Student’s Guide (Foreword / Some Important Notes)

Human political and cultural geography is such a broad field of study that it is
nearly impossible to categorize the multitude of topics it covers. Headwords about
geography can be presented into four major categories (subfields): economic, urban,
political, social and cultural geography (however the branches of geographic theory
and history, and cartography are left out in these courses). The courses focus on
politics, people and culture in the World. Cultural indicators, political and
landscape signs etc.

These courses are on duty under the department of “General Education” that means
world geography has to be presented clearly and evidently to the students from all
academic branches. Therefore, the courses deal with social, political and cultural
aspects (outward appearances) of the World & people, -not content geographical
theory and arguements. Attendants can easily reach the awareness of the world
political and cultural geography.

Here is the answer group of your possible first questions on your mind:

1. Is “attending” the virtual class time compulsory (a must)? Do I have to log in

every virtual class time and watch your presentation every week?

Answer: In the university system, the class attendance requirement is 70 percent,

that is, you have to be in 9 of 13 weeks. This is a general rule. I don’t
take/check/count your lecture listening (being present) frequency as attendance.
Following these speeches (topic presentations) at the virtual time is up to your

choice. University is a teaching place for adults, not adolescents; as a teacher, I

cannot impose or follow on learners about their presence. I can only recommend that
you listen live during class time is more efficient.

2. Does your course (GE 229) have any “attendance score”?

Answer: I do not award (evaluate) any points (grade) for listening/following to the
lecture. (I never count them.) You will get only “Quiz grade/point” for your active
participating to the “e-study/Quiz” on April 21 at your virtual class hour. (20% points
for 5 questions)

3. Will any certain book be followed for this course? Is there a specific book
you recommend?

Answer: No, it is not necessary. The encyclopedic book called Geographica is the
main source I refer, but it is not the textbook of this course. Do not take it in vain for
this lesson unless you have extreme curiosity.

4. Will you give the main long text of your speeches?

Answer: No. However, I write/rewrite the text of the lesson independently as the time
comes. There are briefs and question sets in which I present the basic information
and concepts you need. The written texts (as files) in the Weekly Content are
enough. No need to worry. Elective course will not have as much load as the branch
basic course.

5. Will there be any questions other than “the question sets below chapter
text” in the exams?

Answer: Although most of them come out of the set of questions, of course there will
be a few questions from what I have written and from what I have spoken.

6. How do you plan/conduct the GE 229 online virtual class?

Answer: During the class hour, I try to explain chapter (topic/subject) with visual
slides of figures, pictures, maps about topic besides talking stream (speech). It is
great for you to focus on tracking my speech. My lesson hours are planned one after
the other, so I have to present the subject in a limited time (app. 35 min.) I have to
talk one topic every week; I can't miss or delay the explanation. If I am unable to
present the subject due to an illness or extraordinary trip, I will announce to you in
advance that there will be no lecture, and give you the full text of the subject that has
been left behind without explaining.

7. Will you ask “questions” or do “a surprise quiz” during the class-hour for
checking us?

Answer: Never. “Asking students questions” and “quizzing” are unnecessary control
method for a limited time and in mass elective course. The questions that individuals
raise with various curiosity may not be of interest to everyone, I do not want the
limited time to run out. I have an e-mail address (aysun.tokatlioglu@bilgi.edu.tr) for
personal curiosity questions. The session of this course is not the time for
conversation.

8. Do you think to explain “verbal or written Turkish summary” of the

chapters?

Answer: I don’t think to explain verbal Turkish summary of the subject at the end.
There are many international students in these sections, it is not possible to speak or
translate into Turkish. It is possible for me to explain and state some concepts and
terms in Turkish. I have a full raw text in Turkish; I cannot publish (or share) in any
digital network because it is not prepared acc. to the academic reference-referring
rules. The summary in English I have placed in the weekly content will be
sufficient/satisfactory for you.

9. The major exams (midterm and final) of the semester: 40-question tests (+ They
have 40+40 percent weight). They are very clear. Well, what kind of a quiz is the
20 percent weighted e-study, excluding exams, can you give us some more
information?

Answer: It is planned on the calendar (look: syllabus program) 5-question quiz under
the label of e-study on April 21. (Some of you skip/forget that date, don’t neglect it.)

You have a half hour for 5 surprised test questions. You are free in every way to find
the answer. The answer to each is usually one word; or multiple choice. Its score
(point/grade) with a weight of 20 percent, in other words 4 real points for each correct
answer. I evaluate your active participation score with 5-question e-study.