Course Description
GEOG 161 – World Regional Geography [Lect 3.0] Application of the principles of Geography to develop an understanding of the relationships between people, places, and environments over time - that is, of Earth as it was, is, and might be.
Texts
World Regional Geography – Hobbs (6th Edition)
1. Diversity Amid Globalization – Rowntree et al. (2006)
2. Human Geography – Fellmann / Getis (2005)
3. Introduction to Physical Geography – Wallen (1992)
4. World Regions – Marston et al (2002)
Attendance is expected at all lectures and laboratory sessions. Proper learning of the course material can only be achieved through regular course attendance and an abundance of time spent completing all of the assigned lab assignments and practicing the skills introduced in this course. You may be dropped from a course by the instructor because of excessive absences or unsatisfactory work.
Mini exercises, corresponding to the assigned readings, may be assigned at the beginning
of all (non-exam) lecture periods. These exercises will require PRS units to effectively
complete. The instructor may collect one or all of these problems for grading. Late
work will NOT be accepted, except under extraordinary circumstances.
Short quizzes may also be given at the instructor's discretion at certain times
during the semester. As a means of encouraging interactive learning in the course,
the instructor may base part of your grade on your willingness to participate in
class discussions and assignments.
Four in-class exams will be given throughout the semester. All exams will be cumulative and will primarily consist of geographic regions studied. Make-up exams will generally NOT be given. However, exceptions will be made in the case of genuine emergencies (the instructor will define "genuine" and "emergency" at his discretion). Vacations or lack of preparation are not valid reasons.
Your grade for this course will be determined on the following basis, and the standard university grading policy will be followed. However, the instructor reserves the right to curve grades as he deems necessary.
| Homework / Reading Assignments | 15% |
| Group Assignments / Discussions | 05% |
| In-class exams (4 @ 20 % each) | 80% |
| Total | 100% |
Teamwork is encouraged for studying course topics, but giving aid to another student during an exam or PRS quiz or taking information from another student's exam or quiz papers constitutes academic dishonesty. Using 2 PRS units or a PRS unit belonging to a student in the same class in a quiz will also constitute academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will be handled according to code of academic responsibility and conduct.
The course schedule, content, and assignments are subject to modification when circumstances dictate and as the course progresses and matures. If changes are made, you will be given due notice.
General Information (Current and Future Trends)
| The World in Spatial Terms |
| Geography studies the relationships between people, places, and environments by mapping information about them into a spatial context. |
| Places and Regions |
| The identities and lives of individuals and peoples are rooted in particular places and in those human constructs called regions. |
| Physical Systems |
| Physical process shape Earth's surface and interact with plant and animal life to create, sustain, and modify ecosystems. |
| Human Systems |
| People are central to geography; human activities, settlements, and structures help shape Earth's surface, and humans compete for control of Earth's surface. |
| Environment and Society |
| The physical environment is influenced by the ways in which human societies value and use Earth's physical features and processes. |
| General Education Program (GEP) Intended Student Outcomes |
|
1. Communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and formats. 2. Locate and use information for making appropriate personal and professional decisions. 3. Comprehend the concepts and perspectives needed to function in national and international societies. 4. Comprehend intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics. 5. Comprehend concepts and methods of inquiry in science and technology, and their applications for society. 6. Integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner. 7. Comprehend the need for lifelong learning. This course has been approved for the Social and Behavioral Sciences category in general education because it "systematically explores cultural and intellectual forces shaping events, individual expression, and social values." In this course, you should attain the following goals and/or objectives by the end of the semester. You should be able to: Define or describe various terms, symbols, etc., as given in the notes, and/or supplementary materials (GEP Outcome 6). Learn the fundamentalproperties of map projections (GEP Outcome 5). Apply the basics of cartography, geodesy, and geography (GEP Outcome 2). Make connections between different kinds of information as a means of understanding the world (GEP Outcomes 3 and 7). Determine important human geographic problems and their potential solutions (GEP Outcome 4). Develop methods for interpreting geographical locales and evaluating landscapes (GEP Outcome 2). Apply the fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories of geography to typical problems in the areas studied (GEP Outcome 3). Develop skills necessary to improve rational-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making (GEP Outcome 1). Enhance a sense of personal responsibility as evidenced by self-reliance and self discipline in the completion of tasks assigned (GEP Outcome 6). |