Human Geography
University of Maine, Presque Isle
Instructor: Dr. Kimberly Sebold
Office: 402 Normal Hall
Telephone: 207-768-9721
E-mail: kimberly.sebold@umpi.edu
Contacting: The quickest way to contact me is through email. I check it several times a day if
it is a week day and usually once a week on the weekend. I don’t always check my phone messages
so it is better to email me.
Course Description: This course will provide you with a spatial and cultural understanding of the
world in which you live by examining such issues as population, migration, folk and popular cultures,
ethnic groups, religion, economic development, political development and the environment. The
course will explore the similarities and differences among cultures by focusing on the cultural,
economic, and political aspects of geography. In examining these various themes and aspects, the
course will familiarize you with the models and theories that geographers use to bring intellectual
order to the world in which we live. Moreover, the course will introduce you to the five themes of
geography established by the National Council for Geographic Education. (Location, Place, Region,
Movement, Human-Environment Interaction).
Course Objectives as they pertain to the General Education Curriculum:
5a. Students will understand and appreciate the diversity and interrelationship of cultures
locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
5b. Students will better understand their own society through the study of different world
intellectual, social, political, economic, or cultural perspectives and practices.
5c. Students will demonstrate linguistic skills and cultural knowledge.
5d. Students will describe the nature of development, persistence, and change in the history of
the human kind.
Course Requirements:
Computer with High Speed Internet: If you do not have a computer with high speed internet,
then you need to locate one. Public libraries usually have these available. If not, your campus
does.
Blackboard: If you do not know how to use Blackboard, then you need to let me know as soon as
possible. A couple of things you need to know:
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Read this syllabus all the way through.
Make sure you look at the course calendar and note when things are due.
Make sure you read the instructions for the final project.
If you are looking for your grades, you will find them under tools and the gradebook.
PROBLEMS WITH YOUR COMPUTER ARE NOT AN EXCUSE FOR NOT GETTING YOUR
WORK DONE. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR HOME COMPUTER, THEN YOU
NEED TO GO TO A PUBLIC LIBRARY TO COMPLETE YOUR WORK ON TIME.
Course Materials:
o James M. Rubenstein, Contemporary Human Geography 2nd edition (Prentice Hall).
o You will need the textbook in order to do the quizzes in Blackboard.
o The UMPI bookstore has copies of this book for sale or rent. The bookstore’s phone
number is 768-9572.
 Online lectures. I have posted lectures online. It is your responsibility to read those
lectures and any corresponding materials that are listed as required readings in the lecture.
 Documentaries and Supplemental Materials. Almost every unit has at least one documentary
to go with it. You need to make sure you have Quicktime downloaded onto your computer.
o Here is the link to download Quicktime: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
o If you miss a film that has restrictions on its availability, do not ask me to turn it
back on. In fact, I won’t be able to turn it back on due to copyright issues.
o Most of the documentaries will be found through internet sites like PBS and National
Geographic. There are no restrictions on their availability.
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Not having access to high speed internet is not an excuse for not completing your assignments.
How this class is set up:
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This class is divided into ten units.
o Each unit has its own specific due date which can be found in each unit’s assignment sheet as
well as on the document called Due Dates.
o With the exception of Unit 1 which has an introduction post, each unit will consist of the
following assignments and directions for the work can be found with each unit’s assignment
sheet:
 Assignment #1
 Read the textbook chapter.
 Assignment #2
 Take the corresponding chapter quiz. If you don’t read the textbook chapter, you
will not do well on the quiz.
 Assignment #3
 Critical Thinking Assignments
o You will watch videos and/or read supplemental articles that correspond
with textbook material and answer questions that pertain to this
material.
o This material along with the textbook reading will help you with your
Discussion Board post in Assignment #4.
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Assignment #4
 Specific Guidelines for Discussion Board Posts
 Due dates for the Discussion Board posts are at the top of the unit
assignment sheet.
 Do not read anyone else’s posts until you have posted your initial response
to the unit question.
o Repeating information from another post is considered plagiarism
and you will receive a zero for that post. If it continues I will fail
you for the course.
o Everything is time stamped so I can see what you have done and
when you have done it in Blackboard.
 Requirements for the Discussion Board Post
o Answer the question that I have posted for the unit and respond to
one other post within four days. My hope is that you will not wait
until the last minute to make a post so that you can have a discussion
with some of your classmates.
 Make sure you use the information from the textbook and
supplemental materials to answer your question.
 Always provide specific details to back up your statements.
 Do not say that you simply agree or disagree; a post such as
this will not receive any points.
o Use proper grammar and punctuation; do not use slang or texting
abbreviations.
o The original post must be at least 200 words and the response post
must be at least 100 words.
 Late posts will not be graded.
 You can miss two posts and two response posts without
penalty.
 Don’t wait until the last minute to post; posting in a timely manner allows for
people to respond to you. I will take this into consideration when I am
grading your post.
 In the Discussion board folder within each unit folder, there is a rubric
that I will be using to grade your posts.
 Make sure you read the information below entitled Guidelines for a
Discussion Forum.
o This document talks about netiquette and the proper way of how a
discussion forum works.
