INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, GEOG 230
Social Science Division
Global Studies Department
Harrisburg Area Community College
SUMMER 2015-Semester
Instructors:
Anthony C. Ijomah, Ph.D
Office:
Whitaker Building, Room 111A
E-mail:
acijomah@hacc.edu
Phone
(717) 780-2472
Course Reference Number (CRN): 4135
Credit Hours: 3
Office Hours: By Appointment face-to-face in the office, by telephone, or e-mail.
Course Description: A survey of human spatial patterns and cultural activities throughout the world. Special
emphasis is placed on the patterns of human distribution, adjustments to the natural environment, and land
use practices.
Course Method: On-line Distance Education, available 24 hours a day on HACC’s D2L
(http://hacc.d2l.com.edu/d2l/entryPageIns.dod2l) found in each enrolled students’ “My D2L” “Course List.” This
course does not have campus meetings.
Computer Requirements: This is an on-line course that requires frequent and easy access to the internet. In
order to view this course you must be able to run browsers found at:
http://hacc.d2l.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_browser_tuneup_information#browsers. There is a
support link on how to configure your browser at: http://hacc.d2l.com/tuneup. Both can also be accessed from
the Check Browser on HACC’s D2L login page. There is also a self-taught on-line orientation course available:
http://www.hacc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=virtualCampus.Current%20Students&id=451. A document version
of this Desire2Learn orientation is available on this course’s home page.
***Course Review Component (Self-Guided Study)***
Students please note that www.MasteringGeography.com will contain supplemental practice tests, flashcards,
and videos to help review content and gain a deeper understanding. There are also RSS feeds for current events
and MapMaster is an interactive program for reviewing geographical locations and geographic characteristics.
Please note the bookstore is the best purchase point to ensure that all materials are purchased correctly. When
purchased through other venues the student is still responsible for purchasing the correct content.
Textbook: Cultural Landscape, The: An Introduction to Human Geography Plus MasteringGeography with eText -Access Card Package, 11/E- ISBN-13: 9780321831576 (Expensive Copy)
Publisher: Prentice Hall Copyright: 2014
Or
Loose-leaf Version: ISBN-0321863046 (Cheaper Copy)
Videos: The Human Geography Videos will be found in the www.MasteringGeography.com assignments. These are
videos, that students are required to review, explore in more depth the concepts covered in the assigned readings, and
may be the basis for discussions and test questions. Optional videos will generally broaden students’ understanding of
course concepts and of other cultures, but are not directly testable.
Get Started with Pearson’s MasteringGeography
First, make sure you have
these 3 things…
Email: You'll get some important emails
from your instructor at this address.
Course ID: IJOMAHSUMMER2015
Access code or credit card: The
required access code comes either with
your book or by itself at your
bookstore. Alternatively, you can buy
instant access with a credit card or PayPal
account during registration.
Next, get registered!
1. Go to www.masteringgeography.com. Under the large Register Now section on
the right side of the page, click the Student button.
2. Read the onscreen instructions and select your location. Next, check off whether or
not you have an Access Code. Click Next.
3. If you don’t have an access code, select your textbook (correct title, author, and
edition) and whether you want an eText.
4. You’ll then be asked to Accept the License Agreement before moving on. After this,
either Create a new Pearson username/password, or, if you’ve already registered for
another Pearson product (i.e. MyMathLab, MYITLAB, Mastering**), enter that
username/password. If you have an Access Code, enter it on the bottom of the
page.
5. On the next page, fill out the appropriate information fields then click Next. If you
entered an Access Code, you will be brought to a page from which you can access
your product. If not, enter your payment information so that you can Purchase
Access, after which you’ll be granted access.
6. You are now registered! Now, it’s time to enroll in your course. Click Log In Now.
Once signed in you can: enter your Course ID: IJOMAHGEOG (listed above) and
your Student ID (if prompted to do so). If you don’t have a course ID, you can join
a course and launch the eText or study area. That’s it!
Need help?
Visit www.masteringgeography.com for:
 Helpful videos
 Frequently Asked Questions
 Set Up Your Computer
Or visit our 24/7 Technical Support site at http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com
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Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Explain forces of global change in human societies.

Understand the diversity of local adaptation to global change.

Understand the occurrence and interrelationships of economic, cultural, political,
population, and physical elements of the human landscape.

Think and write critically about geographic issues that affect people and places around
the world.

Learn to think spatially, and understand and interpret thematic maps.

