GEOG 2600A Summer Term, 2014
GEOGRAPHY BEHIND THE HEADLINES: Geographical
Foundations to Current Issues
Instructor:
Andy Kusi-Appiah; 613 219-4659; [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesdays @17:30h-18:30h (Room TBA)
Lecture Class: Mondays & Wednesdays, SA501 (18:05h-20:55h)
Prerequisite: Second year standing or permission
Course Description:
Geography matters every day. It is manifested in the issues, events and concerns expressed in the media and other
mundane activities. This course is an exploration of the geography inherent in the prominent headlines of our time.
We will examine the geographical backgrounds to selected issues of current interest through geography’s
perspective of integrating human and physical environments. The issues selected will be global in their significance,
yet in most instances we will seek the national, regional and local implications and interdependencies of the media
concerns. We will evaluate how the scales are linked by major themes in geography, and how these themes help us
to understand the headlines and the world around us. For example, the situation in Crimea and how it impacts on
other aspects of life in different parts of the world (including Canada) will be discussed and analysed.
Course Format:
This course is a lecture class. In order to advance in this course you must attend the lectures, read the textbook and
complete the essay assignment. The mid-term and final examinations will test your knowledge of the concepts and
the content of the lectures and the text.
Course Objectives:
The following objectives underlie this course:





To appreciate why geographical knowledge matters in an increasingly globalized society.
To capture both the spirit and the practical value of our contemporary human geography.
To become familiar with the geography behind major headline issues around the globe.
To develop a critical understanding of the geographical concepts and approaches that enable us to
understand the geography behind the headlines.
To conduct focused research on an aspect of geography behind the headlines and to improve analytical and
writing skills in pursuit of the geography of the story.
Text (s):
Harm de Blij (2012): Why Geography Matters More Than Ever (2nd edition), Oxford University Press.
*Norton, W. (2013): Human Geography (Eighth Edition), Oxford University Press.
*This text book is not required. A copy will be put on reserve for students.
Lecture Schedule:
*Note: This ‘Schedule & Topics Outline’ is subject to change with the headlines
Lecture
1.
Date
July 07
Topic
(a) Introduction: Distribution
and discussion of course
outline
Reading
Chapter 1. Why Geography
Matters…More than ever
(b) Canada in Afghanistan and
Afghanistan’s Impact on
Canadians: Geographical
Elements of Place, Space and
Perception in Canada’s Mission
Overseas.
Chapter 2. Reading Maps &
Facing Threats
Russia – from Sochi to Crimea
in a month
Iran, Iraq and Pakistan: The
Geopolitics of Insurgency
Chapter 10. Russia: Trouble on
the Eastern Front
Chapter 6. The Geography Behind Clear essay
War and Terror
topic with
instructor.
Israel and the Palestinians:
Power and geography
Reinventing the Canada-US
Borderlands: Geopolitics
Comes Home
Chapter 7. Interpreting Terrorism’s
Geographic Manifestations
*Chapter 9, Political Geography,
Mid-Term
in Human Geography by William examination
Norton, 2013
*Written
proposal due
Chapter 3: Geography &
Demography,
Chapter 4. Geography & Climate
Change.
Chapter 5. Climate, Place and
Fate
2.
July 09
3.
July 14
4.
July 16
5.
July 21
6.
July 23
Climate Change: Global and
Geographical dimensions:
Fact? Fiction? Media Creation?
7.
July 28
8.
July 30
9.
Aug 04
10
Aug 06
11
Aug 11
12
Aug 13
Disasters in the News: Katrina
to Fukushima: Hurricanes,
Tornadoes, Tidal Waves and
Earthquakes; Australia, New
Zealand, Japan, Chile and Haiti
Hope for Africa? The
Geography of Survival
European Union to European
Superpower? Europe in the
Vanguard, or a Continent in
Crisis?
China and India: Population,
Economic Expansion and
Challenges in Globalization
Canadian Geography Behind
Headlines: the stories of 2013.
Conclusions and Review
Examination Period, TBA; Final Examination Two Hours
Assignment
Chapter 11: Africa in a
Globalizing World
Chapter 9. Europe: Superpower in
the Making or Paper Tiger of the
Future?
Chapter 8: Red Star Rising:
China’s Geopolitical Gauntlet
TBA
Essay due
Course Evaluation:
1. A one hour mid-term examination in class (date: 5th class or week #5). (20% of final grade)
2. One essay, (3,000 words, excluding supporting illustrations and references). (40% of final grade=5% proposal +
35% final paper).
The topic must be cleared with the instructor by the end of the 3rd class (Week #3), and a formal written proposal
(maximum 2 pages, double-spaced) must be submitted by the 5th class (Week #5). The proposal will be returned in
class by the 6th class (Week #6). The proposal accounts for 5% of the total course grade. The essay is DUE IN
CLASS by the 10th class (Week #10).
Late submissions will be penalized 3% per day up to one week after the due date, and will not be accepted after
Week #11.
3. One two-hour, scheduled final examination in short answer, multiple choice and map recognition formats (40% of
final grade).
University Policies:
Requests for Academic Accommodations
For Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations are required to contact a co-coordinator at the Paul
Menton Centre (PMC) to complete the necessary letters of accommodation. The student must then make an
appointment to discuss their needs with the instructor at least two weeks prior to the first mid-term exam. This is to
ensure sufficient time is available to make the necessary accommodation arrangements.
For Religious Observance:
Students requesting academic accommodation on the basis of religious observance should make a formal, written
request to their instructors for alternate dates and/or means of satisfying academic requirements. Such requests
should be made during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is
known to exist, but no later than two weeks before the compulsory academic event. Accommodation is to be worked
out directly and on an individual basis between the student and the instructor(s) involved. Instructors will make
accommodations in a way that avoids academic disadvantage to the student.
Students or instructors who have questions or want to confirm accommodation eligibility of a religious event or
practice may refer to the Equity Services website for a list of holy days and Carleton’s Academic Accommodation
policies, or may contact an Equity Services Advisor in the Equity Services Department for assistance.
For Pregnancy:
Pregnant students requiring academic accommodations are encouraged to contact an Equity Advisor in Equity
Services to complete a letter of accommodation. The student must then make an appointment to discuss her needs
with the instructor at least two weeks prior to the first academic event in which it is anticipated the accommodation
will be required.
NB: I will be using cuLearn so please check that site for all information pertaining to this course.
Please note that sections of this outline may change without notice before Week #4.