WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 1303 – Master Syllabus
Faculty:
Michael Makowsky (a.k.a. Professor Mak)
Department Chair – Social and Behavioral Studies
Professor – Geography
Midland College
Office & Phone: MHAB 153, 432-685-6828
E-Mail:
mmakowsky@midland.edu
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PARTICIPATION NOTE:
Students MUST actively participate by completing an academic assignment required by the
instructor by the official census date. Students who do not actively participate in an academicallyrelated activity will be reported as never attended and dropped from the course.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Combining textbook readings, maps, photographs, and other media with discussions, this course
surveys the modern world's major regions and their physical and human characteristics from a
geographic perspective.
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STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
 To master some basic information about the modern world’s major regions and be able to
locate the important physical and human features of each region.
 To better understand the physical and cultural diversity of the earth and be able to analyze
world events intelligently in terms of that diversity.
 To better understand the economic, environmental and spatial factors that divide the have's
from the have-nots of the world and to explore some of the factors that seem to explain different
levels of economic and social development.
 To know how to find up-to-date and credible data/information about places, countries, and
regions, and be able to analyze that data and use it effectively in life, academic, and work
situations.
 To develop and expand their mental map of the world into one that more closely conforms to
real spatial relationships.
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REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
The World Today: Concepts and
Regions in Geography, 6th Edition,
H. J. de Blij, Peter O. Muller, Jan
Nijman, Wiley: 2013
Reliable computer and high-speed internet access
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COURSE MECHANICS:
Midland College uses Canvas as our online course delivery platform. You will access all key
components and features of this course via the menu list on the left side of the screen. It is
important, therefore, that you spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Canvas layout.
Canvas log on page: http://www.midland.edu/students/canvas/index.php
The Canvas layout for this course includes the following tabs:
Home: This is the course's entry point and will include an important course announcement, such
as an upcoming due date.
Modules: Includes all course assignments, which are arranged by chapter modules. Most modules
include a reading, homework, discussion, and map quiz assignment. They also include a gallery
of images and links pertinent to the chapter of study. Four of the modules also include exam links
(exams typically cover the previous 3 modules).
Discussions: This is where you go to participate in class discussions.
Quizzes: You will find all quizzes and exams here.
Grades: Your grade book.
Syllabus: Course syllabus with important course information.
Announcements: Includes other course announcements.
There are other Canvas features you may also want to utilize. I recommend you check out
the Canvas Student Guide to learn more about this system.
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COURSE READING:
In this course, we will use a conventional textbook, as well as other resources, including
internet-based materials. It is very important you read all assigned material carefully and
thoughtfully. This not only includes text readings, but also assignment instructions,
announcements, and this syllabus. As the semester progresses, you will likely have
questions. Ask away! But make sure that you have checked the syllabus, course
announcements, assignment instructions, etc. before sending that email or making that
call. There’s a good chance the answer is there. BUT, if it is not, do not hesitate to
contact me. Your instructor is one of your most important resources.
Some reading advice: Do not read a textbook the same way you read a novel. Yes, you are
expected to read the textbook, but not memorize it. You are expected to consider the material in
the textbook in a contemplative way, not as absolute truth, but rather as a perspective. You are
expected to gain a perspective on the substance of this course that you can build upon as time
goes on.
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CONTACTING ME:
The best way to contact me is by email. Please remember to include your name and the course
and section you are enrolled in on any email you send me. This will aid me immensely in sorting
through dozens of student emails each day. You may also call, and if necessary, leave a message
with your question and return phone #. In either case, I will get back to you as quickly as I can.
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HOMEWORK:
There are several homework assignments ranging in difficulty from relatively easy
(Level I) to more challenging (Level II), to most challenging (Level III). Level III assignments
are weighted highest and typically require more research and thoughtful planning than other
assignments. Level II assignments are weighted less than Level III, but still require a good deal of
research and effort. Level I assignments are weighted the least, but still require your sincere effort
and attention. Unless otherwise stated, you will submit homework assignment through Canvas.
Instructions for submitting homework are included with the first couple assignments.
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DISCUSSIONS:
During the duration of the course, you will be asked to respond to several topics pertinent to our
study of geography using the Discussions feature of Canvas. These activities are designed to give
you the opportunity to reflect on, discuss, and share your thoughts on these topics with your
classmates. You are expected to post one original comment and one original reaction to another
student's post (or my post) for each assigned topic. This is an open forum, so remember that
everyone in the class will read your posts. Please contribute and cooperate with civility, but do
not be afraid to speak your mind!
Your responses should address every question in the assigned topic and be comprised primarily of
your own words and thoughts (rather than something you found on the internet). It is certainly ok
to reference other sources, but I want to know that you understand the issue or concept. Be
thorough… (300 word minimum).
In your reaction to another post, you can agree or disagree with someone, but you need to
elaborate and explain why. Please do not just say, "Good Post" or " I agree with you". Explain in
detail, why. Failure to post a response results in an automatic 15 point deduction.
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EXAMS AND QUIZZES:
 Four exams will be given (including the final). Each exam consists of 40+ multiple choice
questions that are derived from the chapter readings, homework assignments, discussions, and
galleries from applicable chapters/modules. They are open book, but have a 2 hour time limit.
Note: the timer will continue to run even if you close the exam. Exams should only be opened
once, so do not access an exam until you are ready to take and complete it. The final exam also
includes an essay assignment.
