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geog106swcworldregionalgeographysyllabusfall16.docxWorld Regional Geography Geog 106-01 FALL 2016
Lecture TTH 1:20-2:45, Room 1682
Professor: Dr. John Ryan Email: [email protected]
Course Description & Scope:
The introduction to World Geography focuses on the principles and issues of cultural geography within a regional context. Students will study regional similarities and differences in: human ethnicity, language, religion, urbanization and urban systems, political organization, and other cultural components. Students will perform analysis and critique of cultural phenomena in a spatial context. Current events are stressed!!!
Focused objectives:
· demonstrate and classify the fundamental parts of the Geographic Grid System.
· learn basic skills to use Google Earth software.
· use a variety of thematic maps and digital world globes to analyze and compare worldwide distribution patterns of: population, religion, language, politics, vegetation, climate, and other elements of geography.
· identify and compare unique cultures around the world.
· identify the fundamental elements of population and migration distribution patterns.
· compare and contrast major political systems and their worldwide distribution.
· categorize and evaluate regional economic systems.
· compare and contrast major world religions and languages within a spatial context.
· compare and contrast worldwide urbanization and urban systems.
· compare and contrast the climate, physical landscape, and natural environment of selected world regions.
· Student will identify and evaluate environmental issues prevalent in selected world regions.
· compare and contrast the following world regions within the context of the aforementioned course objectives: North, Central and South America, Europe and Russia, Sub-Saharan and North Africa, SW Asia.
Measurable learning outcomes (SLO) Student will:
Compare and contrast major political systems and their worldwide distribution.
Compare and contrast the climate, physical landscape, and natural environment of selected world regions.
Identify and compare unique cultures around the world.
Identify and evaluate environmental issues prevalent in selected world regions such as air and water pollution.
Identify specific health related issues endemic to various regions and define causality and mitigation.
Grading: maximum points
Midterms (two at 10 points each) 20 pts
Final 40 pts
Class participation (class and homework, ACTIVE CLASS PARTICIPATION, attendance) 20 pts
Essay: Russia today; Putin 20 pts
EXTRA CREDIT:
Extra credit two page write-up and youtube of Africa 5 pts
Extra credit four page paper on Carnival in Rio 5 pts
Extra credit four page paper on “Brazil Fertility Rates” - Google it 5 pts
Extra credit four page paper on NOVA's "Vaccines—Calling the Shots" 5 pts
A letter grade will be provided on the 10 point scale (i.e. 90 – 100 points is an A letter grade)
Dynamic Content: we are discussing world political and social events that are in constant change. Homework is assigned as events develop around the world.
Example: on August 2008 world oil prices reach $140 a barrel, yet by the end of 2008 (four months later) the price of a barrel of oil was under $40, and through 2009 it was below $75 - a price that does not cover true overhead cost. Now it is at $50
Attendance: Official attendance policies are listed in the current College Catalog. Good attendance is strongly encouraged and poor attendance will affect your course grade negatively.
Role is taken daily. If you accumulate more than 3 unexcused absences, you will be dropped from the class.
Tardiness (being late to class): “Instructors may drop a student for excessive tardiness.
Excessive tardiness is defined as arriving late to class more than three times after the first two weeks of the semester… the instructor shall warn the student verbally or in writing.
Following such a warning, the instructor may drop a student from class upon the next instance of tardiness.”
*Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a "0" for the assignment
*Attendance is mandatory* Under the Community College System, students are required to attend every class!
Note: Unexcused absence = -5pts and three late admittances = -5pts
· It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending.
· The final grade will be affected by active participation as follows: 20% of final grade.
· After the add/drop period of the term, a student may be dropped from class when the total hours of absences for any reason exceed twice the number of hours indicated for that course in the College Catalog.
Credit/No Credit: The title “credit/no credit” has been changed to “pass/no pass” in accordance with Title 5, section 55022.
