GEOG 150: World Regional Geography

Fall, 2012

Class hours: Tuesday and Friday 12:45-2:00 p.m.
Class location: HN510
Professor: Hongmian Gong
Office and phone: HN1050, 212-772-4658
Office hours: Tuesday 2:00-3:00 p.m., or by appointment.

Email: gong@hunter.cuny.edu
Web page: http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~hgong

Department office and phone: HN1006, 212-772-5265

Course Description and Learning Outcomes

This course surveys the modern world's major regions and their physical and human characteristics from a geographic perspective.  An emphasis is placed on how a major region is similar to and different from other major regions.

Students will learn the regional approach and some basic concepts in geography and apply them to understand eight major regions in the world.  Each major region will be discussed with different emphases such as post-industrial economy and population mobility in North America, false urbanization in South America, oil and territorial conflict in North Africa/Southwest Asia, and population pressure and economic growth in East Asia.  Meanwhile, some common indicators (such as income per capita and urbanization level) are provided in each region for cross-region comparisons.  The course will prepare students to take advanced courses in geography, especially advanced regional geography courses. 

Students are expected to learn to think spatially and connect an issue in a place to its geography.  The knowledge learned about major regions of the world will help students to understand differences and avoid conflicts with people from a difference region or cultural background.

Required Textbook

H. J. de Blij, P. O. Muller, and A. WinklerPrins, The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography. John Wiley & Sons, 5th (or 6th) edition, 2011. ISBN 978-0-470-64638-0 (paperback) or ISBN 978-0-470-91203-4 (E-Book).

Course Evaluation

Grade will be based on the following Criteria:

Exam 1, Friday, September 28 (date is subject to change)

25%

Exam 2, Tuesday, October 23 (date is subject to change)

25%

Exam 3, Tuesday, November 20 (date is subject to change)

25%

Exam 4, Friday, December 21 (11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.), HN510

25%

1. Students are strongly advised not to miss any exam.  If a student has to miss one of the first three exams, a make-up exam will be available at the end of the semester: Friday, December 21, right after Exam 4, in HN510.  The make-up exam will be comprehensive, covering all chapters tested in the first three exams.  It will be entirely in essay format.  No student is allowed more than one make-up exam.

2. Since all exams (except the make-up exam) will be computer graded, students must bring a #2 pencil and an eraser to each exam.  Students are responsible for correctly filling in an answer sheet.  No dictionary or electronic device of any kind is permitted during an exam.

3. One-question "pop-up" quiz may be occasionally given for students to earn bonus points and to show attendance.  A correct answer in each "pop-up" quiz earns 2 bonus points, which will be added to the score of the subsequent exam.  No make-up quiz is allowed.

4. Class attendance is mandatory.  Missing more than three classes in a semester, regardless the reasons, will adversely affect your grade.  Students are responsible for obtaining any information presented in class during an absence.

5. No incomplete (IN) is given as a grade unless it is under the most extraordinary, and documented, circumstances.  To request IN as a grade, you must contact the instructor on the final exam date and complete a Contract to Resolve Incomplete Grades.

Schedule

Topics

Reading Assignments

Introduction

Introduction

Europe

Chapter 1

Russia

Chapter 2 (map only)

------------ Exam 1 ------------

 

North America

Chapter 3

Middle America

Chapter 4 (map only)

South America

Chapter 5

------------ Exam 2 ------------

 

Subsaharan Africa

Chapter 6 (map only)

North Africa/Southwest Asia

Chapter 7

South Asia

Chapter 8

------------ Exam 3 ------------

 

East Asia

Chapter 9

Southeast Asia

Chapter 10

The Austral Realm

Chapter 11

------------ Exam 4 ------------

 

Notes on Schedule

August 28 (Tuesday): First class for this course.

September 14 (Friday): Last day to drop the class without a grade of "W".

September 18 (Tuesday): No classes scheduled at Hunter College.

September 25 (Tuesday): No classes scheduled at Hunter College.

October 9 (Tuesday): Last day to drop the class with the grade of "W".

November 23 (Friday): College is closed for Thanksgiving.

December 14 (Friday): Last class for this course.

How to Use Blackboard to Access Your Grades and Course Information

1. Follow instructions on http://bb.hunter.cuny.edu to access Blackboard;

2. To view your grades, click My Grades, and then click GEOG 15000 001: World Regional Geog;

3. To access course announcements, click GEOG 15000 001: World Regional Geog, and then click Announcements on the left.

4. To access course documents, click GEOG 15000 001: World Regional Geog, and then click Course Information on the left.

5. When you are done, click “Logout” at the top to exit your account, and then close the Internet browser.  

Email Policy

Students should check the Announcements section in Blackboard and the course syllabus before emailing the instructor.  Content of the emails is limited to what has not been covered and cannot be covered in class or during office hours.  Emails are generally replied within one business day and no later than two business days.

Hunter College Policy on Academic Integrity

Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty.  The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.

 

ADA Policy

In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical, and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY, located in Room E1214B, to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please call: (212) 772- 4857 or (212) 650-3230.

Syllabus Change Policy

Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) criteria, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.  Any changes made to the syllabus will be announced in the class and/or posted in Blackboard under Announcements.