SPRING 2015
GEOG 106: INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
Dr. Jessie Clark
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The discipline of geography is concerned with the study of place, how places change and how we interact with
them. But, places do not form in isolation to the world outside. Geography works under the belief that the world
is spatially complex and interrelated; that what happens in one place affects what happens in another; and that
understanding the dynamics of space is crucial to understanding contemporary issues of social and environmental
change. The goal of this course is to introduce you to human geography and the practice of thinking
“geographically” about the world. We do this by examining key themes in human geography – colonialism,
development, migration, culture, politics, environment, food, and urbanization - through the lens of globalization.
In the study of these processes, we focus on the interdependence of places and the spatial patterns related to the
flow of goods, people, and services. And, we consider what these places mean to how we identify and the choices
we make in our everyday lives. GEOG 106 is a gateway to the Geography major/minor, and fulfills Silver Core
Objectives CO6 and CO11.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Systematic consideration of the spatial aspects of human culture. Major theses: spatial history and morphology,
society-land relations and political/economic development. Discussion sessions required.
PRE-REQUISITES
None.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course meets the Silver Core Curriculum Objectives for CO6 Culture, Societies, and Individuals and CO11
Global Contexts. Specifically,
1) Students will learn how to systematically analyze human social conditions (e.g., individuals, groups,
communities, and cultures). In particular, students will learn to observe, theorize, model, experiment, and/or
interpret as a means of inquiring into human social relations. (CO6)
2) Students will apply and evaluate modes of academic inquiry, creative expression, or results of research to
problems in historical and contemporary global contexts. Students will articulate connections among local,
national, and international contexts and evaluate the ways that historical and contemporary global influences
affect their current situations. (CO11)
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the term, students will be able to:
1) Define and explain key concepts, themes, and approaches in human geography. (CO6)
2) Recognize and interpret the emergence and influence of globalization at different scales and in different
sites. (CO11)
3) Apply critical thinking, writing, and creative skills to analyze geographic relationships and processes in a
global context. (CO11)
ASSESSMENT OF SLOs
1
Learning outcomes will be assessed through the following instruments:
CO6 will be assessed by the Cultures, Societies, & Individuals rubric (http://www.unr.edu/assessment/core)
applied to two pieces of student work: the first and last exam essay. A random sample of 1 out of 6 students will
be chosen for evaluation. The results will be reported to the department courses and curriculum committee, the
department chair, the dean of the college, and the core board.
CO11 will be assessed The Global Contexts Rubric (http://www.unr.edu/assessment/core) applied to a written or
written/visual (in the form of a presentation or art project) term project that synthesizes course material by
drawing connections between a local object/place/group and global economic, cultural, and social processes.
Effective Composition & Communications skills (CO1) and Critical Analysis & Use of Information (CO3) will be
demonstrated. A random sample of 1 out of 6 students will be chosen for evaluation. The results will be reported
to the department courses and curriculum committee, the department chair, the dean of the college, and the core
board.
LECTURE AND LABS
This course is comprised of two lectures per week and four labs during the term (Weeks 2/9, 3/9, 3/30, 4/27). You
may only attend the lab section in which you are registered. TAs for the sections are:
REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS:
Knox, Paul L. and Sallie A. Marston. 2012. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, 6th Edition.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall *
1 packet of 3 x 5 index cards
Supplemental readings will be posted on WebCampus.
*This textbook is available at the UNR bookstore or can be found online. One copy of the textbook is on reserve at
the DeLaMare Library and can be used in the Library for two-hour periods.
GRADING:
Your performance in the course will be evaluated on a variety of activities, ranging from group discussion exercises
to an individual final project. The final grade is based on the total cumulative points you earn over the semester.
Think of each course component as an opportunity to earn points toward your final grade. There is a total of 250
points available, divided as shown:
2
Activity
Due
Points
Attendance & Participation (A&P)
20
Lab Exercises
40
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Term Project
50
50
50
40
TOTAL
250
Attendance & Participation (A&P): We will periodically check A&P using a variety of mechanisms including (but not
limited to): in-class activities, one-minute papers, pop quizzes on the assigned reading, and feedback on class
topics. Most of these activities will be completed on 3x5 index cards, so be sure to bring a supply to each class.
