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World Regional Geography
GEOG 100 (A)
Fall Semester 2007; Section 13210
Mon., Wed., & Fri. -- 9:30am - 10:20pm
Room Umbergerr 105

Professor: Jeffrey Smith, Ph.D.
Office: Seaton Hall 164C  (North of the K-State Union)
Mailbox: Seaton Hall 118
Office Phone:(785) 532-3412  (Leave a message if I'm not available)
Department Phone: (785) 532-6727
Office Hours: Mondays at 11:00 - 12:00pm;  Wednesday  12:30pm  - ca. 2:00pm;  and by appointment  (I'm here to help) 

READINGS/TEXT:
- Smith, Jeffrey S., ed. 2007. World Regions and Places: A Reader (6th Edition). Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.  (Required)  
             (Available for purchase at the K-State Student Union Bookstore or Varney's Bookstore)

- Supplemental Maps & Demographic Data (Recommended)
            (Available for purchase at the Arts & Sciences Copy Center -- basement of Eisenhower Hall)

- De Blij, H.J. and P.O. Muller. 2002. Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts (12th edition). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (Recommended)
             (A copy of this textbook is on 2 hour reserve in the Hale Library)

COURSE DESCRIPTION/FORMAT:
     This course introduces students to the major geographical concepts and ideas of the world.  Emphasis is placed on the human/cultural aspects within each region.  After completing this course, students should better understand the spatial distribution of geographical events, appreciate the geographic perspective as related to regions of the world, and understand what makes each place geographically unique.  Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in class.  Talking between students is not appropriate and will not be tolerated.

COURSE GRADING:
    Each student's grade is based on three (3) exams (100 points each) and ten (10) exercises (10 points each).  Scheduled exams and due dates/times for "online exercises"  are listed on the outline.  Exams emphasize the material discussed in class, however, this does not preclude the inclusion of material assigned in the readings (especially from the “Reader”).  Exam format is multiple choice.  You are required to show a photo-ID for all three examinations.  Due to privacy concerns, I cannot return graded exams or exercises in class.  All scores will be posted at < http://online.ksu.edu  >.  I encourage  ALL  students to visit my office and look at their exams individually to assess their successes and shortcomings.  I'm here to help!.

    Make-up exams will be given only for legitimate, verified excuses and ONLY IF every attempt has been made to contact me at least 24 hours BEFORE the exam is scheduled to be given.  In the RARE event that a make-up exam is granted and taken, the student's exam score will be dropped 15%.  All rules / regulations established by Kansas State University regarding attendance will be strictly followed.

    All "online exercises" will be submitted, and graded using "K-State Online" (< http://online.ksu.edu >).  After having signed-up at K-State Online, students will complete all of the exercises online.  After each exercise is completed and submitted, students will receive an electronic "Confirmation Number".  Keep this number for each exercise as proof that you submitted the exercises.  This component of a student's grades is based on the 10 best / highest scores they earn; each students’ two lowest exercise scores will be dropped.  K-State Online will automatically close the opportunity to complete each exercise based on the due date identified on the outline.

      ** ALL exercises close at 11:59pm on the due date.  Late section questions/exercises will NOT be accepted for a grade. **

     NO individual extra credit is given in this class!!!

    Please be advised that I do not initiate withdrawals for students who quit attending class.  Recommendation: If you have a conflict with the class and can no longer attend, formally withdraw.  The last day to withdraw from the class is: October 26, 2007.  No withdrawal (W) grade will be administered after this date.

Grading Scale:
      90-100%    =   A   (360 - 400 points)
      80-89%      =   B   (320 - 359 points)
      70-79%      =   C   (280 - 319 points)
      60-69%     =    D   (240 - 279 points)
      Below 60% =  F   (239 or fewer points)
 

ALL Kansas State University students, by act of registration, pledge that... "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on my academic work."  (In other words, cheating will not be tolerated by the professor or the University.)

