SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Erik Prout
Visiting Assistant Professor
Office Hours:
Monday 1500-1700;
Thursday 1500-1700
Statement:
Geography
305 is an introductory course in regional geography that examines the cultural
and physical geography of
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, (4) convey the importance of intellectual pursuits that
construct geographical regions and ideas, and (5) explore the boundaries of
this course with honors students.
Requirements:
The only prerequisite for
this course is honors course eligibility (3.5 GPR), 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. You must take responsibility for your learning by attending class,
reading materials, completing assignments, and participating in discussion. One
feature of a geography course that differs from most other university courses
is the need to regularly use atlases and maps; be prepared for some memorization
of geographical features (both cultural and physical) and their locations on
different maps of Texas.
The following resources will necessary to
successfully pass this course.
1. Access
to internet/web:
Electronic Reserve. (Evans Library
website or in person on 2nd floor)
Contains chapters and
articles by various geographers.
NEO for official email & handouts.
E-learning (WebCT) for evaluation results &
downloads.
2.
3.
4. Maps
of
5. Large gray scantrons.
6. Outside Projects (varies by option:
automobile, digital camera, DVR player, etc.)
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. 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.
|
Evaluation / Date: |
Possible Points |
|
100 |
|
|
Midterm
Exam (Intro & Physical Geography) 2/20 |
250 |
|
Outside
Project 4/24 |
250 |
|
Final
Exam (Cultural Geography) 5/4 |
250 |
|
Participation |
150 |
|
TOTAL |
= 1000 |
Exams are in-class, closed book/no note, objective evaluations with scantron grading.
Atlas Exercise is a take-home exercise to familiarize students with maps and atlases as well as online map sources.
Outside Project is an out-of-class, student
choice assignment that allows students to explore the cultural landscapes of
Participation is a measure of
contribution to the success of the course, which includes attendance,
discussion, and on-going activities.
Classroom Policies:
I have high expectations of my students. Because we
are in a learning environment, we should set high goals and standards. In return,
I commit myself to equally reasonable expectations; here are a few key points.
•
Conducive learning
environment is foremost: 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.
--- Late arrivals and early departures should be
extreme situations; disruptive behavior of any sort is wrong. Let me know if
you have a circumstance that necessitates frequent disruptions; take
responsibility to sit in the least disruptive seat (exit the rear door).
--- Food & drink are okay with me, but smells,
crunches, and wrappers are not; the university policy is to not allow food and
tobacco in all lecture halls. Pack your trash out of the room including
newspapers; this room is used the rest of the day by other students so leave it
clean.
--- Turn off your cell phone (or at least the audible
ringer) before you enter the lecture hall. Do not answer your phone inside a
lecture hall or any other classroom.
• Academic Integrity Statement: I will not tolerate any form of dishonesty (personal
and academic). The Aggie Honor Code is: "An
Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."
the Aggie Honor Code and Honor Council Rules and Procedures on the web at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor . As
commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own the
ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance
with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the
work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should
have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst
academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues
without which research cannot be safely communicated. Simply put,
do not do it! On evaluation days, bring ID card and only what is
necessary. Instead of devising ways to cheat or plagiarize, devote that
time to studying. If you have questions concerning integrity, honesty,
and plagiarism, ask me—ask someone.
• Questions:
YES, ask questions. Be inquisitive. 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. Please
communicate with me; I realize this is a very large lecture section so if you
are hesitant to ask questions in front of everyone, at least ask after class or
during office hours.
• Communication/Office Hours: I try to
return phone calls and emails in a timely manner, but I rarely respond
instantaneously. I do my best to keep office hours and will post any
last-minute changes on my door. When emailing me, please write out your name
and exact course inside the message as well as filling in the subject line.
Remember, serious communication should be in person.
• 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.
•
• Copyrights: All course material is copyrighted. Taping
and reproducing of course material for other than personal use will be regarded
as copyright infringement and referred to the University lawyers for action.
Before tape recording, ask me first. Professional note-takers must be enrolled
in this course (university policy) and receive my permission prior to any commercial
transaction involving course notes (state law).
Tentative Course
Schedule:
reading
Syllabus
Geo-ideas:
Regional Geography and Maps
Prout
Part 1
Week 2
Essential Definition of
Week 3
Physiography
/ Physical Regions of
Week 4
Climate,
Vegetation, and Hydrology of
• Atlas Exercise due:
Thursday, February 8th
Almanac
(tba)
Week 5
Texas
Environment (Resources / Hazards / Ethics)
Texas
Land Ethics book
Week 6
• Midterm Exam / Tuesday, February 20th
Week 7
Kniffen
To Know
Culture
History; Columbian Exchange
Jackson
Chihuahua
Week 8
Meinig
Implantation
Historical Geography of
Week 9 – Spring Break
no
class meetings
Week 10
Cultural
Geography: language & religion Jordan
Ch. 4/Confluence
Week 11
Jackson
Virginia
Cultural Landscape: ranching &
courthouse squares
Jordan
Origins
Week 12
Demographic
growth and change
US
Census
Week 13
Miller
Rise
Urban
Week 14 –
AAG conference
no class meetings
Week 15
Arreola
Mexican
• Outside
Projects due: Tuesday, April 24th
Meinig
Differentiation
Trends
and Regions; Course Conclusion
Week 16
• Final
Exam / Friday, May 4th (