GEO 210 – CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY – 40H
“People & the Land: Introduction to Cultural Geography”

TNCC – FALL 2012

Instructor: Larry Snider – Phone: (757) 850-4912
E-mail: sniderl@tncc.edu (school); Skimmerva@aol.com (home) Office Hours: 4:30-5:30 p.m. M (Rm 947 Templin Hall), 6-7 p.m. T (Rm 131A Diggs Hall), 5:00-5:30 p.m. W (Rm 947 Templin Hall) and by appointment

INTRODUCTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION: (from VCCS Master Course file): Focuses on the relationship between culture and geography. Presents a survey of modern demographics, landscape modification, material and non-material culture, language, race and ethnicity, religion, politics, and economic activities. Introduces the student to types and uses of maps.

COURSE CONTENT: Cultural geography entails the study of spatial variations among cultural groups and the spatial functioning of society. The course provides an introduction to the manner in which humans have modified the world, emphasizing patterns of migration, livelihoods of man, and environments in which these modifications have taken place and continue to occur. It focuses on describing and analyzing the ways population, religion, language, ethnicity and race, political factors, economy, agriculture, industry, the urban setting, and other cultural phenomena vary or remain constant from one place to another. The framework of geographic location of significant countries, regions, and physical features is also addressed in order to provide the necessary context in which the spatial aspects of cultural geography may be understood.

MATERIALS:
Texts: Domash, Mona at al., The Human Mosaic: A Cultural Approach to Human Geography, 12th edition, NY: Freeman, 2013

Oxford International Student Atlas, 2007

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course students will be able to: 1) Understand key cultural themes including: region, mobility (diffusion), globalization (integration), nature-culture (ecology), and cultural landscapes 2) Understand dynamic trends in geodemography including population distribution, density, and forces contributing to population change in major areas of the world, and the resultant impact on the environment 3) Analyze basic precepts of the world’s major religions, their spatial scope, and relate to other ethnic/cultural aspects and how these have created hostility between different groups 4) Identify major linguistic families and their associated geographic regions and relate how the physical setting affects vocabulary 5) Understand factors determining the classification of population segments as ethnic groups and relate their spatial distribution to situations of ethnic strife 6) Explain various concepts regarding political cultural regions and relate these to examples of regional instability, conflict, and supranational organization 7) Identify the distribution of major agricultural regions and understand the integration this activity has upon other aspects of human activity 8) Identify the major categories of economic activity, their general distribution, and their associated environmental impacts 9) Understand the major urban processes of centralization and decentralization and their associated advantages/disadvantages, and current urban settlement trends evidenced in megalopolis, edge cities, “leapfrog development” and gentrification
TOPIC SEQUENCE OF INSTRUCTION:
1. 20 Aug Administration/overview
2. 22 Aug Chapter 1 – Human Geography
3. 27 Aug Chapter 1 – continued
4. 29 Aug Chapter 3 – Population Geography
5. 5 Sept Chapter 3 – continued
6. 10 Sept Chapter 3 – continued
7. 12 Sept Chapter 7 – Religion
8. 17 Sept Chapter 7 – continued
9. 19 Sept Chapter 7 – continued
10. 24 Sept Quiz #1, begin Chapter 4 – Geolinguistics
11. 26 Sept Chapter 4 - continued
12. 1 Oct Chapter 4 – continued
13. 3 Oct Chapter 4 – continued
14. 8 Oct Exam #1
15. 10 Oct Chapter 5 – Ethnic Geography
16. 15 Oct Chapter 5 – continued
17. 17 Oct Chapter 5 – continued
18. 22 Oct Chapter 6 – Political Geography
19. 24 Oct Chapter 6 – continued 25 Oct last day to “withdraw” with a grade of “W”
20. 29 Oct Chapter 6 – continued
21. 31 Oct Chapter 6 – continued
22. 5 Nov Chapter 6 – continued
23. 7 Nov Quiz #2, begin Chapter 9 – Economic Geography
24. 12 Nov Chapter 9 – continued
25. 14 Nov Chapter 9 – continued
26. 19 Nov Chapter 10 – Urbanization
27. 26 Nov Chapter 10 – continued
28. 28 Nov Chapter 11 – Inside the City
29. 3 Dec Chapter 11 – continued
30. 5 Dec Chapter 11 – continued
31. 10 or 12 Dec Exam #2

EVALUATION

The course grade will be based on student performance on exams, quizzes, and a designed project. Exams and quizzes will consist of a combination of multiple choice, matching, true/false, and short essay/response questions, and will cover material from the text, atlas, lectures, videos, and student presentations. Approximate ¼ of each quiz will consist of map identification of selected countries and physical features, as derived from the attached map identification lists. Overall, exams will constitute 50% of the course grade, quizzes 30%, and the project 20%. The following is a general overview of the dates of these graded events.

