Instructor: Dr. Heidi G. Frontani |
Office: 217-C Powell |
Phone: (336) 278-6462 |
Office Hours TBA |
E-mail: glaesel@elon.edu |
Home page: http://facstaff.elon.edu/glaesel |
Course Description: In this course we will prepare for and travel around the world in 38 (class) days by reading about, discussing, and viewing videos from the places in our itinerary. On a region by region basis we will explore the ways in which people and places across many lands share common traits and distinctive characteristics. We will discuss the origins of present-day socio-economic and environmental issues and analyze why they are taking place where they are on planet Earth.
Course Goals:
Course Objectives: By the end of this course you should be able to:
Required Text:
World Regional Geography, Without Sub-Regions: Global Patterns, Local Lives, 4rd Edition (2007) by Lydia and Alex Pulsipher.
Recommended: Goode’s World Atlas--Consider purchasing this if you don't like looking up places on the internet or own an atlas
Class Meetings/Attendance Policy:
Class time will be a combination of lecture, discussion, videos, and student presentations. Come to class having thought about the question(s) of the day. Questions of the day let you know on which topics of the text and workbook to focus.
Any student missing more than three class periods will have their course grade lowered by three points or more unless the student contacts the instructor in advance AND comes to an agreement about when the work will be made up AND has a doctor’s note. (Three points off for each absence over three.)
Grading: A list of graded material and due dates is followed by more detailed descriptions of what to expect with regard to the map quiz, exams, workbook assignments, and paper.
GRADED MATERIAL |
PERCENT OF |
QUIZ, EXAM, AND PAPER DATES |
4 Map Quizzes |
10 each (40% total) |
2/16, 3/9, 4/3 and 4/20 |
Midterm Examination |
20 |
March 4th |
6 page regionally-based paper |
15 |
April 10th |
Final Exam |
25 |
5/8 & 8am Sat. May 16th for GEO 131A; 11:30am Mon. May 18th for GEO 131B |
Grading scale: less than 60% is an F, 60-63 a D -, 64-67 a D, 68-69 a D+, 70-73 a C- , 74-77 a C, 78-79 a C+, 80-83 a B-, 84-87 a B, 88-89 a B+, 90-94 an A- and 95-100 an A.
Map quizzes Map and study the locations of the places listed at the end of the syllabus. A word bank of approximately 20 places will appear on each map quiz and you will write the number or place name onto the blank map provided. Practice blank maps will be provided in class. The map quizzes are cumulative (places studied for map quiz one may appear on map quiz two and so forth).
Exams will consist of short answers and essays drawn from class (all parts thereof) and text materials. The final exam is cumulative, but weighted toward the last half of the course. It will include short answers and essays. 20 percent of the final exam (5 percent of your course grade) will be mapping; you’ll take the mapping portion of the final exam in class on May 8th and the main portion of the final during exam week. You will NOT need blue books for exams.
The contents of the text are testable material, as are lectures, videos, and other material presented in class. Be sure to know the bolded key terms in your textbook, they will serve as the basis of questions asked on exams. We will go over exams from previous years as review for each exam.
Regionally-based Paper: Write a six-page paper plus bibliography that addresses the “why of where” of a major contemporary issue related to humans and their environments at a sub-regional scale. Please note that a bibliography that reflects an average of one reference per page (six references listed for a six page paper) will be considered adequately researched. The bibliography of your research paper MUST include at least three journal articles and two books to receive a passing grade. If you are uncertain about what qualifies as a ‘journal’ (as opposed to a magazine), please see me.
THE WRITING CENTER: Make use of this campus resource. EVERYONE, even people who have published several books, can improve their writing.
Academic Integrity: Students are reminded that all activities (tests, quizzes, class discussions, etc.) are subject to the requirements of the honor code. As a student at Elon, you are responsible for knowledge of and familiarity with the provisions of the honor code.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Direct quotes MUST have: 1. quotation marks, 2. a full reference to the work cited in your bibliography, AND 3. an in-text citation. Material that is not a direct quote but that is specific information (statistical information, dates, etc.) which is not common knowledge that you have included in your paper MUST have an in-text citation AND the source from which it comes must be listed in your bibliography.
