SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor

SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor Voyage: Spring 2015 Discipline: Comparative Politics PLCP 3500: Political Geography Division: Upper Faculty Name: Chad Emmett Credit Hours: 3; Contact Hours: 38 Pre-requisites: COURSE DESCRIPTION Political geography explores the interrelationship between geographical characteristics and political phenomenon. Topics to be discussed include the politics of maps, human attachment to territory, the formation of territory into states, the evolving nature of states, and the interactions of states at an international level (geopolitics). Case studies from Asia and Africa will frequently be used and will consider such topics as the Law of the Sea and how it relates to disputed islands in Asia, international organizations like ASEAN, and colonialism in Africa and the creation of superimposed boundaries and multi-nation states. We will also explore the status of minority groups in most of the countries we will visit. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. identify where all of the countries of the earth are located along with other important political entities, cities and capitals. 2. become an informed reader of a daily international newspaper 3. understand the linkages between geography (territory, location, resources etc) and political actions and processes. 4. define and assess the relative importance of forces of conflict and cooperation among peoples, societies and states as they influence the division and control of the Earth s surface. 5. use written and oral communication to describe, evaluate and resolve territorial disputes between states and nations (people/minority groups). REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AUTHOR: Glassner, Martin Ira and Chuck Fahrer 1

TITLE: Political Geography PUBLISHER: John Wiley & Sons ISBN #:978-0-471-35266-2 DATE/EDITION: 2004, 3 rd Edition TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE Depart Ensenada- January 7: A1- January 9: Introduction to Political Geography, Chapter 1 A2-January 11: Territoriality Chapter 2 A3- January 13: Politics of Maps Chapter 3 Map quiz 1: N & S America Hilo: January 14 A4-January 16: State, Nation & Nation-State Chapter 4 A5-January 19: Minority Group Aspirations 1. Mikesell, Marvin and Alexander Murphy. "A Framework for Comparative Study of Minority-Group Aspirations." Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Dec. 1991. 2. Nietschmann, Bernard. "The Fourth World: Nations versus States." in Reordering the World: Geopolitical Perspectives on the 21st Century. George Demko and William Wood editors. (Boulder: Westview Press, 1994). Reading Quiz Study Day: January 21 A6- January 22: Modern Theories about States Chapter 6 Map quiz 2: Asia & Oceania 2

A7-January 24: The Territory of the State Chapter 7 Yokohama: January 26-27 In-Transit: January 28 Kobe: January 29-31 A8- February 1: Law of the Sea Chapter 31-32 Student Presentations: Uighurs in China, Tibetans in China Shanghai: February 3-4 In-Transit: February 5-6 Hong Kong:7-8 A9- February 9: International River s Chapter 24 Ho Chi Minh: February 11-16 A10- February 17: International Trade Chapter 25-26 Student Presentation: Acehnese in Indonesia Singapore: February 19-20 Study Day: February 21 A11-February 22: International Organizations Chapter 27 Student Presentations: Karen in Burma, Rohingya (Muslims) in Burma Rangoon: February 24-March 1 A12-March 2: International Organizations Chapter 28 Student Presentation: Kashmiris in India, Tamils in Sri Lanka 3

A13- March 4: Mid-Term exam Cochin: March 6-11 A14-March 12: Frontiers and Boundaries Chapter 8 Study Day: March 14 A15-March 15: Capitals Chapter 9 A16- March 17: Imperialism/Colonialism Chapter 17 Student Presentation: Chagossians in Mauritius Port Louis: March 18 A17-March 21: Imperialism/Colonialism Chapters 18-19 Map Quiz 3: Africa and the Middle East Study Day: March 21 A18- March 23: Movie: This Magnificent African Cake Student Presentation: Asians in South Africa Field Lab Report Due Cape Town: March 25-30 A19-March 31: Geopolitics Chapter 20 Walvis Bay: April 2-6 A20-April 7: Geopolitics Chapter 21 4

A21- April 9: Geopolitics Chapter 22 Student Presentations: Ogoni and Ijaw in Nigeria Study Day: April 10 A22-April 12: Geography of War and Peace Chapter 23 Map quiz 4: Europe & former USSR Study Day: April 14 A23: April 15: Case Study: Israel/Palestine Conflict Student Presentations: Berbers in Morocco A24: April 17 Case Study: Israel/Palestine Conflict Newspaper/Field Essay due Casablanca: April 18-22 Global Lens Exams and Study Day: April 24 A25: A Day Finals, April 25 April 29: Arrive in Southampton 5