A&P activities will be graded for completion and not necessarily content. A&P activities are not announced
beforehand and cannot be ‘made-up’.
Lab Exercises: You are required to attend a lab section four times in the term. Labs help you to contextualize the
course material through interactive individual and group activities. Over the term, you will complete 4 lab
activities (10 points each). If you encounter a problem in your section, please contact your TA.
Exams: We will administer three exams in this course. The exams will include a mix of multiple choice, short
answer, and essay and will draw on material from lectures, labs, and the textbook.
Term Project: For your term project you will construct a landscape study of your hometown or a place that you
have lived for significant period of time. This project will involve two components: a visual and written narrative.
You will identify the economic, cultural, and demographic “geographical connections” that shape this place by
looking at different aspects of globalization. Details for the assignment will be provided in lecture.
A plus/minus scale will be used to calculate your final grade:
93%-100%
A
80-82%
B90-92%
A77-79%
C+
87-89%
B+
73-76%
C
83-86%
B
70-72%
C
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
0-59%
D+
D
DF
LATE POLICY/ATTENDANCE
An assignment turned in after the lab or lecture in which it is due is considered “late” by one day. Each day an
assignment is late thereafter you will receive an additional 10% grade deduction. This means that if you turn in your
assignment on the day following your discussion, it will be considered two days late and a deduction of 20% will be
imposed. If there are events that make it impossible for you to be in attendance, please let your lab instructor know,
and they will determine how you will submit your assignment in advance. According to FERPA (Family Education and
Rights Privacy Act), we may not discuss a specific grade with you over email. It is best to see me or your TA in person
to discuss a grade or use the secure portal in WebCampus.
Classroom attendance is mandatory. No attendance is formally taken, but you must be in class to receive
impromptu A&P points. The lectures will build on assigned readings to illuminate the geographical topic; if you are
3
not in class, you will not do well in this class. Before each lecture, a lecture outline will be posted on Blackboard,
but these are brief and cannot substitute for your own notes. I will not post slides on WebCampus.
The last day to withdraw from with course with a “W” is.
WEBCAMPUS
The course website is on WebCampus. The WebCampus website will provide lecture outlines, supplemental
readings, assignments, and updated grades. The PowerPoint slides will not be provided, so you must rely on your
in-class notes and lecture outlines for study material. Please visit the course website often – at minimum, on a
biweekly basis – because we will use this site for important announcements. If you have trouble accessing or using
Webcampus, technical help is available on the Main Floor of the Knowledge Center at the Computing Desk or visit
the WebCampus FAQs page: http://teaching.unr.edu/wclfaqs.html.
CLASS CONDUCT
We have a lot of material to cover this term. In order to maximize our time together, please attend class having
completed the readings and ready to contribute to lecture and discussions. All cell phones and electronic devices
are to be turned off.
Laptop Use Policy
You may use laptops in class to take notes. In order to use a computer in class, you must:
1) Write an email to the instructor explaining why you need to use a computer in class.
2) Sit in the first 2 rows of the classroom for every lecture. If you use your computer for non-class purposes
or sit in the non-designated rows, you will lose your computer use privilege.
I will pose discussion questions to the class often and expect participation. If you have a comment or question
during lecture, do not hesitate to raise your hand. Asking questions (and there are no stupid questions) is the first
step to becoming a better thinker. Alternatively, you can write down any questions from class or readings and
submit these to us after class or in office hours and lab sections.
Finally, please be respectful of one another in discussion. It is often a very difficult and nerve-wracking endeavor
to speak aloud in class, so give your classmates the listening they deserve. Participation is not just defined by
verbal contribution but also active listening.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Any student who is caught plagiarizing on an assignment will receive an automatic zero, and I will submit a formal
charge to the University. Plagiarism is defined as the use of someone else’s ideas and writing as one’s own. A
majority of plagiarism cases are not perpetrated intentionally and attest more to a general lack of care about how
we are using someone else’s work. Unfortunately even the smallest violation can have devastating consequences
for your academic record. BUT plagiarism is easily avoidable. One of the most important skills you will develop
during your time at the University is how to ‘paraphrase’, how to put someone else’s ideas into your own words.
