GEOG 102/01—Introduction to Human Geography
Instructor:
Class Time:
Class Location:
Dr. Jacquelyn Chase
T/R 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Butte 201
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Telephone:
Email:
T/R 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Butte 527
898-5587
jchase@csuchico.edu
Fall 2014
The syllabus is subject to change. You should visit Blackboard Learn (BBL) to check on announcements
and calendar changes.
Course Description, Goals and Learning Outcomes
In this course students will learn how human geography leads to an understanding of the interdependence
of places and regions in a globalizing world. Among the topics we will consider are regions, culture,
environmental and economic resources, and spatial behavior. You should come away with a better sense
of how people affect and are affected by the world around them. We’ll explore topics such as global food
and water systems and their environmental impacts; the geography of international conflict; the
movement of disease; the mobility and diversity of people and cultures; cities in the 21st century; enduring
economic inequities and emerging opportunities in the developing world; and the changing pace of
globalization. The very broad learning goals of the course are:

Students can explain interactions between the size and distribution of human and non-human
populations, resources and the natural environment in historic and contemporary perspectives.

Students will understand ways in which they use the environment can affect future generations
and other human and natural systems.

Students will understand their own histories in the context of wider social, cultural and
geographic change and be able to associate this with cultures of origin of American ethnic groups.
Classes will be a combination of lecture, activities, and discussion. Assignments include quizzes, exams
and small written assignments.
Required Textbooks—purchase at the university bookstore

Greiner, Alyson L. 2014. Visualizing Human Geography: At Home in the World. Published by
Wiley in collaboration with the National Geographic Society. This is a packet with the loose leaf
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version of the book and access to WileyPlus, which takes you to an online version of the textbook
and other material that we will use weekly. See the flyer in BBL on how to get into WileyPlus.
Students cannot buy this book elsewhere or rent it because we are participating in Wiley’s field
trial. Wiley discounted the book and access code heavily for this reason. Only some sections are
assigned from each chapter, as noted below in the calendar. The calendar shows you on which
day each week you should have finished the assigned sections.

Grande, Reyna. 2012 The Distance Between Us. Atria Books. This is the campus Book in
Common for 2014-15. (Many other classes will be adopting the book, so you may see it
elsewhere.) This book is available at a 20 percent discount in general books at the AS Bookstore.
Because there are so many copies available at this price it will not be shelved with required
textbooks for this course.
Other Readings:

Selected chapters from Gleick, Peter. 2011. Bottled and Sold: The Story behind our Obsession
with Bottled Water. Island Press. This book is an e-book at Meriam Library. You can have
unlimited access to it at no cost. Please access it via the following link:
http://opac.csuchico.edu/record=b2218124~S13 If you have any problems accessing the book
please contact a librarian at the Meriam Library.
General Education
This course satisfies the D-1 requirement in general education, and has the Global Cultures designation.
The course is in three general education pathways/minors at Chico State: Diversity, Sustainability and
International Studies. Pathway learning objectives and associated course learning objectives are:
How the course fits the Sustainability Pathway: The course supports the pathway’s s emphasis on
sustainability by engaging students in study of the relationship between human populations and the
physical world on which they depend.
Learning objectives associated with this pathway: Student will understand ways in which they use
the environment can affect future generations and other human and natural systems. Example of
assignments—reading Bottled and Sold; Chapter 12 of textbook and associated questions.
How the course fits the International Studies Pathway: The course supports the International Studies
pathway’s emphasis on understanding the world’s places and regions in a comparative framework,
and its focus on interdependencies that emerge from a globalized economy, society, and culture.
Learning objectives associated with this pathway: Students can explain interactions between the
size and distribution of human and non-human populations, resources, culture and the natural
environment in historic and contemporary perspectives. Example of assignments—reading The
Distance Between Us, and textbook chapters, quizzes and discussions throughout, but especially
Chapters 2 and 9.
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How the course fits the Diversity Pathway: The course the pathway’s emphasis on understanding the
diversity of place, economy, culture, and society in the world in a comparative framework.
Learning objectives associated with this pathway: Students understand their own histories in the
context of historical patterns of immigration and migration that have shaped the contemporary
social landscape in the United States, including comparative and historical studies of the cultures
of origin of American ethnic groups. Examples of assignments--reading The Distance Between
Us, especially when discussing adaptation in the US by Mexican immigrants, and textbook
chapter 6.
Geography and Planning Department Course Student Learning Objectives

Students can recognize the presence and application of regional, local, and global dimensions of
the social and physical worlds in data and the landscape.

Students can explain interactions between the size and distribution of human and non-human
populations, resources and the natural environment.

Students are cognizant of varying interpretations of diversity, causality, interaction, policy and
values in human-environmental relationships.

