Introduction to Human Geography

Geography 201 -- Erik Prout, Visiting Assistant Professor

Texas A&M University, Fall 2001

Table of Contents:
SYLLABUS (below)
*Updated Schedule and Course Outline*

Atlas and Map Exercise 

Midterm Exam

Globalization Exercise

***Final Exam***

Textbook/publisher info. & website companion!!!

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Erik Prout

Office Hours: General policy is open door and by appointment, which means you can come bye and see if  I am in or we can schedule a mutually benifitial time to meet. For those more accustomed to pre-set office hours, I plan to be in my office during the following times:
Mondays at 3:00-4:30 and
Wednesdays at 11:00-12:00.

Office: 803-A, Eller O & M Building.
Office Phone # 458-3379 (Department office and emergency message 845-7141)
 

COURSE:

GEOG 201 (section 502)
Lecture format for three credits
Class meets M/W/F 1:50-2:40 in Harrington Education Complex 209
 

Statement:
    Geography 201 is an introductory course in human geography that surveys some of the fundamental relationships between people and their environments. Planet Earth is the home of all humanity, and therefore it is essential to understand both culture and ecology that mediate our "earthly" relationship. Human—environment interaction includes many elements such as the building of a house, the design of a city, and the organization of society. When geographers look at the world, they see patterns (spatial variations), similarities (regions), and unique examples (places). The purpose of this course is to introduce key geographical concepts such as core-periphery and innovation/diffusion into a broader discussion of the world we inhabit.
    The successful outcome of this course, which is my goal, is to (1) facilitate your understanding of global diversity and globalization, (2) increase your knowledge of the cultural, regional, and ecological contexts of the world, (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 (both human and physical such as States, cities, land/water, etc.) and their locations on maps.

–READINGS & RESOURCES: the primary reading for this course will come from a single textbook. Places and Regions in Global Context, 2nd Ed. by P. Knox and S. Marston . The other required learning tool is the Atlas of World Geography , which should be bundled with text. Handouts, study guides, and blank maps will be available for you to copy or download. You will need to acquire three large scantrons (# 0-101607) and bring one to class on evaluation days.

–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 addition 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 two exams each scheduled for the assigned examination periods: the midterm is worth 35% and the final exam is also worth 35%. The remaining 30% consists of an atlas/map exercise (10%) and a globalization writing exercise (20%).
    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 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. Exercises can be turned in early (full credit) and up to one week late (with a per class reduction). 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. 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 return phone calls in a timely manner and I try my best to keep set office hours and appointments.

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.

 
 


Tentative Course Schedule: SEE BELOW FOR UPDATED SCHEDULE!
 

 

Week 1

First day of class, Monday, August 27th

Introduction to course and roll

Why Place and Geography Matters

Week 2

Globalization and a changing world

Week 3

Population and demography

Week 4

Nature / Environment and society

Week 5

Cultural Identities

• Atlas and Map Exercise: Friday, September 28 th (turn-in on scantron)    10%

Week 6

Place and culture

Week 7

Review session (Chapters 1-6)

• MIDTERM EXAM , Wednesday, October 10th (bring scantron) 35%

Week 8

Landscapes cont.

Economic Development

Week 9

Levels of Development

Agriculture and rurality 

Week 10

Political systems and territories 

Week 11

Political cont.

Urbanization

Week 12

Cities and Urbanity

Week 13

• Globalization Writing Exercise, Wednesday, November 21st     20%

Thanksgiving  holiday

Week 14

Future Geographies 

Weeks 15 and 16

Review session, Monday, December 3rd (Chapters 7-12)

• FINAL EXAM, Tuesday, December 11th, 3.30-5.30 pm (bring scantron) 35%
 
   

AGREEMENT / UNDERSTANDING

PLEASE PROVIDE SOME PERSONAL DATA

NAME (print):
Social Security Number:
Contact phone number:

1. Why are you taking this class?

2. What do you hope to learn?

3. What sorts of travel experiences do you have?

EXAM RESULTS
I will post exam results with a pseudonym instead of your social security number.
Provide a fictitious name or code, and treat this pseudonym as confidential information.

PLEASE READ THE SYLLABUS AND SIGN BELOW
I have my own copy of the syllabus and I have read through it.
I understand the grading process in this course.

Signature _____________________________________ Date _________


Updated Schedule and Outline

 WEEK 1
Readings:  Textbook Chapter One
8/27    Geography; welcome to class
8/29    Culture in its Place
8/31    Places of culture [slides...Euro/American images]

WEEK 2
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Two
9/3    Globalization and Diffusion
9/5    World-System
9/7    Maps (atlas exercise) [video-maps]

WEEK 3
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Three
9/10    LL, fast/slow worlds, Population intro.
9/12    Special lecture on "Terrorism" and Sept. 11 aftermath
9/14    No class due to University ceremony

WEEK 4
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Four
9/17    Population: demographic rates, growth, pyramids
9/19    Population: demo. transition and migration
9/21    Nature intro. (ecology, environment, & human history) [slides...human-environment]


WEEK 5
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Five
9/24    Nature/nativism [video-Cannibal Tours]
9/26    Environmental Philosophies and Human impacts
9/28    Nature--Culture and tourism [video-Cannibal Tours]
**ATLAS EXERCISE DUE

WEEK 6
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Six (only up to 241)
10/1    Culture: Religion
10/3    Culture: Language
10/5    Cultural Landscapes

 WEEK 7
No new Readings on Examination week (First half of textbook pp. i--241)
10/8    Review Session
10/10    MIDTERM EXAMINATION
10/12    relaxation and reflection: [Close to Eden video]


WEEK 8
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Six (start with Place p. 236) 
10/15    Place and Territoriality; *midterm grades
10/17    Places and Humanism [slides Bern]
10/19    Place/Landscape interpretation(s) [slides]


WEEK 9
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Seven
10/22    Economic and productive activities
10/24    Location / location / location
10/26    Settlements and farm organization


WEEK 10
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Eight
10/29    Agricultural Geography / World
10/31    Agricultural practices (types of farming)
11/2      Plight of the World's farmers [video]


WEEK 11
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Nine
11/5    Development: places & businesses
11/7    Political Geography and the territorial-State
11/9    Islamic Fundamentalism and Democracy [video]


WEEK 12
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Ten
11/12    International Relations
11/14    Political Cultures
11/16    No Class (Reading Day)  Southwest Association of American Geographers annual meeting


WEEK 13
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Eleven (pp 437-454, 466 conclusion)
11/19    Cities and Urbanization intro
11/21    GLOBALIZATION Writing Exercise Due
11/23    No Class (day after Thanksgiving and home football game)


WEEK 14
Readings:  Textbook Chapter Twelve
11/26    Urbanization
11/28    City Models
11/30    Urbanity


WEEKS 15 and 16
*Final Exam and rescheduled days Schedule applies*

12/3    Last day of class / Review session

12/11    FINAL EXAMINATION
Final is on a Tuesday, December 11 at a specially designated time: 3:30-5:30PM (1530 to 1730 CST)



Geography 305 -- Texas

Erik Prout's web-bio

Department of Geography

Texas A&M University


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