 I expect you to act in such a manner in this class.
 If you do not, I will warn you the first time and then take
points off after that.
 If the bad behavior continues then I will ask that you be
removed from the class.
There will also be a comprehensive multiple choice exam which will open on April 16TH AND
close on May 10TH at 11:59 p.m.
Grade calculations:
o This class is graded out of 100 points.
o The value of each assignment in a unit is as follows:
o Textbook chapter quizzes = 25%
o Critical Thinking Assignments=30%
o Discussion Board = 20%
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Comprehensive Exam = 25%
Late Assignments:
o Warning: Do not wait until the last minute to do the work. If you do, you will not do
well.
o I will post the due dates with each unit topic. All work is due at 11:59 p.m.
o I will take five points off for every day an assignment is late. After the 10th
day, the assignment will automatically receive a zero and all access to it will be
closed. Do not ask me to reopen any assignment that has been closed.
o No late posts to the Discussion Board will be accepted. If you
attempt to post a late post then I will delete the post.
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o Late work will not receive any comments and will be graded as time permits.
Do your own work. Assignments are to be done on an individual basis.
o If there is any sign that you have worked with another student in the class, I
will fail both of you for plagiarism.
o Do not copy anything directly from a book, article, the internet, etc. This is
considered plagiarism.
o Everything must be written in your own words.
o Make sure all written work is clearly written, grammatically correct and your
sentence structure is focused and precise.
Make sure you use specific
examples to support your ideas.
Submission Policy
It is very rare for Blackboard not to accept your work when you submit it. For best
results, please use Mozilla Firefox as your web browser when submitting work in
Blackboard. In my “Introduction to Blackboard Tutorial,” I have explained how to
save all of your work. It is your responsibility to save your course work and to check
that all work has been submitted properly on Blackboard. You can check your
submissions by visiting the Grade Center. If work has been submitted properly, you
will see a grade, the words “Needs Grading” or a green exclamation point. If you
have submitted work but it does not appear then you need to notify me within 24
hours of the work being due. Emails sent to me after this 24 hour period following
work due-dates will not be acknowledged. I will be posting a short video tutorial on
how to check that BB has accepted your work so you will know without constantly
emailing me.
General Guidelines for a Discussion Forum
The information below comes from:
http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/courses/common_documents/disc_assess.htm
Participation in the discussion forums is critical for maximizing your learning experiences in
this course. You are required to be part of an online community who interact, through
discussion, to enhance and support the professional development of the group. Part of the
assessment criteria for the course includes assessing the quality and quantity of your
participation in the discussion forum.
Some characteristics we consider to be part of excellent discussion contributions are outlined
below. Your facilitator will consider these characteristics when assessing the quality and level
of your participation.
 Your posts and responses should be thorough and thoughtful. Just posting an "I agree"
or "Good ideas" will not be considered adequate. Support your statements with
examples, experiences, or references. Make certain to address the discussion
prompt(s). This does not mean you should not extend the topic, but do not stray from
the topic.
 Discussions occur when there is dialogue. So, build upon the posts and responses of
other learners to create discussion threads. Make sure you revisit the discussion forum
and respond (if necessary) to what other learners have posted to your initial
responses.
 When relevant, add to the discussion by including prior knowledge, work experiences,
references, Web sites, resources, etc. (giving credit when appropriate).
 Your contributions to the discussions (posts and responses) should be complete and free
of grammatical or structural errors. Don’t use complicated language.
 Use professional language, including proper grammar in academic related posts. Do not
use slang, emotions or chat acronyms.
 Be respectful of others’ opinions and remember the golden rule—to treat others as you
want to be treated.
 Other resources about netiquette:
o http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
 IF YOU HAVE NEVER POSTED TO A BLACKBOARD DISCUSSION BOARD
WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAS PLACED A HELPFUL GUIDE
AT THIS LINK:
o http://wccc.edu/blackboard/hdi_discussion.html
If you have read this syllabus, then email me your favorite color and I will give you five extra credit points on your
quiz for Unit 1.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MY ONLINE COURSES:
 Read and understand the syllabus before beginning any work.
assignment sheets for each unit before you begin any work.
Then read the
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It is important to understand that an online course has deadlines and you must meet
those deadlines/due dates.
o This means that you are going to have to be disciplined and organized to keep up
with the work in this course.
o Due dates for each unit and/or topic will be on the individual unit and/or topic
assignment sheets as well as in the folder called Due Dates.
o I will take five points off for every day an assignment is late. After the 10th
day, the assignment will automatically receive a zero and all access to it will be
closed. Do not ask me to reopen any assignment that has been closed.
o No late posts to the Discussion Board will be accepted. If you attempt to post
a late post then I will delete the post.
o Late work will not receive any comments and will be graded as time permits.
Make sure that you understand how to use Blackboard.
o Take the online tutorial for Blackboard if you do not know how to use it.
o Ask questions if you do not know how to do something.
o You may call me at 768-9721 if you have questions about Blackboard.
o You can also call UMPI computer services at 768-9626.
o There is also a FAQ document in the syllabus folder in Blackboard. Please look
at it if you are having problems. If you cannot resolve the problems using this
then email me or call computer services.