FIELD WORK Field lab attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Please do not book individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of your field lab. FIELD LAB Proposal Title #1: The political geography of Myanmar Idea: In a day trip to Yangon we will learn about and reinforce various principles of political geography through our visit to several museums. In the Drug Elimination Museum we will learn about national and international efforts to stem the drug trade coming from the Golden Triangle and we will discuss how the drug trade has helped fund the separatist movement of the Shan people. In the Bogyoke Aung San Museum, which is housed in the home of the founding father of modern day Burma, we will learn about colonialism, nationalism and the beginning years of an independent Burma. Finally in the National Museum of Myanmar we will focus on the issues of centripetal and centrifugal forces of modern day states by looking for examples of what holds the country together (religion, iconography, politics) and what is pulling it apart (the many nations/peoples/ethnicities of Myanmar). Driving/walking by the old parliament building will be a good reminder of forward capitals. Objective: By looking at how Myanmar represents itself through its museums we will begin to better understand this unique and once isolated country. We will also notice how pervasive principles of political geography (theories of states, nationalism, colonialism, separatist movements, and geopolitics (foreign involvement in Burma) are in Myanmar (and by comparison in other countries we will visit). Field Lab report (100 points) Students will answer a series of previously provided questions about what they will see and learn about the poltical geography of Myanmar (50 points). They will then write a 2-3 page double spaced comparative essay about how the political geography of Myanmar compares with the geography of the five other Asian countries we visit. Possible items to consider when writing your essay include: heterogeneity vs. homogeneity of religion, language and ethnicity, differences in systems of governance, resource issues, territorial conflicts, iconography, capitals, geopolitics, etc. (50 points). FIELD ASSIGNMENTS Newspaper/Field Essay (50 points). To further enhance your understanding of the countries and regions we visit, students should: 1) be observant travelers as they go ashore always on the lookout for things of geographic interest; 2) read daily newspapers about the regions and countries we are visiting as regularly as possible by buying and reading local newspapers while ashore (see list below) or reading them online (the New York Times and Christian Science Monitor are both good international papers). As you read the newspapers you should look for articles about Asia and Africa that will help you write your essay. At the end of the semester you will need to write a five page double spaced essay in which you 1) describe and 6

comment on (using specific examples) what you have read and observed during our journey as it relates to political geography 2) describe using specific examples from this semester what you think are the most pressing political geographical issues in the region and then prescribe what you think are possible solutions. Examples of political geography issues you should be noticing include: nationalism, patriotism, iconography (flags, monuments, posters etc), separatist movements, ethnic/religious conflicts, territorial disputes, Law of the Sea disputes, river basin disputes, resource conflicts, border conflicts, geopolitical maneuverings what countries are in alignment, what countries are at odds, the role of international and regional organizations, the politics of power, social movement, refugees, terrorism, piracy, etc. We will regularly discuss current events and on-shore experiences in class to help you formulate ideas and begin to notice things that relate to political geography. In the essay please list the newspaper source(s) you used (2 pts) for this project. Be sure to give full citations for any quotes (2 pts). Please use proper geographic terminology (2 pts). You can read the newspapers on line or better yet in each port one of your tasks can be to find an English Language newspaper to buy and read. Here are some possibilities: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ http://www.shanghaidaily.com/ http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong (south China Morning Post) http://vietnamnews.vn/ http://www.straitstimes.com/ http://www.mmtimes.com/ (Myanmar Times) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/international-home http://mg.co.za/ (Mail and Guardian) METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC A. Two exams (100 points each). Exams will cover all assigned readings, lectures, films, slides, discussions and current events. They will include fill-in-the-blank, identification, short answer, and essay questions. Each exam will include a section of term identification in which you will have to explain the meaning of the term and then give an example of it. So, when you take notes, be sure to include examples and places for the terms Information gained from your daily reading of the newspaper and from current event discussions in class are fair game for exams. It would serve you well to take notes of current event discussions. In particular be sure to know where events are taking place. Most of the fill-in-the-blank questions require you to know names of countries the exam questions will give you the details as previously covered in class lectures and then you will 7

