Envs342: Geography of the World Economy
Syllabus
Course Objective: This course examines and analyzes the interaction between
people politically and culturally, their environment, and economy in a global context.
A world drowning in oil. http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2009/11/11/saupload_world_20in_20oil_lr_shutterstock_4174132.jpg
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Instructor:
Patrick Buckley, Prof.
650-4773
patrick.buckley@wwu.edu
room: AH 222
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Textbooks:
Stutz, Fredrick P. and Barney Warf. latest edition 2011. The World Economy; Resources,
Location, Trade, and Development. 6h Edition. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ. ISBN13: 978-0321722508 ISBN-10: 0321722507
Michel, Serge and Beuret, Michel. 2009. China Safari: On the Trail of Beijing's Expansion in
Africa. Nation Books. ISBN-10: 1568586140 ISBN-13: 978-1568586144
Steger, Manfred B. 2013. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. 3rd edition. Oxford
University Press: New York, NY. ISBN-13: 978-0199662661 ISBN-10: 0199662665
Additonal Readings:
see Special Readings and Definitions Page
Outcomes:
Major Outcomes from this class are divided into three parts:
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Theoretical Understanding of Globalization
Practical Understanding of Geographic Measures and Processes of Globalization
Hands-on Research into targeted issue of Globalization
1. Based primarily upon Steger's book, "Globalization: A Very Short Introduction" and
additional readings from the internet plus Stutz’s textbook “The World Economy…” students
will learn how to define globalization, trace its historical progression, and understand its four
dimensions (economic, political, cultural, and environmental). In addition, a brief introduction
into the contending ideologies underlying different visions of globalization will be provided.
2. Further, based on Stutz's textbook, "The World Economy; Resources, Location, Trade, and
Development" a traditional Economic Geographic overview of measures of the Global Economy
will be covered. These include:
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Global Demographics and Migration
Resources, Energy, and the Environment
Global Agriculture and Manufacturing
Development and Underdevelopment Theories and Measures
Time permitting -- Traditional Location Theory
3. Based on two group projects students will be asked to do some research by evaluating
contending views of global issues that can include off shoring of employment, future energy
trends, changes in Africa… (see topic list)
Grading:
Parts





Midterm
Assignments
Quizzes
Class Participation
Final
Totals
(300pts)
(300)
(50)
(50)
(300)
TOTAL 1,000pts
Midterm (300 points) -- examination made up to multiple choice, identifications, and short
answer/essay questions including definitions and FRQ’s will be given (check the schedule page
for the dates of these exams). Grading on these exams is based on an anchor score system,
where the average of top three grades represents full points.
Class Group Assignments & Major Research Assignments (300 points total) -- All students
will be assigned to a group for a major research project with final results to be presented in the
last week of the quarter. A preliminary presentation of materials will take place in week 4 to
make sure that the group is moving in the right direction. Students who fail to adequately
perform in a group setting in the early presentation will be reassigned with others of a similar
sort. In addition there will be an assignment based on the “China Safari…” book.
Pop Quizzes (50 points) and participation (50 points) -- using CLICKERS or written answers
on paper, at random pop quizzes will be given during a class period (kindly arrive on time, if you
know you'll be a few minutes late due to running from one end of campus to the other let me
know and allowances will be made). These quizzes serve a variety of purposes. First and
foremost they are informational and help the instructor to determine if` students are
understanding material. Second, they reward preparation and participation. Third, they help the
students to prepare for other examinations in class by providing a preview of examination style
questions. These pop quizzes will be graded on a fifty-fifty basis: half of the points for
participation and the other half correct answers. When a written format is used, answers that are
clearly not at all related to the question asked will result in negative points, thus if you have no
idea how to answer the question say so don't make a wild guess since you will lose
points. Sometimes the quizzes will be for merely informational purposes (how well did a class
activity go, such as a lecture, report...), for these pop quizzes all students will be awarded full
credit regardless of correct or incorrect answer.
Also, on a daily basis, one student per class period will present something “in the news” in
regards to our globalizing world. It is expected that each student will do this once during the
quarter.
Final (300 points) -- a comprehensive final will be given at the end of the quarter reviewing
materials from throughout the quarter. Let me emphasize that the final is comprehensive this
provides the student with an opportunity to make-up for any earlier missteps. Grading on the
final is based on an anchor score system as on the midterm.
Letter Grades -- In the examinations and final an anchor score system is used where the two
highest scores represent 100% correct regardless of the number of points at risk. All other scores
then follow based on their proportion of the anchor. Assignments, Quizzes, and Participation are
graded as noted above. Course final grade is out of 1,000 points from the above measures This is
converted to 100% (divide points by 10). Letter conversions based on the 100 percent are as
follows:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
D-
94
90
86
82
78
74
70
66
62
58
54
Study Sessions:
For each examination a 1 hour study session will be scheduled outside of course hours and all
interested students may attend in addition students are highly encouraged to make use of the
instructor's Office Hours.
Geography Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the class students will be able to:
GEOG 1: Demonstrate literacy around the concepts of space, place, landscape, and
location; Students will be able to describe the economic landscape of the global economy and
location of critical resources such as energy as well as many other activities, critical inputs, and
processes.
GEOG 2: Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of national and
global cultures; Students will be able to describe different agendas for economic development
especially the differences between the Washington and Beijing consensus. In addition, they will
be able to describe how culture effects the economies of different parts of the world.
GEOG 3: Recognize patterns on the earth’s surface and understand the processes that creates
them; Students will be able to describe the current patterns of global activity and also the
processes that have led to them.
Missed quizzes or exams: Only if approved in advance, and part of the make-up can
be oral. If you are sick on the day of the test or assignment, it is your responsibility to
make a phone call (not an e-mail) and arrange for proper documentation. Contact the
Course Instructor in these matters.
Bonus Points: Bonus points for use on Exams are available through attendance at
and a written report based on specified university wide lectures interpreted from a
geographical perspective. Lectures available for such credit will be periodically
announced in class. Up to ten bonus points (5 points per lecture based on quallity of
materials) out of 100 on an exam can be gained by attendance and providing a brief
report on the lecture. The report should contain two separate sections: (1) a brief
synopsis of the lecture and (2) your reaction, critique or thoughts on the subject and
presentation, from a geographic perspective. These reports must be typewritten and
turned in within two class periods after the lecture. The reports will be scored based
upon your understanding of the lecture and the quality and content of your
report. There may also be bonus point assignments based on evaluating contrasting
positions on critical issues raised in the course.
Communication: To keep in contact with all students in this large class, periodically
messages, chapter based study notes, syllabus updates, extra credit lectures will be
posted on Dr. Buckley's web page. http://faculty.wwu.edu/patrick/
Academic Honesty & Integrity: All university policies concerning honesty and
plagiarism will be enforced in the course. You may review plagiarism at the following
WWU site http://www.libguides.wwu.edu/plagiarism and academic honesty at
http://catalog.wwu.edu/content.php?catoid=5&navoid=463 . see also
http://www.wwu.edu/integrity/
"For help and guidance with the academic honesty procedures, students should contact
the Student Life Office." http://www.wwu.edu/dos/stulife/
Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. I will use all of my abilities to have cheaters
expelled from class according to established University guidelines.
Reasonable Accommodation
Please see me if you have disability or accommodation issues and we will work together
to find a solution that best meets your specific needs.Federal and state guidelines
guarantee the right of students to “reasonable accommodation” for documented
disabilities.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities should be
established within the first week of class and arranged through Disability Resources
for Students: telephone 650-3083; email drs@wwu.edu; and on the web at Disability
Resources http://www.wwu.edu/depts/drs/