SYLLABUS HANDOUT
for
Spring Quarter – 2011
Course Title:
Introduction to Human Geography
Course Number/Section:
GEOG 1050 – 4A
Instructor:
Victoria Alapo
WELCOME TO METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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SYLLABUS
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SECTION I: THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTOR
COURSE SECTION AND TITLE:
CREDIT HOURS:
QUARTER/ ACADEMIC YEAR:
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:
LOCATION OF CLASS:
LOCATION OF LABS:
GEOG 1050 Section 4A: Introduction to Human Geography
4.5 Hours
Spring 2011
Victoria Alapo
Fort Omaha Campus: Building 10, Room 216
N/A
METHODS OF CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR:
METRO EMAIL:
voalapo@mccneb.edu
METRO OFFICE LOCATION:
FOC, Building 5, Room 203
METRO OFFICE HOURS:
Usually after class or otherwise scheduled
METRO OFFICE PHONE:
402-457-2243
FACULTY WEB SITE:
http://faculty.mccneb.edu/voalapo/
ACADEMIC AREA:
Social Sciences
ACADEMIC DEAN’S PHONE:
738-4545
IMPORTANT DATES:
MEETING DAYS/TIME:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00pm – 5:55pm
DATE CLASS BEGINS:
March 10, 2011
DATE CLASS ENDS:
May 24, 2011
LAST DATE TO DROP CLASS:
May 9, 2011
DATES CLASS DOES NOT MEET:
None
Please check this link for other important college dates: www.mccneb.edu/sos/enrollman.asp
SECTION II: THE COURSE
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with spatial and ecological perspectives on the human occupancy of the
earth. The distinctive cultural landscapes of the earth are examined as the product of different patterns of
social and economic organization applied to different biophysical environments through time. Particular
attention will focus on the role of language, religion, population dynamics, food production, economic and
political organization, natural resource exploitation, and culture history in the creation and modification of
places.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
There are no specific prerequisites for GEOG 1050 but you will find the reading load for the course to be
considerable and the ability to read and comprehend college-level material is essential to a good outcome.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand and explain basic concepts in human geography
2. Use and interpret various types of thematic maps
3. Comprehend the social and cultural processes that create and alter places
4. Understand the subfields of human geography
5. Appreciate the accelerating impact of humankind on the earth’s natural systems.
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REQUIRED & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Rubenstein, James M., 2011, An Introduction to Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape, 10th Edition,
Pearson/ Prentice-Hall Publishers.
SUPPLEMENTAL:
A good world atlas is strongly recommended for general knowledge of countries.
SECTION III: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
CLASS DECORUM:
Your first responsibility in this course (or any other) is to make sure that you have read and
understand the syllabus. The terms outlined in this document will bind both instructor and student for the
coming quarter. Thereafter, your responsibilities, should you wish to succeed in the course, are: to come to
class prepared and on time; to pay attention to lecture and take notes on important points raised therein; to
ask questions when they occur to you and; to do your part to maintain a classroom atmosphere that facilitates
learning for all. This means that you are to avoid behaviors that prevent others from learning and to treat the
diverse viewpoints expressed in class respectfully. Please turn cell phone ringers off or to vibrate and put
pagers on vibrate. If you have an emergency, take the phone or pager out of the classroom to respond.
Using a cell phone in class disrupts the class and shows disrespect for the instructor and your fellow
classmates.
METHODS OF LEARNING:
Textbook, lecture, in-class discussion, in-class activities, videos, written assignments, and exams. Students
will learn in this course by attending class regularly, by participating in lectures, discussions, and activities in
class and by completing any and all assignments in a timely fashion. You will get far more out of the class if
you make an effort to stay current with your reading assignments and come to class prepared to discuss and
ask questions about course material. You will also be well served by reading a quality newspaper or news
weekly during the quarter, and by making an effort to connect course material to what is taking place in the
world around you. Curiosity about the world is a trait shared by all geographers, and it is essential to a
favorable outcome in this course.
TIME DEMANDS:
This is a social science course for which you will be granted 4.5 credit hours (quarter system) that can be
transferred to nearly any college or university nationwide. You should plan on devoting about 4-6 hours per
week to the course beyond time spent in the classroom. Experience shows that persons unwilling to devote
this much time to the class will do poorly.
