Tentative Syllabus

 

GEOG 100: Introduction to Geography

University of Maryland, College Park

Winter Session, 2008 – M,T,W,Th 12:30-4:00pm

 

Instructor: Richard A. Russo             

Office: 2136 Lefrak Hall                                 

Phone: 301-405-2451                                                            

Email: rarusso [at] umd.edu                                      

 

 

Course Description & Objectives

 

Geography is an academic discipline that connects the natural and social sciences.  Traditionally, introductory college geography courses are taught from either a thematic (ex: physical, economic, cultural, political) or a regional (ex: Europe, Latin America, Asia) perspective.  This course takes the thematic approach

You have chosen this course as part of your CORE Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies Program, the general education portion of your degree program. A faculty and student committee approved this CORE Distributive course because it promises to involve you actively in the learning process.  This is primarily achieved by active participation in classroom discussion and group activities. The course includes time to engage in active learning with fellow students using data sources and major concepts associated with the field of geography. 

The objective of this course is to make you aware of the importance of a geographic perspective in understanding the human condition.  Major topics associated with the subfields in geography will be introduced while exploring the impacts of the environment, cul­ture, and location on human affairs (and human impacts on the environment). 

The Winter Term schedule provides for an intensive learning experience with each class period dedicated to a sub-field of geography. As a general rule, each class period will consist of lecture and audio-visual materials, a discussion period, and an in-class exercise.  The reality of winter session courses is that you will be eating & breathing this course for three weeks!  If you accept that reality, you should find this course a meaningful learning experience.

 

Required Course Materials

 

The course will employ reading materials from the assigned textbook.  I also expect that you will be following world and national events.  Though I prefer the BBC News website because it is mostly free from advertisements, the Washington Post or the New York Times are also good sources.

 

Introduction to Geography: People, Places and the Environment, 4th Edition.  Bergman and Renwick.  Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008.   ISBN: 0-13-223899-3

 

Goode’s World Atlas, 21st Edition.  ISBN: 0-13-612824-6

 

Geog 100 Student Course Packet (available at Reckord Armory Copy Center, Room 0127)

 

Course Requirements

 

There will be 4 graded components to the course, which will be outlined below.  One component that is necessary, but not graded, is reading the textbook.  My suggestion is to start a chapter by looking up the definitions of the key terms listed at the end of the chapter and writing them down in a notebook.  Then skim the chapter, but reading in-depth the sections that contain these key terms, taking notes. 

 

Tests (3 tests, 40 points each = 120 points)

 

There will be 3 short tests during this course.  The tests will consist of objective questions and will test your understanding of key terms in each chapter and basic geographic literacy (see Geographic Literacy List at the end of the syllabus)

 

In-class activities (10 activities, 10 points each = 100 points)

 

There will be 10 in-class activities which will be completed in groups.  These activities will involve the application of course concepts in solving problems.

 

Essay Responses (2 essays, 10 points each = 20 points)

 

There will be two take-home essay assignments which will require you to reflect on the connection between course concepts and “real world” events.  Essays should be typed and should follow the rules of standard written English – in other words, spelling and grammar count!  Essay topics will be given out during class.

 

Map Quiz  (10 points)

 

See the final page of this syllabus for the list of countries and features which you will need to locate on a world map.

 

 

 

 

Grade scale (non-negotiable)

 

A =       225 to 250 points

B =      200 to 224 points

C =      175 to 199 points

D =      150 to 174 points

F =       0 to 149 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Course Schedule

 

Wed, 2 Jan                  Introduction to Geography, Maps (Chapter 1)

 

Thu, 3 Jan                   Earth Systems – Earth Processes and Landforms (Chapter 3)

 

Mon, 7 Jan                   Map Quiz

Earth Systems – Atmosphere (Chapter 2)

 

Tue, 8 Jan                   Earth Systems – Ecological Systems (Chapter 4)

 

Wed, 9 Jan                  Test # 1

                                    Population & Migration (Chapter 5)

 

Thu, 10 Jan                 Cities & Urbanization (Chapter 10)

 

Mon, 14 Jan                 Essay Response #1

Cultural Geography (Chapters 6 & 7)

 

Tue, 15 Jan                 Test # 2

                                    Political Geography (Chapter 11)

 

Wed, 16 Jan                Economic Geography (Chapter 12)

 

Thu, 17 Jan                 Agricultural & Natural Resource Geography (Chapters 8 & 9)

 

Mon, 21 Jan                 No classes – M.L. King Holiday

 

Tue, 22 Jan                 Test #3 and Essay Response #2