Geography 303-02
Geography and World Affairs
Fall 2013
Hours: MW 3:00—4:00
Jim Claflin
Office: Butte 626
Phone: 898-6081
jclaflin@csuchico.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Geography in the news. Analysis of selected current world conflicts and problem areas
with an emphasis upon examination of social, economic, political, and environmental
realities. This is an upper division Non-Western General Studies course.
GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT GOALS: COURSE GOALS
 To examine how humans modify, and are affected by, natural environments: This is a
strength of a geographic approach to the study of world affairs: The recognition of
the integral role the natural environment plays in world interactions.
 To examine the physical and human characteristics of places, and be able to identify
them: Weekly map quizzes present the opportunity to learn the locations, while
newspaper reading, books, and lectures provide meaning to the places.
 To examine the patterns, characteristics, and complexities of human populations, and
their interactions with spaces and places: The study of the geopolitical significance
of demographic variations and patterns is fundamental to the understanding of world
affairs.
 To examine the patterns and networks of political, socio-cultural and economic
interdependencies: The holistic approach of geography in general and the regional
approach as embodied in this course focus on the study of connections and relations.
The reading of the newspaper throughout the semester provides numerous and regular
examples of “ripple effects” of world affairs.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Goode's World Atlas
3. Map Study Guide and outline maps (info in class)
4. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
5. El Narco by Ioan Grillo
6. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIALS PRESENTED IN CLASS.
1. EXAMS: There will be one midterm and a final exam.
2. READINGS: Students will read three books and write in-class reviews on scheduled
days (see Course Schedule).
3. MAPS: There will be map quizzes most weeks as indicated in the schedule; details
will be explained in class. Instead of any early or late quizzes, for the semester the
two lowest scores will be dropped. It is recommended that students bring their atlases to
class. There will also be review maps as part of the midterm and final exams.
4. There will be various short exercises (aka, “homework”) throughout the semester.
5. In accordance with University literacy requirements, grammar, spelling, and
composition style will be considered when grading written assignments.
6. IT IS "VOLUNTARILY MANDATORY" FOR STUDENTS TO MAKE A GETACQUAINTED VISIT DURING OFFICE HOURS.
GRADING POLICY:
Students with special needs, especially for time, should speak with the instructor at the
first possible opportunity. Make-up work will be permitted only with the approval of the
instructor. Attendance is not mandatory, but absences usually have an adverse impact on
a student's grade due to missing lectures, discussions, videos, quizzes, or exams.
Grades will be awarded in accordance with University catalog standards.
Graded activities will be as follows:
Exams (2 @ 100 pts)
Reviews (3 @ 50 pts)
Exercises
Map quizzes (% ave)
200
150
100
100
550 pts total
Additionally, class participation will be heavily considered when resolving borderline
grades.
Course grades will be determined in the following manner:
515 -- 550 A
425 -- 439 C+
495 -- 514 A400 -- 424 C
480 -- 494 B+
385 -- 399 C460 -- 479 B
365 -- 384 D+
440 -- 459 B330 -- 364 D
<330 -F
Add/Drop: Students who miss the first two class meetings will be disenrolled. September
6 is the last day to add or drop classes without instructor’s signature and use of COP
forms. After September 20 students will need a serious and compelling reason to add
and drop classes. See CSUC catalog for further details.
Map Quiz
Aug28
COURSE SCHEDULE
Topic/ Activity
Introduction/Middle East
Sep 4
Middle East
Middle East
11
Middle East
Northern Africa
18
BOOK REVIEW: Kite Runner
South America
25
Former Soviet Union
Northern Eurasia& CIS
Oct 2
Former Soviet Union
Southern Africa
9
Former Soviet Union
Middle America
16
MIDTERM
South Africa
Midterm Map
23
BOOK REVIEW: El Narco
30
Central America & Mexico
Nov 6
“ “ “ “ “ “
Western Europe
Southern Europe
13
World Population
South Asia
20
Climate Change
Southeast Asia
27
ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY
Dec 4
BOOK REVIEW: Ishmael
United States
11
Energy/Food/Water
East Asia
18
FINAL: 8-9:50
World Map
WRITING A BOOK REVIEW (for Claflin)
READ THIS PAGE CAREFULLY BEFORE READING THE BOOK!
First, be a critical reader, recording your impressions in brief notes with page
references as you read; these will be invaluable later. Note that this is a WRITING
EXERCISE (to practice and demonstrate writing skills) as much as a "test" on the book's
contents.
*****The review will be written IN CLASS, IN 55 MINUTES. Bring a green book, a
pen, and, optionally, the book and a dictionary/thesaurus.
FORMAT: Label each section of the book review as follows (minus 5 pts for not doing
so).
Introduction--Purpose is to introduce the book review as well as mention the
book (by name). Try to be original (avoid "This book was written by . . .") and get the
reader's attention. Be concise (one paragraph) and save the "telling about the book" for
the overview section. Get the reader interested in reading further into your review.
Overview--a brief overview of the book's contents MUST be included, along with
necessary details about the book, author, setting, time frame, purpose and so on, whatever
is essential information to the reader of your review. This will likely require two (at most
three) paragraphs.
(The intro and overview are largely descriptive, objective, and thus much easier to write,
and must be limited to, at most, 40% of the total review.)
Commentary--This is the most important section and consists of your reactions,
comments, criticisms, and praises of the book, especially as to how the book fits into
the class. As you are reading, be sure to be thinking of how the book fits into the context
of the course (lectures, videos, textbook) and provides examples of course material.
Other topics for this section include what you thought, felt, liked, hated, the book's weak
points, strong points, and so on, and WHY. Remember: the review is your analysis of
the book and the author, not your essay on the topic of the book. Be sure to address the
book and the author; make frequent references to both (at least once every paragraph).
The commentary should include at minimum three distinct points you are making about
the book, each point developed into its own paragraph.
***This section is analytical and should comprise the MAJORITY of your review.
Conclusion--a definitive conclusion, perhaps summary comments. The
conclusion to a book review must contain a specific mention of the book.
REMINDERS:
 The quality of the writing is more important than the quantity.
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Expect penalties in points if you fail to follow these directions.
Avoid the trap of too much `retelling' of the story.
Do not assume the instructor/grader has read the book; provide the essential
explanations.
The analytical portion should emphasize your own viewpoint; special attention
should be devoted to your insights and reactions, especially as they pertain to course
contents.
Strive for originality in your comments (without going to extremes).
In most cases, a book deserves both praise and criticism; indicate each where
appropriate.
Maintain a proper balance between generalizations and details/examples;
include both! Paragraphs likely begin with a generalization, followed by supporting
details/examples.
While your sentiments can provide valuable ideas, avoid strictly emotional responses.
In accordance with University Literacy Requirements, grammar and composition will
be taken into consideration in the grading of this WRITING EXERCISE.
The following are some of this instructor's "pet peeves." Thing is a poor word choice;
find the appropriate noun you need. Avoid a lot, really and other such informal
language. Avoid constructions with you. ("You never find out what happens to . . .)
Be careful with overstatements, often indicated by such words as never, always,
forever, tons of . . .
Be aware of the time constraint (see above); be certain you have enough time to
complete your review as planned. This might require a trial run ahead of time. The
instructor assumes you have planned and organized the review beforehand, not during
the writing period.