Learning how to paraphrase begins with critical reading. When you come across complex ideas in class readings,
practice summarizing these ideas in your own words out loud, as if you were explaining them to a friend. And
whether you are using a direct quote or paraphrasing a quote, always provide parenthetical notation. If you are in
4
doubt about your use of sources, please see me. For useful tips and exercises to avoid plagiarism, see:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/589/
To review the UNR Code of Conduct and Academic Standards, including how plagiarism is defined and its
consequences, see:
http://www.unr.edu/student-conduct/policies/university-policies-and-guidelines/academic-standards/policy
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS
Students with disabilities who require additional accommodations must register with the Disability Resource
Center (Thompson Building Suite, 100) and notify me of any special accommodations needed as soon as possible.
AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING
Surreptitious or covert videotaping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and the
Board of Regents policy. You may only videotape or audio record this class with my written permission. In order to
accommodate students with disabilities, some students may have been given permission to record class lectures
and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class might be recorded.
STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Resource
Counseling Services
Office of Student Conduct
Writing Center
Math Center
Tutoring Center
Disability Center
Cultural Diversity
Website
http://www.unr.edu/counseling
http://www.unr.edu/student-conduct
http://www.unr.edu/writing-center
http://www.unr.edu/mathcenter
http://www.unr.edu/tutoring-center
http://www.unr.edu/drc
http://www.unr.edu/cultural-diversity
5
*This schedule is subject to change.
Week
Date
Topics
1/20 TU
1
Readings/Assignments Due
--
Introduction to Geography
1/22 TH
K&M: Chp. 1, pp. 2-31
1/27 TU
2
K&M: Chp. 2, pp. 41-50
Colonialism
1/29 TH
K&M: Chp. 2, pp. 51-63
2/3 TU
3
K&M: Chp. 7, pp. 216-232
Economic Globalization
2/4 TH
K&M: Chp. 7, pp. 238-246
2/10 TU
K&M: Chp. 3, pp. 85-94
Global Migration and Population
4
2/12 TH
K&M: Chp. 3, pp. 75-84, 94-100
Lab
Focus on Economic Globalization
“Cocaine, Incorporated” by Patrick
Radden Keefe
Exercise #1 Due
2/17 TU
Population, cont’d/Exam review
--
2/19 TH
Exam 1
--
5
2/24 TU
6
K&M: Chp. 5, pp. 144-166
Culture and Identity
2/26 TH
“ReOrienting the Veil”, by Banu
Gökariksel (NYT)
3/3 TU
K&M: Chp. 6, pp. 184-195
Place and Landscape
7
K&M: Chp. 6, pp. 198-210
3/5 TH
3/10 TU
8
K&M: Chp. 5, pp. 167-183
3/12 TH
Lab
3/17 TU
9
Term project Assigned
Political Geography and International
Politics
Focus on Politics/Place
K&M: Chp. 9, pp. 300-320
K&M: Chp. 9, pp. 332-344
Exercise #2 Due/Project outline Due
Spring Break
3/19 TH
10
3/24 TU
Global Food Systems
K&M: Chp. 8, pp. 266-278
6
3/26
11
K&M: Chp. 8, pp. 279-297
3/31 TU
Food, cont’d/Exam review
4/2 TH
Exam 2
Lab
The $1 Calorie Challenge
4/7 TU
12
“You Are What You Grow” by Michael
Pollan
Exercise #3 Due
K&M: Chp. 4, pp. 106-116
Society and Environment
4/9 TH
K&M: Chp. 4, pp. 120-134
4/14 TU
13
K&M: Chp. 10, pp. 350-356; 361-372
Urbanization
4/16 TH
K&M: Chp. 10, pp. 373-381
Term projects Due in-class
4/21 TU
14
TBA Guest Speaker
4/23 TH
4/28 TU
Chp. 11, pp. 384-396
City Spaces
15
4/30 TH
Chp. 11, pp. 403-411
Lab
Discuss projects/grade hand back
5/5 TU
Practicing Geography/Exam review
5/7 TH
Exam 3
Exercise #4 Due
16
8:00-10:00 AM in regular classroom
7