Incomplete citations for direct quotes or statistical information will result in the loss of ten points for the paper submitted.
It is preferable environmentally for you to include your bibliography, no matter how long or short, immediately following the text of your paper rather than using a separate sheet of paper. Please do not include a title page, include your paper title, course, and your name at the top of the first page.
This outline is designed to help us make connections among the variety of materials we will be using in this course (World Regional Geography textbook, lecture material, maps, internet/Black Board resources, etc.). The outline should be close to what we will do each class day but is subject to change should the instructor be called out of town for a conference, a guest speaker or the instructor fall ill, etc.
Introduction: Geography an Exploration of Connections
Introductions and overview of the course
By February 4th READ Chapter One in World Regional Geography AND be prepared to discuss the author’s key points with regard to global population, economics, the environment, and what the study of geography at the college-level entails. Try to pull out what you believe to be the MOST IMPORTANT information in the chapter.
What is this tour going to be like? (What is Geography?)
North America (let the virtual travels begin!)
Travel itinerary: drive across the USA-Mexican border north to Los Angeles, USA and drive, drive, drive (2 days)
In this world region we revisit the notion that consumerism can be linked to environmental quality.
By February 6th READ the first half of Chapter Two “North America” in World Regional Geography
What's geography? What's so magic about the Magic Kingdom?
By February 9th READ the remainder of Chapter Two “North America” in World Regional Geography
Understanding settlement patterns: Population, urbanization, transportation and the automobile
Consumerism and waste: automobiles, landfills, and "environmental racism" (how are ethnic and religious minorities doing in the USA relative to other countries?) PBS "Earthkeepers" VIDEO segment (about 30 minutes).
Europe
Travel itinerary: London; Greenwich (just outside of London; pass through Scotland on the way to Northern Ireland; London again. After a short trip to the coast we will cross the English Channel and North Sea to the Netherlands to begin our river cruises on the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers until we reach the Black Sea. (2 days)
In this world region we focus on the impact of colonization, the environmental costs of highly consumeristic lifestyles, and the importance of nations (groups of ethnically or culturally similar people) and states (political units or countries) in episodes of war and peace.
Why was Britain able colonize 1/4th of the world?
By February 13th READ the first half of Chapter Four "Europe" in World Regional Geography
What present day socio-economic issues in Europe have their origins in colonial conquests?
By February 16th STUDY for Map Quiz 1 (quiz will be at the beginning of class on 2/16)
By February 18th complete reading Chapter Four "Europe" in World Regional Geography
What are the prospects for peace and cooperation in Europe?
The Russian Federation (a.k.a. “Russia”) and the Newly Independent States
Travel itinerary: Odessa, Ukraine (on the Black Sea); Kiev, Ukraine; fly to Moscow, Russian Federation; river cruise on the Volga to the Caspian Sea; short overland trip to the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan; head north to catch the Trans-Siberian Railway to the Vladivostok on the coast (we'll stop at scenic Lake Baikal on the way). (We'll be here about 2 days)
In this world region we focus on the environmental and social impacts of a command economy and continue to explore the roles of religion, ethnicity, and unequal treatment in separatist movements.
The rise and fall of the Russian Empire: What were the socio-economic impacts for this world region?
By February 20th READ the first half of Chapter Five "Russia and the Newly Independent States" in World Regional Geography
What were the environmental impacts of communism and centralized economies?
By February 23rd READ the remainder of Chapter Five "Russia and the Newly Independent States" in World Regional Geography
East Asia
Travel itinerary: We will cross the Sea of Japan to Hiroshima, Japan or Nagasaki, Japan; take a bullet train to Tokyo; travel by ship across the East China Sea to Shanghai, China; cruise on the Yangzte River (called the Chang Chiang locally) to the Three Gorges Dam; fly to Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau. (We'll do this in about 3 days)
In this world region we take a look at the cultural and environmental impacts of communism in China. We also explore Japan’s economic transformation and why the country is often considered rogue among Green groups.