Student will understand ways in which they use the environment can affect future generations and
other human and natural systems.
Expectations and other Business
In GE classes, if people who don’t do well it’s often because they stop being a participant in the class.
Excessive absences may affect your grade.
Successful students come to office hours. Don’t feel that you should come to office hours only when you
have a problem.
Read the syllabus and check BBL messages and announcements. Do not pass off the work of others as
your own (this is plagiarism) or engage in other offenses such as sharing information during quizzes (this
is cheating). Please familiarize yourselves with the university’s definition and discussion of academic
honesty: http://www.csuchico.edu/prs/EMs/2004/04-036.shtml#. You might be surprised about what
actually constitutes academic dishonesty!
I will not cover everything that you read in class lectures, but you will still be responsible for the content
of all readings. Likewise, you will be responsible for things covered in class that are not in the readings,
so take lots of notes and use them to study for quizzes and exams. Please complete the assigned
readings before the days noted in the calendar.
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or chronic illness, or if you
need to make special arrangements for exams or assignments please make an appointment with me as
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soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Please also contact Accessibility Resource Center (ARC)
as they are the designated department responsible for approving and coordinating reasonable
accommodations and services for students with disabilities. ARC will help you understand your rights and
responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide you further assistance with
requesting and arranging accommodations.
Accessibility Resource Center
530-898-5959/Student Services Center 170/arcdept@csuchico.edu
Summary of Assignments (Due Dates are in the Course Calendar, Below)
Points
Essay #1—Who am I?
Essay #2—My Family Geography
Essay #3—My Water Diary
13 weekly chapter or section quizzes on Thursdays. 4 points each--May have some map questions
from that week.
7 maps (US and Mexico states; world countries) 4 points each—Use Sheppard website. Links are in
calendar for each quiz. Finish each quiz in 120 seconds and print out your results (“view scores”).
You may repeat as many times as you want before you print out your final score. Put your name on
the score sheet.
First Midterm—multiple choice and short answers; readings, activities, lectures; you may bring one
page of notes on 8 ½ by 11, both sides.
Second Midterm-- multiple choice and short answers; readings, activities, lectures; you may bring one
page of notes on 8 ½ by 11, both sides.
Final Exam-- multiple choice and short answers; readings, activities, lectures; you may bring one page
of notes on 8 ½ by 11, both sides. Final will be cumulative but will emphasize the last chapters of the
book not covered in the previous midterms.
Participation, attendance, any assigned online practice quizzes, in-class group activities, responses,
short exercises, discussion postings. To be ready for these activities you should 1. Read assigned
sections of book(s) before coming to class; 2. Read assigned sections of textbook on WileyPlus and
look for any discussion openers or other short activities tied to the reading.3. Read the syllabus and
watch for announcements on BBL.
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15
15
Total Points
300
4
52
28
50
50
50
35
Course Calendar (tentative)
Week
Dates/Topics
Readings
Activities, Assignments, etc.
Introduce course
August 26 and 28
1
Chapter 1—What is
Human Geography?
September 2 and 4
2
What is Human
Geography?, continued
September 9 and 11
3
Chapter 2-Globalization and
Cultural Geography
Thursday: Sections Geography,
Inquiry, Seeing the Light; Introducing
Human Geography
Tuesday: Section Thinking like a
Human Geographer
Thursday: Section on Geographical
Tools
Tuesday: Sections Tattooing and
Globalization; Globalization; The
Commodification of Culture
Thursday: The Distance Between Us, to
page 93
Section quiz Thursday In Class
Essay #1: Who am I? Due on BBL Friday 8/29 by
5 p.m.
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due on U.S.
states:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/USA_Geograph
y/USA_G0_click_1024.html
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due on Mexican
States:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Mexico_G0_Cli
ck.html
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Thursday: Discussion of The Distance…to page
93
Wednesday: Essay #2—Family Geography. Due
on BBL 9/10 by 5 p.m.
September 16 and 18
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Chapter 3-- Population
and Migration
Tuesday: Sections Population
Challenges and Opportunities;
Migration
Thursday: The Distance Between Us, pp.
94-187
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due, on Central
and South America:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/country_SoAm
CA_G0_Click.html
Thursday Chapter sections quiz; discuss your
papers
September 23 and 25
5
Population and
Migration, continued
September 30 and
October 2
6
Chapter 6—
Geographies of Identity
Thursday: The Distance Between Us, pp.
188-end
Tuesday: Sections Women in Combat;
Race and Racism; Geographies of
Race and Racism
Thursday: Sections What is ethnicity?;
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Tuesday: Midterm #1. Bring Mini-Essay Scantron
Form. Exam through Week 4.
Thursday: Quiz/activity on The Distance Between
Us
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due, on
Europe:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Europe/Eur_G0
_1024_768.html
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Sexuality and Gender
October 7 and 9
7
Chapter 7—Political
Geographies
October 14 and 16
8
Chapter 8—Urban
Geographies
October 21 and 23
9
Chapter 9-Geographies of
Development
October 28 and 30
10
Chapter 10—
Geographies of
Industry and Services
November 4 and 6
11
Chapter 11—
Agricultural
Geographies
Tuesday: Sections Voting Practices
around the World; Key Concepts in