Be advised: the notes given inconjunction with this class are the copyright intellecutal property of the professor.  No unauthorized sale or distribution of said notes is permitted without prior written consent from Jeffrey S. Smith, the Geography Department at K-State, and Kansas State University.  This forbids students from selling (or being paid to take) notes during this class.

This course carries the designation of University General Education (UGE).  Students' UGE experiences should inspire them to appreicate differing viewpoints, consider openly new and divergent thinking, weigh ideas with careful skepticism, chllenge conventional wisdom, and explore for more accurate and more useful knowledge.  The intent of the UGE program is to expand students' breadth of education at Kansas State University.

Any student with a disability that needs classroom accommodation, access to technolgy, or other assistance in this course should contact Disability Support Services and/or their instructor.

I reserve the right to modify the contents of the course.  Every attempt will be made to notify the class in advance should a deviation be necessary.



CLASS OUTLINE

  Date                Lecture Topic &  "Reader" Exercise Due Dates                           Chapter Readings (in de Blij textbook)

Mon 8/20                Introduction to class / Syllabus / Outline / Key Terms                                    Introductory Chapter
Wed 8/22               Geography Background Information
Fri 8/24                   Physical Geography Background Info.
Mon 8/27                Physical Geography Background Info.
Wed 8/29               Physical Geography Background Info.                       
Fri 8/31                  NO CLASS

Mon 9/3                  NO CLASS -- Labor Day
Wed 9/5                 Human Geography Background Info.
Fri 9/7                     Human Geography Background Info.
Mon 9/10                Human Geography Background Info. / In-class Review
Wed 9/12               EXAM #1 (100 Pts -- Multiple Choice)
Fri 9/14                  Section #1 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); U.S. & Canada                                Chapter 3
Mon 9/17                U.S. & Canada
Wed 9/19               U.S. & Canada
Fri 9/21                   Section #2 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); Europe                                            Chapter 1
Mon 9/24                Europe (Northern & Western)
Wed 9/26               Europe (Southern & Eastern)
Fri 9/28                   NO CLASS – GR/RM Division Meeting in Denver, Colo

Mon 10/1                NO CLASS -- Fall Break
Wed 10/3               Section #3 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); Russia & its Neighbors                     Chapter 2
Fri 10/5                   Russia & its Neighbors
Mon 10/8                Russia & its Neighbors
Wed 10/10             Section #4 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); Middle East/N. Africa                        Chapter 7   
Fri 10/12                 Middle East & Northern Africa
Mon 10/15              Middle East & Northern Africa   
Wed 10/17             In-class Review
Fri 10/19                 EXAM#2 (100 Pts -- Multiple Choice)
Mon 10/22              Section #5 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); Continent of Africa                            Chapter 6
Wed 10/24             Continent of Africa
Fri 10/26                 Continent of Africa
Mon 10/29              Section #6 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); Indian Sub-Continent                      Chapter 8
Wed 10/31              Indian Sub-Continent

Fri 11/2                   Section #7 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); East Asia                                         Chapter 9
Mon 11/5                 East Asia
Wed 11/7                East Asia                   
Fri 11/9                   Section #8 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); South-east Asia                              Chapter 10
Mon 11/12              South-east Asia
Wed 11/14             Section #9 Exercise (Reader) Due (10pts); Pacific Realm                                    Chapters 11 & 12
Fri 11/16                 Pacific Realm
Mon 11/19              Pacific Realm
Wed 11/21             NO CLASS -- Thanksgiving Recess
Fri 11/23                 NO CLASS -- Thanksgiving Recess
Mon 11/26              Section #10 Exercise (Reader) Due (10pts); Mexico                                              Chapter 4
Wed 11/28              Mexico
Fri 11/30                 Central America
 
Mon 12/3                 Section #11 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); South America                                Chapter 5
Wed 12/5                South America
Fri 12/7                   Section #12 Exercise (Reader) Due (10 pts); Caribbean                                       Chapter 4
 
Mon 12/10              11:50am –– EXAM #3 (100 Pts -- Multiple Choice)
                                    (DO NOT arrive late for this exam! The exam will not be
                                         given to anyone arriving after 12:15pm.  Make-ups are not possible).   

