Professional Documents
Culture Documents
137 Hawkins Hall Office Hours: 215 Ward Hall TTh 11a.m.-1 p.m. or by appointment Email: jennifer.mapes@plattsburgh.edu
Course objectives
Provide an introduction to a spatial approach to social science, with a focus on describing and interpreting spatial data using maps and charts. Explain where and why human settlements are distributed across the globe; with a focus on patterns of population growth and migratory patterns at the local, national, and international scale. Be able to describe and explain cultural differences and concepts of identity at multiple scales, including patterns of language, religion, ethnicity, and gender. Explain uneven patterns of development across the globe, including economic patterns of agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Provide an introduction to the urban form, including how and why cities develop, and challenges of constructing sustainable human settlements and resource use.
Required text
A. Greiner. Visualizing Human Geography*, Wiley. 2010.
*As an alternative to buying a new copy, this book is available used or digitally for about $50. In addition, I will put a copy on reserve at the library.
Course schedule
Date Jan. 30 Feb. 1 Feb. 3 Feb. 6 Feb. 8 Feb. 10 Feb. 13 Feb. 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 20 Feb. 22 Feb. 24 Feb. 27 Feb. 29 Mar. 2 Mar. 5 Mar. 7 Mar. 9 Mar. 12-16 Mar. 19 Topic Introduction Geographic terms Geographic tools Globalization (Dr. Eastwood) Globalization: Scale (Dr. Higgins) Globalization Population Population Population Migration Migration Geography Conference Geography Conference Review EXAM 1 Culture Cultural Landscapes Language SPRING BREAK Religion Chapter 5 RR Chapter 4 Assignment 1 due (Moodle) Review key terms Study! Chapter 2 (second half) RR Chapter 3 (second half) RR Chapter 3 (first half) RR Chapter 1 First reading response due Chapter 2 (first half) RR Assignment
Date Mar. 21 Mar. 23 Mar. 26 Mar. 28 Mar. 30 Apr. 2 Apr. 4 Apr. 6 Apr. 9 Apr. 11 Apr. 13 Apr. 16 Apr. 18 Apr. 20 Apr. 23 Apr. 25 Apr. 27 Apr. 30 May 2 May 4 May 7 May 9 May 11
Topic Identity Identity Identity Geopolitics Geopolitics Geopolitics Review EXAM 2 Development Development Economic sectors Agriculture Agriculture Manufacturing Manufacturing Services Services Urban Patterns Urban Patterns Environment Environment Sustainable Cities Conclusions & Review 3
Assignment Chapter 6
Chapter 8 RR
Chapter 12 Assignment 3 due & RR Reading link available on Moodle Review key terms
Course assessment
Attendance (5 percent) Attendance is taken at the start of class. Unexcused tardiness or early departures will affect your grade. You can miss three classes unexcused without it affecting your grade. Participation (5 percent) Zero participation earns zero percent. Daily participation (answering and asking questions) earns 5 percent. An alternative is post a question or response in the class forums on Moodle. They type of question or response required for full credit is described in guidelines on Moodle. Reading responses (15 percent) weekly, online Reading questions will be posted on Moodle one week before they are due. Responses must be posted on Moodle by Monday at 9 a.m. You must submit 9 out of the 11 questions assigned (and you can submit all 11). The first question is required, to allow you to get used to using the Moodle system. It will be due by the end of the first week of classes (Friday, midnight.). Exams (3 x15 percent= 45 percent) March 2, April 6, and TBA (final exam period) The three exams will not be cumulative. They will include multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. Expect maps and photos from class to show up on the exam. Keywords, provided before the in-class review session, will provide guidance for the exam, but you should focus on concepts and connections as well. Assignments (3 x 10 percent=30 percent) Feb. 27, March 30, and May 7: online Assignments will be provided online and in class at least two weeks in advance. They will consist of an activity that allows you to apply what youve learned on a global scale to the human geography of Plattsburgh, and a short essay that will describe and analyze this geography. Note: Online submissions are due on Moodle at 11:59 p.m. on the date listed. Late submissions will be reduced by a letter grade per day. Technological problems that are not university server-based are not acceptable excuses for late papers. Medical or family emergencies must be documented.