ATTENDANCE STATEMENT:
Attendance is encouraged because in-class activities, discussions, videos, and exams will take place during
class time and exam material will come from lectures, in-class discussion of the text, activities, and videos,
thus it would be difficult to do well in this course if you do not attend regularly. Note that class attendance is
required for many financial aid programs. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor prior
to, on the day of an absence, or as soon as possible in case of an emergency. Failure to do so is noted
in the instructor’s grade book and this information is utilized when the instructor considers whether or not to
give the student the benefit of the doubt on subjective matters. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all
missed notes, makeup assignments, or materials. If you have a problem and need an accommodation
from the instructor, contact the instructor to work out a solution.
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BONUS POINTS FOR ATTENDANCE:
The following additional credit may also be earned for good attendance:
• Perfect attendance will result in two bonus percentages being added to the final grade.
• One unexcused absence will result in only one percentage being added to the final grade.
• No extra points will be awarded for 2 or more unexcused absences.
An “excused absence” is when a student lets a Professor know they will be absent before class begins.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:
If you cannot participate in and complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central
Registration at 402-457-5231 or 1-800-228-9553. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an
attendance-related failure (FX) or failing (F) grade. The last date to withdraw is noted in the CLASS
IDENTIFICATION section of this syllabus (see “important dates”).
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
Students are reminded that materials they may use as sources for this course may be subject to copyright
protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library webpage at
http://www.mccneb.edu/library or by the College's Copyright Officer. In response to incidents of student
dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a
failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. The
disciplinary procedures are available in Student Services. Any instance of academic dishonesty in this course,
including (but not limited to) cheating on exams or any form of plagiarism, will carry penalties including, but not
limited to, an automatic "F" in the course.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
If you have a disability that may substantially limit your ability to participate in this class, please contact a
Disability Support Services Counselor, located in the Student Services Office on each campus. Metro
Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying
disabilities. However, it is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations. For further information,
please contact the Student Services Office at your campus.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM:
Metropolitan Community College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and learning. You may
be asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For example, you may be asked to respond to surveys or
questionnaires. In other cases, tests or assignments you are required to do for this course may be shared with
faculty and used for assessment purposes. This will be done in accordance with FERPA guidelines.
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND USE OF COLLEGE COMPUTERS:
By using the information technology systems at MCC (including the computer systems and phones) you
acknowledge and consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College
Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your
responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum
may be found at the following website: http://www.mccneb.edu/itprocedures.htm
When using College computers at the computer labs, Learning Centers, Libraries and classrooms, you need
to login with your username and password*. Your username and password are the same whenever you log
into the network (campus computers), SharePoint Services, student e-mail, WebAdvisor and WebCT (if
enrolled in an online or blended course). For other systems (not listed above), your instructor will provide you
with the necessary username and password information.
The Password Center (http://www.mccneb.edu/password) is a new web resource available to all students and
staff. This web site allows you to change (reset) your password even if you don’t know your username and
password, provided the personal information you enter to verify your identity, matches the information the
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College has in it’s database. Verification information consists of student ID number (or the last 5 digits of your
Social Security number), last name, birth date, street address and ZIP Code.
*Note: If you have not logged in before, your initial password is the first initial of your first name (in
UPPERCASE), the first initial of your last name (in lowercase), followed by your student ID number with
leading zeros to make the password 9 characters long. For example, if your name is Chris Doe and your
student ID number is 1234, your initial password will be Cd0001234.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM AREA IDENTIFICATION:
Program Area: Social Sciences
Dean Jane Franklin
Dean’s office phone: 738-4545
The Office of the Dean should be contacted with any questions or problems that you and your instructor are
not able to resolve to your satisfaction.
SECTION IV: INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, demonstrations, discussions, videos, in-class activities, and written assignments will be used. The
student is expected to read assigned material before attending class as this will be part of the discussion and
activity in class.
METHODS OF ASSESSING STUDENT PROGRESS:
Exams, written assignments, in-class activities, in-class participation and projects.
SELECTED TESTING/ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Three (3) exams of 100 points
One (1) written term paper of 100 points
One (1) Syllabus assignment of 10 points
Six (6) homework/class projects of 15 points
Six (6) Articles related to Geography of 10 points each
Total Points Possible:
Total Points:
300 pts
100 pts
10 pts
90 pts
60 pts
560 pts
***I do NOT give or take “extra credit” work. Your syllabus is exhaustive enough. ***
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE:
Your final grade will be determined by the percentage of the total possible points (560) earned on exams, term
paper, homework assignments, in-class projects and articles brought by students.
