GRADE POINT

Evaluation:	Possible points	Mean points	Your points
Quiz & atlas ex. 1	150	125
midterm exam one	175	134
atlas exercise 2	50	46
atlas exercise 3	50	45
midterm exam two	225	157
atlas exercise 4	50	45
atlas exercise 5	50	51
Final exam	250	188
Total Points	=1000	subtotal =  791

Grade Cut-offs: 960 (high) A -- 885 -- B -- 795 -- C -- 695 -- D -- 575 -- Fail

SCHEDULE UPDATES:

WebCT (grade posting)

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Office Hours: set times and by appointment
• Tuesdays 12:00-3:00 & Wednesdays 3:00-4:00
• Office: Eugene Butler Hall 110-B   
PHONE # 458-3379 (Department/message 845-7141);     
INTERNET: http://geog.tamu.edu/~prout
Class meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1:50-2:40

Statement:
    Geography 202 is an introductory course in world regional geography that surveys the human and physical diversity of our planet. Planet Earth is the home of all humanity, and therefore it is essential to understand both cultures and ecologies that mediate our "earthly" relationships. Geographers often focus on the human—environment interaction, which includes many elements such as the building of a house, planting of crops, the design of a city, and the organization of society. When geographers look at the world, they see peoples (anthropogenic differences), unique examples (places), similarities (regions), and patterns (spatial variations).
    The purpose of this course is to discuss the regions of the world emphasizing the unfamiliar meanwhile introducing geographical concepts such as location, core-periphery and diffusion. The successful outcome of this course, which is my goal, is to (1) increase your knowledge of the cultural, regional, and ecological contexts of the world, (2) facilitate your understanding of global diversity and globalization, (3) develop your proficiency in map skills as well as international place-names, & (4) convey the importance of intellectual pursuits that construct geographical ideas.

Requirements:
    There are no prerequisites for this course, so there is no presumption of prior geographical study. I assume all university students are capable and willing to learn, and I will help you become a better student if you ask. You must take responsibility for your learning by attending lectures, completing assignments, reading textbooks, and above all else evaluating your own learning and trying to improve. One feature of a geography course that differs from other university courses is the need to use atlases and maps; be prepared for memorization of geographical features and their locations on maps (such as places, regions, & examples from course lectures).
--READINGS & RESOURCES:
(1) the primary reading for this course will come from a single textbook.
    Diversity amid Globalization, 2/e by L. Rowntree et. al. ISBN 0130932914;
(2) The other required learning tool is the Goodes World Atlas 20/e ISBN 0528640003;
(3) You will need to acquire nine (9)  large gray scantrons and  bring one usable scantron to class on evaluation days;
(4) You’ll need access to a computer with internet access and possibly a VCR/DVD player (available on campus).
--ATTENDANCE: Attendance is an absolute necessity for learning and succeeding in University level courses. While I do not take roll per se, miss class at your own peril! Most evaluation related material will be discussed or emphasized during class time. If you miss a normal lecture period, first, get notes and impressions from fellow students, and then come to office hours if you have any questions. Evaluation day absences will be "excused" only by University Policy! Exam day emergencies require immediate notification (phone call) and written verification; alternative evaluations are essay oriented and at my discretion.
 
Grading:
    I use a total point scheme for grading. Every evaluation or exercise has a set value of points, and the final grade is determined from the total number of points accumulated. The primary source of points are the three exams: the two midterms are worth 400 points total and the final exam is worth 250 points. The remaining points consist of five atlas/map exercises (50 each / 250 total) and one quiz (100). The final grade is based on the total points and ranking of your points; not the percentage of points, so do not assume that 90/80/70/60 percent will be the thresholds for A/B/C/D. I reserve the right to adjust the thresholds after evaluating the whole class and the point distribution. As a general rule, no unexcused make-ups will be allowed. University policy dictates excused absences for our scheduled evaluation dates, and alternative exams are at my discretion.