Political Geography
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due, on Middle
East: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/middleeast_G0_Click.html
Thursday: Sections International and
Supranational Organizations; Political
Landscapes
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Tuesday: Sections Building a
Sustainable City; Cities and
Urbanization
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due, on Africa:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Africa/Africa_G
0_1024_768.html
Thursday: Section on Urban Dynamics
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Tuesday: Sections Bhutan’s Quest for
Gross National Happiness; What is
Development?
Tuesday: Online map quiz printout due, on Asia:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/country_Asia_G
0_click.html
Thursday: Section Development Theory
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Tuesday: Sections Geography and
Industry; Types of Industry; Evolution
of Manufacturing in the Core
Thursday: Chapter sections quiz
Thursday: Section Evolution of
Manufacturing Beyond the Core
Tuesday: Sections Agriculture and
Fair Trade; Agricultural Origins and
Revolutions
Thursday: Section Agricultural
Systems
Tuesday: Midterm #2. Bring Mini-Essay Scantron
Form. Exam Week 5 through Week 10.
Thursday: Chapter section quiz
Tuesday: Veteran’s Day
Thursday--November 13
12
Chapter 11—
Agricultural
Geographies, continued
Thursday: Section Agriculture, the
Environment and Globalization
Thursday: Chapter section quiz
Tuesday: Sections The Inuit and Arctic
Environmental Change; Ecosystems
November 18 and 20
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Chapter 12—
Environmental
Challenges
Thursday: Bottled and Sold—chapters 1,
2, 7. Book is e-book:
http://opac.csuchico.edu/record=b221812
4~S13
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Wednesday: Essay #3—My Water Diary. Due on
BBL on 11/19 by 5 p.m.
Thursday: Chapter section quiz (and Bottled and
Sold)
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THANKSGIVING
Tuesday: Section on Global
Environmental Change
December 2 and 4
Chapter 12-Environmental
Challenges, continued
15
Online article on bottled water and
drought:
http://www.citylab.com/weather/2014/08/
why-bottled-water-comes-fromcalifornia-which-cant-sparemuch/375933/
Thursday: Chapter section quiz (and Bottled and
Sold)
Thursday: Bottled and Sold—chapters
10, 12
16
December 8 and 10
Review
Tuesday and Thursday—Last minute things;
Practice/ Review quiz
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Date and Time TBA
Final Exam
Bring Mini-Essay Scantron Form. Exam
cumulative.
Essays
Essays should address all parts of the questions in complete sentences and in well-formed paragraphs.
Papers with excessive grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors will be returned without a grade and
with a request to rewrite the paper. You may always revise and resubmit. Please feel free to come talk to
me about your paper during office hours.
Essay #1: Who Am I?
Prepare a 200-word essay using complete sentences and proper grammar and spelling that answers the
following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Why did you enroll in this course?
What international experience do you have?
What national experience do you have?
What do you hope to learn from this course?
What regions most interest you?
Tell me something interesting about yourself.
Include a photo of yourself that shows something about who you are.
Essay #2: My Family Geography
Prepare a 500-word essay that first, briefly discusses your family’s geographic heritage—where your
grandparents lived and moved, where your parents lived and moved, and where you have lived and
moved—and why. Then, create a map using Mapquest: http://www.mapquest.com/directions Print/scan a
copy of it to include in your paper. Explore the features of the program to make a readable map (don’t
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make it too small, for example). You might have to make it in sections (you could map one world map
showing the big international migrations, and another map showing the moves in the US, for example). If
you prefer another mapping program, feel free to use it as long as you can recreate the migration path.
Next, focus on one of the migrations that one of your family members made (other than yourself). Discuss
the push/pull factors, economic and personal reasons, and impacts on your family. Relate your points to
content from the book The Distance Between Us, especially what you learned about all the motivations
behind people’s movement in the world.
Essay #4: My Water Diary
Prepare a 500-word essay that analyzes your use of water for various needs—drinking, bathing, cooking,
cleaning, watering your yard, washing your car. Pick 1-2 days to pay special attention to your water use,
and write down what you observe about this.
Find out the source of the water you are using (is it bottled, and if so, from where? Where does the
municipal water that you use come from?). You can find out about the source of your water by asking the
owner of the property where you live. If you have any difficulty you can try searching online, too.
Next, calculate your water footprint using the following website:
http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=cal/WaterFootprintCalculator. What did you learn about your
responsibility for using water? Compare your water footprint to a hypothetical person from another
country (you can change the selection of your country in the calculator and run the calculator). What did
you learn from this comparison?
Use photos, maps or any other media to make your points stronger. Add anything else that you think
would make this essay interesting, such as a quick survey of your roommates’ opinions on how to
conserve water, or a bike ride through your neighborhood to count lawns that appear not to be watered.
You can work with a friend but you must write up a separate paper. Tell me somewhere at the beginning
that you worked with someone else, and provide his/her name. If you do work with someone it would be
interesting for you to compare your water footprints.
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