Geography 150 – World Geography
Patrick Kahn, M.A.
California State University, Northridge
Spring 2009
(11931) Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
SH 108
Instructor Information:
Email: patrick.kahn@csun.edu
Office: SH 130-T
Office Hours: Thursday 11-12
Phone: (818)677-4715
Website: www.csun.edu/~pjk77863
Pre/Co-Requisite:
None.
Course Description:
A geographical survey of the world's major regions with emphasis on those features important to an understanding
of current global concerns and problems. (Available for General Education, Social Sciences.)
Course Objectives:
Through this course, students will become familiar with the basic terms and concepts used by geographers studying
human settlements worldwide. By studying the varying cultures and lifestyles worldwide, students will be able to
understand concepts of regions, landscapes, nationalism, and globalization. The regional approach used in this
course will help the student understand the relationship between humans and their environment. Students will gain a
solid understanding of globalization, its effects worldwide, and how it affects diversity. By the end of the course,
students should be better informed world citizens and future travelers.
Required Text:
Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff (2008). Globalization & Diversity: Geography of a Changing World
Course Requirements:
The first requirement is to attend each and every meeting. While attendance will not be taken, attendance is
necessary to your success in this class, and any other class you take in college. There will be three exams and five
assignments. Information covered on each will be taken from both readings and class lectures, hence frequent
attendance will be necessary for success.
Grading System:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final exam
Assignments/Quizzes
Total
100 pts
100 pts
100 pts
50 pts
350 pts= 100%
The following percentages will be used in assigning grades:
A 93-100%
C 73-76%
A- 90-92%
C- 70-72%
B+ 87-89%
D+ 67-69%
B 83-86%
D 63-66%
B- 80-82%
D- 60-62%
C+ 77-79%
F < 60%
Exams:
Each major exam will cover approximately one-third of the course.
Bring a Scantron (Form 882-ES) to each quiz and examination. Examinations may include multiple choice, true-false, and
matching questions
Material covered on exams: Anything discussed or presented in class and all readings. This includes current events that
may be discussed and video presentations.
Assignments/Quizzes:
There will be a combination of five assignments and quizzes. Any missed assignments/quizzes will receive a score of zero.
There will be no make-ups – no exceptions.
Classroom Procedures and Conduct:
1. Email: Please check your CSUN email for any communication.
2. Notes: Obtain the name and phone number of a classmate so that you may obtain notes and class announcements if you
are unable to attend class.
3. Website: Class notes and PowerPoint presentations are NOT available on a website. They are also NOT available from
the instructor. Please do not ask for them.
4. Manners: During lecture, do not enter class late or leave early. Please be polite and considerate of others.
• Do not leave the classroom during an examination. Leaving the classroom terminates the exam.
5. Policies on electronic devices:
• Calculations during an exam may be performed with a regular calculator only: not cell phones or other PDAs.
• Please do not use electronic devices inappropriately during class (no text messaging, watching movies, etc.).
• Laptops are allowed for note-taking ONLY
• Please turn off your cell phones before entering class
6. Grading:
Score for a missed examination or quiz is zero.
• There are NO makeup exams given unless extenuating circumstances arise. In this case, sufficient notice and evidence
must be presented to me to qualify for a make-up.
• There is no extra credit.
• Grading will be based on the plus-minus system.
• Incompletes may be assigned only to those who request them and have completed a substantial portion of the course (e.g.,
2 midterms) and are passing the class.
7. Class success:
a. Attend all classes.
b. Read your text thoroughly at least twice for each section and before class!
c. Consider using outside resources: there are some very good university and governmental web sites.
d. Ask questions in class and stay involved: don’t get behind in any sections, as the information builds over time
8. Plagiarism:
Cal State Northridge has a no tolerance policy on plagiarism, as do I. Please keep in mind that this is an academic
crime, punishable by anything from a fail on the assignment, a fail in the course, to expulsion from the university.
Remember, just as it does not pay to break the law, it does not pay to plagiarize. You are cheating, and stealing from the
original author. In many cases, it takes more time to commit this crime than to put in an honest effort.
Course Outline
(This is strictly a guideline and is subject to change)
WEEK
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
January 20, 22
Introduction, Globalization & Diversity
Ch. 1
January 27, 29
Ch. 1
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Ch.4
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 5
February 24, 26
Globalization & Diversity
North America
North America
Latin America
Latin America
Caribbean
Caribbean
Exam #1
Sub-Saharan Africa
March 3, 5
North Africa and Southwest Asia
Ch. 7
March 10, 12
Africa
“Michael Palin Pole to Pole: Africa”
Europe
Ch. 7
March 24, 26
AAG Conference – No Class Tuesday
“Michael Palin Pole to Pole: Europe”
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
March 31, April 2
Cesar Chavez Day – No Class
Russia
Ch. 9
April 7, 9
Spring Break – No Class
April 14, 16
East Asia
Exam #2
Ch. 11
April 21, 23
Ch. 12
April 28, 30
South Asia
Map Projects Due
Southeast Asia
May 5, 7
Australia & Oceania
Ch. 14
May 14
Final Exam, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
STUDY!!
February 3, 5
February 10, 12
February 17, 19
March 17, 19
Learning Outcomes and Assessment
Goal I: Knowledge
Ch. 6
Ch. 8
Ch. 13
Students will identify and define key terms and concepts central to the discipline of geography and
important to the study of the world. The general goal of this course is to produce students who will become
knowledgeable world citizens, capable decision makers, and life-long learning.
Students will be able to define and explain key terms such as region, landscape, diffusion, globalization,
development, nationalism, etc.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: exams and exercises
Students will be able to identify on a map important physical, political, and cultural features.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: exams and exercises
Students will be able to recognize, list, and describe key ideas, facts, and spatial conditions in the following
categories: language, ethnicity, religion, politics, economics, demographics, and culture.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: exams and exercises
Goal II: Acquiring Knowledge
Students will develop skills for acquiring new knowledge.
Students will take comprehensive lecture notes during class.
Students will read supplementary material referenced in class.
Students will study from their notes daily or at a minimum, weekly.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Goal III: Problem Solving Skills
Students will demonstrate problem solving skills and analyze non-textual messages in the landscape and
from maps, graphics, etc.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Students will apply abstract concepts, such as urban primacy, dependency theory, sustainability, and
supranationalism to real-world locations.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Students will evaluate, compare, and contrast opposing views on subject matter contained in the course as it
is debated within and beyond the academy.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Students will compare the similarities and differences between and among various culture and ethnic
groups.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Students will explain one or more current social, cultural, political or economic issues by spatially informed
logic.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Students will explain selected interactions between and among culture, economics, politics, physical
geography, and ethnicity.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises
Goal IV: Communicating Knowledge
Students will communicate the knowledge they have gained by using words, numbers, maps, and other
graphic devices. Students will effectively communicate ideas and opinions using textual communication.
 Assessment/Evaluation tool: class participation, exams and exercises