GEOG 1982

World Regional Geography Maymester 2008

Monday-Friday 9:00-12:15 in Econ 117

 

Course Instructor:  Abby Hickcox                               Teaching Assistant:  Maureen Cassidy

E-mail: Abby.Hickcox@colorado.edu              E-mail: Maureen.Cassidy@colorado.edu

Office Hours:  Mon-Fri 1:30-2:15 and by appointment

Office: Guggenheim 311 (3rd floor of Guggenheim)

Mailbox:  1st floor of Guggenheim

                                                                                               

Course Website:  http://www.colorado.edu/geography/class_homepages/geog_1982_001_s08

 

Course Topic & Structure:

In fourteen class days, we will discuss eleven regions of the world. In addition, we will cover several themes in Geography. The goal of the course is to become geographically literate, to gain a familiarity with the history, landforms, and social dynamics of world regions using geographic themes such as space, place, scale, culture, political economy, migration, borders, and flows. In-class time will consist primarily of lecture, videos, and group discussion and activities.

To do well in this course, you are expected to be in class and do the reading. Exam questions will be taken from lectures, guest lectures, films, and the textbook reading assignments. Assigned readings are to be completed before coming to the class for which they are assigned.

 

Course textbook (required):

World Regional Geography:  Global Patterns, Local Lives (without subregions)

By Lydia M. Pulsipher & Alex Pulsipher, Freeman Press. Third Edition (2006).

The textbook is available at the on-campus bookstore (in the UMC) as well as the bookstore on the hill.

The textbook has a website that will be used at times:  http://bcs.whfreeman.com/pulsipher3e/

 

Course Grading Rubric and Expectations:

  • 25 percent:  attendance and participation - Attendance is required every day of class. Attendance, the completion of in-class discussion worksheets, and active participation in discussions comprise 25 percent of the course grade.
  • 25 percent:  assignments (6) - Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Assignments turned in after class will lose 20 percent of the grade per day late. There are six assignments that together count towards 25 percent of your course grade.
  • 25 percent:  midterm (May 21)
  • 25 percent:  final exam (May 30)

 

Assignments can be found on the course website or will be handed out in class. Assignments will be graded on content and completion. Full sentences, correct grammar, and good spelling are required. Assignments must be typed and turned in during class to receive full credit.

Punctuality to class is expected.  If you are habitually late, I will deduct participation points from your grade.  Sleeping in class is not acceptable and will be counted as an absence. 

 

Plagiarism/cheating will not be tolerated.  There will be no warning, but a direct report to the honor council at CU (they also have a no tolerance policy) and a failing grade for the semester.  Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking ideas, writings, etc from another and passing them off as one’s own.  Copying information from the internet or your textbook without proper citation is a form of plagiarism.  Discussion with peers is encouraged, but assignments must be completed individually.

 

CLASS SCHEDULE

 

This schedule of lectures and readings is subject to modification during the semester. Modifications will be posted on the course website and/or announced in class.

 

Monday May 12        Introduction to Geography, Globalization

1.               Introductions, Course Orientation

2.               Map exercise

3.               Lecture:  What is geography? Why world regional geography? What is globalization?

4.               Short Video

 

Tuesday May 13        North America, Culture, Nationalism

1.               Town names discussion

2.               Lecture:  North America:  History, Culture, Nationalism

3.               Video:  Why We Fight

 

            READ Textbook (TB):  2-30 (skim), Chapter 2(52-96)

            DUE    Assignment1 Town Names

 

Wednesday May 14  Middle and South America, Neoliberalism

1.               Lecture:  Middle & South America; Neoliberalism, Debt Crisis, Free Trade, Fair Trade

2.               Video:  Free Trade

3.               Discussion

 

            READ TB 30-36, Chapter 3 (98-144)

 

Thursday May 15      Europe, Capitalism, Population, Scale

1.               Lecture:  Population, Europe

2.               Videos:  Czechoslovakia, Kosovo, Basque Region

3.               Discussion     

 

            READ TB 37-43, Chapter 4 (147-182)

            DUE    Assignment2 NAFTA

 

Friday May 16           Russia and Newly Independent States, Political Economy

1.               Lecture:  Russia and Newly Independent States, Political Economy

2.               Video:  Rich in Russia           

3.               Discussion

 

            READ Chapter 5 (184-219)

 

Monday May 19        North Africa and Southwest Asia, Migration, Urbanization

1.               Guest Lecture:  A. Levy – Turkey: History, Migration, & Urbanization

2.               Discussion

 

            READ TB 220-235, 248-258

            DUE    Assignment3 The Arab-Israeli Conflict

 

Tuesday May 20        North Africa and Southwest Asia, Introduction to Islam, Oil

1.               Lecture:  Introduction to Islam

2.               Guest Lecture:  J. Rose – The Political Economy of Oil

3.               Review for Exam

 

            READ TB 236-248

DUE    Bring Questions for midterm exam

 

Wednesday May 21  Midterm

1.                

2.               MIDTERM

3.                

 

            READ Prepare for midterm exam

 

Thursday May 22      Sub-Saharan Africa, Colonialism, Development

1.               Lecture: Sub-Saharan Africa, Colonialism, Development

2.               Video

3.               Discussion

 

            READ TB 43-50, Chapter 7 (261-305)

            DUE    Assignment 4 Political Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa

 

Friday May 23           South Asia, Political Islam, Gender

1.               Lecture:  South Asia:  Partition of India, Political Islam

2.               Videos:  Pakistan Frontline; Reinventing the Taliban?

3.               Discussion

 

            READ TB Chapter 8 (306-347)

 

Monday May 26

No class – Memorial Day

 

Tuesday May 27        East Asia

1.               Lecture:  East Asia

2.               Guest Lecture:  A. Zader – Environment in China

3.               Video:  China Blue

 

            READ TB Chapter 9 (348-383)

            DUE    Assignment 5 Olympics in China

 

Wednesday May 28  Southeast Asia

1.               Guest Lecture:  M. Roberts – Vietnam

2.               Lecture: Southeast Asia

3.               Video:  Cambodia:  Pol Pot’s Shadow

 

            READ TB Chapter 10 (384-421)

 

Thursday May 29      Oceania, Global Warming

1.               Lecture:  Oceania, Global Warming, Climate Justice

2.               Video:  Rising Waters           

3.               Discussion

4.               Review for Exam

 

            READ TB Chapter 11 (422-453)

            DUE    Extra Credit Silavut  (Univ. of Colorado Museum of Natural History) map

 

Friday May 30           Final Exam

1.                

2.               FINAL EXAM

3.                

 

READ Prepare for final exam

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Other University Information:

In general no make-up exams will be given. Therefore, please note the date/time of the mid-term and final, and make your travel plans around it, not the other way around.

            The only exceptions to the make-up exam policy are as follows:

(1)  Students with serious religious observance conflicts must notify the TA or professor by May 9. This scheduling will be resolved according to the University’s Religious observances policy (see below).

(2)  In cases of serious illness with medical documentation, students may be permitted to reschedule after discussion with the professor.

Missing an exam for any other reason will result in a grade of 0 for that exam.

 

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  

Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

 

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

 

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html  http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

 

CU Office of Victim Assistance:  303-492-8855 - Victim Assistance is an advocacy and support office serving those who are impacted by disruptive/disturbing life events, including violent crime, sexual harassment, death, and debilitating accidents. Staff members will advise you of your rights and the services available to you. They can also intervene on your behalf with professors, housing, academic departments, business offices, and employers to ease the burden of dealing with an accident or assault.

 

CU Counseling Services:  303-492-6766, Willard room 134. http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/counseling/