WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHYualr.edu/history/files/2016/08/Porter-2310.pdf3 Week of August 22 – Concepts of World Geography World Regional Geography Essentials Module 1: The Science

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WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY - GEOG 2310 FALL 2016

INSTRUCTOR INFO Dr. Jess C. Porter Office: 604D Stabler Hall Associate Professor of Geography Phone: 501.569.8730 Department of History E-mail: Please send me a message in Blackboard for all course-related correspondence. If it is an urgent matter or is not course related, send an email to [email protected]. DR. PORTER’S OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday and Thursday 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., but you are always welcome to stop-in. REQUIRED TEXT and WEBSITE Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World, 5TH Edition with Modified Mastering Geography. Modified Mastering is required. There are a number of options here depending on your learning style. You can buy the book and code separately or together. Keep in mind a code is only good once – so don’t get tricked with a used book and code combo. There are e-text versions and loose-leaf versions out there. Just remember: 5th edition and a Modified Mastering Geography code. ONLINE COURSE RESOURCE Blackboard: bb.ualr.edu Your course assignments (Dynamic Study Modules and map quizzes) along with your exams are located on Blackboard. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES This course is designed to help you understand how relationships between the environment, people, and places play out in the different regions of the world. We will pay particular attention to the ways that globalization is continually reshaping these relationships. The tension between the consequences of converging environmental, cultural, political, and economic systems associated with the forces of globalization versus the persistence of geographic diversity and difference is an additional focus. Our course objectives include the following:

Develop a nuanced understanding of the world’s diversity of people, places, and contemporary events

Understand how humans impact the environment and how the environment impacts humans

Learn to identify the increasing interrelatedness of people, places, and events (gain a BIG PICTURE mentality)

Learn the locations of key human and physical features around the globe

Hone your ability to see the many sides of any story

Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through comparing world regions COURSE CONTENT Materials for the course are delivered through four primary mechanisms:

Lectures. Course lectures occur in the classroom.

Textbook. You are expected to read your textbook at the general rate of one chapter per week.

Google Earth Virtual Tour Videos. We will view these in class, but they are available in the Study Area of each chapter at Pearson’s Modified Mastering Geography website. Each chapter has three of the one to three minute videos.

Dynamic Study Modules. Each chapter has two dynamic study modules. These are required elements. See below for more information.

Homework/MapMaster Activities. These homework activities predominantly utilize MapMaster for place identification and simple map analysis for each region.

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GRADING Grades for the course are calculated in equal proportion from your performance in three realms: Dynamic Study Modules, chapter homework (MapMaster activities), and in-class lecture quizzes. Course grades are based on the following: 30 Dynamic Study Modules = 33% (no credit for late assignments) 14 Homework (MapMaster activities) = 33% 14 Lecture Quizzes = 33% Grades will be assigned based on the following percentages: A > 89.6, B >79.6, C > 69.6, D > 59.6, F < 59.6 All Dynamic Study Modules and Chapter Homework are due by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. If you experience computer problems, this will not constitute a valid reason not to submit a Dynamic Study Module or Homework – SO COMPLETE YOUR WORK WITH TIME TO SPARE! DYNAMIC STUDY MODULES Dynamic Study Modules are provided to help develop adequate depth and breadth of world regional geography knowledge for students. They are a principal learning and assessment tools for the course. These modules are always available to view, BUT you must complete each module by 11:59 p.m. on its due date to receive credit. There are no

opportunities to submit the Dynamic Study Modules late (and still receive credit). Repeat: There are no opportunities to submit the Dynamic Study Modules late (and still receive credit). Collectively,