Quiz #1 15% 24 September Exam #1 25% 8 October Quiz #2 15% 7 November Exam #2 25% 10 or 12 December

Letter grade distribution will be as follows: A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = 59% and below

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Attendance will be taken every class meeting. As most materials on tests will be covered/emphasized during classes, it is to your benefit to attend class regularly. Additionally, a student’s lowest quiz grade may be dropped and not factored in to the computation of the final course grade if no more than two class absences are recorded throughout the course. Students that miss seven or more classes will be dropped from the course.

2. Make-ups. No make-up exams will be given (with the exception of validated medical emergencies), so please be sure you are present for all scheduled exams. You may only make-up one quiz.

3. Active participation of all students is expected. Everyone has a unique perspective and background that will contribute to class discussions.

4. You are expected to read the text assignment before coming to class and to stay informed of world events.

5. Projects/assignments/readings are to be presented/completed on time. Ten points will be deducted for each class period that a project is over due.

6. Your quiz, exam, and project grades will be posted on Blackboard. If any changes or announcements are made, you will be notified via email from Blackboard. Please check your grades on this site after I have posted them and make sure the information is correct. You must have an active TNCC email address.

7. Classroom disruption. Please turn off cell phones, pagers prior to the start of class. If for any reason you must leave class early, clear this with me prior to the start of class – otherwise you will be counted as absent. If you arrive late for class, you must contact me at the conclusion of class regarding your arrival – otherwise you will be counted as absent. Any flagrant disruption of class is deemed a violation of the school Honor Code and will be handled accordingly.

8. All policies governing TNCC course proceedings and its Honor Code shall be followed in the class. Plagiarism is a serious offense, and it will not be overlooked. The first violation will be handled directly by the instructor with the issuance of a grade of “F” on that particular assignment. Further incidences of scholastic dishonesty will follow the process as defined in the Student Handbook.

9. Any student with special needs should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who will be taking the course and may need disability-related classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see me as soon as possible. Also, you are requested to stop by the office of Services for Students with Disabilities to register for support services.

10. Students should remain at home if they have symptoms of a contagious disease that may endanger the health of others at Thomas Nelson Community College. Please contact your instructor by phone or email if you suspect you have contracted a contagious disease that causes you to miss more than a day of class. When you are ready to return to class, submit a doctor’s statement or medical clearance that authorizes your return. While away from class, you will be expected to maintain progress in all course requirements.

GEOGRAPHY 210
PROJECT REQUIEMENTS
Every student must complete a semester project by completing one of two options.

OPTION #1 – ORAL REPORTS
In this option, students will select topics from the list below. The student will present an oral presentation (no longer than 10 minutes) on the topic to the class on the date indicated. While the report will be evaluated primarily on the basis of content, every effort should be taken to deliver a presentation that is professional, clear, organized, and concise. These factors will also have a bearing on the grade awarded. The presentation must include a discussion of the main stated topic/theme and comment on the potential/future of the item, if appropriate. On those topics involving a problem, discussion of various opinions, recommendations, and potential solutions should be included.
To accommodate the school’s security concerns, students using PowerPoint presentations should email the presentations to themselves (their TNCC email address), where they can then be accessed at the time of their presentation in class.

The following must also be submitted on the date of the oral presentation: 1. A 1-2 page type written outline of major points discussed in the report 2. A list of references in standard bibliographic form (you are expected to do outside research on the topic and seek at least five sources -- Wikipedia may not be used as a source).