Homework Assignments:
Internet searches, readings, and current world geography headlines.
OFFICE HOURS: TTh @ 11:45 am - 1:10 pm and before or after class by appointment (other hours possible)
Conflict resolution: If problems arise with the course please bring these to the attention of the instructor. Further recourse can follow college guidelines found in the Student Handbook.
If you have a disability, consult the instructor.
Disability Support Services (DSS): DSS offers special counseling, courses, and specialized assessment for learning and speech/language disabilities, sign language interpreters, note taking, test proctoring, equipment loans, liaison with campus personnel, and other disability services based on students’ needs. DSS can be contacted in room 422, by telephone (619-482-6512), TTY (619-482-6470), or email ([email protected]). Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with their professors during the first two weeks of class (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). Southwestern College recommends that students with disabilities discuss academic accommodations with their professors during the first two weeks of class. This syllabus and course handouts are available in alternate media upon request.
Important College Dates: Click Here
Class schedule (tentative)
Note: assignments on given dates are tentative with some change throughout the semester
(Aug 23) Introduction (Basic Skills Initiative); Gmail: [email protected] = 1pt extra credit! Due Aug 24
(Aug 25) Show Google Earth Europe; Start videos Intro1 and 2
(Aug 30, Sep 1, 6) last bit of intro; Europe; multiple choice: for Europe and Russia -
(Sept 8, 13) Russia; (ESSAY topic: Putin/Russia)
(Sept 15) group research on Essay Topic
(Sept 20) Russia
(Sept 27) Southwestern Asia (Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, Turkey, Kurds-Sunni-Shia)
(Sept 29) Catchup
(Oct 4) First midterm exam (10 pts; 20 multi, 30 short answers pt.s~)
(Oct 6) Review exam; North America and Canada8; overview
(Oct 11) North America and Canada8; Farming video
(Oct 13) North America8; immigration, slavery, War with drugs, Women’s rights; and NA-9 Superpower
(Oct 18) NA-9 Superpower - how was USA made? Hurricanes more devastating - why?
http://observer.com/2016/10/putins-activation-of-iskander-m-ballistic-missile-is-a-message-to-obama/
A Desperate Russia Is Feeling Left Out - check handouts
(Oct 20) NA-9 Inequality; Mid America 11; Essay DUE-Midnight Sun 23rd
(Oct 25) USA - finish; Mid America 11 and 12; Jester Hacking: http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/22/technology/russian-foreign-ministry-hacked/index.html
Poppies: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37743433
Irridentism: https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkey-maps-reclaiming-ottoman-empire-200053589.html
(Oct 27) Mid America 12
(Nov 1) Mid America continued; Review your notes and ask specific questions
(Nov 3) Catchup for exam - mid 12 slide 22
(Nov 8) Second midterm exam-(10 class pts: multi and short answer) Final multi; HW: Carnival movie
(Nov 10) Ch 13 S America; Ch 14 S America; HW: Watch last 3 videos take notes
(Nov 15) Carnival videos; S Africa 15 1st migration: Climate
(Nov 17) S. Africa 15 conti; S Africa 16 - Youtube; Vid african dreams extra credit: ex: https://youtu.be/GslPzhFLyas
(Nov 22) Af-dreams; Google Earth Africa; S. Africa 16; 2nd migration: local/regional slave trade last migration; S Africa 17: colonialism; Hw: diseases
*S Africa 18: HW- Due:Diseases; sickle cell anemia; Post Colonial Legacy: Nigeria and Kenya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjV-6qFbkS8
(Nov 29) S Africa 18: Congolese conflict; Sudan-Darfur turmoil
(Dec 1) Review Extra Credit: Africa Youtube; Carnival and Brasil-Change in Birth Rates and Vaccines due - 4 page each =5pts ea DUE BEFORE CLASS!!!! Take home exam short answer section
(Dec 6) Final Exam Due multiple choice section and short answers (take home assigned Dec 1)
Note: class time will be devoted to final clarification of questions - these can also be asked by email until 12-4
Class textbooks: (note: save money!!! 8th – 12th early editions of text are ok for class)
H.J. de Blij and Peter O. Muller. Geography: Realms, Regions and Concepts. 8-13th ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2002.ISBN: 0471407755
Essay Structure: Putin’s strategy for Russia
Body is 5 pg, 12 pt, double spaced Times new roman
Intro: goal and strategy
1 Obtaining the populist support and quelling dissent