these 30 modules represent 33% of your course grade, so don’t put these off. If you complete a Dynamic Study Module in its entirety, you receive full credit. Some very wise students work ahead several modules, or even complete all of them in the first few weeks. That way you are covered in case something unexpected comes up – and it will. FYI: According to statistics compiled from thousands of students who have completed the world regional geography Dynamic Study Modules, they take on average 30 minutes to complete (the shortest is about 9 minutes, the longest is about 60 minutes). You might do it more quickly, or it might take you longer. Just be sure you have planned for the significant time commitment of the Dynamic Study Modules. CHAPTER HOMEWORK Chapter homework principally consists of interactive map identification exercises. Occasionally, a GeoTutor coaching exercise or two is also a part of your homework. All chapter homework takes place in the Modified Mastering Geography part of your course Blackboard site. You may submit late chapter homework assignments until the last day of the course (December 6). However, there will be a deduction of 5% credit for each day your assignment is late (with a maximum 20% deduction). LECTURE QUIZZES All lecture quizzes are weighted equally and are non-comprehensive. Lecture quiz questions can include any combination of multiple-choice, true-false, and short essay formats and may incorporate information from the textbook, Google Earth videos, and Dynamic Study Modules. However, the in-class lectures are the primary source for lecture quiz material. If missed, lecture quizzes cannot be made up. Come to class! SCHEDULE (Homework and Dynamic Study Modules average completion time for previous UALR students). Note: All items are due at 11:59 p.m. on their respective date. Schedule is subject to change. If we move more slowly than I anticipate, I will adjust the due dates as necessary. Week of August 15 – Concepts of World Geography

Read Chapter 1 – Concepts of World Geography

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Week of August 22 – Concepts of World Geography

World Regional Geography Essentials Module 1: The Science of Geography Dynamic Study Module (40 minutes) – Due 8/22

World Regional Geography Essentials Module 2: Globalization and Regions (29 minutes) – Due 8/23

Human Geography Module 1: Economic and Political Dynamic Study Module (29 minutes) – Due 8/24

Quiz 1 – 8/25 in class

Human Geography Module 2: Population and Culture Dynamic Study Module (14 minutes) – Due 8/25

Homework: Chapter 1 (34 minutes) – Due 8/26 Week of August 29 –The Changing Global Environment

Read Chapter 2 – The Changing Global Environment

Physical Geography Module 1: Land, Environment, and Biogeography Dynamic Study Module (47 minutes) – Due 8/29

Physical Geography Module 2: Water and Climate Dynamic Study Module (38 minutes) – Due 8/30

Homework: Chapter 2 (40 minutes) – 8/31

Quiz 2 – 9/1 in class Week of September 5 – North America

Read Chapter 3 – North America

North America Module 1: Physical Geography & Human Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (20 minutes) – Due 9/6

North America Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Political Geography Dynamic Study Module (29 minutes) – Due 9/7

Homework: Chapter 3 (30 minutes) – Due 9/8

Quiz 3 – 9/8 in class Week of September 12 – Latin America

Read Chapter 4 – Latin America

Latin America Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (60 minutes) – Due 9/12

Latin America Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (43 minutes) – Due 9/13


Quiz 4 – 9/15 in class Week of September 19 – Caribbean

Read Chapter 5 - Caribbean

The Caribbean Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (16 minutes) – Due 9/19

The Caribbean Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (20 minutes) – Due 9/20



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Week of September 26 – Sub-Saharan Africa

Read Chapter 6 – Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (29 minutes) – Due 9/26

Sub-Saharan Africa Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Political Geography Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 9/27



Week of October 3 – Southwest Asia and North Africa

Read Chapter 7 – Southwest Asia and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (31 minutes) – Due 10/3

The Middle East and North Africa Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (20 minutes) – Due 10/4


Quiz 6 – 10/6 Week of October 10 – Europe

Read Chapter 8 – Europe

Europe Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (17 minutes) – Due 10/10

Europe Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (18 minutes) – Due 10/11


Quiz 7 – 10/13 Week of October 17 – The Russian Domain

Read Chapter 9 – The Russian Domain

The Russian Domain Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (9 minutes) – Due 10/17

The Russian Domain Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (20 minutes) – Due 10/18


Quiz 8 – 10/20

Week of October 24 – Central Asia

Read Chapter 10 – Central Asia

Central Asia Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (23 minutes) – Due 10/24

