Fall 2014 (CRN 19805) Lecture: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10-10:45am in Lecture Center E101 Each student is also assigned one discussion section per week
Updated August 5, 2014 Instructor: Kimberly P. Garza Email: kgarza4@uic.edu Emails will be returned within 24-48 hours. Office: BSB 2110C Office hours: MW: 11:00 am - Noon; or by appointment.
To ensure that your email does not end up in my or your TAs junk email, please use this on the subject line: Last name, Geog 151. If you ask a question that is easily answered by reviewing the syllabus, you will receive an answer of Please see the syllabus.
Teaching Assistants: Katerina Psimogiannou Kevin Suemnicht Office Location: BSB 3107
Course Summary The purpose of a geography course is to learn where places are located on the earths surface and why. In a human geography course, we are not only looking at the places, but also at how people, cultures, cities, buildings, industries and agricultural practices shape and change the world. Additionally, we will look at how the migrations of people and the diffusion of cultural traits and ideas impact the world in which we live.
Maps are more than a spatial perspective of the world. Maps are used to portray the distinctive character of places; their relationship to environmental issues; the movement of people, goods, and ideas; and regions of various types. As a part of this course, we will also use maps as a part of our learning about the world.
This course also uses video, film, popular media and newspapers to get to know the people and places we examine in the best way possible.
GOALS: On successful completion of the course, students will have developed skills enabling them to: Use and think about maps and spatial data. Maps and spatial data are fundamental to the discipline of geography. Students will learn how to use maps and spatial data to pose GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 2 and solve problems, to analyze spatial information, and to think critically about what is revealed in different types of maps. Understand and interpret the implications of associations among occurrences in places. Students will learn not just to recognize and interpret spatial patterns but to assess the nature and significance of the relationships among phenomena that occur in the same place, and to understand how tastes and values, political regulations, and economic constraints work together to create types of cultural landscapes. Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes. Geographical analysis requires a sensitivity to scale as a framework for understanding how events and processes at different scales influence one another. Students should understand that phenomena they are studying at the local scale may well be influenced by developments regionally, nationally, or globally. Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process. Geography is concerned not simply with describing patterns but with analyzing how they came about and what they mean. Students should be seeing regions as objects of analysis and exploration and move beyond simply locating and describing regions to consider how and why they come into being and what they reveal about the changing character of the world in which we live. Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places. At the heart of a geographical perspective is a concern with the ways in which events and processes operating in one place can influence those operating in other places. Students should view places and patterns not in isolation but in terms of their spatial and functional relationship with other places and patterns.
Textbook Required: 1. Rubenstein, James M. Contemporary Human Geography. 2 nd edition Prentice Hall (Pearson), 2013. ISBN: 013387916X 2. Online access to the Mastering Geography website (included in purchase of the book or can be purchased independently. 3. Other readings will be made available via Blackboard *Purchase of a new textbook includes access to the Mastering Geography website which is required. **Access to the website can be purchased separately for $38.50 through the Pearson website accessible via Blackboard.
Earning Your Grade If you receive a grade below 70% on any assignment, you are required to meet with your TA. Your grade will be determined by the total number of points out of 600 that you earn for yourself in six major categories.
GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 3 Grade Components Points Date Discussion Participation 104 (8pts per week) Weekly Online Map Quizzes 216 (18 pts. per 12 weeks) Weekly Globalization Assignment 20 September 17 Exam 1 50 October 3 Exam 2 50 October 31 Exam 3 50 December 5 Family Migration Project 50 November 12 Total 540 Total possible points: 540 (A: 540-490 / B: 489-435 / C: 434-380 / D: 379-325 / F: 324 and below) *Note that Exams constitute less than half of your grade: you need to do well in discussion and on the online portion to do well in this course!* 1. Discussion Participation (104 points): Your TA will take attendance and track participation in discussion sections. You will receive up to 8 points per week for participating in discussion, including turning in assignments. Each week you will be responsible for turning in a response paper of one page or less on the readings for the week. This paper will cover three points: a. Yes! What is one point the author(s) made with which you agree? Why? b. No! What is one point the author(s) made with which you disagree? Why? c. Hmmmm! What is one point the author(s) made that makes you think? Why? If you miss more than one discussion, your attendance grade will be negatively affected (be wise: reserve your free absence for personal or medical emergencies). If you have zero absences for the semester, you will receive two extra points for participation. 2. Globalization Assignment (20 points) Due September 17 in lecture: To better understand how small our world really is you will be completing a short assignment to contextualize the concepts we will be talking about this semester. Details of the assignment are on Blackboard. This assignment is due in hard copy at the end of lecture on September 17. No electronic copies will be accepted. 3. Map Quizzes (216 points): This is a geography class and therefore important that you become familiar with the places of the world and where these places are located around the globe. Therefore, each week (starting with Week 3) you will be responsible for taking two quizzes online by going to masteringgeography.com. 4. Exams (150 points) Three (50 question) exams (multiple choice, matching, map labelling, true/false) will cover material from lecture, discussion, videos, and assignments. a. Wording on exams will not be identical to the material presented, so you will need to learn conceptually. While simple memorization is necessary, it will probably not be enough for the exams. GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 4 b. Exams are open note and open book, but due to time constraints you will need to know the material to do well on the exams. c. Cheating, grade manipulation or someone else taking your exam for you, is absolutely not tolerated. d. There will be no make-ups for quizzes or activities except under the following two conditions: 1. A documented medical or personal emergency or 2. Major religious observances that necessitate absence from class (see Policy 5 below). 5. Family Migration Project (50 points) Due November 12 on Blackboard a. Assignment details are posted on blackboard. b. Your paper must be uploaded to SafeAssign on Blackboard in order to receive grade. c. Your paper must be original work, created by you and not previously used for another class or a previous iteration of this class. Plagiarized work will result in a zero and may result in an F in the class. d. Assignments posted after assigned time will be deducted 5 points per day late. e. Assignments late by four days or more will receive a zero. f. Students who have difficulty with writing are encouraged to consult The Writing Center, Grant Hall 105, 312-412-2206, http://www.uic.edu/depts/engl/writing/
POLICIES 1. Academic Disruption: Academic disruption is defined as Conduct that prevents, limits, creates hazards for, or impairs the teaching, research, public service, community, professional, athletic, organizational, administrative, clinical, academic, and/or ordinary business of students, faculty, and staff. Policies regarding disruption are covered in the University catalogue and the Student Code of Conduct. We will follow these policies. 2. Cultural Etiquette: This course is designed to expose students to the varieties of cultural forms in the world, some of which may contradict ones own beliefs and value systems. This course is not intended to endorse or indoctrinate such ways of life, but only attempts to explore plausible reasons for their existence. It is common to feel uncomfortable when exposed to an aspect of life unfamiliar to ones own, and at times you may disagree with the behaviors of people portrayed. However, we enter this course with a desire to understand and promote communication with people from other cultural backgrounds with the ultimate goal of generating mutual respect. 3. Technology Etiquette: All cell phones and other electronic devices must be stowed for the duration of all class meetings. You should consider yourself unavailable during this time. Text messaging, instant messaging, cell phone use, etc. during class meetings is extremely unprofessional, distracting, and disrespectful to your classmates, your instructor, and your own educational pursuit. Likewise, computers may be used for note taking only. Email, Facebook, games, videos, instant messaging, etc. are prohibited.