Putin background within Russian post Soviet era
Role in solving Russia’s Chechen uprising
Russian social problems - heroin alcohol
Quieting the press: Mrs. Politkovskaya, Mr. Paul Klebnikov and other journalists
Quieting the outspoken critics: Mr. Litvinenko (England Court) and others
2 Developing a mafia state of corruption
Forcing international companies to abide by Russia’s mafia state: Mr. Magnitsky and business corruption
Holding rich elite in check: Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other rich elites
3 International expansion into Eastern Europe
Irredentist approach to international relations: Georgia and Ukraine, First Lt. Nadiya Savchenko
“Little Green men” strategy for border states - invasion without consequences?
http://www.1913intel.com/2014/03/05/vladimir-putin-psychopath/
Russian Hegemony through force and coercion - see handout Power Elite
4 Who is Putin: Is Putin a psychopath? What would this then mean for the future?
10 references excluding Wikipedia give only URL’s (Internet only Research)
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/23/opinion/the-myth-of-putins-strategic-genius.html?_r=0
5. Conclusion What the hell is he up too!
Southwestern College Services and Other Requirements
Tutorial Services: The Math Center, room 426, offers free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and has computers available for student use. The Academic Success Center (ASC) promotes learning by offering free services in four areas: individual tutoring, group tutoring, computerized tutorials, and workshops. The MESA Center has tutoring for transfer level math and science in room 396. Online tutoring may be available for your course. You will find the link for this service on the Southwestern College home page, click on Student Services, then Services, and then Academic Tutoring. There is a tab on left for e-Tutoring.
Academic Success Center Referral: Services are located in the ASC (420), the Writing Center (420D), the Reading Center (420), the Math Center (426), the Interdisciplinary Tutoring Center (3rd floor of the library), MESA (396), specialized on-campus School tutoring labs, the Higher Education Centers, and the San Ysidro Education Center. Online learning materials and Online Writing Lab (OWL) available @ www.swccd.edu/owl . The tutorial services at Southwestern College will serve you best if you attend regularly.
DSS: Southwestern College recommends that students with disabilities or specific learning needs contact their professors during the first two weeks of class to discuss academic accommodations. If a student believes they may have a disability and would like more information, they are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at (619) 482-6512 (voice), (619) 207-4480 (video phone), or email at [email protected]. Alternate forms of this syllabus and other course materials are available upon request.
Attendance: Each student is expected to attend every class meeting. In the case of absence, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor.
Mandatory First Day of Class: Instructors must drop any student who fails to attend the first class meeting if the class is at maximum enrollment and other students are waiting to enroll, unless the student receives permission from the instructor in advance.
Dropping for Excessive Absences: Per SWCCD Policy and Procedure 5075, instructors may drop a student from a class if the student’s total hours of absence exceed twice the number of hours the class meets per week. Attendance requirements may vary in programs where attendance regulations are established by an outside regulatory agency. When this occurs, students will be notified in advance of the attendance requirements of the program. Students will be dropped and receive a “W” or an “F” depending the date dropped.
Dropping for Tardiness: A tardy is defined as arriving after the start time up to 10 minutes late. If a student is more than 10 minutes late, this will count as an absence. Two (2) tardies will count as one (1) absence. This tardy policy also applies to students leaving before the end of class or returning late from a break. The tardy policy will begin after the end of the add period. Dropping students for being tardy will be in accordance with SWCCD Policy 5075 stated above. Arriving late or leaving early is a problem for both the students and the instructor. Students are expected to be on time and in class for the entire class period.
