SCHEDULE UPDATES:

Part One Atlas 1 and Midterm 1 (2/13)

Part Two: Atlas 2 and Midterm 2 (3/27)

Part Three: Atlas 3 and Final Exam (5/7)

WebCT (grade posting)


GRADE POINT

Evaluation:	Possible points	Mean points	Your points
atlas exercise 1	50	46
midterm exam 1	275	188.75
atlas exercise 2	50	45
midterm exam 2	275	198.36
atlas exercise 3	50 (65)	(58)
final exam	300	213.75
Total Points	=1000	total = 749.86

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Office Hours: set times and by appointment
• Tuesdays 2:00-4:00 & Wednesdays 1:00-3:00
• Office: Eugene Butler Hall 110-B   
PHONE # 458-3379 (Department/message 845-7141);     
INTERNET: http://geog.tamu.edu/~prout
Class meets Tuesday and Thursday 12:45-2:00 in Biological Science East (BSBE) 115

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 three SIX 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 275 points and the final exam is worth 300 points. The remaining points consist of three atlas/map exercises (50 each / 150 total) due on test days. 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 Jan. 15


    Date / Topic                                                        Readings                                 Points   

Part One: {Introductory, Africa, & Europe}

Week 1
    First day of class, Monday, January 13th          Ch. 1 (textbook),
    Introduction to course; Handout Syllabi              Atlas vi-xii, 1, 66, 245-262
    Geography; Metageography, Regions, and Location         

Week 2
    No Class on MLK day, Jan. 20th                           Ch. 2
    Globalization                                                                                       
    Maps: atlases, cartography, & map reading <Video>

Week 3
    Africa: physical, historical <video clip>                Ch. 6,
    Southern and Eastern Africa

Week 4
    West and Northern Africa                                      Ch. 7,
    Arab world and Southwest Asia

Week 5
    Southwest Asia
Thursday, February 13th
• Atlas Exercise 1
• MIDTERM ONE                                                                                               325 (50+275)


Part Two: {Europe, Eurasia, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia}

Week 6
    Europe                                                                          Ch. 8

Week 7 ----- mid-semester                                            Ch. 10
    Asia;  Central Asia;                                  

Weeks 8 & 9 ----- AAG & Spring Break                      Ch. 12
    Physical Asia                                                      

Week 10  
    South Asia                                                                  Ch. 11
    East Asia                                                                  

Week 11

Thursday, March 27th
• Atlas Exercise 2
• MIDTERM TWO                                                                                            325 (50+275)


Part Three: {North and South America; Pacific}

Week 12
    Southeast Asia                                                           Ch. 13
    Australasia / Pacific Rim               

Week 13
    Americas; New World                                               Ch. 14
    Latin America;           

Week 14
    South America                                                            Ch. 4
    No Class on Good Friday, April 18th

Week 15
    Central/Middle America                                             Ch. 5
     Last lecture day, April 24th
 

Weeks 16 & 17 ----- redefined days / dead week / final exams
    Special office hours: TBA
Wednesday, May 7th, 08:00-10:00
• Atlas Exercise 3
• FINAL EXAM                                                                                               350 (50+300)