Geography& 200: An Introduction to Human Geography
Spring Quarter 2014
North Seattle Community College
Sections:
Geography& 200.01/ Section 3170
11:00-11:50 p.m. daily
Classroom CC 3352
Instructor:
Aimee Kelly
Office: To Be Announced
Office Phone: 206.934.3709
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: aimee.kelly@seattlecolleges.edu
Email is the best way to reach me. I will generally answer emails within 24 hours, 8am-5pm
Monday – Friday, except holidays. Students emailing me on Saturday or Sunday can expect a response by the end of the day Monday.
Required Texts:
Greiner, Alyson L. (2011). Visualizing Human Geography. 1 st edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley in conjunction with National Geographic. ISBN 1118136675, 9781118136676
Other Requirements:
This class requires some amount of Internet research. If you do not have access to a reliable computer and the Internet, be sure to take advantage of the computer labs on campus.
Description:
Geography provides a set of analytical tools for a contextual understanding of historic and contemporary issues facing our world today. Whether cultural, political, or economic in nature, everything happens in a place or between places. This class will explore the spatial dynamics of many current issues using geographic concepts and maps. Classes will be composed of lecture, discussion, films, and in-class activities.
Prerequisites:
This class requires good reading comprehension. Placement in ENGL&101 or instructor permission.
Course Outcomes:
This course fosters and promotes the following college-wide essential learning outcomes:
1.
Knowledge:

Will be able to identify and describe the geographic theories and processes that explain the nature of human settlement and interactions, and discuss political, cultural, and economic activities around the world using a spatial perspective.
2.
Intellectual and Practical Skills:

Communication and self-expression. Will know how to objectively describe controversial issues of human occupancy of the earth.

Information literacy. Will be able to describe concepts of Geographic
Information Systems, a technology used to process and analyze geographic data.

GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 2
Students will also know how to access and interpret real world data and maps from news sources and government agencies.
3.
Personal and Social Responsibility:

Intercultural knowledge and competence: Will be able to describe possible impacts of factors such as race and ethnicity, religion, politics, and economic activities in different world regions.
Upon successful completion of GEO&200, students will be able to:
1.
Identify and describe the geographic theories and processes that explain the nature of human settlement and interactions.
2.
Discuss political, cultural, and economic activities around the world using a spatial perspective and geographic vocabulary.
3.
Apply an objective approach to explain some of the more controversial issues facing people today.
4.
Identify and describe the tools of geographers, including maps, geographic information systems (GIS), and global positioning systems (GPS).
5.
Interpret data and maps from news sources and government agencies.
Statement on online resources:
PowerPoint slides will be available on my faculty website before the exams so that you have time to fill in your notes. You should still be taking notes during class because this will help you learn the material—but just don’t fret if you can’t write everything on the screen down. Assignments will also be available on my website so if you miss class you can still start on the assignment on time.
Course Policies:
 Come prepared to participate fully in the class. This means that you will have completed

 reading and homework assignments before attending class. To get the full learning experience you will need to contribute to class discussion.
We will develop a cell phone policy as a class.
It is okay to bring a laptop to class, but it must be used for our class. If you are caught emailing, using social media, surfing the web for non-class related purposes, working on other class homework, or are playing computer games, you'll lose participation points for the day.

Food is allowed in the classroom as long as you pick up after yourself (including wiping up messes on desks) at the end of class. However, if we ever do work in a computer lab we will follow the indicated polices in that particular classroom.
Absences
You are responsible for collecting and turning in all materials handed out and due during your absence. For this reason, it is a good idea to connect with a classmate that you can exchange notes with if necessary. This is also why it is important to keep track of your syllabus, which indicates due dates for assignments. The only time I need to know of absences are if there are extenuating circumstances that impact your ability to get your work done for class.
Students who have taken this class in the past and had excessive absences (defined as more than the permitted absences above) find it difficult to earn a C or above.

GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 3
Grades:
Grades are based on several different components:
Tests (3 at 15%) 45% of grade
Geography in the News
Paper & Colloquium
Poster Presentation
20% of grade
30% of grade Homework (HW)
Assignments (5)
Participation
Total Points for Class
5% of grade
100%
1.
Tests - Three tests (chapters 1-4, chapters 5-8, and chapters 9-12) will be given throughout the semester to assess your grasp of the course material. The third test will take place on your final exam date. It is not cumulative but understanding of previous class material will improve your success. Content for the test questions is drawn from assigned readings (including those in addition to the textbook), lecture, and films. Exams will mostly be multiple choice and will include short answer questions, but true/false and matching are also included. There are no make-up exams. If you cannot take the exams at the assigned time, contact the instructor BEFORE the exam time to make other arrangements to take the exam before the planned date. In the event of a school closing the exam will be rescheduled. **The final exam cannot be rescheduled**.
2.
Geography in the News - Paper & Presentation: The objective of this assignment is find current event stories that are related to the class, and to use geography to help explain the story. You will be creating a poster presentation to share at the research colloquium, and writing a 4-6 page paper.
3.
Homework Assignments: There will be five assignments over the course of the semester. Each assignment will be different--some will be done individually and others will be done in pairs or in groups. The assignments will reflect the course material for the day and are meant to further your understanding of the subject. If you are absent the day we have an in-class assignment you may download the assignment from my webspace, complete it within one week from the original due date and resubmit to me via email or in class the following week. Ten percent of the grade will be deducted for each day late up to one week of the original due date. If you have documentable circumstances for missing class, please contact me.
4.
Participation: Participation means coming prepared to contribute to the learning process in class. Participation grades reflect a student’s contributions to discussion and any inclass writing that is not part of the in-class assignments. To get all your participation points.

Come to class having read the reading assignment/completed the work for the day.

Avoid missing more than the maximum excused absences as defined above.

GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 4

Make regular thoughtful contributions to discussion. Ask questions!

Show up on time for class and avoid leaving early.

Be respectful of the instructor and classmates when they have the floor (in other words, listen).

Use your laptop for class-related purposes. No need to make Facebook posts about cultural geography in class. And I’m sure you’ll do better at your computer game if you wait until you’re back home.
Grading criteria are as follows:
94-100: A (3.9 -4.0)
90-93: A- (3.5-3.8)
87-89: B+ (3.2-3.4)
84-86: B (2.9-3.1)
74-76: C (1.9-2.1)
70-73: C- (1.5-1.8)
67-69: D+ (1.2-1.4)
64-66: D (0.9-1.1)
80-83: B- (2.5-2.8)
77-79: C+ (2.2-2.4)
OTHER COURSE POLICIES:
62-63: D- (0.5)
61 or below: F (0.0)
Academic Honesty Statement:
To take the words or ideas of someone else and present them as your own is plagiarism and is unacceptable in academic life. The nature and causes of plagiarism may cover a range from the accidental to the dishonest. Examples of plagiarism encountered in academic writing may include the following:
incorporating into your own writing, without proper and complete acknowledgement, words and sentences from a print, electronic, or oral source
inserting longer passages (such as four or five consecutive sentences or whole paragraphs) of somebody else’s writing into your own without complete acknowledgement
paraphrasing so closely or so extensively from a source that sentences or ideas really belong to the original writer
submitting as your own entire essays written by another person or taken from a printed source or off the internet
receiving so much help from another person that the work could not honestly be called your own.
Students, by their attendance here, agree to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, which states, in part, that “academic dishonesty, to include cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college” may bring disciplinary action. The policy of the faculty is to exercise its professional judgment as to the nature and cause of each case of suspected or proven plagiarism and to respond in a manner suited to the case. Responses may include the following:
requiring that a piece of writing be revised to eliminate the plagiarism
denying credit for a piece of writing in which the plagiarism has been found
recording a ‘0’ grade in the student’s class record for the project, thereby
lowering the student’s final grade.
Americans with Disabilities Statement:
If you need course adaptations or accommodation in the classroom because of a disability or special need, please contact Disability Services at (206) 934-3697 (2 nd floor of the College Center in Student Success Services). Disability Services can assist individuals with both physical and learning/academic disabilities. If you have emergency medical information to share with your

GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 5 instructor, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform your instructor at once.
Classroom Diversity Statement:
Respect for diversity is a core value of this classroom. Our college community fosters an optimal learning climate and an environment of mutual respect. We, the college community, recognize individual differences. This class will explore topics that can be controversial in our society— bringing up a range of opinions from people with different backgrounds and experiences.
Therefore, we are responsible for the content and tone of our statements and are empathetic speakers and listeners.
Behavior Statement:
Students should always conduct themselves in a respectful manner. No conduct will be tolerated that might endanger or threaten anyone in the class. Disruptive behavior, substance abuse, downgrading or disparaging remarks, and any behavior that shows a lack of respect for the instructor or other students will not be tolerated. At my discretion, a student who causes problems may be asked to leave class for the session. If a student persists in causing problems, further disciplinary action may be taken, up to and including dismissal from the class and/or college, according to the policies outlined in the Student Handbook, available for download at http://www.northseattle.edu/info/pub/ .
The Loft Language Lab: The Loft is the campus language lab/writing center, located on the top floor of the library. One of the primary attributes of The Loft is the free tutoring! The tutoring sessions last 30 minutes, are held on a first-come first served basis, and can help you with reading, writing, grammar, listening and speaking. Although you will not be required to use the services of the Loft in order to be successful in this class, many students have found their services helpful. For more information, call (206) 934-0078 or visit http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/ .
Tips for Success:
 Keep this syllabus and mark off assignments/tests on a calendar or in a planner.
 Make sure you check your email account daily! This is how I will contact you if there

 are urgent announcements.
Get the book and keep up with the reading. Tests draw on both lecture and the readings.
Attend class regularly, and if you are absent, check in with a classmate for important announcements. Collect assignments from my webspace.

Proofread and double-check assignments to make sure they are complete, and get them in on time.

Ask questions if any of the material or directions are unclear!
Take care to complete all assigned work on-time - there are no extra credit homework assignments or extra work opportunities to raise your grade at the end of the semester.

GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 6
COURSE SCHEDULE
While I endeavor to maintain adherence to the course schedule outlined on the attached page, I wish to emphasize that the schedule is tentative and I reserve the right to make changes to the course plan. Flexibility is necessary in case of class cancellation due to school closure.
Additionally, if a major event happens or content becomes available that could enhance our understanding of geography I may make adjustments to our schedule. The course syllabus will be maintained on my webspace and changes will also be announced during class.
Week 1: Intro to Course
M Apr 7: Course Intro
T Apr 8: Introducing Human Geography
Reading: Pgs 1-11
W Apr 9: Thinking Like a Human Geographer
Reading: Pgs 12-22
R Apr 10: Geographic Tools
Meet in Computer Lab
Reading: Pgs 23-33
F Apr 11: Geographic Tools
- IB 3404
Meet in Computer Lab - IB 3404
HW 1: Start What’s in a Map? Due Apr 16
* Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund
Week 2: Globalization, Cultural Geography, Population, and Migration
M Apr 14: Contemporary Globalization, Cultural Impacts of Globalization
Reading: Pgs 34-43
T Apr 15: Folk and Popular Culture, Commodification of Culture
Reading: Pgs 44-50
W Apr 16: Cultural Geographies of Local Knowledge
HW 1: What’s in a Map? Due
Reading: Pgs 50-63
R Apr 17: Population Fundamentals
Meet in Computer Lab - IB 3404
HW 2: Start Demographic Data Due Apr 23
Reading: Pgs 64-73
F Apr 18: Population Composition and Change
Meet in Computer Lab - IB 3404
Reading: Pgs. 73-78
*Last day to Withdraw with no Academic Penalty/Faculty Permission
Week 3: Population and Migration, Cont’d & Language
M Apr 21: Population-Environment Interactions—Is the World Overpopulated?
Reading: Pgs 78-80
T Apr 22: Migration
Reading: Pgs 81- 95
W Apr 23: Languages in the World, Language Diffusion and Globalization
HW 2: Demographic Data Due
Reading: 96-117
R Apr 24: Language Diffusion and Globalization

GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 7
Reading: 105-117
F Apr 25: Dialects & Review
*Last day to Withdraw with 50% Refund
Reading: 118-127
Week 4: Geographies of Religion
M Apr 28: Test 1 Chapters 1-4
T Apr 29: Religion in Global Context, Religious Hearths, and Diffusion
Reading: Pgs. 128-141
W Apr 30: Religion, Society, and Globalization
Reading: Pgs. 141-159
R May 1: Conflict in Israel
F May 2: Conflict in Israel
Week 5: Geographies of Identity & Political Geographies
M May5: Race and Racism, Geographies of Race and Racism
Reading: Pgs 162-169
T May 6: What is Ethnicity? & Ethnicity in the Landscape
Reading: Pgs. 170-181, Handout
HW 3: Start Geographic Clustering of Ethnicities Due May 13
W May 7: Sexuality and Gender
Reading: Pgs. 182-191
R May 8: Key Concepts in Political Geography
Reading: Pgs. 192-201
F May 9: Geographical Characteristics of States & Internationalism/Supranational Orgs
Reading: Pgs. 201-212
Week 6: Political Geography Cont’d & Urban Geographies
M May 12: Global Geopolitics
Reading: Pgs. 212-217
T May 13: Electoral Geography & Political Landscapes
Reading: Pgs. 218-227
HW 3: Geographic Clustering of Ethnicities Due
W May 14: Cities, Urbanization, and Central Place Theory
Reading: Pgs. 228-248
R May 15: Urban Dynamics
Reading: Pgs. 248-259
F May 16: Urban Dynamics
Reading: Pgs. 248-259
Week 7: Geographies of Development
M May 19: Review
T May 20: Test 2 Chapters 5-8
W May 21: What is Development? & Income Inequality
HW 4: Start Geographies of Development Due May 28
Meet In Computer Lab -
Reading: Pgs 260-280
R May 22: Development Theory
IB 3404
Reading: Pgs 280-293
F May 23: Development Theory
Reading: Pgs. 280-293

Week 8: Industry and Services
M May 26: No School – Memorial Day!
T May 27: Guns, Germs, and Steel
W May 28: Guns, Germs, and Steel
HW 4: Geographies of Development Due
R May 29: Types of Industry & Evolution of Manufacturing in the Core
Meet in Computer Lab - IB 3305
Reading: Pgs. 294-306
F May 30:
The Outsourcing of Manufacturing
Meet in Computer Lab - IB 3404
*Last day to withdraw without refund
Week 9: Agricultural Geographies
M June 2: Memorial Day Holiday! No Class
T June 3: W June 4: The Outsourcing of Services
Reading: Pgs. 314-323
R June 5: The Outsourcing of Services
Reading: Pgs. 314-323
HW 5: Outsourcing Homework Due
F June 6: Agricultural Origins and Revolutions
Reading: Pgs 324-332
Week 10: Environmental Challenges
M June 9: Comparing Agricultural Systems
Reading: 333-343
T June 10: Agriculture, the Environment, and Globalization
Reading: Pgs. 344-353
W June 11: Agriculture, the Environment, and Globalization
Reading: Pgs 344-353
R June 12: Ecosystems, Non-Renewable Vs. Renewable Sources of Energy
Reading: Pgs. 354-373
F June 13: Human-Environment Interactions / Case Study
Reading: Pgs. 374-385
Week 11: Wrap Up
M June 16: Human-Environment Interactions
Reading: Pgs. 374-385
T June 17: Review
F June 20: Test 3 Chapters 9-12 10:30-12:30pm
GEO 200 Sp14 Kelly p. 8