By February 25th READ the first half of Chapter 9 "East Asia" in World Regional Geography
Understanding China: How did the country come into being? How does life there differ by sub-region?
By February 27th STUDY for the Midterm Exam (the exam will be in class on March 4th, but we will begin exam review today)
March 2nd we’ll continue exam review and with East Asia (materials discussed today CAN appear on the exam)
March 4th Midterm Exam in class today (on North America, Europe, Russia and the Newly Independent States and East Asia overview and China)
By March 6th READ the remainder of Chapter 9 "East Asia" in World Regional Geography
Understanding Japan: How did Japan become such a powerful economic force in the 20th century?
By March 9th STUDY for MAP QUIZ 2 (at the beginning of class on 3/9)—keep in mind that this quiz is ‘mildly cumulative’ (most places on the quiz will be from the newest list and some from the map quiz 1 list of places to know)
Southeast Asia
Travel itinerary: fly to Bangkok, Thailand; explore the tropical rainforests north of Bangkok and on the Malay Peninsula (1 or 2 days)
In this world region we begin to explore differing perspectives on globalization and tropical deforestation.
Why do some Filipinos, Malaysians, and Thai seem to "resist modernization"?
By March 11th READ the first half of Chapter 10 “Southeast Asia” in World Regional Geography
By March 13th READ the remainder of Chapter 10 “Southeast Asia” in World Regional Geography
South Asia
Travel itinerary: Fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka; take a boat to the Kerala area of SW India, fly to Mumbai (formerly "Bombay"), India and drive to the Sardar Sarovar dam site on the Narmada River; fly to the Punjab region of India; travel to disputed Kashmir on the India-Pakistan border (3 days)
In this world region we revisit the notion that religious differences combined with unequal treatment can fuel separatist movements. We also begin to explore the idea of whether religiously homogenous states are a means of achieving peace in a country or region.
Can relocating millions of people based on their religion bring peace?
By March 16th READ the first half of Chapter Eight "South Asia" in World Regional Geography
By March 18th READ the remainder of Chapter Eight "South Asia" in World Regional Geography
By March 20th PREPARE and SUBMIT one typed page on ‘Europe in the News’ or ‘Asia in the News’ by selecting a recent issue of interest reported in a US or foreign newspaper or magazine which is related to a general topic we have discussed in class (graded on a ‘good/acceptable/fail’ scale such that if your course grade is on the border a ‘good’ will help you, a ‘fail’ will not)
Can the growth of food crops keep up with the growth of the human population?
SPRING BREAK (no classes March 23, 25, or 27)
North Africa and Southwest Asia
Travel itinerary: Fly to Israel; travel to Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights of Israel and the occupied territories (former Palestine); fly to Iraq (2 days)
In this world region we continue to explore the theme of religiously homogenous states and what they mean for long term peace.
What fuels violent conflict and destroys peace agreements in this region?
By March 30th READ the first half of Chapter Six “North Africa and Southwest Asia” in World Regional Geography
Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond: Understanding contemporary conflicts
We’ll talk about some of the recent unrest in this world region.
By April 1st READ the remainder of Chapter Six “North Africa and Southwest Asia” in World Regional Geography
By April 3rd STUDY for MAP QUIZ 3 (at the beginning of class on 4/3)—the quiz is ‘mildly cumulative’
Sub-Saharan Africa
Fly to Cairo, Egypt; Nile River cruise to Khartoum, Sudan; fly to Nairobi, Kenya; travel around Kenya; fly to Botswana (2 t o 3 days)
In this world region we revisit the theme of colonization and its impact on the economic and social well-being of a region.
Why is economic wealth and prosperity so elusive in this region?
By April 6th READ the first half of Chapter Seven “Sub-Saharan Africa” in World Regional Geography
What is being done to control the spread of AIDS in Africa?
What would it be like to live, study, and travel in Sub-Saharan Africa?
By April 8th READ pages 276-305 in Chapter Seven “Sub-Saharan Africa” in World Regional Geography.
