GEO 2303 Regional Geography of the World Summer 2015 B1 Online Department of History and Geography College of Liberal Arts

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1 GEO 2303 Regional Geography of the World Summer 2015 B1 Online Department of History and Geography College of Liberal Arts Meeting Time: Arranged (CRN 36300; 36301) Classroom: Online Professor: Dr. Brad Watkins Online Office Office: Liberal Arts Building 204C Hours: Use to contact instructor. Phone: COURSE DESCRIPTION Regional Geography of the World is a study of the world s major regions. Each region s physical, cultural, and politico-economic characteristics are reviewed. Region-wide cooperation patterns are discussed and compared. Most major countries in the region are introduced with emphasis on related current issues. No prerequisites OBJECTIVES In order to pass this course, you must demonstrate at least minimal proficiency in the following geographic concepts. Of course, greater levels of proficiency will result in a better grade. You will be able to: Define the dual nature of the geographic perspective (i.e., descriptive and analytical); Discuss the importance of maps and GIS as tools of the geographer; Describe the basic processes of physical geography, including endogenic (i.e., plate tectonics) and exogenic processes (erosion and deposition), basic weather and climate mechanisms, and global vegetation patterns; Describe the importance of the crude birth rate, crude death rate, natural increase rate, doubling time, the demographic transition model, and population pyramids as tools for studying global population; Describe the major physical and human characteristics of the world regions discussed in class; TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the University of Central Oklahoma, we are guided by the mission of helping students learn by providing transformative experiences so that they may become productive, creative, ethical

2 and engaged citizens and leaders contributing to the intellectual, cultural, economic and social advancement of the communities they serve. Transformative learning is a holistic process that places students at the center of their own active and reflective learning experiences. A student s major field is central to the learning experience and is a vital part of the Central Six. This course addresses two of the university s transformative learning goals. Discipline Knowledge through the survey of the world s regions using principles of physical and cultural geography as a framework with a focus on interrelationships among regions. Global and Cultural Competencies by engaging students in discussions that require multiple perspectives and cultural understanding and sensitivity while acknowledging the differences/similarities among the world s regions. ONLINE ETIQUETTE Please respect the online learning environment of students and the professor. I encourage lively discussions in the Discussion Posts, but derogatory comments, negativity, and poor attitudes will not be tolerated and will be considered disruptive behavior. If you engage in these disruptive activities, I will remove your post. If you commit multiple violations of the state policy disciplinary action will be initiated as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. LATE WORK POLICY I will not accept late assignments. DESIRE2LEARN It is your responsibility to check Desire2Learn frequently for announcements, learning modules, study guides, and assignments. Modules will be released Mondays at 9:00 a.m.. Discussion post/journals will be posted Mondays at 9:00 a.m. and be due the following Monday at 9:00 a.m.. Map quizzes are due Mondays at 9:00 a.m. following the week they are assigned. Note: the fourth map quiz and fourth Discussion/Journal are due the last day of class at 9:00 a.m.. COMMUNICATION Communication in very important in an online course. I won t know you are having trouble with an assignment until I have graded it, and then it will be too late. Don t let this happen. If you have questions about an assignment, then send me an . I will conduct office hours via . There is no set time that you have to ask a question. 2

3 REQUIRED BOOK Diversity Amid Glbalization: World Regions, Environment, Development by Lester Rowntree, Martin Lewis, Marie Price and William Wyckoff 6 th Edition, 2015 COURSE REQUIREMENTS Textbook Readings It is your responsibility to complete the required reading assignment for each week as listed on the last page of the syllabus. Content Topics It is your responsibility to go through each content topic in Desire2Learn and complete the readings in each. You are required to complete outside readings linked to certain topics. Required discussion posts are listed at the beginning of certain topics. Map Quizzes You will have four map quizzes during the course, each due the Monday following the week it is assigned. The Quizzes will be over a world region. Quizzes will be map identification with multiple choice answers. Each quiz will be 5 minutes in length. The quiz will cover the physical/political map at the beginning of each chapter. A map quiz study guide will be provided the Monday the quiz is assigned. You are not allowed to use any materials during the quiz. Journal Entries There are required journal entries in the course. Writing is an important component in University Core courses, so you are required to complete a well-written, properly cited, on topic assignment. Cite sources using the Chicago Manual of Style, author-date format with parenthetical citations. Journal Entry: You post your answer to the question for that week that only the instructor will read. You will not reply to another students post (since you cannot read them). Source materials used in Journal entries must be fully cited. GRADE SCALE Assessment Points Each Points Map Quiz (4) Journal (4) Total Points 800 A = points B = points C = points D = points F = 475 and below 3

4 ACCOMODATIONS ADA Statement: The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their request by contacting Disability Support Services at SYLLABUS ATTACHMENT 4

5 COURSE OUTLINE/ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES Week* Topic Reading Assignment 1 (June 1-8) Orientation Module Module 1: Concepts of World Geography Ch 1 Module 2: The Changing Global Environment Ch 2 Module 3: North America Ch 3 Module 4: Latin America Ch 4 Journal Due Monday (June 8) at 9:00 a.m. Map Quiz 1 (Latin America) Due Monday (June 8) at 9:00 a.m. 2 (June 8-15) Module 5: The Caribbean Ch 5 Module 6: Sub-Saharan Africa Ch 6 Module 7: Southwest Asia and North Africa Ch 7 Module 8: Europe Ch 8 Journal Due Monday (June 15) at 9:00 a.m. Map Quiz 2 (Sub-Saharan Africa) Due Monday (June 15) at 9:00 a.m. 3 (June 15-22) Module 9: The Russian Domain Ch 9 Module 10: Central Asia Ch 10 Module 11: East Asia Ch 11 Module 12: South Asia Ch 12 Journal Due Monday (June 22) at 9:00 a.m. Map Quiz 3 (The Russian Domain) Due Monday (June 22) at 9:00 a.m. 4 (June 22-26) Module 13: Southeast Asia Ch 13 Module 14: Australia and Oceania Ch 14 Journal Due Friday (June 26) at 9:00 a.m. Map Quiz 4 (Southeast Asia) Due Friday (June 26) at 9:00 a.m. *Weeks run from each Monday at 9:00 am to the following Monday at 9:00 am except for the final week of class, which ends Friday, June 26 th. 5