Geographic Traditions -- Geography 450

Term 6, 2004 (June 29 to August 22, 2004), Tom Haskell, Instructor.

Phone: (w) 712-328-0788 or 800-798-0788; (h) emergencies: 402-391-7966

WEB URL: http://hometown.aol.com/haskelloma/index.htm

E-mail: work <haskellt@bvu.edu>

Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M; 1:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Tu, Wed, Th; 9:15 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Fridays

Course Description:

The National Council for Geographic Education and the Association of American Geographers identified five major themes that describe humankind's relationship with Earth: Location, Place, Human-Environment Interactions, Movement, and Regions (see illustration below). In short, geography is a study of the planet's features and cultural adaptation to the environment. We will also take a look at the National Standards – an outgrowth of the Goals 2000 project (p. 17 in text).

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England - Photo by Tom Haskell

Text and Internet Resources:

Getis, Arthur; Getis, Judith; and Fellman, Jerome. Introduction to Geography. 9th Edition. (Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill, 2004). For additional text information refer to the McGraw-Hill Web Site: http://www.mhhe.com/getis9e Instructions should be on the card inside the front cover of your text.

Pitzl, Gerald R., ed. Annual Editions, Geography 04/05, 20th Edition. (Sluice Dock, Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill, 2004) http://www.dushkin.com Click on Book Support and follow the directions for some fantastic links and study guides.

Outline Maps. <http://geography.about.com/education/geography/msub37.htm> or try <http://www.Google.com> Search Engine and enter the words "outline maps".

Other Internet Resources that will be helpful include (note: some of these duplicate ones in your text, but are instructor favorites. Please report “broken links” to the instructor.):

U.S. Geological Survey <http://www.usgs.gov/>

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration <http://www.noaa.gov/>

Environmental Protection Agency <http://www.epa.gov/>

U.S. Census Bureau <http://www.census.gov/>

Current Events Satellite Views <http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Current/>

Geography Alliance Iowa <http://www.uni.edu/gai/index.html>

Terra Server <http://terraserver.microsoft.com/>

TopoZone - The Web's Topographic Map <http://topozone.com/>

MapQuest : Driving Directions, Maps <http://www.mapquest.com/>

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture <http://www.usda.gov/>

U.S. Forest Service <http://www.fs.fed.us/>

National Park Service <http://www.nps.gov/>

Information Please for Geography <http://infoplease.com/ipa/A0001765.htm>

Earth Map -- Light & Dark <http://www.fourmilab.ch/cgi-bin/uncgi/Earth/action?opt=-p>

Continental Drift Simulation <http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html>

Iowa geology and geography < http://www.lib.iastate.edu/services1/ref/geoggeol.html >

Environmental Issues and Remote Sensing < http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/earthshots/slow/tableofcontents>

Internet sites for individual chapters in the text are available on-line at the text site listed above (previous page). Annual Editions has a listing at pp. xiii-xv and some great supporting links at the text site listed above (previous page).

In addition to the text and supplemental materials there may be pamphlets or handouts assigned for class use or limited homework.

COURSE GOALS:

Learners will...

1. Familiarize themselves with geographical terms and humanity's attempts to adapt to varying geographical environments.

2. Explore various geographical themes through readings and class discussion.

3. Research and present findings concerning the geographical terms and issues identified in Annual Editions and/or Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11.

4. Write reflective article reviews about various geographical themes in the Annual Editions book and/or instructor selected "thought pieces."

5. Appreciate the contributions and theories of geographers as aids in the study of complex geographical (and geological) processes.

6. Recognize and explain the underlying causes of geophysical changes in geography as well as those changes caused by human intervention.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

The instructor reserves the right to modify the dates and schedules. Please advise instructor if you find date discrepancies within the syllabus.

1. Attendance and Participation (10%). See grading section for further detail. Unexcused absences are those for which the instructor was not informed in advance and for which no make-up work was submitted. Sharing information is important in this class. If you do not attend, you cannot share. Make-up work consists of a 2-page paper related to a topic missed in class. Last day to accept make-up work is 8-19-04 by the beginning of class. You are responsible for the material you have missed. Some in-class activities by their nature cannot be reconstructed outside of class.

2. Quizzes (10%). Three short quizzes will be administered during the course to ascertain reading and classroom comprehension. (Tentatively scheduled for 7/13, 7/29, & 8/12.)