By April 10th TURN IN your six page paper (PLUS bibliography with at least six sources—see intro of syllabus for important info on grading)
NO CLASS on April 13th (Easter)
By April 15th BE PREPARED TO REPORT on development work in which you have engaged this term—could be in support of 2010 Periclean Scholars projects in Ghana or NC (see http://org.elon.edu/pericleanscholars2010), or through another campus-related organization of your choice); if you collected books, coats, blankets, or funds for African refugees, Ghanaians or others please bring those to class today
By April 17th PREPARE and SUBMIT one typed page on ‘Africa in the News’ by selecting a recent issue of interest reported in a US or foreign newspaper or magazine which is related to a general topic we have discussed in class (graded on a ‘good/acceptable/fail’ scale such that if your course grade is on the border a ‘good’ will help you, a ‘fail’ will not)
By April 20th STUDY for MAP QUIZ 4 (don’t forget, it’s ‘mildly cumulative’, covering all three map quiz lists for part of the quiz)
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
Travel itinerary: Fly to Perth, Australia; drive into the "outback"; fly to the Sydney, Australia; travel to the Great Barrier Reef; fly to New Zealand; fly to Bikini Island (in the Marshall Islands) (1 day)
In this world region we explore the impact of colonization on the recent histories of indigenous people.
Why have so many nuclear bombs been dropped near small Pacific Ocean islands?
Why are native species particularly likely to go extinct in island environments?
By April 22nd READ pages 422-453 in Chapter 11 "Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific” in World Regional Geography
By April 24th PREPARE and SUBMIT one typed page on ‘Australia in the News’ by selecting a recent issue of interest reported in a US or foreign newspaper or magazine which is related to a general topic we have discussed in class (graded on a ‘good/acceptable/fail’ scale such that if your course grade is on the border a ‘good’ will help you, a ‘fail’ will not)
Middle and South America
Travel itinerary: fly the Atacama Desert in northern Chile; fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil; drive to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina; fly to the Amazon rainforest; fly to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. (2 days)
In this world region we revisit the theme of tropical deforestation and take a look the forces that create and maintain the massive wealth differentials found here.
What have military coups meant in the lives of the people Middle and South America?
Can Structural Adjustment Programs help bring regional peace and prosperity?
By April 27th READ the first half of Chapter 3 "Middle and S. America" in World Regional Geography and STUDY for the MAPPING PORTION OF THE FINAL EXAM (in class 5/3)
APRIL 28th (SURF—Student Undergraduate Research Forum) Plan to attend a few student presentations, especially any on Latin America.
By April 29th PREPARE TO SHARE your experiences attending SURF presentations
Can the biodiverse tropical rainforests of the Amazon be saved?
By May 1st READ the remainder of Chapter 3 "Middle and S. America" in World Regional Geography
May 4th We will catch up if we fallen behind at all and/or begin making connections across regions and
By May 6th PREPARE and SUBMIT one typed page on the ‘Americas in the News’ by selecting a recent issue of interest reported in a US or foreign newspaper or magazine which is related to a general topic we have discussed in class AND briefly describe how the news item(s) you have selected are related to events going on elsewhere in the world (i.e. make a connection across regions); will be graded on a ‘good/acceptable/fail’ scale such that if your course grade is on the border a ‘good’ will help you, a ‘fail’ will not
By May 8th PRPARE for MAPPING PORTION of FINAL EXAM (covers ALL map quiz lists approximately evenly) which you will take at the beginning of class today
By May 11th PREPARE for Final Exam Review
That completes our world tour! I hope you were challenged, learned new ways to think about the world's people & environments, and had fun.
Places to recognize and locate for the Map Quizzes and Final Exam
Study Hints: Practice on blank maps printed off the textbook website or photocopied from blank maps given to you. Use different colors if it will help you remember locations (blue pen to mark rivers, seas, etc.; black for country and city names; etc.).
