world geography syllabus spring 2015

Terron Brooks– Spring 2015

World Geography

Spring 2015World Regional GeographySocial Studies Department

Mr. Terron Brooks

Credits 1.00 credits Office HoursMon to Fri : 10.00 – 12.00 Noon |TuTh 9.30 am to 11.00 am

Class Days MTWTHF Email tbrooks3566@myasu. al a su .e d u Room Room 903 Telephone (334) 549-0041Location Office

CLASS POLICIES

A. About the Couse

During this course, the student will study the world and its people. The introductory unit emphasizes the use of maps and globes, latitude and longitude in locating places, and the interpretation of geographical data and how it relates to local peoples. Students will then develop an understanding of the ever-changing physical characteristics of the Earth and how we humans interact with, adapt to, and/or exploit our physical environments. Other physical geographic concepts include climate and vegetation patterns, as well as the differing physical regions of the globe. Human geographic concepts will focus on educating the student on today’s various cultures and how they function, or don’t function, in the modern globalized/interconnected world. With that, the student will learn about differing political and economic systems, religions and their histories, human migration and urbanization patterns, population growth, and the ever-present globalization trend. Ultimately, this class will not only provide the student with the ability to recognize and appreciate the various peoples and cultures of the world, but it will also help him/her gain an understanding of the modern global community in which we live.

B. The Goals of the Course

1. End of the semester you will have a basic awareness about what is out there in the world. This includes regions, countries, capital cities, economic activities, development hubs, major physical features, international institutions, political situation, environmental problems, cultural complexes, and population concentrations. This does not mean you will need to know the name of every mountain, river, and capital cities in the world. But it does mean that when some important issues is discussed in the news, politics, laws, and other courses then you will have some ideas about what is being discussed, or at least enough of an idea to begin to learn more based on related information.

2. End of the semester you will have more in depth knowledge about major physical and human processes that shape the world. Large activities such as development, business, religion, war,

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governments, and migration – cut across countries, regions, and hemispheres. Thus, it is not enough to know what is out there; it is equally important to understand how these processes work.

3. End of the semester you should able to critically think and explore what you hear about the world.This course is structured not about you agreeing on my way of thinking, or others perspective on the world. What I wanted to provide you the basic knowledge is about understanding that there are multiple perspectives and views about many of the world’s issues, and being able to explore yours assumptions about how the world works.

C. REQUIRED TEXT BOOK

Please make sure to get the proposed text books for the course by next week. You need to have this text book (Fundamentals of World Geography) and Goode’s Atlas.

Requ ired Text Book :Fundamentals of World Geography, 2nd, by Erhunmwnsee, George, Iyegha and Tribble: Boston, MA: Pearson Publishing, 2009

Requ ired Atlas:Goode’& s World Atlas22nd Edition, Boston, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010

D. Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to come to class, complete required readings and completed assignment and to actively participate, in an informed manner during class discussion. That said, as responsible college students, it is totally up to you to do your works. However, if you do not come to class and participate in discussion, it will affect your performance and your grade. Thus, attendance and participation is must and you are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes as a significant amount of information will come from lectures, discussion, pop quizzes, handouts, and other class activities. Therefore, please be sure to miss no more than 1 (one) class session. Attendance will be marked.

As a way to help ease the more compressed schedule and fewer possible point getting opportunities, I will be giving bonus points for those with good attendance and participation. Therefore, regular attendance / roster will be taken at some point in the class session. Here is how it will work:

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A student is permitted one (1) unexcused absence for each credit hour generated by the class. For example, two (2) absences are allowed in a two-hour class. Excessive absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, may result in a student’s course grade being reduced or in assignment of a grade of “F”

If you miss four classes, I need an official excuse letter for the fourth (4th) and further continuing missing class from the university. Otherwise, as described earlier, it will impact your grade and lead to grade of “F.”

E. Class mind-set

It is disruptive to the instructor and your fellow classmates for you to enter a class once it has begun. Thus, in order to avoid this situation please arrive class on time. This policy applies to all classes, test, and exams days. If you do not come to class within 10 minutes, you will be marked absent.

It is equally disruptive for a student to leave class before the end of the period. If you intend to leave before class is officially dismissed, you must inform me before the start of lectures. Should youleave before class is dismissed (unless you are sick) you will be marked absent.

F. Cell phones, IPods and Other Electronic Devices Policy:

Please turn off your cell phones and all other electronic devices from the beginning until the end of each class session. You are requested to turn-off and store such devices, not in your pocket, but in your HANDBAG OR BACKPACK. I should not see you are using those devices during the class period. Laptops are allowed, but only to take notes for this class. Laptops are not allowed to use to read email, news, or doing other class related work.

