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Dr. Jennifer Mapes MWF 9 a.m.-9:50 a.m.

137 Hawkins Hall Office Hours: 215 Ward Hall TTh 11a.m.-1 p.m. or by appointment Email: jennifer.mapes@plattsburgh.edu

GEG 121: Human Geography


Human Geography is an introduction to the spatial patterns and processes of human activity on Earth. This course examines how humans understand and interact with our home: the organization of settlements and economies, the diffusion of culture, interaction between politics and identity, and the environmental consequences of our activities. Geography is an inherently interdisciplinary field, with a spatial viewpoint that weaves together history, political science, sociology, and environmental studies. In particular, our focus is on the connections between the global and the local seeking to better understand the challenges of sustainability, political conflict, and globalization. This course provides an overview of global topics and a better understanding of the significance of global change in your own life.

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

RR Chapter 7 Assignment 2 due (Moodle)

Review key terms Study! Chapter 9 RR

Chapter 10 (Types of Industry only) Chapter 11 RR

Chapter 10 (sections on Manufacturing) RR Chapter 10 (section on Services)

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.

College Honor Code


It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the College Catalog. This is your first and final warning against plagiarism and other forms of cheating. If you plagiarize, you will not have an opportunity to redo the work, will be reported to the University, and may fail the class.

Electronic communication policy


The best way to communicate with me is always in person. See me before or after class, or during my office hours, or by appointment. My emails I will post non-pressing announcements on Moodle and discuss them in class. Any timesensitive announcements will be sent to your school address. If you are having trouble accessing your school address, please let me know. Otherwise, I will expect you to receive my message during regular business hours. Similarly, I will check my email during business hours (M-F 8 am to 5 pm), but rarely check , my school email nights and weekends. Please do not expect an immediate response. If I have not responded to your email within 48 hours, a polite reminder email is fine. Your emails Please send emails from an address associated with your real name. Yahoo, Hotmail, and Gmail accounts may not be recognizable as student emails and may be ignored. Follow proper email etiquette. This includes an informative subject line, a salutation (Dear Professor Mapes, or Dear Dr. Mapes, or just Professor Mapes,), your full name, and what class you are in. I do not answer questions that are answered on the syllabus (such as, What did I miss? or What are your office hours? or Where is your office?). Please check there first! Feel free to send me an email explaining why you missed class, but unless something was due that day you do not need to do this or provide documentation. Similarly, I will not describe what you missed since this information has already been provided. Moodle Announcements may be posted to Moodle, but will also be made in class. If you miss class, check Moodles announcements and read through the class Powerpoint for that day. Powerpoints will be posted on Moodle.

Student Support Services


If you qualify for extended time testing or other services that are conducted through the office of Student Support Services, please contact their office well before the first exam or quiz.

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