Classroom Policies: I have high expectations of my students and in return I commit myself to some reasonable expectations; here are a few key points.

Conducive learning environment is foremost: late arrivals and early departures should be extreme situations; disruptive behavior of any sort is wrong. Food & drink are okay, but smells, crunches, and wrappers are not (pack your trash out of the room). You must minimize the distractions especially unnecessary noise because it interferes with others ability to hear me. Turn off your cellular phones before entering the lecture hall. Discretely let me know if the screen is out of focus or if my voice is too low. I will try to project my voice and I will pester those who waste our class time.

Questions: YES, ask questions. The best questions start with why, where, or who. If you are curious or unsure, probably others in class are thinking the same thing. I will respond.

Cheating: NO, do not do it! On evaluation days, bring ID card and only what is necessary. Instead of devising ways to cheat, devote that time to studying. I will not tolerate any form of dishonesty. Cheating will be treated in accordance with Section 20 of the TAMU Student Rules.

Communication/Office Hours: I try my best to keep office hours and appointments and return messages in a timely manner; minimal email etiquette is required for effective communication.

FERPA/grade disclosure: All personal information concerning your performance/grade in this course is covered by federal privacy legislation. No grades or status questions will be addressed over the telephone or by email.

ADA Statement:  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.  If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 of the Koldus Building, or call 845-1637.

Copyright Disclaimer: All course material is copyrighted. Taping, reproducing and downloading of course material for other than personal educational use will be regarded as copyright infringement and referred to University legal officers for action.
 

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Tentative Course Schedule: Last Updated 8/19


    Date / Topic                                                        Readings                                 Points   

Part One: {Introduction to Geography}

Week 1
    First day of class, Monday, Sept. 1st                    (Textbook intro.)
    Introduction to course; Handout Syllabi              
    Geography and Regions
    Maps: cartography, & map reading <Video>      
                                                                                     Atlas i-xii, 1, 66, 245-262
Week 2                                                                       
    Globalization                                                                                     
    Globalization: 5 themes                                                                                      
    Maps: latitude and longitude, atlas ex.
                                                                                     Chapter 1 (textbook),
Week 3                                                                       (Textbook Ch. 2 -- supplemental)
    Metageography: Americas
    Anglo-America, Mexico (part 1)                          

• QUIZ & Atlas Exercise 1                                                                        (100 + 50)
 

Part Two: {Geography of the Americas}

Week 4
    Mexico (part 2) <video>
    Middle America: Central America
    Caribbean                                                              Chapter 4

Week 5
    South America; <NG> video
    Brazil                                                                      Chapter 5



• MIDTERM ONE                                                                                             175


Part Three: {Africa and Europe plus Arab/Middle East}

Week 6
    Africa: intro to continent, physical geography of Africa

Week 7 ----- mid-semester                                  Chapter 6
    Africa <With these Hands> video; colonization in Africa                                                                          
• Atlas Exercise 2                                                                                  50 (35+15)

Week 8
    Middle East, North Africa, Arab world
    SWAAG conference
                                                                               Chapter 7
Week 9           
    Conflicts: Arab--Israeli, Iraq
    <Orientalism> video:  Europe in a mirror?
• Atlas Exercise 3                                                                                  50 (35+15)

Week 10
    Europe                                                               Chapter 8
    <NG> video

Week 11
                                             
• MIDTERM TWO                                                                                            225


Part Four: {Asia & Pacific}

    Intro to Asia
                                                                               Chapter 11
Week 12
     South Asia
• Atlas Exercise 4                                                                                            50

Week 13                                                               Chapter 12
      East Asia
    Thanksgiving break (no class)

Week 14                                                               Chapter 13
    Southeast Asia & Oceania
• Atlas Exercise 5                                                                                            50

Weeks 15 & 16 ----- redefined days / dead week / final exams
    Special office hours: TBA                               Chapter 14

Dec. 16 3:30-5:30 (Tuesday)
• FINAL EXAM                                                                                               250