G. DO NOT READ NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES OR ANY OTHER TEXTS DURING CLASS SESSION

H. DO NOT WORK ON YOUR OTHER CLASS ASSIGNMENTS DURING THIS CLASS PERIOD I. Please MAINTAIN an appropriate dress and ASU dress code when you come to this class. If it is

crucial, I will not hesitate to discuss with this matter and take appropriate action.

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Violation of any of these polices above (D - H) shall deserve 5 penalty points every occurrence. The instructor reserve the right to forbid students from committing other acts that may hinder other students from learning or that may inhibit the instructor from effectively managing the classroom.

J. Map Test / Exams

Throughout the semester there will be 11 EXAMS, which include map quizzes and multiple questions. The features that will be tested include: countries, cities, rivers, seas, mountains, peninsulas, development, population, cultures, trade, industrial development, agricultural, foods, weather, physical landforms, politics, institutions etc.

You will be given a study list in advance of each exam to help make your task easier. I will post this study guides in the blackboard. It is your responsibility to get print out for your convenience.

During my teaching, you should take good notes in order to prepare for exams. I am not going to distribute notes for any given reason. It is your responsibility to take notes.

Exams will have two parts: 1) map quizzes and 2) multiple questions. Both parts will contribute a maximum of 100 points and (final is 200 points) total of 1000 Points.

Group Research Paper (100 Points)

Each student will be required to write a research paper. This assignment will be considered as information literacy activity. Additional research and reading will be required (readings from books and journal articles should be used). Please do not depend only on internet research (especially Wikipedia) and all sources must be properly cited. PLAGIARISM will result in getting “ZERO” points for the paper! Specific instruction/guide for research paper will be provided in class and blackboard. Your paper must be uploaded Blackboard before Apr 30 t h 20 1 4 . Submission should be via SafeAssign- Blackboard Late paper will be accepted within 3 working days from the due date with 10 points reduction for each day. No paper will be accepted after 3 working days from the due date. This paper is a requirement of the department and failure to submit will result in a grade of “0” grade.

Bonus Points (100 Points)Students who obtain over 80 points in exam will be awarded (10 X 3) = 30 extra bonus points forany 3 exams. In order to achieve this extra 30 points, you need hard work and dedication. Another (10 X 3) = 30 points will be given for c lass qu iz ze s . Another (10 X3) = 30 extra will be given for class o p e n b ook t e s t s in the class. Final 10 points will be given to your p a r ti c i p a t io n . Please

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note that there will be NO OTHER extra credit assignments for this class.

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K. Exam Day Seat Preparation

During the exam hour(s) the instructor (which is me) will arrange student(s) seat location. This will help you and the instructor to conduct fair and free exams.

L. Critical issues you should know:

i. Do not miss test or exams on designation test days. Otherwise, you will need a written excuse from the office of Student Affairs to take a makeup test/exam

ii. Make up of test/exam MUST BE completed within 4 calendar days of the date of the test/exam. No make-ups will be given after 4 days period. It is your responsibility to talk to me and get an appointment to take your make-ups. If you fail to show-up after appointment is made, you will be given ZERO to that test/exam. (If your 4 calendar day period is expiring, take the makeup and bring me an excuse later).

iii. NO makeup test/exam during final exam.iv. NO makeup of test/exam will be given without proper excuse from the Office of Student Affairs v. Once a test/exam begins, you may not leave the classroom and return to continue working on

that test/exam. If you are sick, you should leave and go to the Student Health Center. If personnel at the center confirm that you are sick, I will give you a makeup test later.

vi. Cheating and dishonest on a test/exam will result in an automatic ZERO score for that test/exam.

vii. Plagiarism/forgery/theft of course materials will result in an automatic “F” for the course.

M. Make-up Exam Policy

If any student misses scheduled exam, Instructor will decide the make-up exam format. This means the makeup exam could be any different format compare to the original exam design which include essay type exam. In another words, the original exam format will not be distribute in make-up exam.

N. Exams

Altogether there will be 10 exams including the FINAL. 6 map tests and 4 multiple question exams will count 100 points each (6 + 4 = 10 X 100 = 1000) and the Final multiple question exam will count200 points. Final research paper will count 100 points.

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O. Exam Bonus Points (30 points)

(Mr. Terron Brooks’ class) offers bonus points. Students who obtain over 80 points in exams will be awarded 10 extra bonus points, In order to achieve this extra 10 points, you need hard work and dedication. Importantly, students do not follow class norms, expectation, requirement, and rules will not qualify for bonus points. Instructor will decide this particular issue.

P. Class quizzes (100 points)

I will give 11 class quizzes/tests. Each exam will count 10 points: (11 X 10 = 110). There won’t be any make up for open book test. It is purely class activity and in order to participate, you should be in class.

