PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS GES 104 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies SPRING 2015 WORLD GEOGRAPHY Days: Time: Room: Instructor: Office: Office Hours: Phone: Email: URL: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:25am-10:40am BBH-102 Dr. Dennis Grammenos BBH-344B Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:40am-12:30pm; Mondays & Wednesdays 3:00pm-4:15pm; or by appointment (773) 442-5641 [email protected] http://homepages.neiu.edu/~dgrammen COURSE DESCRIPTION GES 104 (World Geography) is a survey of the human and physical geography of the major world regions. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of the contemporary discipline of geography in order to develop a critical awareness of the complexity of the world’s regions and the interconnections of people, places, and the environment. COURSE POLICIES Academic Integrity Cheating and plagiarism will be punished severely. This may include failing the course and being subject to further administrative actions, in accordance with university rules. Attendance Attendance is mandatory. Of course, it is expected that situations arise during the semester when a students cannot make it to class for one reason or another. Nevertheless, these absences must be kept to a necessary minimum and should not be a regular pattern. Six absences during the semester (for whatever reason) will warrant an automatic deduction of one letter grade from the final grade, the seventh absence will result in two letter grade deductions, while anyone with over seven absences will fail the course automatically. Coming to class late or leaving class early is disruptive to the teaching/learning process, and can be recorded as an absence if the instructor considers it to be part of a trend. Do not miss assignments, deadlines, or exams. There will be zero opportunities to make up, except in the most extraordinary cases. Contact me in advance if possible to inform me of the circumstances of your absence. Classroom Behavior There is a zero tolerance policy with regards to electronic devices in the classroom. Under no circumstances are students allowed to use cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. If they do not conform to the requirement, students will be asked to leave the classroom and they will be marked as absent. Additionally, students are expected to behave courteously and respectfully toward others, not be disruptive, and to conform to the standards and responsibilities of the freedom of expression afforded in a university environment. Drop Deadline The final day to withdraw from this class is on March 27, 2015. Incomplete Grades Incomplete grades (I) are generally not granted. Students are expected to complete the coursework in the required timeframe stipulated by the course syllabus. In extraordinary cases, the instructor may consider granting an “I”, but PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS only in cases where most of the work for the course has been successfully completed and there are mitigating circumstances beyond the student’s control. Readings Always come to class prepared. This involves having studied the readings assigned for that day. If you are not prepared and ready to actively participate you are wasting your time and the time of your classmates. Webpage It is essential that students regularly monitor the webpage for GES 104 that can be found at the URL http://homepages.neiu.edu/~dgrammen. The webpage is an extension of classroom lectures and discussions; also it is the place where assignments are posted and announcements are made. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK Rowntree, Les, Martin Lewis, Marie Price, and William Wyckoff. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World, Books a la Carte Plus MasteringGeography with eText -- Access Card Package, 4th Edition (Pearson, 2014) GRADING 28% Chapter Quizzes (20 pts. each) 28% Chapter Homework (20 pts. each) 2% Midterm Practical (20 pts.) 20% Midterm Exam (200 pts.) 2% Final Practical (20 pts.) 20% Final Exam (200 pts.) 100% Total Grade* (1000 pts. total) * Attendance performance may adversely affect final grade GRADING EXPLANATION The assessment strategy in this course relies on frequent, low-stakes grading that is distributed throughout the semester in a balanced and transparent way. This simple evaluation method provides ongoing feedback to all students, while encouraging and motivating those who wish to learn and achieve. Central to this method is the intensive use of MasteringGeography, the only tool available with the chosen textbook. Reading There is no substitute for carefully studying the assigned chapters from the textbook in a timely manner. This is priority number one throughout the semester and it is essential to success in this course. Chapter Homework Make sure that you set aside enough time to complete the online homework assignments on MasteringGeography. Each homework is worth 20 points (2% of the final grade) and they mirror exactly each chapter on which they are based. There are specific deadlines associated with each chapter homework that need to be strictly adhered to. Chapter Quizzes Another key element to the grading process are the chapter quizzes. These have very strict deadlines and students must follow directions very carefully. Each quiz is worth 20 points (2% of the final grade) and, just like the homework, they mirror exactly each chapter on which they are based. The good news is that you can complete these quizzes at home at your own leisure. Two Practicals There are two practicals during the semester that are administered one each before the Midterm and the Final exams. The practicals are online on MasteringGeography and have very specific deadlines and instructions associated with them. Each practical is worth 20 points (2% of the final grade). Two Exams The Midterm and the Final exams will be administered in class. Each exam is worth 200 points (20% of the final grade). 2 PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS CLASS OUTLINE AND READINGS WEEK 1 Tuesday, 6 January 2015 Globalizing Geographies I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 1 (pp. 4-41) Thursday, 8 January 2015 Globalizing Geographies II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 1 (pp. 4-41) WEEK 2 Tuesday, 13 January 2015 Physical Geography I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 2 (pp. 44-65) Thursday, 15 January 2015 Physical Geography II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 2 (pp. 44-65) WEEK 3 Tuesday, 20 January 2015 North America I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 3 (pp. 66-99) Thursday, 22 January 2015 North America II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 3 (pp. 66-99) WEEK 4 Tuesday, 27 January 2015 Latin America I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 4 (pp. 100-137) Thursday, 29 January 2015 Latin America II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 4 (pp. 100-137) WEEK 5 Tuesday, 3 February 2015 The Caribbean I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 5 (pp. 138-169) Thursday, 5 February 2015 The Caribbean II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 5 (pp. 138-169) WEEK 6 Tuesday, 10 February 2015 Sub-Saharan Africa I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 6 (pp. 170-213) Thursday, 12 February 2015 Sub-Saharan Africa II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 6 (pp. 170-213) WEEK 7 Tuesday, 17 February 2015 Southwest Asia and North Africa I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 7 (pp. 214-249) 3 PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS Thursday, 19 February 2015 Southwest Asia and North Africa II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 7 (pp. 214-249) WEEK 8 Tuesday, 24 February 2015 Midterm Review Thursday, 26 February 2015 MIDTERM EXAM WEEK 8 Tuesday, 3 March 2015 Europe I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 8 (pp. 250-289) Thursday, 5 March 2015 Europe II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 8 (pp. 250-289) WEEK 9 Tuesday, 10 March 2015 The Russian Domain I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 9 (pp. 290-325) Thursday, 12 March 2015 The Russian Domain II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 9 (pp. 290-325) WEEK 10 Tuesday, 17 March 2015 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK Thursday, 19 March 2015 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK WEEK 11 Tuesday, 24 March 2015 Central Asia I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 10 (pp. 326-353) Thursday, 26 March 2015 Central Asia II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 10 (pp. 326-353) WEEK 12 Tuesday, 31 March 2015 East Asia I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 11 (pp. 354-389) Thursday, 2 April 2015 East Asia II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 11 (pp. 354-389) WEEK 13 Tuesday, 7 April 2015 South Asia I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 12 (pp. 390-423) 4 PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS Thursday, 9 April 2015 South Asia II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 12 (pp. 390-423) WEEK 14 Tuesday, 14 April 2015 Southeast Asia I READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 13 (pp. 424-459) Thursday, 16 April 2015 Southeast Asia II READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 13 (pp. 424-459) WEEK 15 Tuesday, 21 April 2015 Australia and Oceania READ: Rowntree et.al., ch. 14 (pp. 460-495) Thursday, 23 April 2015 Final Review WEEK 16 Tuesday, 28 April 2015 FINAL EXAM 5
© Copyright 2024 ExpyDoc