10 SEP

1. Pros and cons of China’s approach to population control.

2. Population control efforts on the Indian subcontinent.

17 SEP

3. The Sudan / Southern Sudan – the background /rationale for a new nation.

4. Islam in Europe – its changing impact on politics and society.

5. Turkey and Saudi Arabia – contrast the relationship between the state and religion.

19 SEP

6. Shia Islam -- relate to contemporary religion & politics.

7. Shiite & Sunni in Iraq – impact on the “new emerging state”.

8. The variations in the status of women in Islam.

9. Mormons – why do some Christians consider them “outside the faith”?

1 Oct

10. Switzerland – the effects of several “official languages”.

11. The US – pro & con for English as the “official language”.

12. Multi-lingual nations – a blessing or curse?

7 OCT

13. Arabic – of growing or diminishing importance in the 21st century?

14. Swahili – its role in East Africa.

15. Afghanistan – language – any effect on national identity?

15 OCT

16. The Uyghurs of northwest China – are they an endangered minority?

17. Mennonite ethnic areas/regions in Virginia.

18. Native Americans in Virginia – ethnic groups – or have they really been fully assimilated?

17 OCT

19. The Lebanese – who are they today?

20. Guatemala – relative importance of the native Indian population in numbers and political influence/power.

21. Nigeria – ethnicity and its impact on the nation.

22. Afghanistan – too much ethnic division to overcome in developing a unified nation?

23. Alawites a threatened minority in a “new” Syria?

29 Oct

24. The Arab League – origin, composition, successes/failures as a single voice.

25. NATO and the “old Warsaw Pact” – rationale for their existence and change/demise.

26. NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe – new members/future prospects/rationale.

27. The UN – successes and failures in international peacekeeping.

28. The European Union – does the current financial crisis mark the beginning of the end?

31 Oct

29. Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District – its makeup, rationale, elimination, pro/con.

30. Colonialism in Africa – any positive aspects?

31. Iceland – characteristics of a homogeneous nation state.

32. The Ukraine – could opposing factions lead to a split?

5 Nov
33. South Ossetia – origins of conflict between Russia and Georgia

34. Background and prospects for newly declared nation of Montenegro

35. Transdniestria – how did it come about and its future?

12 NOV
36. The American Family Farm – its decline – is it needed – can it be saved?

14 NOV

37. Newport News Ship Building – its prospects – effects on the local economy.

38. Oceana NAS – the impact of it’s possible closing on Virginia Beach.

39. Hampton Roads – advantages/disadvantages of multiple cities as opposed to one or two larger cities.

28 NOV

40. Richmond, Portsmouth, or Norfolk (select any one, or more as an example) – has gentrification been a success?

41. How much “green space” should be set aside/preserved from development? (Use Virginia Beach or Newport News as an example)

42. Ft. Monroe – contrast the most recent options with your vision of its optimal use.

43. Hampton downtown redevelopment – cosmetics or a major shot in the arm?

3 DEC

44. BassPro and Hampton – what the city was envisioning as a “destination” store?

45. The new Hampton Town Center – will it bring back shoppers to the area?

46. McArthur Center – a success for downtown Norfolk?

47. Proposals to revitalize the “East End” of Newport News.

OPTION #2 – RESEARCH PAPER
This option entails the writing of a “traditional” 6-8 page research paper. At least five contemporary sources should be used. One of the above topics may be selected or another one that is pertinent to the topics of study in the course. In either case, the student should first discuss/clear the selection of a topic with the instructor. Written reports will be turned in on or before 3 December, 2012.

GEO 210 -- COUNTRIES & FEATURES FOR QUIZ #1:

EUROPE: NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA:
Belgium Argentina
Bosnia Bolivia
Czech Republic Brazil Canada Chile Columbia
Finland Costa Rica
France Cuba
Germany Guatemala
Greece Haiti
Hungary Panama
Iceland Peru
Ireland Venezuela
Italy
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro PYSICAL FEATURES:
Netherlands Appalachian Mts.
Norway Rocky Mts.
Poland Andes Mts.
Romania Mississippi River
Russia St. Lawrence River
Serbia Colorado River
Slovakia Rio Grande
Spain Amazon River
Sweden Gulf of Mexico
Switzerland Greater Antilles
Ukraine Lesser Antilles
United Kingdom

PHYSICAL FEATURES:
Alps
Pyrenees
Urals
Caucasus
Seine River
Rhine River
Danube River
Volga River
North Sea
Baltic Sea
Black Sea
Mediterranean Sea
GEO 210 -- COUNTRIES & FEATURES FOR QUIZ #2:

ASIA: AFRICA:
Azerbaijan Algeria
Georgia Egypt
Armenia Libya
Kazakhstan Nigeria
Uzbekistan Rwanda
Iran The Congo
Iraq Ethiopia
Afghanistan Sudan
Bangladesh Kenya
China Somalia
India Uganda
Japan Angola
Mongolia Madagascar
North & South Korea South Africa
Pakistan Zimbabwe
Sri Lanka Sierra Leone
Burma (Myanmar)
Indonesia PHYSICAL FEATURES:
Malaysia Nile River
New Zealand Congo River
Philippines Zambezi River
Vietnam Atlas Mts.
Cambodia Lake Victoria
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Syria
Turkey

PHYSICAL FEATURES:
Himalayas
Indian Ocean
Red Sea
Caspian Sea
Aral Sea
Lake Baikal
Indus River
Ganges River
Yangtze River (Chang Jiang)
Tigris & Euphrates River