Q. Privacy

No grades will be given out in the classroom in order to protect your privacy. In class, I will distribute your grades to you or you can meet me at my office hours to receive your grades. Also, and importantly I will post all your grades in Blackboard. It is absolutely your responsibility to check your grades regularly in Blackboard and bring any concerns to me if you may have. That said I will not post grade any other means. Grades are never given out over the telephone.

R. Email and Blackboard Policy

Communication should not be a barrier in 2015 we have several modes of I n f o rm a t i on T e c hnolo g y C om m unic a t i o n s . I will communicate with you via your School or personal Emails or Blackboard with regard to course related issues. It is absolutely your responsibility to set up or change your correct email in Blackboard. Also it is your responsibility to check your emails regularly or visit blackboard to see any updates in order to avoid test/exam related discussion.

I will upload all course materials in the Blackboard. Please be prepared to access Blackboard for course materials. If you have any question with regard to Blackboard Technology and Email, we can always discuss and find solutions. With that said, keep in mind, the knowledge and training of Information Technology extremely is vital component for your future career development.

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EVALUATION

Map Test 1 ( The World) 100pt Map Test 3 ( Asia and Pacific) 100ptExam 1 (Chapter 1,2,3)100pt Map Test 4 ( Africa) 100pt

Map Test 2 (North America) 100pt Exam 3 (Chapter 7,8,9) 100pt Map Test 3 (Europe and Russia) 100pt Map Test 5 (Latin America) 100ptExam 2 ( Chapter 4,5,6) 100pt Exam 4 ( Chapter 10,11) 100ptDocumentary Critiques 80pt Group Research Paper 100ptQuizzes 60pt Documentary Critiques 80ptClasswork 100pt Quizzes 60ptHomework 100pt Exam 5 200ptNotebook 100ptBonus Points 65pt

GRADING SYSTEMS

Letter GradePercenta

ge

(100

Total GradePoin

GPA

A 90 - 100 900 Above 4.0B 80 - 89 800 – 899 3.3

3C 70 - 79 700 - 799 3.00D 60- 69 600- 699 2.00F 59 Below Below 599 1.6

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COURSE PREREQUISITES

Eligible Students: Advance Placement Students

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate knowledge of key geographical concepts: (Chapter-1)a. Define geography and identify it major sub-fieldsb. Identify the five themes of

geography i. Locationii. Place

iii. Human environmental relation iv. Movementsv. Regions

c. Describes the basis of geographical study (differences, similarities, regularities, and interactions)d. Define and describe the relationship between cultural and physical landscapee. Define the tool in geography (globe, maps, charts, statistical data and computers)f. Describe rotation and revolution of the earth; distinguish the four seasons of each hemisphere. g. Identify major geographical facts (such as most central continent, largest, continent)

2. Understand the major physical process that was involved in shaping the each (Chapter-2)

a. Describe the earth system, its four main components, their composition and theirinterrelatedness, and their significance of living things.

b. Describe the interrelatedness terms – continental drift theory, plate tectonics, and seal floor spreading

c. Describe mountain building processd. Describe insolation and its relationship to weather, climate, and natural vegetatione. Describe some of the major weather related hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms)f. Identify major geographical facts (such as driest continent, highest mountain)

3. Understand the world population and its impacts of the earth’s environment (Chapter-3)

a. State the approximate population of the world and identify the distribution of people over theland surface

b. Describe demographic concepts and modelsc. Identify major geographical facts (such as the most populous continent, oldest

cultural landscapes..)

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d. Identify culture and the major culture hearths of the world

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4. Understand the geographic of Anglo America (Chapter-4)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their

relationship to human activities b. Identify natural resourcesc. Describe demographic characteristics d. Describe the cultural landscapee. Describe social, political, and economic activitiesf. Identify major geographical facts related to the region

5. Understand the geography of Europe (Chapter-5)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their


6. Understand the geography of Russia and its Neighbors (Chapter – 6)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their


7. Understand the geography of Asia (Chapter – 8)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their


8. Understand the geography of Sub-Saharan Africa (Chapter – 9)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their

relationship to human activities b. Identify natural resources

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c. Describe demographic characteristics d. Describe the cultural landscapee. Describe social, political, and economic activities

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f. Identify major geographical facts related to the region

9. Understand the geography of Middle East (Chapter – 10)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their

relationship to human activitiesb. Identify natural resourcesc. Describe demographic characteristics d. Describe the cultural landscapee. Describe social, political, and economic activitiesf. Identify major geographical facts related to the region

10. Understand the geography of South America (Chapter – 11)a. Describe the landforms, climate, water bodies, and natural vegetation of the region and their


11. Research Paper

a. Will enhance writing, reading, and IT stills in Geography b. Topics to research paper will be given during the course

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world geography syllabus spring 2015

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