                                  
    NOTE: You must show a photo-ID to take all 3 exams!


Review Sheet for Exam #3
World Regional Geography

Exam #3 will be 50 multiple choice questions.  All of your answers will be placed on a scan-tron sheet (I will provide this).  Be sure to bring a pencil.  You are responsible for all of the information covered for Continent of Africa; Indian Subcontinent; East Asia; Southeast Asia; Pacific Realm (Australia/New Zealand); Middle America; South America; and Caribbean.  Also, don't forget the information provided in the "reader" (Chapters 5-12). 

The following is a list of terms and concepts that were covered in lecture for Exam #3.  Please note: This list is NOT exhaustive.  Not all of the material on Exam #3 is included on this list.  Be sure to consult your class notes and outline for a complete list of material discussed.

Continent of Africa:
    Reader Chapter 5
    Ecotourism in Africa
    Major Climate regimes in Africa
    Berlin Conference of 1884
    Political / Social Unrest
    Issues of Apartheid in South Africa
    Reason(s) for unrest and political instability in Africa
    Sahel (what is it and why is it expanding)
    Green Revolution & Blue Revolution
    2 main sectors of the economy in Africa
    Africa is the last frontier for what resources?

Indian Subcontinent / South Asia:
    Reader Chapter 6
    Monsoon
    Cultural practices/traits of Hindu culture (Bindy Dot, Caste System, Doctrine of Ahimsa)
    Nuclear weapons in India and Pakistan
    Conflict over Kashmir
    Flooding in Delta of Ganges River
    Plate Tectonics for South Asia
    Major religious affiliations for India and Pakistan
    Population size and language of India

East Asia & Southeast Asia:
    Reader Chapters 7 & 8
    Tropical vs Subtropics climates
    Most important river of SE Asia
    Indochina countries
    Places with extreme high population density in Asia
    4 Tigers of Asia
    China's form of government
    Human Rights issues in China
    Population Density/Distribution in China
    Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in China
    Total Population of China
    Population of China
    One child policy of China
    ASEAN
    Diversity in Indonesia
    Typhoon
    Tsunami
    Archipelago
    Hermit Kingdom

Pacific Realm (Australia / New Zealand):
    Reader Chapter 9
    Major physical features for Australia & New Zealand
    Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia
    High and Low Islands
    Hawaiianization
    Population distribution and city sizes in Australia
    Outback
    Australia’s economic ties / relations
    "Switzerland of the South Pacific"

Middle America (Mexico and Central America):
    Reader Chapter 10
   “Problems” in Mexico City
    Types of migration (step-by-step, chain, guest worker, push-pull,
    Bracero Program
    BIP (Border Industralization Program)
    Issues with canals across Central America (Panama, Nicaragua)
    “Banana Republics” (Who, why are they called this)
    Civil War in Guatemala
    Cold War effects in Central America
    Value Added (Defn and example)
    High Society / Secondary Cultural Hearths
    Altitudinal Zonation (crops and climate)
    Most and Least developed countries in Central America
    Names of Countries in “Middle America”
    ITCZ
    Significance of Lake Gatun
    Formation of Central American Isthmus (Cocos and Caribbean Plates)
    Ecotourism in Costa Rica
    3 Major urbanized areas in Mexico
    Issues related to illegal immigration
                 (Programs to reduce it, 3 reasons why it continues, where illegals orginate from, root of problem)

South America:
    Reader Chapter 11
   Supranationalism in Latin America / South America (MERCOSUR, Andean Group,
    El Nino (ENSO) (what is it; what impact does it have on weather, fishing, and guano)
    Colonial Powers in Latin America / South America
    Land locked countries in South America
    Narcotics in South America

Caribbean / West Indies:
    Reader Chapter 12
    Least Developed country in Caribbean
    Cuba and relations with U.S. / world
    Major regions for “off-shore production”
    Relations between U.S. and Puerto Rico

If you have any questions be sure to ask me for clarification.
I'm here to help.


 

Last Updated: 4 December 2007