Geog 102:
Regional
Geography
Syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed as an overview of regional geography
at a global scale. It will begin with a discussion of geography as a discipline
and geographical concepts. The course will then be divided into sections based
on world regions. Each regional section will include a descriptive overview of
geography and a map quiz. Students should have a better general understanding
of world regional geography at the end of the term. This course is taught from
a critical perspective, which is one where student’s preconceived
notions of the world will be challenged.
This is
not a course in political correctness. Both I and your fellow students will
have opinions you may not agree with, however, I demand a polite and
non-threatening environment be maintained at all times.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Bradshaw,
White, and Dymond. 2004. Contemporary World Regional
Geography: Global Connections, Local Voices, McGraw-Hill:
ISBN: 007-426527-x
The atlas and student art
notebook packaged with the textbook.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are expected to attend
all lectures and take all map quizzes and exams. Attendance is not taken,
but is strongly encouraged.
Do check you MIX e-mail
regularly for announcements.
DO switch cell phones off.
Do not read the
newspaper in class.
Do not sleep in class.
STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMS AND
QUIZZES
In order to reduce the stress
of test-taking in this course, I have distributed your points over a much
broader number of evaluations.
The QUIZZES are 25 questions @ 1 point each. There
will be about 12 map questions and about 13 textbook questions on the quiz.
Your lowest TWO quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the semester.
The EXAMS consist of 50 multiple choice questions @ 2
points each. These questions are only on class notes, not the textbook or
maps. Your lowest exam grade
will be dropped.
The final
exam is not comprehensive.
POINTS
BREAKDOWN Grading scale
1st Exam = 100 points 90%-100% = A
2nd Exam = 100 points 80% - 89% = B
3rd Exam = 100 points 70% - 79% = C
Final
Exam = 100 points 60%
- 69% = D
Quizzes (6 @ 25 points )
= 150 pts <
60% = F
__________________________
Subtotal = 550
Subtract 2 dropped quizzes @
50 pts
Subtract 1 dropped exam @100
pts
__________________________
Total course points = 400
Exam Make-Ups
1) You must alert me within 24
hours after
missing an exam in person, email, or phone.
Failure to do so will lead to the
denial of a make-up.
2) If you miss a scheduled exam for
any reason, you are required to write an essay exam. You will be
given four “long-essay” style questions. You will be given up to
three hours for this task.
3) You must take the make-up within
five working days of the originally scheduled exam. Failure to do so will
result in a score of zero (0).
Quiz Make-Ups
THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS ON QUIZZES, however, you get to drop your
lowest TWO grades.
THIS INCLUDES WVU sponsored field trips, deaths in
family, illness, and any other excuse with the exception of PRT failure.
In the event of a PRT failure, a mass make-up will be given after confirmation
with the PRT office. What does this mean? It means you shouldn’t skip
quizzes
unless absolutely necessary.
WHAT DO I STUDY?
Quizzes = Study the maps (on the website) and
read the chapters assigned in the book.
EXAMS = The only
thing you need to study for exams are LECTURE NOTES
Social Justice Policy
If you are a person with a disability
and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in
this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangement with disability
services (293-6700).