3. Class Activities and Research Paper Synopsis (10%).

a. Pre-Test ungraded (checked but not part of course grade) -- "Where in the World" (One of the first three class sessions).

b. Submission of outline maps with political boundaries (7-20-04; 5 points).

c. Post-Test graded -- "Where in the World" (7-22-04, 3 points possible if the outline maps were submitted by 7-20-04.)

d. Synopsis -- use form that is provided and turn it in no later than 8-3-04 (2 points). Early submission of this form is encouraged (e.g., 7/27 or 7/29). NOTE: If this synopsis is not submitted by due date there is a -3 point penalty.

4. Article reviews from Pitzl text or instructor selected sources. (10%) Two article reviews will be assigned and subject to in-class peer review and instructor review (3 pts. each) and one will be assigned as a take-home assignment due the date of the final -- instructor review (4 pts.). (Schedule for the dates and topics will be assigned. A graded practice review may also be provided. See plagiarism guidelines below.)

5. Midterm Examination (15% Chapters 1-4.). Students must take the midterm examination when scheduled (7-22-04). Bring a blue book or 45 cents.

6. Research paper (20%) and Presentation (5%). A research paper of from eight to ten pages will be prepared. The paper topic will be by "lottery". You may either write about your lottery topic or prepare a book review about a geographical topic (mutually agreed title). In either case you are expected to use at least three sources for your bibliography. Papers can be submitted by 7-29-04 for preliminary “no penalty” grading (students can accept this grade or resubmit their papers on the due date -- only the higher grade counts). Paper due 8-12-04 (keep a copy); Presentations are 8-17-04 (per schedule distributed no later than August 10, 2004).

REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH PAPER:

a. Papers must be typed (includes computer-generated word-processing) and double-spaced (except for longer quotes which are single-spaced).

b. All quotes must have a corresponding footnote or endnote identifying the source(s). PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE FOR THE PAPER. If you have four or more words in succession from a source, you need to use quotation marks and have a corresponding footnote or endnote.

c. All research papers should have title pages and bibliographies. Use a good style manual and include all necessary information.

d. Excessive spelling errors, grammatical errors, typographical mistakes, or generally poor syntax will result in lower grades for papers. Late papers will receive point deductions.

7. Final Examination (20%). Students must take the final examination when scheduled. Bring a blue book. (8-19-04, Covers entire class -- Chapters 1 through 13, selected topics from Annual Editions, and classroom presentations.).

READING ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS TOPICS:

Note: All chapters in the text will be read. Papers and presentations will be based upon topics in Chapters 8-11. All students should read these chapters before 8-19-04 however these chapters will not be discussed in the same manner as the others in class. In the text you will find study questions and terms at the end of each chapter -- these constitute an excellent review. [AE = Annual Editions Text]. Instructor reserves the right to change this schedule as conditions might warrant. If you find internal inconsistencies with due dates inform the instructor.

June 29, 2004 - Introduction to the course and syllabus. Four geographical traditions, five geographical themes, and 18 standards. Drawing for paper topics. Pre-Test, "Where in the World." [Topics and pre-test administered during one of the first three class sessions.] (Chapter 1 and AE 1, 2, 3 .)

July 1, 2004; July 6 and 8, 2004 - Maps. Latitude and Longitude; Legends; Scales; Projections; and Remote Sensing, Aerial Photography, and Satellite Imagery. Class projects will include outline maps and exercises related to map reading. (Chapter 2 and Outline maps from the internet and AE 28-34 ) NOTES: Class will begin at 8:30 p.m. on July 1, 2004 -- Proficiency Tests at 7:30 p.m. The Buena Vista Office will be closed on July 5, 2004.

July 13, 2004 and July 15, 2004 - QUIZ #1 on July 13th (Chapters 1 & 2). Physical Geography concepts, Geologic Time, Earth Materials, Tectonic Forces, Gradational Processes, Erosional Agents, & Deposition. (Chapter 3.)

July 20, 2004 - Physical Geography concepts: Weather, Climate, Temperature Factors, and Climate Types. Turn in outline maps. (Chapter 4. and AE 9 - 11.)

July 22, 2004 - Midterm Examination (Chapters 1 - 4). Bring a Blue Book. "Where in the World?" Post-Test.

NOTE: Review the room assignment sheet for the last possible date to drop this course or to change the grading system.

July 27, 2004 - The Human Impact on the Environment. (Chapter 5 and AE 7, 8, 12, and 15).