A = 90% - 100% (504 or more points)
B = 80% - 89% (448-503 points)
C = 70% - 79% (392-447 points)
D = 60% - 69% (336-391 points)
F = below 60% (less than 336 points)
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MAKE-UP TEST PROCEDURES:
Make-up tests and make-up in-class projects will only be given at the instructor’s discretion. It shall be the
student's responsibility to contact me before the test is given or as soon as possible in case of an emergency
to arrange to take a make-up test. Missing a test without an excused absence WILL result in a grade of
zero (0) points.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
Home assignments are due at the beginning of class, the week after they are assigned. Late homework
assignments might be accepted, but will be reduced by 10% for every day that it is late beyond the due
date. Late assignments and papers can be turned in through student services so they can be placed in my
mailbox. Be sure to ask the student services worker to date and time stamp what you are turning in so there
will be no disagreement concerning when you turned in your assignment.
**I do not allow the eating of MEALS during my class. My class is NOT a Cafeteria; therefore,
if you’re hungry, that’s where you need to go. However, small vending snacks are acceptable.
TERM PAPER REQUIREMENTS:
For the term paper, each student will choose one topic of their choice, and will adhere to the following
requirements;
1.
The Term Paper is DUE on the date listed in the Schedule, and it is worth 100 points.
2.
I WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE PAPERS. You have 2 whole MONTHS to write it. Do NOT wait until the last
minute to think of what to write. Otherwise, if you turn it in late (even in the case of emergencies), you will
loose 10% per day, same as 10 POINTS PER DAY (because it is worth 100 points). However, I will accept
early papers.
3.
Your term paper must be typed, and double-spaced. Also, your paper must have a TITLE (what it's about).
4.
You MUST NUMBER YOUR PAGES. This is a scholarly habit you should develop early.
5.
As far as topics are concerned, it can be on ANYTHING geographic but it must be 3 to 6 pages. 3 pages
minimum, 6 maximum pages. Hint: look at your textbook CHAPTER LIST for potential topics. E.g., it could be
about the culture of a place, the population geography of a place, the agricultural (what they grow) or even
medical geography of a place (what kind of diseases they have, etc). Or Gender Geography (what kind of
rights women have there). Or Political Geography (what their political set up is), etc, etc. It has to be about a
specific PLACE, otherwise, it STOPS being Geography. You will be submitting a diversity of article topics
during the term, so that should give you some ideas as well. But still make sure you ask me if you have a
question about a potential topic you have in mind. It could be about any region, country, or continent but it
MUST BE 3 to 6 pages.
6.
MAPS of the PLACE you're describing are a great addition to Geographical discourse; it's not required to
obtain a ‘passing grade’ on the paper, but it might decide what type of a pass you get. In other words, it will
increase your points. Besides, it makes your paper sound/ look more Geographical. Graphs, pictures, and
other items/illustrations (where possible) will also add points. But note the SOURCES of everything you use.
7.
Your paper must have REFERENCES from at LEAST 2 sources, listed in the LAST PAGE of your paper.
Your reference page does NOT count as your 3 minimum pages. Your class textbook and Wikipedia does
not count as part of your 2 minimum sources, but they can be used as an additional reference. Use
library databases.
8.
Do NOT limit yourselves to the internet; BOOKS are great SOURCES of information. GO TO THE LIBRARY
(or at least visit the Library’s Online Databases. Call them if you have questions on how to use it). Book
sources get more points. Also, go to the Library/Writing Center to see how to correctly list a book
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reference. And if you go through the trouble of using a book, quote some portions of it in your
narrative or at least put the name of the author after the sentence or idea you got from the book, so I
can see evidences of it. If you use the internet, I want to see the site listed (http listed). I will check it. I do
occasionally use "TURN IT IN" to check papers; so please, originality is encouraged even when using other
sources. Use your own words, unless when you're quoting facts.
9.
As I said above, if you do use a book, I want you to show evidence of it, by referencing the author and
his/her opinions in the BODY of your essay. State something he/she said. E.g. “according to __________...”
That’s how academic papers are written. I don’t want you just listing a bunch of books at the end of your
paper. You won’t earn any points for it, otherwise.
