Syllabus
Geography 101
Spring Semester 2007
David Snyder
Welcome to Geography
101 – Introduction to Geography. Geography is the study of our surroundings,
be they part of the physical world or part of the human world. In this class, we will discuss the geography
of human societies; the geographic patterns of their economies, cities and
culture. A secondary theme of this class will be for you to learn how to read
and interpret the landscape around you, so that its place (and your place) it
the larger world will be better understood.
It is my hope that after this class, you will have a new and inquisitive
way of looking at the world around you. While much of the course is designed around
global geography,
Texts: The required text for this course is Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context (3rd
Edition) by Paul Knox and Sallie Marston, which is available in the
University Book Store. Also required
are several course readings which are available on the course website.
Website: The course website is located at www.alaskageography.com. Look for the link to Geography 101 for
course materials and information. All
course materials, including readings, are posted on the website.
Grades: Grades will be determined in
the following ways:
1) Questions regarding the
reading, Kennecott Journey, by William Cronon. Worth 10% of the final
grade.
2) Mid-Term Exam 1. Worth
20% of the final grade.
3) Mid-Term Exam 2. Worth 20% of the final grade.
4) Questions regarding the
reading, The Trouble with Wilderness, by William Cronon. Worth
10% of the final grade.
5) A Final Exam will be taken during the finals
week. Worth 20% of the final grade.
6) A Final Paper will be turned in on the same day
as the Final Exam. Worth 20% of the final grade.
6) Extra Credit Assignment. This is a Geography Journal Article Review,
for which you will review an article of your choosing from an established
geography journal. Worth an additional
7.5% of the final grade.
Grades are given on a standard scale: 90-100 = A;
80-89 =B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; 59 or lower = F. There is a chance that the instructor will curve the grades if he
feels it necessary. I tend to be a
strict grader, but the final grade is based on a class curve.
Three exams will be given during the semester. Exams are a mixture of multiple choice,
short answer, and essay questions. The
two mid-term exams will each include one take-home essay question to be given
out one week prior to the exam. The final
exam will not have a take home question, but the final paper is due the same
day. Many of the exam questions do not
ask about simple facts, but rather focus more broadly on geographical concepts,
processes and examples. Exams cover all
assigned textbook chapters, assigned readings and lecture material. The information from all of these sources
often differs substantially, so skipping lecture, assuming that the material is
covered in the readings would be a mistake, and vice versa. Exams may only be taken late by
pre-arrangement with the instructor.
Any assignment turned in late will receive a 10%
grade deduction!
Please note
that you are responsible for dropping
this course and that you will receive
an F if you fail to complete course work!
Attendance: Attendance is critical in a Geography course because
understanding the material covered in one class will probably be necessary for
understanding future course material.
This course is lecture intensive and much material discussed in the
lectures is not contained in the books.
I encourage in-class discussions, which can often be enlightening and
reveal useful information that could not otherwise be acquired in the text.
Office Hours: As an adjunct, I have no
office, but messages, papers, etc. can be left for me in my mailbox here on
campus. You may also reach me at home
in the evenings and on weekends at 279-6961 for any questions. You may feel free to correspond with me by
email at any time. My email address at
work is: dsnyder@resdat.com. I check
this several times daily and tend to be there during business hours.
This schedule is likely to change throughout the course of the semester.
|
Date |
Topics |
|
Assignments Due |
Other |
|
Jan 18 |
Course Introduction Introduction to Geography Global Historical Geography |
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Jan 25 |
Global Historical Geography |
Textbook: Chapter 2 |
|
Video: Guns, Germs & Steel Part I |
|
Feb 1 |
Global Historical Geography |
|
|
Video: Guns, Germs & Steel Part II |
|
Feb 8 |
Global Historical Geography |
|
Kennecott Journey questions due |
Video: Guns, Germs & Steel Part III |
|
Feb 15 |
The Human Population
|
Textbook: Chapter 3 Reading: Malthus in Africa: |
|
|
|
Feb 22 |
Urban Geography |
Textbook: Chapter 10 |
EXAM 1 |
|
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March 1 |
Urban Geography |
|
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|
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March 8 |
Urban Geography |
Textbook: Chapter 11 |
|
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March 15 |
Urban Geography |
|
|
Slides: Urban Geography |
|
March 22 |
Spring Break |
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March 29 |
Society, Technology and Nature
|
Textbook: Chapter 4 |
EXAM 2
|
|
|
April 5 |
Society, Technology and Nature |
|
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|
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April 12 |
Cultural Geography |
Textbook: Chapter 5 |
The Trouble with Wilderness Questions
due |
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April 19 |
Cultural Geography |
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April 26 |
Interpreting Landscapes Course Review |
Textbook: Chapter 6 (222-245) |
|
Slides: Interpreting Landscapes |
|
May 3 |
FINAL EXAM 4:00 – 6:45 PMFINAL PAPER DUE |
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The extra credit Geography Journal Article Review assignment can be turned in on any date, including the day of the final exam.