July 29, 2004 - QUIZ# 2 (Chapters 3-5), Population Geography. Topics include birth & death rates, relocation, density, and population projections. (Chapter 6 and AE 27, 35, and 40) First draft of research paper is due for those wishing to take advantage of this option.

August 3 and 5, 2004 – Complete activities related to Chapter 5 and 6 and start Cultural Geography. Topics include Cultural Diversity, Language, Religion, and Ethnicity. Schedule of Class Presentations will be distributed (Chapter 7). Political Geography topics include characteristics of States, boundaries, cohesiveness, nationalism, alliances, and fragmentation. (Chapter 8 -- partial) Synopsis is due 8/3 (credit only for those submitted on or before this date).

August 10, 2004 - Urban Geography. Topics include World Urban Diversity, Central Places concept, Urban influence zones, and suburbanization. (Chapter 12, and AE 13 and 23).

REMEMBER THAT CHAPTERS 8-11 ARE COVERED DIFFERENTLY. READ THEM PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATIONS. CONCEPTS FROM THESE CHAPTERS WILL BE INCLUDED ON THE FINAL EXAMINATION.

August 12, 2004 - QUIZ #3 (Chapters 6-8, and 12) The Regional Concept (Chapter 13). Papers are due (keep a copy for yourself). Start of Class Presentations (see schedule).

August 17, 2004 - Class Presentations (see schedule).

August 19, 2004 - Final Examination (Chapters 1-13, AE Readings, & Presentations). Class evaluations.

GRADING SCALE:

A = 92 - 100 PNC OPTION

B = 84 - 91 P = 70 - 100 (Pass)

C = 75 - 83 NC = Below 70 (No Credit)

D = 65 - 74

F = Below 65

GRADING METHOD:

June 2004 -- Selection of Paper Topic

1. Attendance and Participation (10%) _____ (0 - 10)

10 = Excellent participation; no unexcused absences; contributes to the class; asks pertinent questions; obviously familiar with the reading assignments.

9 = Very good participation and adequate on all other criteria.

8 = Good participation and adequate on all other criteria.

6 = Fair participation and adequate on most other criteria.

3 = Poor participation.

0 = No participation.

Deductions (if any): _____. -1 for first unexcused absence; -3 for two unexcused
absences; -7 for three unexcused absences; -10 for four or more unexcused absences.

2. Quizzes (10%) _____ (0 - 10)

_____ (0 - 5) First Quiz. (Chapters 1 & 2)

_____ (0 - 5) Second Quiz. (Chapters 3-5)

_____ (0 - 5) Third Quiz. (Chapters 6-8, 12)

TOTAL SCORE _____ (0 - 15) x 2/3

3. Class Activities and Research Paper Synopsis (10%) _____ (0 - 10)

_____ (0 - 5) Outline maps with political boundaries.

_____ (0 - 3) Post-Test -- "Where in the World"

_____ (-3 - 2) Synopsis (8-3-04, or earlier). Penalty for not completing this
assignment by the due date is -3 points.

4. Article Reviews from Pitzl or Instructor. (10%) _____ (0 - 10)

_____ (0 - 3) First Review (tba).

_____ (0 - 3) Second Review (tba).

_____ (0 - 4) Third Review (take home) due on date of final examination.

5. Midterm (15%) _____ (0 - 15)

_____ (0 - 30) Identification Items (5 pts. ea.)

_____ (0 - 40) Essay

_____ (0 - 30) Objective Section.

TOTAL SCORE _____ (0 - 100) x 15%

6. Research Paper (20%) & Presentation (5%) _____ (0 - 25)

_____ (0 - 20) Mechanics (Grammar, spelling, & appropriate format).

_____ (0 - 10) Complete title page, footnotes or endnotes, and appropriate bibliography.

_____ (0 - 70) Content. (Accurate and coherent narration.)

PAPER SCORE _____ (0 - 100) x 20% = _____ (0 - 20) + _____ (0 - 5) PRESENTATION.

7. Final Examination (20%) Last Class Session _____ (0 - 20)

_____ (0 - 30) Identification Items (5 pts. ea.)

_____ (0 - 40) Essay

_____ (0 - 30) Objective Section

TOTAL SCORE _____ (0 - 100) x 20%

TOTAL FOR THE ABOVE ITEMS (#1 THROUGH #7) _____ (0 - 100) COURSE GRADE: _____