Statement:

            Geography 305 is an introductory course in regional geography that examines the cultural and physical geography of Texas. Geography as a discipline examines the fundamental relationships between humans and their various earthly environments. The purpose of this course is to explore the diverse geographies of Texas as well as introduce some important geographical concepts such as region and landscape. As you are aware, Texas has a strong regional personality—maybe more identifiable than any other American region—therefore it is important to discuss how "Texas" is represented to and interpreted by the world at large.

            The successful outcome of this course, which is my goal, is to (1) facilitate your understanding of the various cultural and ecological contexts found in Texas, (2) increase your knowledge and proficiency in Texan place-names and regions including their relative locations, (3) develop a dialogue of Texas in regards to landscape & representation, and (4) convey the importance of intellectual pursuits that construct geographical places, regions, and ideas.

Requirements:

                There are no prerequisites for this course, so there is no presumption of prior geographical study. However, it is an upper-level course that assumes a sophisticated level of reading comprehension, note-taking, and study habits on your part. 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. I highly recommend you form a small study group as soon as possible. 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 cities, landforms, and ethnicity) and their locations on different maps of Texas.

            RESOURCES & ATTENDANCE: Unfortunately, no single "Geography of Texas" textbook is currently in print. The Readings for this course will have to come from a variety of sources including electronic reserve. You will need to have regular internet access for NEO, WebCT, and E-Reserve. In summary, most test related material will be mentioned in class! Miss class at your own peril, and if you should, contact your fellow students for notes, handouts, and general impressions.

The readings are equally important to lecture, so it is imperative that you keep up with the reading schedule. Attendance is always a key factor in academic performance and becomes a crucial component of doing well and earning the grade you desire. Use your time wisely and take special note of the days listed below as evaluation dates.

The following resources will be REQUIRED to successfully pass this course.

1.   Access to electronic reserve. (Evans Library website or in person on 2^nd floor)

            Contains chapters and articles by various geographers.

2.   Texas Almanac, 2006-07 edition. DMN & TAMU Press, 2005. {ISBN# 0-914511-38-6}.

3.   Historical Atlas of Texas. Stephens and Holmes, OU Press. 1989. {ISBN# 0-8061-2307-9}.

4.   Geo-Texas: A Guide to the Earth Sciences. Eric R. Swanson. TAMU Press, 1995. {ISBN# 0-89096-682-6}.

5.   Four large gray scantrons & soft lead pencil.

6.   Maps of Texas (handouts during class & downloaded from websites)

Evaluation / Grading:

         I use a total point scheme for grading. Every examination and exercise has a set value of points, and the final grade is determined from the total number of points accumulated. The primary sources of points are the exams: the two midterm exams are worth 250 points each and the final exam is 300 points. The remaining 200 points consists of an atlas exercise / initial test (combined for 100 points) and a hometown project (100 points).

         The exams will be electronically graded; therefore you will need to bring the appropriate scantron on examination day (large gray type). A note on electronically scanned grading: you are responsible for providing a scantron that is free of folds, rips, or any deformity that prevents it from running through the machine.

         The final grade is based on the total points and ranking of your points, not the percentage of points. There is no rounding up of points. For a large class section, 900/800/700/600 of the possible 1000 points can be used as an approximate guide for A/B/C/D thresholds. I reserve the right to modify the thresholds after evaluating the entire class and the point distribution.

         Excused absences are by university policy! Any examination date or due-date missed is a tentative zero (see schedule). Exam day emergencies require immediate notification (a phone call to me, the Department of Geography, or an appropriate university official) and written verification of emergency promptly to my office. Alternative evaluations may be essay oriented at my discretion.