World Regional Geography GEOG 200

Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Scott D. Bassett Bassett Office: Mackey Science 223 Bassett Office Hours: M and W 10:30-11:30 Phone: 784-1434 E-mail: sbassett@unr.edu Course Description World regional geography, as a course, is used to educate students on both the cultural and physical attributes of the globe. Emphasis is placed on the countries and continents along with the interactions among cultures and different regions in a global context. Regional geography goes beyond the simple acknowledgement of where various regions are and into why occurrence and interaction are important. Catalog Description Synthesis of the geographic factors (physical and human) that give distinctive character to specific culture regions of the world. Emphasis on globalization and cultural diversity. Prerequisites None Course Objectives and Goals In this course students will meet Silver Core Objective 11: CO11 (Global Contexts): Students will apply and evaluate modes of academic inquiry, creative expression, or results of research to problems in historical and contemporary global contexts. Students will articulate connections among local, national, and international contexts and evaluate the ways that historical and contemporary global influences affect their current situations. Goal 1. Provide a general understanding of the diversity of the world’s regions. Goal 2. Familiarize students with why regions exist in specific locations and how regions may

interact. Goal 3. Prepare students for taking more advanced courses within Geography that go into detail

on specific geographic regions. Student Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: SLO 1: Define what constitutes a region in terms of the physical and cultural landscape. SLO 2: Place each geographic region within a global context in terms of human social behavior

and cultural, demographic, religious and other societal concerns. SLO 3: Write a research-based paper focused on a specific region and analyze multiple

connections between the region described and other locations around the globe. (CO 11)

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes SLO 2 is evaluated based on the response to culturally focused short answer essay

questions present in the exams. Every exam will contain at least one essay question centered on regional cultural identity. Assessment of the responses will be done using the UNR, Assessment of the Core Curriculum Objective 6 rubric, “Understanding of cultural and/or social forces that shape human conditions”.

SLO 3 is assessed through the final paper by gaging the quality of discussion about how their selected region relates to other locations around the globe. Assessment of the responses will be done using the UNR, Assessment of the Core Curriculum Objective 11 rubric, “Global Contexts (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal”.

Required Text Rowntree, L, M. Lewis, M. Price, and W. Wyckoff. 2014. Globalization and Diversity:

Geography of a Changing World, 4rd edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, Glenview, IL. 458pp. ISBN: 978-0-321-82146-1.

Exams Three exams will be prepared to test individual student knowledge on the material presented in class and contained within the required readings. The two exams held during class time will be worth 100 points each and the final exam is 100 points. Paper A single six page paper is required for this class and the paper must involve a location (i.e. China, Boston, Africa, etc…). Regardless of the region selected, the paper must contain a description as to what makes your region unique, different and similar to other locations around the globe. Written work must be grammatically correct. Every paragraph should be well written with topic sentences introducing paragraph content. Paragraphs and/or sections should follow a logical flow of thought. The paper must have sentence/paragraph citations. Citation format should be based on one readily used within your discipline/major. You must have at least six separate citations to support material in your paper. The paper is to be double spaced, 12pt font and have 1 inch margins (top, bottom, right and left). Policy Regarding Late Work and Make-up Exams Make-up exams will not be given unless prior-to-the-exam approval has been given. Accommodations will be made for medical, athletics and disabilities. The paper topic, outline, and final paper must be handed on the due date. No late assignments will be accepted. Summary Grading Chart

Exam/Assignments Undergrad (%) Exams (2) 200 (50%) Final Exam 100 (25%) Paper (Topic 5pts, Outline 10pts, Final Paper 85pts) 100 (25%) Total 400 (100%)

Grades are Based on Percentage of Points Earned as a Function of the Total 93-100% (4.0) = A 90-92.9% (3.7) = A- 87-89.9 (3.3) = B+ 83-86.9 (3.0) = B 80-82.9 (2.7) = B- 77-79.9 (2.3) = C+ 73-76.9 (2.0) = C 70-73.9 (1.7) = C- 67-69.9 (1.3) = D+ 63-66.9 (1.0) = D 60-63.9 (0.7) = D- Below 60 (0.0) = F

Lecture Attendance Policy: All students must attend class. The instructor and teaching assistant are not responsible for describing unfamiliar classroom material to students who selectively do not attend class. Tardiness: Please be on time. Coming late or leaving early is a sign of disrespect, and it disturbs everybody in the classroom. If you intend on leaving class early please let me know at the start of class so I expect it. Digital Devices: No digital devices are permitted in class except those used for note taking. Therefore, during lecture time you cannot (1) use a cell phone-if you must have your phone on to wait for a call and it comes in, please quietly pick up your stuff and leave the room to answer, (2) tap on your laptop to such a degree that it disturbs other students, and (3) listen to music-remove those earpieces before entering the class. Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment. For more details, see the University of Nevada, Reno General Catalog. Disability Services: Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me or the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building, Suite 101) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations. Academic Success Services: Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or www.unr.edu/tutoring/), and University Writing Center (784-6030 or http://www.unr.edu/writing_center/). These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student. Audio and Video Recording: Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.

World Regional Geography (GEOG 200) Week 1

Lecture: Concepts of Geography Readings: Chapter 1

Week 2

Lecture: Changing Global Environment and Latin America

Readings: Chapter 2-4

Week 3

Lecture: Latin America-North America Readings: Chapter 4-3

Week 4

Lecture: North America-Caribbean Readings: Chapter 3 & 5

Week 5

Lecture: Review & Exam 1 Readings: None

Exam 1

Week 6

Lecture: Sub-Saharan Africa Readings: Chapter 6

Week 7

Lecture: Southwest Asia and North Africa Readings: Chapter 7

Week 8

Lecture: Europe Readings: Chapter 8

Paper Topic Due

Week 9

Lecture: Russian Domain Readings: Chapter 9

Week 10

Lecture: Review & Exam 2 Readings: None

Exam 2

Week 11

Lecture: Central Asia-East Asia Readings: Chapter 10-11

Paper Outline Due

Week 12

Lecture: East Asia-South Asia Readings: Chapter 11-12

Week 13

Lecture: Southeast Asia Readings: Chapter 13

Week 14

Lecture: Australia and Oceania Readings: Chapter 14

Paper Due

Week 15

Lecture: Review/Finals Week (Final is Comprehensive)