Read all assigned chapters and online lectures.
Complete all work on time.
o You may work ahead and submit your work early, but I will only grade
assignments when they are due.
o Please look over the amount of work for each unit prior to starting the course so
that you can organize your time appropriately.
Do your own work. Assignments are to be done on an individual basis.
o If there is any sign that you have worked with another student in the class, I
will fail both of you for plagiarism.
o Do not copy anything directly from a book, article, the internet, etc. This is
considered plagiarism.
o Everything must be written in your own words.
o Make sure all written work is clearly written, grammatically correct and your
sentence structure is focused and precise. Make sure you use specific examples
to support your ideas.
Do not assume that assignments are not due during your school’s breaks because
schools do not share the same breaks.
All correspondence whether in an email or on the discussion board must be done so in a
respectful manner. Incivility will not be tolerated.
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Do not disappear from the class or you will be removed. If you have computer
problems go to a public computer to keep up with the class. If you miss deadlines on a
regular basis, I will assume that you have left the class and you will be removed.
Pace yourself and make sure you work on the assignments every day.
Make sure you check your email and the announcements section on Blackboard every
day because that is going to be the primary way I communicate with you.
Ask questions if you are not sure about something. If something does not make sense
let me know as soon as possible.
If you run into problems during the semester, it is better to make me aware of them
than to disappear from the class and then expect me to make allowances for you when
you return. If you disappear from the class for more than two weeks, I will consider
you to have left the class and you will be removed.
Problems with your computer are not a legitimate excuse for missing course work. If
you have computer problems go to a public facility that has computers to do your work.
Call computer services at 768-9626.
You need to realize that all deadlines and requirements apply to you as well as
everyone else in the class.
By staying in the class, you agree to meet all deadlines and fulfill all of the course
requirements.
Academic Dishonesty: Do not plagiarize. I view academic dishonesty as a serious crime and have
failed and will continue to fail students for it. The academic community of the University of
Maine at Presque Isle recognizes that adherence to high principles of academic integrity is vital to
the academic function of the University. Academic integrity is based upon honesty. All students
of the University are expected to be honest in their academic endeavors. All academic work should
be performed in a manner which will provide an honest reflection of the knowledge and abilities of
each student. Any breach of academic honesty should be regarded as a serious offense by all
members of the academic community. For more information on the Student Academic Integrity
Policy please see the following website: http://www.umpi.maine.edu/stulife/stacintp.htm.
Students with Disabilities: The University of Maine at Presque Isle provides reasonable
accommodations upon request to qualified individuals with documented disabilities. Students with
documented disabilities have a right to ask for accommodations and are encouraged to talk
directly with the responsible faculty member, supervisor or other staff person to explore possible
accommodations. For assistance with accommodations or academic support services, contact Mary
Kate Barbosa, Director of Student Support Services, South Hall, at 768-9613 or by email at
mary.barbosa@umpi.edu . A copy of the accommodations request form can be found at
http://www.umpi.edu/current-students/sss/disability-services/registration .
UMPI Writing Center: Located on the first floor of South Hall, the writing center offers oneon-one consultations for writers at all levels of course work, at all stages of the writing process.
Call 768-9615 or stop by to set up an appointment.
Tutoring: Tutoring: Student Support Services offers tutoring to all students for all courses via
experienced professional and peer tutors. If you are interested in receiving tutoring, please contact
Meghan Lightbown, SSS Assistant Director, at 768-9614.
Blackboard Log-in Information:
All students are required to log on to the course's “Blackboard” page, found at
http://www.courses.maine.edu. Please see http://www.learn.maine.edu/crs/bb5_guide.html for
current login info – if students have not already done so, they must activate their UMaine System
email account before they can enter Blackboard. For further information, see the Quick Guide at
http://www.learn.maine.edu/crs/bb5_guide.html.
Library Services: Students have two resources for library services, both through the UMPI
library pages and the University College resource pages. To access the UMPI library
electronically, visit: http://www.umpi.edu/library . Students may contact Virginia Fischer, the
Reference Librarian, directly by phone at 768-9602 or via email at virginia.fischer@umpi.edu.
General contact information for the UMPI library can be found at
http://www.umpi.edu/library/directory. Students will need their ID number to access databases
or order and reserve texts. Remote access to University System resources is available through
www.learn.maine.edu/ocls.
Statement of Commitment: If you take this course, then you have agreed to follow the standards
set by me for this class and to fulfill the requirements necessary to complete the course.
o I expect all work to be done on time or you will lose points.
o I expect all work to be done whether you have computer problems or not.
 If your computer fails while you are in this class, it is your responsibility
to find another one as quickly as possible.
 Computer problems are not an excuse for handing in late work.
o I expect everyone to find access to high speed internet even if it requires going
to the computer labs on campus or your local public library.
o I expect everyone to do his or her own work. Everything must be written in
your own words.
o I expect everyone to convert their files into a word document.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via phone or email. If you are on
campus, you can stop by my office as well.