Brad Watkins - GEO 2303
SP 2012
CRN: 26768,26769,27332
GEO 2303
Regional Geography of the World
Spring 2012
Department of History and Geography
Meeting Time: Arranged (CRN 26768; 26769; 27332)
Classroom: Online
Professor: Dr. Brad Watkins
Online Office
Office:
Liberal Arts Building 202B
Hours:
M, W: 3:30 – 4:30 pm (online)
Phone:
974-5842
T: 8:00 – 9:00 am (online)
Email:
[email protected]
M, W: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
With each passing year, the interconnectedness of the world accelerates. Improvements in
communications technologies, for example, allow unprecedented access to information from nearly every
corner of the globe. However, with that comes increased responsibility. Understanding the ongoing
changes in the world, and making sense out of the new directions of world phenomena, is no longer a
task for just the professional geographer—but is a task that will prove vital to the continued survival and
prosperity of every human being. Geography provides the tools to understand, navigate, and contribute
positively to our changing world.
This course will introduce you to a variety of geographic concepts. Rather than placing emphasis on
memorization and skills mastery, the course focuses on the complex interactions of physical and human
systems of world regions.
No prerequisites.
OBJECTIVES
In order to pass this course, you must demonstrate at least minimal proficiency in the following
geographic concepts. Of course, greater levels of proficiency will result in a better grade.
You will be able to:
1. Define the dual nature of the geographic perspective (i.e., descriptive and analytical);
2. Discuss the importance of maps and GIS as tools of the geographer;
3. Outline the National Geography Standards, and discuss why that knowledge is essential to be
considered a geographically-informed person;
4. Outline the basic roots of modern geography;
5. Describe the basic processes of physical geography, including endogenic (i.e., plate tectonics)
and exogenic processes (erosion and deposition), basic weather and climate mechanisms, and
global vegetation patterns;
6. Describe 5 specific examples of how the natural environment is affected by humans;
7. Describe 5 specific examples of how human patterns are affected by the natural environment;
8. Describe the importance of the crude birth rate, crude death rate, natural increase rate, doubling
time, the demographic transition model, and population pyramids as tools for studying global
population;
GEO 2303 SP 2012
9.
10.
11.
12.
Describe the relationship between population growth and development;
Describe the differences between MDCs and LDCs;
Describe the major physical and human characteristics of the world regions discussed in class;
Describe at least 10 real-world events that have taken place during the course of the class, and
also describe how knowledge of those events makes you a better decision maker.
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the University of Central Oklahoma, we are guided by the mission of helping students learn by
providing transformative experiences so that they may become productive, creative, ethical and engaged
citizens and leaders contributing to the intellectual, cultural, economic and social advancement of the
communities they serve. Transformative learning is a holistic process that places students at the center
of their own active and reflective learning experiences. A student’s major field is central to the learning
experience and is a vital part of the “Central Six.”
This course addresses two of the university’s transformative learning goals.
Discipline Knowledge through the survey of the world’s regions using principles of physical and cultural
geography as a framework with a focus on interrelationships among regions.
Global and Cultural Competencies engaging students in discussions that require multiple perspectives
and cultural understanding and sensitivity while acknowledging the differences/similarities among the
world’s regions.
LATE WORK AND MAKE-UP EXAMS
Exams may not be made up.
I will not accept late assignments.
WEBCT
It is your responsibility to check WebCT frequently for announcements, learning modules, study guides,
and assessments. Learning modules will be released Mondays at 1:00 am. Discussion posts will be due
Fridays at 11:59 pm.
WIMBA CLASSROOM POLICY
Wimba Classroom is a live, web meeting program that will enable the professor and students to
communicate in an online setting. It uses video, audio, and chat capabilities for question/answer sessions
as well as a whiteboard feature that allows the professor to draw diagrams and sketches for students.
When participating in Wimba Classroom, it is important to be respectful to other students and the
professor much as you would if meeting face to face.