4. Lateness & Leaving early: As a courtesy to the instructor and fellow students do not disrupt the class by arriving late or leaving early. Please give advance notice should you need to arrive late or leave early for some reason and does so quietly. 5. Religious Holidays: Students who intend to observe religious holidays, please notify me and your TA by September 5. GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 5 6. Lecture Notes: It is your responsibility to take notes during class and notes will not be provided by me or your TA for any reason. Get to know your peers! 7. Extra Credit: There will be none. You have the opportunity to fix your grade as you go along, be sure to track your performance and get help before it is too late. 8. Syllabus: The syllabus and course outline are tentative. I reserve the right to make changes to all documents. You are responsible for tracking the changes which will be announced at lecture and/or discussion. Documents will be updated accordingly and reposted to Blackboard. 9. For basic logistics of the course: First consult your peers, second contact your TA, and, of course if you are still stuck, I am third in line to help. 10. Grading Philosophy & System: I do not give you a grade, you earn it. Your grade is your responsibility. The only reason to change a grade is if there was a mistake in grading. Any questions about grading must first be provided to your TA in writing (not by email if you send an email, do not expect a reply) within the one week of receiving the grade or the return of your work. If necessary this will be discussed. The following are not legitimate reasons to request a grade change: 1. you need a higher grade or you will fail to graduate, lose a scholarship or lose athletic eligibility, or 2. you are only a point shy of the next higher grade. Each time this argument is accepted then others are just shy as well. 11. Blackboard & Email: Important course information is posted on Blackboard. Check Blackboard daily; this is the primary way for me to communicate with all of you. All emails related to this course must be sent from a UIC email address. All registered UIC students automatically have access to this service. If you have not already created a Net ID and password, you will be instructed to do so when you log at: https://uic.blackboard.com/ 12. Accommodations: Those students who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Disability Resource Center. Any student with a disability documented with the Office of Student Disability Services who may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, should meet with me and your TA privately during the first week of class to discuss accommodations. A letter from the Office of Student Disability Services must accompany your request. It is the students responsibility to contact the Office of Student Disability Services to document disabilities and coordinate reasonable accommodations. The Office of Student Disability Services is located in SSB 1190 (1200 W. Harrison St.) and can be reached by phone at (312) 413-2183, Video Phone (312) 957-4822 or Fax (312) 413-7781. Video Relay Service (312)- 957-4822. The DRC website is: http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/disability_resources/index.html 13. Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty is an offense against the University and instructors are obligated to report any incident to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to): cheating or assisting someone else in academic dishonesty, plagiarism, unauthorized possession of class materials (e.g., tests, reserve materials), and unauthorized changing of one's grade. Students are encouraged to consult their instructor on rules for proper citation, or website sources such as http://www.library.uiuc.edu/learn/handouts/researchprocess.html#citing%20sources.
GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 6 Two excellent sources which define plagiarism and how to avoid it may be found at: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml and http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/.
Students are also strongly encouraged to review UIC's Guidelines on Academic Integrity at: http://www.vcsa.uic.edu/MainSite/departments/dean_of_students/Our+Services/Student+Judi cial+Affairs.htm.
Important Dates Date Labor Day No Lecture or Discussion September 1 Last Day to Drop without a W Also last day to notify TA of religious holiday observation September 5 Globalization Assignment September 17 Exam 1 October 3 Exam 2 October 31 Family Migration Project November 12 No Discussions November 24-28 Thanksgiving No Lecture November 28 Exam 3 December 5
GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 7 Lecture, Discussion and Homework Schedule