TERMS TO MAP
From our travels in the USA, EUROPE and FORMER USSR [Map quiz 1 list]
Black Sea |
Caspian Sea |
Aral Sea |
Rhine River |
Volga River |
Danube River |
Lake Baikal |
English Channel |
North Sea |
Kyrgyzstan |
Moscow (Russian Federation) |
Thames River (U.K.) |
Odessa (Ukraine) |
Kiev (Ukraine) |
Kazakhstan |
Glasgow, Scotland (U.K.) |
Belfast (Northern Ireland, U.K.) |
London (U.K.) |
Wales (U.K.) |
Orlando (Florida, USA) |
Greenwich (U.K.) |
Belgrade (Yugoslavia) |
Elon (NC, USA) |
Romania |
Vienna (Austria) |
Vladivostok (Russian Federation) |
Budapest (Hungary) |
Siberia (Russian Federation) |
Prime Meridian (line of longitude) |
Sea of Azov |
Cologne (Germany) |
Siberia (Russian Federation) |
Irish Sea |
Volgograd (Russian Federation) |
Rotterdam (Netherlands) |
Caucuses Mountains |
Syr Darya and Amu Darya Rivers |
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) |
Don River |
From our travels in EAST AND SOUTHEST ASIA, SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST ASIA [Map quiz 2 list]
East China Sea |
Manila (Philippines) |
Bangkok (Thailand) |
Kuala Lampur (Malaysia) |
Himalayan Mountains |
Republic of India |
Narmada River |
Indus River system |
Bay of Bengal |
Thar (Great Indian) Desert |
Bombay (Mumbai, India) |
Bangladesh |
Tokyo (Japan) |
Punjab region (India) |
Colombo (Sri Lanka) |
Karachi (Pakistan) |
Afghanistan |
Shanghai (China) |
Kashmir (Pakistan-India border) |
Dhaka (Bangladesh) |
Nagasaki (Japan) |
North China Plain (China) |
Gobi Desert |
Hiroshima (Japan) |
Tibetan plateau (China) |
Yangtze River (China) |
Persian Gulf |
Sea of Japan |
Mediterranean Sea |
Jerusalem (Israel) |
West Bank (Israeli-occupied) |
Saudi Arabia |
Kurdistan |
Mecca (Makkah) (Saudi Arabia) |
Tel Aviv (Israel) |
Gaza Strip |
From our travels in AFRICA (including NORTH AFRICA) [Map quiz 3 list]
Strait of Gibraltar |
Suez Canal |
Atlas Mountains |
Nile River system |
Khartoum (Sudan) |
Rabat (Morocco) |
Mombasa (Kenya) |
Cairo (Egypt) |
Casablanca (Morocco) |
Mount Kilimanjaro |
Tanzania |
Fes (Morocco) |
Nairobi (Kenya) |
Botswana |
Harare (Zimbabwe) |
The Sudd (Sudan) |
Serengeti Plain (Tanzania) |
Zambezi River |
Ghana |
Lake Victoria |
Lake Malawi |
Great Rift Valley |
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia) |
Kalahari drylands |
The "outback" (Australia) |
The Red Sea |
Malawi |
Papua New Guinea |
Great Barrier Reef |
Marshall Islands |
New South Wales (Australia) |
Pacific Ocean |
Indian Ocean |
Sydney (Australia) |
Perth (Australia) |
Tasman Sea |
Wellington (N. Zealand) |
|
|
From our travels in the AMERICAS (NORTH, MIDDLE, AND SOUTH) [Map quiz 4 list]
Manaus (Brazil) |
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) |
Sao Paulo (Brazil) |
Atacama Desert |
Peru |
Caracas (Venezuela) |
Humboldt Current |
Buenos Aires (Argentina) |
Panama Canal |
Amazon River |
Parana—Paraguay Rivers |
Costa Rica |
Andes Mountains |
Mexico City (Mexico) |
Belize |
Gulf of Mexico |
Yucatan Peninsula |
Tijuana (Mexico) |
Rocky Mountains |
Mississippi River |
Atlantic Ocean |
Appalachian Mountains |
Los Angeles (California, USA) |
Dallas (USA) |
NOTE: the mapping portion of the final exam draws from ALL FOUR lists, map quiz one only from list 1, map quiz two from lists 1 and 2, map quiz three from lists 1,2, and 3 and map quiz four from all four lists