Syllabus World Regional Geography West Loop Fall 2008
Joella Robinson
West Loop Campus
Fall Semester 2008
Course Syllabus
Geography 1303
CRN# 57340
Days: Tuesday and Thursday s
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM
Office Hours: 12:30-1:30 PM Class Days, anytime by appointment, and you may consult with me before or after any class period.
Phone: 281-580-6182 (home office)
E-Mail: mailto:joella.robinson@hccs.edu
Books: Text: Text: "Concepts & Regions in Geography", de Bliij, Muller, 3rd edition, Wiley Set includes Text, Atlas and Base Map Set (Set is cheaper than text alone!) Set includes Text, Atlas and Base Map Set, (At HCCS Bookstores), ISBN# 9780470195246 deBlij / Concepts 3e w/ Atlas, WP & HCC Maps SET, Text Alone, ISBN 978-0-470-04681-4,
Books – HCC books can be purchased at all HCC bookstores and The College Bookstore.
Bookstore Links
Wiley Publishing Link - E Book
Course Content: Study of major world regions with emphasis on prevailing conditions and developments. Including emerging conditions and trends, and awareness of diversity of ideas and practices to be found in these regions. Core Curriculum Course.
Course Goals
· To identify the causes and implications of the globalization of the economy.
· To understand the differential impact of technology on global environments.
· To analyze global communications across traditional borders and their impact on global social movements.
· To comprehend global stratification and the roles of pre-industrial, industrial, and post-industrial societies in the world system.
· To appreciate the ramifications of shifting geopolitical borders.
· To document global demographic trends, i.e. population growth, size and composition, migration patterns, and indigenous populations.
· Documentation of indigenous societies, their response to change, political addressment, land claims, and embracement of history and cultural values sometimes in collision with majorities; the impact of colonization, and globalization, on indigenous populations also provides more holistic coverage.
· To enhance the knowledge of cultural trends regarding social institutions, i.e. religion family.
Course Structure
Absences: Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. It is a student’s responsibility to attend class, and obtain any missed material due to absence. A student wishing to receive a W for the semester must withdraw from the course by 11/06/2008 (4:30PM). Failing to do so will result in a failing grade in the course. To complete withdrawal you may be required to visit a college campus.
Textbook: You have an excellent textbook. Use it! Please understand this book is important to you, it contains the hard information you will need for this course. However, remember, you are responsible for the text material. No attempt will be made to cover every detail of the text in class.
Evaluation: There will be three tests and a final this semester. The tests will include multiple choice, short answer, place name, and atlas questions. Each test will cover assigned readings, lectures, discussions, films, and other activities covered in that particular unit of the course. Your lowest exam grade, (excluding the final), will be dropped at the end of the semester. If you miss one of the first three exams, you will receive a zero, and that will be the lowest grade dropped during grade tabulation. In the event that all exams are taken and your lowest exam grade is the final, all exams are averaged together for 75% of your grade. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. These exams will count for 75% of your grade.
Grading: The standard college policy is followed for all grades: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (below 60). Please note that cheating, plagiarism, and collusion will result in a failing grade for the course. This policy will be enforced for all examinations and assignments. (See the student handbook page 27 for further details on H.C.C. policy.) What is plagiarism? (From Turniitin.com)
Classroom Disruptions: In an attempt to protect, the classroom learning environment excessive noise must be minimized. Please turn all beepers and cellular phones off during class time. Disruptive behavior by students will result in temporary or permanent class expulsion as deemed appropriate by the instructor and the dean of instruction. Lap tops may be used for note taking alone, please no web surfing during class.
Special Needs: Any students requiring accommodations please see the instructor. This should be done as soon as possible so appropriate arrangements can be made. "Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, visual, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at their respective college at the beginning of each semester. The faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office." If you have any questions, please contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165 or the Disability Counselor at
Important Notes:
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any
questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Special Notice: Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other
Outside Assignments
Current Events Quizzes: To improve your knowledge base of the world and keep up with international current events, you will be expected to read assigned articles and take quizzes based on the provided readings. You will be provided with instructions and a breakdown of articles to be read. The articles can be found under current event articles and they will correspond with the topics and/or regions you will cover in class. All quizzes will be taken through the Vista quiz feature. Due dates can be found on the course calendar. The quizzes will constitute 20% of your final grade. Acceptance of late work and penalization for late work is subject to the instructor’s discretion.
In Class Assignments
During the course of this semester, we will complete a number of in class activities. These may include pop quizzes, discussion groups, and other activities, which will incorporate you into the learning environment. I hope these activities will support and strengthen the central process of learning and teaching for us. These assignments will count for 5% of your grade. Final Grade Breakdown
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Tests 75% |
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Current Events Quizzes 20% |
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Class Participation 5% |
