draws on a wide-array of both social and physical sciences disciplines. (Global Perspectives) 4. Gain the ability to impact global processes. What will become obvious, as the course goes on, is that living in Miami places you at the center of many global processes trade, migration, urbanization, and environmental change, just to name a few. Through discussions and participation, students will gain the ability to connect these processes, and understand how their actions individually or collectively impact the local and global community. (Global Engagement) Why this course is in the University Core Curriculum This course is part of the University Core Curriculum, in the area of Social Inquiry. Like all courses in this area of the Core Curriculum, GEA 2000 is designed to: investigate social, political, and economic configurations; cultural and psychological features of human life; gender, race/ethnicity, and social class; consciousness and identity; social interactions with the natural environment; and local, national, and global aspects of the human world. Furthermore, GEA 1

2 2000 is a particular type of social inquiry, namely one that helps you as a student to be able to compare and contrast societies and cultures. In fact, we are confident this course will achieve all of the above goals. For nearly every area of the globe, this course will discuss how environment, politics, population, culture, and economy have shaped the diverse lives of people living on this increasingly connected planet. Furthermore, as a geography course, special attention will be paid to how issues of place and location influence and are influenced by human activity. Thus, this course will not only shed light on what is out there in the world, but also the major patterns and processes which cut across regions that explain why what is out there is where it is. This is a foundational course Consider this course to be anatomy of the world. In medicine, anatomy is the foundation of everything. You cannot operate, prescribe medicine or do anything particularly effectively (or at least not know why it is effective) without knowing anatomy. This course is the equivalent for geography, and arguably, it is potentially equally foundational for many of you who are in other majors (international relations, economics, social studies education, etc ). If you are in business, chances are some aspects of your operation (raw materials, labor, suppliers, customers, etc.) will be located outside the local area. If you are an engineer, environmental factors and social factors help determine what is appropriate to create, as well as how it is created. If you re a doctor, you will be treating patients from all over the world, and it helps to know a little bit about where they are from. Law is getting increasingly internationalized, and the list goes on and on. As a human being, who has respect for other human beings, it is important to know what the rest of planet is like. Gaining basic knowledge about the world and how it works and the ability to make changes are the first steps to becoming a good citizen of the world. Required Text Pulsipher, Lydia World Regional Geography: Global Patters, Local Lives, 5 th Edition [without subregions]. W.H. Freeman. (ISBN: ) TEXT WEBSITE: Global Learning Common Reading: The Case for Contamination, Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, Jan. 1, Located on MOODLE. Videos, articles, and other materials will be available on the Moodle course page these are also required and will appear on exams and participation assignments. MOODLE SITE: ecampus.fiu.edu Course Requirements Exams (350 points): Exams One & Two are worth 100 points each, and Exam Three is worth 150 points and will contain a comprehensive portion. All exams have already been scheduled see Important Dates below, and/or Course Schedule. Map Quizzes (100 points): Throughout the semester there will be four map quizzes (25 points each), which test your knowledge of where some of the world s major features are on maps. The features that will be tested include, but are not limited to: countries, cities, rivers, seas, mountains, peninsulas, and subregions. Again, this is a key component of the course because intelligent and informed discussion about the world begins with a basic ground level understanding of the world. You will be given a study list in advance of each map quiz, to help make your task easier. Attendance & Participation (30 points): You are required to attend a minimum of 85% of class lectures, and check the course s Moodle page regularly (at least twice a week) to earn these points. You will also be required to participate in small assignments and tasks throughout the semester that are related to the course, including (but not limited to): readings, videos, quizzes, discussions, questionnaires, etc. Details for these assignments/tasks, including due dates, will be discussed during lecture. Common Reading Report & Reflection (15 points): A special reading assigned by FIU s Global Learning initiative is required for this class. Everyone in class will complete this reading, write a one page reflection on the piece, discuss the reading in small groups, and submit a group report. Your grade for this assignment will be based on completing each part of the assignment. Instructions for this assignment are available on Moodle. 2