REQUIRED BOOK
th
World Regional Geography: A Development Approach by Douglas L. Johnson, et al. 10 Edition, 2009
2
GEO 2303 SP 2012
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
Webcam for web meetings/Wimba classroom
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Textbook Readings
It is your responsibility to complete the required reading assignment for each week as listed on
the last page of the syllabus.
Learning Modules
It is your responsibility to go through each learning module and complete the readings in each.
Consider these similar to class notes you would take in a face to face class. You are required to
complete outside readings linked to modules. Required discussion posts are listed at the
beginning of each module.
Exams
You will have three exams during the course. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice,
map analysis, and short answer. Exams will be administered online. You will have 1 hour to
complete each exam. The exams are released (opened) for a period of 23 hours. This means that
you can take the exam as soon as it is released or just before it is disabled. However, you only
have 1 hour to complete an exam once you click “Begin.” See Final Exam section for final exam
policy. See course schedule for exam dates. You are not allowed to use any materials during the
exam.
Discussion Threads
There will be ten required discussion threads during the course. Certain weeks will not have a
discussion thread, and there is only one discussion thread assigned at a time. Check the learning
module each week to see if there is a discussion due for that week. I will post an idea or question
for each discussion as we progress through the course. You will be required to post a thoughtful
reflection for each topic as well as post to at least one thoughtful response to another
student's thread by the due date. Discussion posts are due each Friday at midnight.
The idea behind these threads is to facilitate the intelligent exchange of ideas. The postings and
replies must be professional, i.e. related to the topic, properly punctuated, and well written.
Personal attacks and tangents will not be tolerated and such a posting will receive no
credit.
GRADE SCALE
Assessment
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Discussion Threads* (10)
Total Points
Points Each
200
200
300
30
A 1000-900
B 899-800
C 799-700
Points
200
200
300
300
1,000
D 699-600
F < 600
3
Brad Watkins - GEO 2303
SP 2012
CRN: 26768,26769,27332
*Certain weeks’ discussion threads may be split into two fifteen-point assignments.
ONLINE FINAL EXAM
Exam Days and Times:
th
Opens: Monday, April 30 , 8:00 am
st
Closes: Tuesday, May 1 , 10:00 pm
Length: 2 hours
ACCOMODATIONS
ADA Statement: The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who need special
accommodations should make their request by contacting Disability Support Services at 974-2549.
http://www.uco.edu/academic-affairs/files/aa-forms/StudentInfoSheet.pdf
GEO 2303 SP 2012
COURSE OUTLINE
Week (Starting Day*)
Topic
Reading Assignment
1 (Jan 9)
Introduction to Geographic Inquiry
2 (Jan 16)
Global Population Dynamics: An Introduction; United States
3 (Jan 23)
More Developed and Less Developed Countries
4 (Jan 30)
Europe (Part 1)
Ch 4
5 (Feb 6)
Europe (Part 2)
Ch 4
6 (Feb 13)
Exam 1 February 17
7 (Feb 20)
Russia and Central Eurasia
8 (Feb 27)
Latin America
Ch 3
9 (Mar 5)
North Africa and the Middle East
Ch 7
10 (Mar 12)
Exam 2 March 15 (Thursday)
no reading
11 (Mar 19)
SPRING BREAK
no reading
12 (Mar 26)
Sub-Saharan Africa
Ch 8
13 (Apr 2)
South Asia
Ch 9
14 (Apr 9)
East Asia
Ch 10
15 (Apr 16)
Southeast Asia
Ch 11
16 (Apr 23)
Course Summary and Review
17 (Apr 30)
Final Exam April 30 -May 1
(see above for details)
th
Ch 1; (Web Chapter
in Week 1 Module)
Ch 2
no reading
no reading
Ch 5, 6
th
th
st
*Each week begins on Monday at 12:00 am and ends on Friday at 11:59 pm.
5
no reading