need to give the name of the country. The second exam will include many fill-in-the-blank questions from the student presentations. For each presentation you should at least know the name of the nation (ethnic group) and the state they are currently part of as well as an idea of what their aspirations are. B. Four map quizzes (20 points each). Map identification is one of the basic tools of geography. Before knowing something about a place, we need to know where that place is located. In order to better enhance your readings and understanding of class lectures, four map quizzes will be given as an incentive to refresh what you hopefully already know. Students will be required to label all of the countries of the world (excluding tiny island states) as well as those places assigned by the instructor via a handout. Practice maps can be downloaded and printed from http://www.geog.byu.edu/outlinemaps.dhtml. The eight maps you should use are: North America, South America, Western & Central Europe, Former Soviet Union, Monsoon Asia, Australia/ Pacific, Middle East, and Greater Africa. Make-up quizzes are only allowed under extenuating circumstances and with prior approval of the instructor. I don't bite so come see me or call if there are problems or if you need additional help. C. Paper (60 points). Each student is required to write a 5-7 page paper on the minority group aspirations of one nation (ethnic group). Many nations in the world are currently struggling to change their status. You are to research one of these groups and within your paper look at such issues as who the minority group is, where it is located, what are its unifying characteristics, what is its current status within the state, what are its aspirations (recognition, access, participation, separation, autonomy or independence), methods used, viability of aspirations, and how does territory matter (concentrated, dispersed, isolated, protected, core areas, resources, etc.). The articles by Mikesell and Murphy and Nietschmann should be used in writing the paper in that they provide you with a working framework within which to analyze your selected topic. The paper should also include your own opinions and reactions as well as what you think would be the best solution. In order to at least qualify for an A grade, papers should include: 1) a bibliography (minus 20 points if not included); 2) proper citations in your chosen format--footnotes, endnotes, MLA, author-date (minus 20 points if not included); 3) inclusion of ideas from both the Mikesell and Nietschmann articles--use citations and include the articles in your bibliography; 4) at least three sources (in addition to Mikesell and Nietschmann's articles) including newspaper articles, journal articles and books; 5) relevant map(s) (please refer to the maps in the text); 6) your recommendation for a solution; and 7) use of correct spelling and grammar (this includes spelling the professor s name correctly on the title page). When applicable, papers should utilize current information. This means that you should be reading the newspaper daily as a potential source of information. During the first week of class students will sign up for their chosen group. There will be a limit of three students per group, so come prepared with a few possible choices. D. Group presentation (20 points). Each group of students (1-3) will have 15-20 minutes to share their research with the class. The majority of time should be spent on geographical analysis, and not on an historical chronology of the conflict. Each presentation should include a map. Maps could show distribution of ethnic groups, borders, topography as it relates to defense, insurgent states or guerrilla wars, the location of potential states 8

and whether or not they will be landlocked, who their neighbors might be, or available resources (petroleum fields, minerals, rivers, etc). E. Newspaper/Field Essay (50 points). G. Field Lab report (100 points) Participation: Students are expected to attend class regularly and to participate in classroom discussions about on-shore experiences, current events and readings and by answering and asking questions during lectures. Failure to do so may result in a lower grade. Grading Scale, computed based on percent of total points possible A 93.3% and above B- 80.0--83.2% D+ 62.0--67.9% A- 90.0--93.2% C+ 76.0--79.9% D 56.0--61.9% B+ 86.6--89.9% C 72.0--75.9% D- 50.0--55.9% B 83.3--86.5% C- 68.0--71.9% E Below 50.0% RESERVE BOOKS AND FILMS FOR THE LIBRARY None ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS 1. Mikesell, Marvin and Alexander Murphy. "A Framework for Comparative Study of Minority-Group Aspirations." Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Dec. 1991. 2. Nietschmann, Bernard. "The Fourth World: Nations versus States." in Reordering the World: Geopolitical Perspectives on the 21st Century. George Demko and William Wood editors. (Boulder: Westview Press, 1994). ADDITIONAL RESOURCES none HONOR CODE Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager s Handbook for further explanation of what constitutes an honor offense. Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: On my 9

honor as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment. The pledge must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed [signed]. 10