3 Co-Curricular Activity & Report (5 points): Throughout the semester, FIU brings in an exciting array of outside speakers through the SIPA lecture series, AADS, LACC, and MESC centers, and the Tuesday Times Roundtable. Each student must attend one of these events, and write a one page report that connects the topic to course material through perspective analysis, highlighting possible routes for engagement. Instructions for this assignment are available on Moodle. Grading & Evaluation You final grade for the course will be calculated as follows: Assignment Points Exam One 100 Exam Two 100 Exam Three 150 Map Quizzes 100 Attendance & Participation 30 Common Reading 15 Activity/Report 5 Total 500 Grading Scale The grading scale is A = %, A- = %, B+ = %, B = %, B- =82.9%-80%, C+ = %, C = %, C- = %, D+ = %, D = %, D- = 62-60% F = 59-0%, which translates to, in points: A = C = A- = C- = B+ = D+ = B = D = B- = D- = C+ = F = Important Dates* January 24 Map Quiz 1 February 7 Map Quiz 2 February 14 Exam 1 February 28 Map Quiz 3 March 20 Common Reading Group Discussion March 22 Exam 2 March 27 Map Quiz 4 April 3 Common Reading Group Report Due April 19 Co-Curricular Activity Report Due April 24 Final 9:45am *Due dates/times for class participation activities will be announced in class. Tentative Course Schedule Week & 1.12 Week & 1.19 Week & 1.26 Dates Topic Assignments Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction & begin North America Chapters 1 & 2 North America Chapter 2 Map Quiz 1 January 24 3

4 Week & 2.2 Week & 2.9 Week & 2.16 Week & 2.23 Week & 3.1 Week & 3.8 Week & 3.15 Week & 3.22 Week & 3.29 Week & 4.5 Week & 4.12 Week & 4.19 Week Middle & South America Chapter 3 Europe Chapter 4 Map Quiz 2 February 7 Exam & begin Russia & PSS Exam 1 February 14 Chapter 5 Russia & PSS Chapter 5 North Africa & Southwest Asia Chapter 6 Map Quiz 3 February 28 Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter 7 Spring Break No Classes Global Learning Common Reading Discussion & Exam Common Reading Discussion Groups March 20 Exam 2 March 22 South Asia Chapter 8 Map Quiz 4 March 27 East Asia Chapter 9 CR Group Reports Due April 3 Southeast Asia Chapter 10 Oceania Chapter 11 Co-Curricular Activity Report Due April 19 Final Exam Final Exam April 9:45am The Fine Print: Policies & Procedures Attendance: Regular attendance is required to pass this course. Attendance means arriving on time and staying until the class is dismissed by the instructor. If a student fails to attend at least 60% of class lectures (for any reason) or fails to complete 60% of the course assignments, that student will fail the course with a grade of F-zero (F0). Students must attend 85% of class lectures to receive attendance/participation points (this policy includes excused absences). Missed Work & Excused Absences: Only severe illnesses/medical emergencies suffered by the student, and certain anticipated absences (see below), count as excused absences. The type and extent of documentation required to verify an absence is at the discretion of the instructor. Students with verified, excused absences will be allowed to make-up missed work during specified make-up periods. Make-up work for non-excused absences will be at the discretion of the instructor, and will be subject to a penalty of no less than a 15% deduction in total point value for the missed assignment. Anticipated Absences: Students are allowed certain university-sanctioned absences to be excused, but only if the student notifies the instructor prior to the absence in writing and provides verifiable documentation. These absences include: religious holy days, curricular absences (field trips for a class), university extracurricular activities (university athletes, musicians, etc.). If you fail to notify the instructor prior to the absence, your absence will not be counted as excused. Classroom Conduct & Etiquette: Students are expected to refrain from activities and behaviors that disrupt the normal functions of the classroom, and to refrain from activities and behaviors that are disrespectful to the instructor, other students, or guests in the classroom. Please review Standards of Student Conduct in the FIU Student Handbook, including the subsections Respect for Self and Others, Disruptive Conduct (6c), Failure to Comply (6f), and Personal Abuse (6k). Basic etiquette: no talking, no texting, no chatting or anything else distracting during lectures; 4

5 turn off cell phones before class begins; comply with classroom expectations, and be respectful of the instructor and other students in the class (even when you disagree with them). Academic Integrity, Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please review Undergraduate Academic Misconduct Definitions and Procedures in the FIU Student Handbook. The minimum penalty for such an offense is failure for that assignment, and you may be reported to the University for further disciplinary actions, which can include expulsion from the University. Student Responsibilities: The syllabus is a contract between the instructor and the student. The student is responsible for knowing, understanding, and abiding by the information contained in this document. It is the students responsibility to read, to understand (asking questions if necessary), and to comply with the course requirements and the policies and procedures. Ignorance of the information in this document is not an excuse, and will not warrant exceptions to these policies. 5