Late Adds: (There is no longer an option for Late Add – this process is only for clerical errors.) All students must submit add codes and pay for classes prior to the close of the add period. After the add period concludes, a student may be added only if there is a clerical error and if 1) the instructor certifies that the student has been in attendance since the beginning of the term and 2) the request is approved by the Dean of MSE and the Dean of Student Activities.
Classroom Guidelines Your decision to enroll in this class constitutes an implicit agreement to the following:
· You will conduct yourself so that the classroom is a positive learning environment for all by treating everyone with respect and consideration.
· You will plan to attend every class meeting and stay for the entire class period. You will not be absent more than the maximum number allowed during the course of the semester. Once you have missed the maximum number of classes, I will drop you. Do not assume that you will be dropped if you do not attend classes. To ensure that you are withdrawn, you must officially withdraw online, in person, or by telephone. Failing to drop a class in a timely manner may earn you a failing grade in the class.
· You will do the assigned work and be responsible for all class work or assignments even if you miss school for a legitimate reason. It is not acceptable to return to class following an absence and claim that you did not know about some assignment, class activity, or exam. Find out what you missed before returning and get caught up.
· You accept the expectation to spend a minimum of two hours outside of class for every hour that the class meets during the week and will plan your schedule accordingly. This means that a 4-unit class requires 8 hours of work outside of class. More or less time may be required depending on how quickly and thoroughly you work.
· You will come to class on time. Excessive tardiness may result in you being dropped from the class. Excessive tardiness is defined in the section on attendance although you may be asked to speak to the Dean if excessive tardiness becomes disruptive to the class.
· You will turn off your cell phone, iPods and/or any other electronic devices; you will take notes; be attentive; participate in classroom activities; and not disrupt the rest of the class. There is no excuse for excessive talking. Dismissal from the class may result if your behavior continues to be disruptive after being warned. If you answer your phone or text during class, you will be asked to leave and not return until the following class.
Misconduct: Faculty may require a student who disrupts the classroom to meet with the Dean of MSE prior to the next class meeting. Also, instructors may exclude a student for misconduct on the day of the disruption and an additional day if needed. Further disciplinary action may be pursued by the instructor or college administration.
· Academic cheating and plagiarism. Academic dishonesty of any type by a student provides grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. In written work, no material may be copied from another without proper quotation marks, footnotes, or appropriate documentation. Academic dishonesty of any type such as cheating and plagiarism can result in one or all of the following: a failing grade on the assignment, a failing class grade, and/or formal disciplinary action by the college.
· Disruption of instructional activities or administrative procedures. Continued disruptive behavior, continued willful disobedience, habitual profanity or vulgarity, or open and persistent abuse.
· Use, sale, possession on campus or campus premises, or under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, other hallucinogenic drugs or substances, or any poison classified as such by schedule “D” in Section 4160 of the Business and Professions Code.
· Alteration or misuse of college documents, including acts of forgery and furnishing false information.
· Acts/threats of damage to or theft of property belonging to or located on college controlled property.
· Acts or threats of physical abuse of any person. Assault or battery upon any student, college personnel, authorized college guest, or any other person.
· Violation of college regulations or state laws.
· See SWCCD Procedure No. 5550 or college catalog for more information.
Disciplinary Action Procedures:
When a student conduct violation has occurred, the first attempt to resolve the misconduct will be an informal consultation between the student and the instructor (or college staff member).
If the situation is unresolved, the Dean will meet with the instructor and the student(s) involved.
If the situation remains unresolved, the instructor will complete a “Report of Student Misconduct” and file the report with the Dean of Student Services.
In situations involving safety or if the College Police have become involved, steps 1 & 2 needn’t be adhered to.
