Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Syllabus 11:10 am class



Long Beach City College
World Regional Geography
Syllabus
Spring 2013
Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:0am-12:45pm
Instructor: Ebenezer ‘Kofi’ Peprah
epeprah@lbcc.edu

Text: The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography, 3e, H.J Blij and Peter Muller
Course description and Objectives.
This course provides a broad overview of the regions of the world, considering both physical and social characteristics. At the end of the course, students will be provided with information about the various regions of the world, their boundaries, physical characteristics, natural resources, cultural differences, and related problems.
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Student Learning Outcome (SLO)
At the end of the semester students will be able to:
  1. Define geography and explain its importance in education
  2. Understand the importance of regional concept in geographic studies.
  3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of why variation in economic, political, and socio-cultural activities exist across regions of the world
  4. Compare and contrast the geographic regions of the world and explain the impact of natural and social factors in the delineation of regions
  5. Identify and examine the impact of colonization and neocolonization on socio-economic development of certain geographical regions of the world
  6. Show where and why humans have established cultural and social patterns
  7. Explore the background of various regional conflicts and problems
  8. Acquire a global perspective of interconnected places and space



Weeks /dates             Topics                                                                                    
2/6                               Review of syllabus
2/11                             Introduction to Geography                                                    
2/13                             Sub-Saharan Africa (physical Geography)
2/18                             Washington Day (No Classes)                                  
2/20                             Sub-Saharan Africa (Human sequence)                                  

2/25                             Midterm 1

2/27                             North Africa/SW Asia (Physical)
3/4                               North/Africa Southwest Asia (Human)

3/6                               Flex Day (No Classes)
                                                        

3/11                             South Asia (physical)
3/13                             South Asia (Human)

3/18                             East Asia (physical)
3/20                             East Asia (Human)
   
3/25                             Review/ In-class Discussion
3/27                             Midterm 2

4/1—4/6                      Spring Break                       

4/8                               Europe (Physical Geography)
4/10                             Europe (Human)

4/15                             Russia
4/17                             Russia
4/22                             In-class discussion/Review

4/24                             mid term 3

4/29                             South America (physical)
5/1                               South America (Human)

5/6                               Middle America (physical)
5/8                               Middle America (Human)

5/13                             In class discussion/ Review      

5/15                             Midterm 4

5/20                             North America (physical)
5/22                             North America (human)

5/27                             Memorial Day ( No classes)

5/29                             US/Canada Current Affairs

6/3                               Review
6/5                               Finals


P.S. I reserve the right to alter the reading, exams, and assignments to improve the quality of this course


Attendance
Class attendance is mandatory. A student missing two weeks in a row  or more than 20% of a course shall be automatically dropped, this is college policy. Be silent, and turn off your noise making devices. Do not interfere with the ability of others to hear or participate in class. Students who are absent or disruptive risks loosing points on their final grade for poor class participation

Grading system
The point system will be used
A total of 300 points
4 Midterm exams each 50x4 points                = 200
Finals  examination                                        = 60
Positive class participation/attendance            = 20
4 Assignments, map work x 20                      = 80
Total points                                                   = 360= 100%




Discussions
Regular discussion of current events, as well as of situations where concepts can be applied to real world situations, will form part of the instruction in this class.

Technology
Resources such as online mapping, publishers' website based exercises, and current news reportage and analysis may be used to demonstrate importance and relevance of the materials.

Video technology
Short videos may be used to show other people and places, in order to promote learning about other places and understanding of other cultures.

Class presentation
Class presentations may include a country or region of Africa; a country of "Latin" America; a country of Asia; a survey of Less Developed Countries and possible solutions to poverty.
Since our population is multi-cultural, this can be a valuable resource to bring immediacy to fellow students.

Group Assignment
Students will be required to collaborate on a group research topic, the results of which may be presented in written or oral form.

Exams
Regular exams may include multiple choice questions, shorter essays, verbal and pictorial presentations, or other appropriate tasks. Map questions will usually be included in a written examination, or may be a separately assessed item. Evaluation will be based on the student's mastery of vocabulary and course content.

Quizzes
These are generally used for self-assessment but are important towards your final grade. Quiz dates are hinted during class.



_______________________________________________________________________________

Assignment #1 due date : 2/25

Subsaharan Africa
1. Use a blank map of Africa and locate the following physical features
A) Sahara Desert,
B) Kalahari Desert.
C) The Nile River,
D) Kilmanjaro Mountain,
E) African transitional zone,
F) Adamawa highlands,
G) Atlas Mountains
Due (8/29)

Assignment #2. Due Date: 3/25

Southwest Asia
1. Locate the following areas in Southwest Asia
A. The Gaza Strip
B. The west Bank
C. Golan Height

2. Why are the following terms not a complete description of the Southwest Asia realm?
A. The Arab world
B. Dry World
C. The Middle East
D. The Islamic World


Assignment #3 Due Date: 4/22

South Asia:
1. Use an outline map of east and south south asia  and locatel all the countries in the regions.
2. Explain Why Hinduism is both a centrifugal and centripetal force in India.



Assignment #4  Due Date 5/13
Middle America
1. Use a blank map to locate all the countries in Middle America
2. Write short notes on the following
A Hacienda
B Plantation
C Ejidos

South America
1. Use a blank map of South America and locate all the countries in the realm
2. What is cultural pluralism? Why is South America described as a cultural pluralistic society?


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