Central Asia Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (15 minutes) – Due 10/25


Quiz 9 – 10/27

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Week of October 31 – East Asia

Read Chapter 11 – East Asia

East Asia Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 10/31

East Asia Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 11/1


Quiz 10 – 11/3 Week of November 7 – South Asia

Read Chapter 12 – South Asia

South Asia Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (21 minutes) – Due 11/7

South Asia Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (13 minutes) – Due 11/8


Quiz 11 – 11/10 Week of November 14 – Southeast Asia

Read Chapter 13 – Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 11/14

Southeast Asia Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 11/15


Quiz 12 – 11/17 Week of November 21 – Thanksgiving Break Week of November 28 – Australia and Oceania

Read Chapter 14 – Australia and Oceania

Australia and Oceania Module 1: Physical Geography & Human-Environment Interaction Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 11/28

Australia and Oceania Module 2: Cultural, Economic, & Physical Geography Dynamic Study Module (30 minutes) – Due 11/29


Quiz 13 – 11/31 Week of December 5

UALR History and Geography Study Abroad – 12/6

Quiz 14 – 12/6

Deadline for late homework (with reduced credit) 12/6, 11:59PM ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The grade cut-offs listed earlier are firm; for example, a percentage of 89.4 will be a B. No individual extra credit or "redo" work is possible for this class. Don't ask. There is no possibility of a grade being changed except for a genuine computational error on my part.

No course scores or grade information will be divulged over the phone or e-mail. Blackboard and/or Mastering Geography will be used to report course scores and will be the only place exam scores can be obtained besides my office.

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Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in the case of extended, verifiable illness that occurs after the automatic W period; you should withdraw if it occurs before then. Even if you have notified me during the semester of your situation, you must also contact me at the end of the semester to confirm your cause of absence and to discuss arrangements for finishing the incomplete work.

Your success in this class is important to me, and it is the policy and practice of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to create inclusive learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have a documented disability (or need to have a disability documented), and need an accommodation, please contact me privately as soon as possible, so that we can discuss with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) how to meet your specific needs and the requirements of the course. The DRC offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process among you, your instructor(s) and the DRC. Thus, if you have a disability, please contact me and/or the DRC, at 501-569-3143 (V/TTY) or 501-683-7629 (VP). For more information, please visit the DRC website at www.ualr.edu/disability.

Don’t wait until the last week of class to start worrying about your grade if your scores are not as high as you hoped. Contact the instructor for questions/concerns.

All students are required to perform their own work. Students caught cheating on exams or assignments, or representing their work as someone else’s or vice versa, will be charged as appropriate under the university’s Academic Integrity Policies.

All students are expected to maintain a working e-mail address on file with the university and to log into Blackboard daily for ancillary information, updates, and submission of writing assignments. On occasion, I may need to send out a broad informational e-mail to all students through Blackboard.

Above all, the instructor expects a civilized, respectful, professional, and open-minded attitude to prevail in the face-to-face and online classroom. Students are expected to conduct themselves accordingly.

UPCOMING GEOGRAPHY COURSES (tentative) Fall 2016

GEOG 2312 – Cultural Geography (online)

GEOG 3315 – Arkansas Geography (online) Spring 2017

GEOG 2312 – Cultural Geography (classroom)

GEOG 3307 – Geography of Food (online)

GEOG 3315 – Arkansas Geography (online) Summer 2017

GEOG 1311 – Physical Geography (online)

GEOG 2312 – Cultural Geography (online)

GEOG 3305 – Environmental Conservation (online)

GEOG 3320 – Urban Geography (online) Think about a Geography minor. It only requires Physical Geography, Cultural Geography and 12 additional Geography hours.

We hope to see you in another UALR Geography course soon!

Documents

WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHYualr.edu/history/files/2016/08/Porter-2310.pdf3 Week of August 22 – Concepts of World Geography World Regional Geography Essentials Module 1: The Science