ARTICLE REQUIREMENTS:
Newspapers all over the country (Omaha Herald, New York Times, etc), magazines (National Geographic, Time
magazine, etc), ALL carry geographical articles. I want you to start THINKING Geographically. In fact, that is why
I am having the class submit articles. In other words, I want you to start seeing GEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS AND
EVENTS in things AROUND YOU (and the world) that you have always taken for granted.
This will also help you when the TIME comes for you to write your TERM PAPER, what you read around the
world will give you IDEAS on what to write about. Besides, it will make you break out of your shell, and learn about
what's going on.
1.
All you need is an article that is GEOGRAPHICAL.
2.
Hint: Look at the list of CHAPTERS in your textbook. If your article FITS ANY of those chapter topics, it is
Geographical; also, it has to relate to a SPECIFIC PLACE when you decide on an article. That is
what makes something "Geographical".
3.
Your article also needs to have the SOURCE and DATE OF PUBLICATION (not the day YOU printed it
out or tore it out of a publication). I want to know how old the information is - otherwise, you will LOOSE
POINTS. The article CANNOT be more than 2 years old.
4.
That is ALL you have to do, other than putting your name on it. If the source and date is torn out,
WRITE THEM ON. You don't have to write anything about the article, just bring it in.
Yes, I know, it's 60 unbelievably easy points, but some people still fail it anyway, because they don't listen to
instructions.
SECTION V: TEACHING SCHEDULE & SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
CLASS
DATE
IN CLASS
3/10/2011
- Thinking Geographically (Ch 1)
3/15/2011
- Thinking Geographically (Ch 1)
- Population (Ch 2) &
3/17/2011
Migration (Ch 3)
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ASSIGNMENTS DUE TODAY
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT
CLASS
- Chapter 1
- Syllabus Assignment
- Syllabus Assignment
- Homework Assignment 1
- Chapter 2
- Homework Assignment 2
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SECTION V: TEACHING SCHEDULE & SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS (Continued):
CLASS
DATE
IN CLASS
3/22/2011
- Population (Ch 2) &
Migration (Ch 3)
- Population (Ch 2) &
3/24/2011
3/29/2011
3/31/2011
Migration (Ch 3)
- Folk and Popular Culture (Ch 4)
- Folk and Popular Culture (Ch 4)
ASSIGNMENTS DUE TODAY
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT
CLASS
- Chapter 3
- Homework Assignment 2
- Article related to Geography (1)
Article related to Geography (1)
-
Chapter 4
-
Article related to
Geography (2)
- Article related to Geography (2)
- Homework Assignment 3
- Homework Assignment 3
- Chapter 4
- Prepare for Exam 1
- Exam 1
4/5/2011
4/7/2011
- Folk and Popular Culture (Ch 4)
- Chapter 5
- Language (Ch 5) &
- Chapters 5 & 7
Ethnicity (Ch 7)
- Language (Ch 5) &
4/12/2011
4/14/2011
Ethnicity (Ch 7)
- Language (Ch 5) &
- Article related to Geography (3)
- Article related to Geography (3)
- Homework Assignment 4
Ethnicity (Ch 7)
4/19/2011
- Religion (Ch 6)
- Article related to Geography (4)
4/21/2011
- Religion (Ch 6)
- Homework Assignment 5
4/26/2011
- Political Geography (Ch 8)
- Article related to Geography (5)
4/28/2011
- Political Geography (Ch 8)
- Chapter 7
- Homework Assignment 4
- Chapter 6
- Article related to Geography (4)
- Chapter 6
- Homework Assignment 5
- Chapter 8
- Article related to Geography (5)
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 13
- Prepare for Exam 2
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SECTION V: TEACHING SCHEDULE & SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS (Continued):
CLASS
DATE
IN CLASS
ASSIGNMENTS DUE TODAY
- Exam 2
5/3/2011
- Urban Patterns (Ch 13)
5/5/2011
- Urban Patterns (Ch 13)
5/10/2011
- Development (Ch 9)
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT
CLASS
- Chapter 13
- Article related to Geography (6)
- Article related to Geography (6)
- Chapter 9
- Chapters 10 & 11
- Finish Term Paper
5/12/2011
- Agriculture (Ch 10) &
- Term Paper Due
Industry (Ch 11)
5/17/2011
5/19/2011
5/24/2011
- Resource Issues (Ch 14)
- Services (Ch 12)
- Chapter 14
- Homework Assignment 6
- Homework Assignment 6
- Chapter 12
- Prepare for Final Exam
- Final Exam
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