GOG 2433
Section 4520
World Regional Geography


Instructor: Michael Pool
Office Hours:
Pinnacle 413
T 9:30-10:30
Office Phone: 223-8105
Home: 280-7654 (no calls after 10:00 p.m.)
E-mail: mpool@austin.cc.tx.us
Copy of syllabus: http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/pool/4520.htm
Classes start Aug. 24

Aug. 27

Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Test 1 Sept. 17

Sept. 22

Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Test 2 Oct. 15

Oct. 20

Oct. 27 Nov. 9 Test 3 Nov. 12

Nov. 17

Last Day to Withdraw Nov. 20

Nov. 24

Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 26-29

Extracredit Due Dec. 1

Dec. 3

Test 4 Dec. 10 (mandatory)

Study Guide Due Dec. 10

Texts

de Blij, H.J. and Peter O. Muller (1998) Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts, Eight Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York.

Muller, Peter O. and Elizabeth Muller Hames. (1997) Study Guide for Geography: Regions, and Concepts, Eighth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York.

Recommended: Espenshade, Jr., Edward B. (1995) Goode’s World Atlas, 19th Edition. Rand McNally & Company.

Course Description

This course will introduce you to the breadth and depth of the discipline of geography. It is designed to view the globe and its human/cultural diversity from a perspective that explores human landscape patterns and uses that are produced by continental, historic, and economic regions of the world. From large-scale realms to the small-scale patterns produced by families, towns and cities within large regions, this course provides the student with a spatial perspective of human lifestyles as adaptations to local and global economic development.

Course Objectives

This course is designed to develop an understanding of the character of various regions as influenced by environmental, historical, and cultural forces. Emphasis is given to thinking geographically in the study of man/land relationships and place formation. Lecture themes will include: You should also end the semester by knowing how to locate each country and main physical features of the regions that we study.

Grading

Exams (20% each): There will be four multiple-choice tests. You can drop the lowest grade of the first three tests; if you miss a test, that will be the dropped test. Test 4 is mandatory but not comprehensive.

Study Guide (20%): Your grade will be based on completing the Map Exercises and Practice Examinations (except essay questions) for each chapter in the study guide, including the Introduction.

Participation (20%): This part of your grade is based on your attendance and participation in class discussion. If you attend all the classes but do not ask or answer questions or take part in the discussion, you will get a B. All tests count for attendance. A higher grade will be based on the degree to which you participate and are prepared. Basically, I will increase the attendance grade by a letter grade for those who participate on a consistent basis. At the end of the semester, I will review for the class those people getting the participation increase and solicit input. Mainly I will want the class to point out those individuals they feel deserve the grade increase that did not get it.

Attendance Grade Guidelines:

B: 6 or fewer absences
C: 7-8 absences
D: 9-11 absences
F: >11 absences

Policies

1. Two points will be deducted from your grade for each calendar day an assignment is late after its due date. Points will be deducted until a maximum grade of 70 can be earned; points will not be deducted below a grade of 70. After Dec. 10, a score of zero will be recorded. The Study Guide must be handed in by Dec. 10 or a score of 0 will be recorded.

2. The Study Guide may handed in either by giving it to me in class, by giving it to me during my office hours, or by placing it in my mail box after getting a date stamp.

3. It is not my policy to drop students; it is the student's responsibility to drop the class.

4. Students are responsible for informing me when they show up for class after roll is called.

5. Incompletes are discouraged and will only be given for extenuating circumstances. Time conflicts and poor time management are not acceptable reasons; ACC has a very liberal drop policy you can use in these circumstances.

6. In cases of scholastic dishonesty (cheating) and after meeting with the student or notifying the student of the reasons for believing scholastic dishonesty occurred, a grade of 0 will be recorded for any work determined by the instructor to result from an act of scholastic dishonesty. The Dean of Student Services will be notified of the incident and the academic penalty and will determine if any further disciplinary penalty will be assessed. The student can accept the penalty or dispute in writing to the Dean, within five (5) College class days (excluding weekends) of the student's receipt of written notice of the academic penalty assessed, either the facts of the offense or the academic penalty assessed. The student is referred to the ACC Student Handbook for further details.

Extracredit

Book Review

You will receive up to 15 points added to your final grade for writing a 5 page review of a geography book that you select and the instructor approves. An A on the review will get 15 points, a B 10 points, and a C 5 points. You will be quaranteed at least a C if you meet the following guidelines:

Tape Viewing Locations

Tapes of the video series The Power of Place are available at the following locations: Round Rock Public Library; ACC Libraries/LRS (Cypress Creek, Eastridge, Northridge, Rio Grande, Riverside, Pinnacle).
 

If you have any comments or questions about this Web page, please contact Michael Pool at
512-223-3385

Anthropology Department
Last Updated 9/25/98

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