World Regional Geography

Geography 120

Professor Lisa Schmidt

World Regional Geography• World Regional Geography is a

study of the major developed and developing regions of the world, with emphasis on an awareness of prevailing world conditions and emerging developments, including the diversity of ideas and practices in various regions.

• Major topics will include: – culture, religion, language, landforms,

climate, agriculture, and economic activities.

Textbooks• Fundamentals or World Regional

Geography (2nd Edition)– This book is REQUIRED.

ISBN-13: 978-0495391982– ISBN-10: 0495391980

• National Geographic College Atlas of the World (2nd Edition)– This book is REQUIRED.

ISBN-13: 978-0470888872– ISBN-10: 0470888873

• Geography Coloring Book (3rd Edition)– This book is NOT required, only recommended– ISBN-10: 0131014722

ISBN-13: 978-0131014725

Required Materials

• Pens, Pencils, Paper

• Internet Access– Recommended: Colored Pens or Pencils for Map

Study

Course Objectives

1) To introduce students to several important problems, events, and issues that affect the world today.

2) To provide students with a basic introduction to several means for analyzing these relevant issues.

3) To become proficient in using information systems such as maps, graphs, models, and statistical data.

4) To analyze human systems, physical systems, and interrelationships between the two.

5) To form critical viewpoints by becoming aware of and being able to assess the general political, economic, and social development issues of the world.

6) To develop a knowledge of the relative locations of places in the world -- major states, cities, and geographical features.

7) To be able to provide critical evaluation of various viewpoints concerning a specific issue expressed through several means of communication, such as written, oral, and/or visual material; and to be able to organize and communicate their findings effectively.

8) To acquire and improve general reading, writing, and analytical skills that can be applied to personal and professional endeavors in and beyond the World Geography course.

Course Objectives

Geography Course Objectives

1) To become thoroughly conversant with the global/regional issues presented in class and in the readings.

2) To be able to demonstrate effectively the ability to synthesize, evaluate, and form well-informed opinions about contemporary global and regional issues.

3) To be able to acknowledge and critically evaluate various viewpoints concerning a specific issue.

What is Geography?

The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.

Fields of Geography

• Human or Cultural Geography– Deals with social,

economic, and behavioral processes

• Physical Geography– Examines the natural

processes occurring at Earth’s surface that provide the physical setting for human activities

Branches of Physical Geography

• Biogeography• Climatology• Coastal Geography• Geomorphology• Glaciology• Hydrology• Oceanography

Branches of Human Geography

• Cultural Geography• Regional Geography• Developmental Geography• Economic Geography• Medical Geography• Historical Geography• Political Geography• Population Geography• Demography• Transportation Geography• Urban Geography

Tools Geographers Use• Maps

– Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data• Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions

• Remote Sensing– Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of earth’s surface

• GIS or Geographic Information Systems– Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases

• Mathematical Modeling and Statistics– Used to understand natural and human phenomenon

• 1 Presentation worth 100 points

• 11 Chapter Quizzes worth 10 points each for a total of 110 points

• 5 Map Quizzes worth 25 points each for a total of 125 points

• 4 Exams worth 100 points each for a total of 400 points

• 14 News Groups worth 10 points each for a total of 140 points

• Random Participation Points up to 100 possible

– Total Possible Points = 975

• Grades will be calculated based on the following:

• You are required to give a presentation for this class.

• The presentation will be on a place.

• It may be done in groups with instructor approval.

• It may be done as a video with instructor approval.

Presentation

• Chapter Quizzes will be given using Blackboard. • You must use a computer with an internet

connection to take the quizzes. • They will consist of 20 multiple choice, true/false,

or matching questions. • There will be a quiz on EACH chapter of your

textbook.• Quizzes open after class and stay open for one

week. • You may take quizzes twice before they close. • Quizzes will close ONE WEEK after they are

posted at 6:30 PM.

Chapter Quizzes

• Map Quizzes will be based on in-class map studies.

• They will be given using Blackboard, you will have a week to complete maps quizzes.

• Map Quizzes will close ONE WEEK after they are posted at 6:30 PM.

Map Quizzes

• Exams will be given using Blackboard and will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions.

• You must use a computer with an internet connection to take your exams.

• If you do not know how to use Blackboard, stay after and I will help you.

Exams

• You will join a group for this class and present current events each week with your group.

• Groups will be divided by parts of the world.• You MUST make and account on the class web

page so you can post your news.• You are to post news on your groups web page

before each class.• You will present you news in class.• Details are posted on the class web page.

News Groups

• 100 Random points have been built into the points for this course.

• At any time I decide (usually after the break) I can assign pop quizzes, or participation points.

• If you are not here when this happens, then you will not receive those points.

Random Participation Points

Class Schedule

• Late work will not be accepted.

• There will be no make-up of missed exams or quizzes.

• Do not ask me to open exams or quizzes after their due dates.

Late Work and Missed Exams or Quizzes

• I reserve the right to drop students who miss class twice. – If you have to miss class, you should stay in

contact with me so that you are not inadvertently dropped.

• You may also be dropped for excessive tardiness. – Excessive tardiness is being more than five

minutes late more than three times. – If you are going to be late, come in quietly and

take a seat without interrupting the class. • If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility

to obtain notes or ANY other information, including schedule changes.

Absences and Tardiness

• The last day that extra credit or any late work will be accepted is May 17, 2012.

• NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!

Last Day to Turn in Work

• If you wish to drop this course, you must do so formally.

• Not dropping the course may result in a grade of an F.

Dropping

• It is your responsibility to pick up your graded work.

• Graded work will be held for 30 days after the semester has ended and will then be discarded.

• It is highly recommended that you keep all of your graded work until final grades have been submitted.

Graded Work

• Some extra credit may be offered during the semester.

• It will be announced in class and your attendance will be required to take advantage of it.

Extra Credit

• Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.

• Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the deans office.

• Please refer to Crafton Hills College policy on academic honesty.

Academic Honesty

• Use of cell phones for talking or texting during class is inappropriate.

• You may be asked to leave the classroom if you are talking or texting during lecture.

• Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.

Cell Phones

• If you have, or think you have a disability which may interfere with your ability to perform in this class, please speak with me immediately regarding any accommodations and contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services Office at (909) 389-3325.

Disabled Students Programs and Services

• Blackboard will be used during this course.

• You must use Blackboard to take your quizzes and exams.

Blackboard

• The BEST way to reach me if you have any questions or concerns is by e-mail. My e-mail address is: Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com

Contact Information

• All dates, topics, point totals, and assignments are tentative.

• I reserve the right to change them throughout the course as may become necessary.

Note About Dates, Topics, and Assignments

Where Computers Are Available on Campus

• Library

• Learning Resource Center

See the campus map in your syllabus!

• Get in groups of _______• Designate a leader of your group.• Group leaders: record the names of your

group members on a piece of paper.• As a group, look through all of the things

you have brought to class with you, see where they are made.

• Group leaders: record the items and the places they were made.

The most stuff comes from:

What do you know about these places?• Where are they?• How big is that country?• What is the capital city like?• What’s the weather like there?• What kind of money do they use? • What kind of economic system do they have?• What kind of political system do they have?• What language do the people speak?• What religion(s) are they?• Is there a male or female preference for the

manufacturing of a particular item?• How old do you think the person who made your stuff is?