 Map Quizzes: One of the basic aspects of geography is location. To enhance your
understanding of where places are in the world, you will identify and locate places within the
regions we study via 10 map quizzes. Each map quiz consists of up to 25 matching questions that
are derived from the chapter readings, the Data & Demographic table in your text, and the gallery
from the chapter(s) each quiz covers. Like exams, they are open book, but only have a 30 minute
time limit. Note: the timer will continue to run even if you close the quiz. Quizzes should only be
opened once, so do not access a quiz until you are ready to take and complete it.
There is a practice quiz (not-graded) to help orient you to the matching format.
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GRADING:
All graded assignments, exams, quizzes, etc. are graded on a 0 – 100 scale. Assignments are
grouped and weighted as follows:
Group
Description
% of Final
Grade
Exams
Map Quizzes
Level III
Assignments
Level II
Assignments
Level I
Assignments
Includes 4 exams
Includes 10 map quizzes
Includes 6 homework and discussion
assignments
Includes 11 homework and discussion
assignments
Includes 5 homework and discussion
assignments
6.25% ea.
1.50% ea.
5.00% ea.
Total
Group
Weight
25%
15%
30%
2.27% ea.
25%
1.00% ea.
5%
100%
All graded assignments ‘count’ towards your final grade, and no grades will be dropped. Unless, I
specify otherwise, there are no ‘do-overs’.
To determine final grades, I use the standard conversion matrix:
90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
59.9% or less = F
Note: I do not ‘curve’ grades. For example, if a student’s final
average is 89.9, they earned a ‘B’. To ensure you do not find
yourself in this type of situation, make sure you always know
where you stand grade-wise in this course by checking your
grade book regularly. The only way to ensure you make the
grade you want is by earning that grade, so please…no end-ofthe-semester grade-grubbing!
If you have a question about a grade, do not hesitate to contact me. I am happy to discuss, clarify
and answer any questions you might have.
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LATE WORK:
It is very important that you are mindful of all the posted due dates. One of this course's most
important success factors is turning your work in on time. Failure to do so will have a severe
impact on your grades. Any late work (i.e. assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, etc.) turned
in after the posted due date will be accessed a 20 point penalty for each day it is late. Five (5)
days after the posted due date, each assignment will be closed for the remainder of the semester
and cannot be made up. Under certain circumstances I will make exceptions to this policy (e.g.
having a baby, unlawfully imprisoned by a foreign power), but I will exercise the right to grant or
deny exemptions. Should your computer or network fail at the last minute and you do not make a
submission deadline, does not constitute a reasonable excuse. There is lead-time to work on each
assignment so do not wait until the last minute to do your work!
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EXTRA-CREDIT:
I invite you to participate in the daily trivia tournament, 'MC Geography Challenge.' Test your
geographic knowledge against other geography students, trivia buffs, and yours truly. Play
regularly and earn up to 30 points extra-credit over the course of the semester (points will be
applied to your lowest exam scores). To sign up and play, go to:
http://www.funtrivia.com/private/main.cfm?tid=83561
Once you have joined, email me your trivia name. I will post any extra credit points earned at the
end of each game (games last a calendar month). If you are playing, but do not see extra credit
points in your grade book, this is likely because you have not let me know what your trivia
challenge name is. This is the only extra-credit opportunity, so I encourage everyone to play. You
do not have to win to earn points!
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HONORS PROGRAM:
If you wish to take this course for honors credit, please contact me. Refer to the Midland College
catalog for more information on the honors program.
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DROPPING THE COURSE:
Check the MC College Calendar for the last day to withdraw from the course and receive a “W.”
Please talk to me before you withdraw.
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DISABILITIES:
If you need assistance with regard to accessibility or some other issue regarding your learning
performance, please contact me asap.
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ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating academic
dishonesty. Disciplinary options include, but are not limited to, suspension and dismissal. (See
the Midland College Student Handbook for a complete explanation of college policy).
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CLASS SCHEDULE: (Subject to Change)
Weeks 1 - 2: Introduction to World Regional Geography – Maps & Location
Weeks 3 - 4: Europe - Supranationalism
Weeks 4 - 5: Russia – Environmental Degradation; Aral Sea
Weeks 6 - 9: North America – Infrastructure; Population Movement
Week 10:
Latin America – US – Mexico Interdependency
Weeks 11-12: Sub-Saharan Africa – Human Development Levels; Medical Geography
Weeks 13-14: Asia – Demographic Transition; Population Geography
Week 15:
Austral and Pacific Realms – Competition for Resources
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INCLUSION OF CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:
This course fulfills three hours of the Social and Behavioral Science requirement in the Midland
College Core Curriculum. The Core Curriculum is a set of courses that provide students with a
foundation of knowledge, skills and educational experiences that are essential for all learning.
Social and Behavioral Sciences courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions
among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual,
society, and culture. As part of the core, this course addresses the following four objectives:
Critical Thinking: Concepts, models, and theories within the Geographic discipline are
presented, compared, analyzed, and evaluated. This is accomplished through the following: class
discussions; interpretation of maps, graphs, tables, and models; written assignments; & quizzes
and exams.
Communication: Students are required to participate in all of the following: class discussions;
essay questions on homework assignments; & written assignments.
Empirical & Quantitative skills: Data analysis and interpretation, including map reading and
interpretation, are woven throughout the entire textbook and are integrated into virtually every
facet of the course, including discussions, written assignments, & quizzes and exams.
Social Responsibility: Human/environmental relationships and the role environmental
stewardship plays in resource management are presented. Increasing global interdependence
between nations and societies and the importance of understanding intercultural differences
between world regions are also presented. Evaluation of these concepts is included in graded
assignments (i.e. discussions, written assignments, quizzes and exams).
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OTHER CONTACT INFO:
Department office and phone:
MHAB 176, 432-685-6830
Midland College Police: 432-685-4734