Week 1 I ntroduction August 25-29 Readings: Textbook Chapter 1 In Katrinas Mess, Maps as Good as LifeSavers Dallas Morning News The Great Human Migration Guy Gugliotta
Week 2 Population and Global Health September 1-5 NO CLASS Monday, September 1 for Labor Day Readings: Textbook Chapter 2 Malthus on Population Thomas Malthus Ebolas Deadly Spread in Africa Driven by Public Health Failures, Cultural Beliefs National Geographic 2014
Week 3 Migration September 8-12 Geographic Focus: North America Online Quizzes: North America Place Names and Migration Readings: Textbook Chapter 3 What Were Getting Wrong About the Migration Debate CNN 2014 TBD
Week 4 Culture September 15-19 Geographic Focus: Latin America Online Quizzes: Latin America Place Names and Encountering Folk and Popular Places Readings: Textbook Chapter 4 In 2000 years, Will the World Remember Disney or Plato? Christian Science Monitor 2004 Prime Directive For the Last Americans Claudio Angelo 2007 You are What You Tweet The New Yorker 2014
Week 5 Language September 22-26 Geographic Focus: The Caribbean Online Quizzes: Caribbean Place Names and Global Language Patterns Readings: Textbook Chapter 5 Excerpts from Wisdom Sits in Places Keith Basso 1996 Protecting the Heritage Languages of T&T Trinidad Express Newspaper 2014
GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 8 Week 6 Religion September 29-October 3 Geographic Focus: Sub-Saharan Africa Online Quizzes: Sub-Saharan Africa Place Names and Religion World Patterns Readings: Textbook Chapter 6 Dangerous Liaisons Jeff Sharlet A New Generation Confronts the Culture War and Shrugs Daniel Cox NO LECTURE, Friday, October 3 EXAM ONE Available online Friday at 8am Sunday 11:59pm
Week 7 Ethnicity October 6-10 Geographic Focus: The Russian Domain Online Quizzes: Russian Domain Place Names and Ethnic Nationalism Readings: Textbook Chapter 7 Heritage Reclaimed Stephen Kinzer 2010 What is Race?, Sorting People, and Me, My Race and I activities on the website: Race: The Power of an Illusion http://www.pbs.org/race/
Week 8: Political Geography October 13-17 Geographic Focus: Europe Online Quizzes: Europe Place Names and Thinking Spatially and Data Analysis - Europe Readings: Textbook Chapter 8 Mapping the Future of Countries Parag Khanna 2009 Human Cargo Carolyn Nordstrom 2007
Week 9 Progress and Development October 20-24 Geographic Focus: Southwest Asia and North Africa Online Quizzes: Southwest Asia and North Africa Place Names and Health Readings: Textbook Chapter 9 Explore El Monte Museum site - http://americanhistory.si.edu/sweatshops/elmonte/elmonte.htm How Fair Trade Went From a Crazy Coffee Concept to a Global Sustainability Trend Catherine Clifford 2014
Week 10 Progress and Development October 27-31 Geographic Focus: Central Asia Online Quizzes: Central Asia Place Names and Development Indicators Movie and Discussion: Black Gold Readings: Finish Chapter 9 and Study for Exam NO LECTURE, Friday, October 31 EXAM TWO Available online Friday at 8am Sunday 11:59pm
GEOG 151: Introduction to Cultural Geography Fall 2014 Syllabus
Updated August 5, 2014 9 Week 11 Agriculture November 3-7 Geographic Focus: East Asia Online Quizzes: East Asia Place Names and Population Distribution and Agriculture Readings: Textbook Chapter 10 Teach Every Child About Food Jamie Oliver Ted Talk http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver Why We Will Need Genetically Modified Foods David Rotman 2013 Genetic Engineering and the Privatization of Seeds Mittal and Rosset 2001
Week 12 I ndustry November 10-14 Geographic Focus: South Asia Online Quizzes: South Asia Place Names and the Spatial Evolution of Industry Readings: Textbook Chapter 11 Great Wal-Mart of China Keith Naughton 2006 The Book of Jobs Joseph E. Stiglitz 2012 Assignment: FAMILY MIGRATION PROJECT DUE ON BLACKBOARD BY 11:59PM, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 12.
Week 13 Cities and Urban Patterns November 17-21 Geographic Focus: Southeast Asia Online Quizzes: Southeast Asia Place Names and Megacities Readings: Textbook Chapter 12 and 13 Video: Good Fortune PBS Newshour - http://film.economist.com/film/good-fortune Gentrification and its Discontents: Notes from New Orleans Richard Campanela 2013
Week 14 Resources November 24-28 Geographic Focus: Australia and Oceania Online Quizzes: Australia and Oceania Place Names and Global Fresh Water Sources Readings: Textbook Chapter 14 Flow: For the Love of Water Discussion and Screening NO DISCUSSION SECTIONS THIS WEEK and NO LECTURE November 28 Happy Thanksgiving!
Week 15 The Geography of Bliss December 1-5 Readings: Forthcoming NO LECTURE, Friday, December 5 EXAM THREE Available online Friday at 8am Sunday 11:59pm