Demonstrate the interrelationship between geography and other academic disciplines.
GRADING, EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Exams: There are three on-line exams during the semester. The exams are open book and
consist of multiple choice and true-false questions balanced around the topics covered in that
block. Although open book, exams are not allotted much time, so students must thoroughly
study before the exam, and use open book resources as back up references. Students may
use written references, but may not consult other people when taking exams. Exams address
assigned chapters from the textbook, videos, and the discussion questions that preceded them.
Students must complete each exam during the week it is due as found in the course calendar.
All three exams are composed of 75 questions. You are allowed 75 minutes respectively to
complete an exam. Students are allowed two attempts to take each quiz/exam and the
highest score will be recorded. In the second attempt you are not guaranteed a repeat of
previous questions.
Make-up exams are highly discouraged. In the event of an emergency that could cause a delay
in the submission of an assignment, it is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor by email or by phone. It is within the instructor's discretion to evaluate the circumstances and render
a decision. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as a death in the family, a car accident, or
hospitalization or medical emergency, provisions may be available for a student to make-up the
exam, but only when one of these conditions are met. Victims of such circumstances must
provide to the instructor documentation to substantiate a claim or make-up work will be
penalized. Exams not taken as scheduled will be penalized a 20 percent deduction, and 20
percent will be further deducted for each additional day an assignment is late. Assignments
receiving a grade of zero must still be completed satisfactorily to receive course credit.
Quizzes: Each lesson quiz covers a chapter from the text and its corresponding video. The 13
quizzes each consist of 10 open-book multiple choice, short answers and true-false questions,
and are completed on-line. Students must complete each quiz between the beginning of that
week’s lesson and the due date stated in the course calendar, and before taking that block’s
exam. Students are allowed 15 minutes to complete a quiz, which is composed of 10 questions.
Although open book, quizzes are not allotted much time, so students must thoroughly study
before the quiz, and use open book resources only as back up references. Students may not
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consult other people when taking quizzes. There are no make-up quizzes allowed. Students not
completing quizzes by the end of the lesson’s week will get a zero for that quiz. Students are
allowed two attempts to take each quiz/exam and the highest score will be recorded. In
the second attempt you are not guaranteed a repeat of previous questions.
Discussion Questions Participation and Attendance: Students will participate and contribute
substantially in weekly on-line class discussions. Students may log on every day, but should
participate no less than three days a week, and enough to make a substantive contribution with
a minimum of four entries per week to receive at least a passing grade.
To "participate" in the class discussions, students must post their thoughts in the main
discussion forum for everyone to see by clicking “reply” and then “post”. Postings must be of
sufficient substance to demonstrate student mastery of course material and understanding of
other students’ postings. Just posting comments such as "I agree” or “I disagree" is not
sufficient. In order to earn full credit for class participation, the student must present a logical,
factual, convincing posting. It is not the length of the discussion that counts, it is its quality.
The instructor will relay more guidance about on-line discussions during the course. Postings
will be evaluated on the strength of their content, but also for acceptable grammar and
presentation. Your discussion responses should reflect your ability to think and write critically,
and should be geographically or spatially related and properly apply course terms. One of the
attributes of understanding is the ability to observe and analyze issues both spatially and
holistically. Geography deals with current events and the impact of unfolding issues on human
beings and their environment. In essence, your discussions will be related to your life
experiences, current events, and course materials. You will be graded on your approach to
tackling complex issues, and your suggestions and solutions to problems. Discussions and
responses must be collegial and scholarly in nature. Before posting a comment read it carefully.
This is a collaborative environment. Students are expected to learn together, exchange ideas,
and interact. These are the fundamentals of on-line learning. A part of your grade is based on
working together. It is very important that you help each other, teach and correct one another in
discussions. The instructor will not always respond to comments and statements posted in the
discussion. However, the instructor will monitor your postings and will make comments when
necessary. Postings are kept as a permanent record.
Students, who do not log into the course at least twice in the first two weeks of the course, or for
four weeks in a row during the course and have not made other arrangements with the
instructor, will be dropped from the course for not participating in accordance with Course
Catalog policy (pages 31-32). Late entries into threaded discussions are not allowed. Students
who do not participate in the threaded discussion by the end of the lesson’s week will earn none
of the 20 points reserved for that threaded discussion.
Instructor Prerogative Points: These 30 points are assigned at the discretion of your
instructor half at mid-term and half at the end of the course. Instructor points will emphasize online participation, and insight and activities not otherwise adequately graded in the course.
Grading: The students' grades will be based on the following listed items:
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3 Exams
13 Quizzes
13 Discussion Questions
2 Instructor Prerogative
Total
450 points (three exams at 150 pts)
260 points (each quiz at 20 points)
260 points (each discussion question at 20 points)
30 points (15 points at mid-term, and 15 points at final)
1000 points
Academic Freedom: Adult learning requires the free and unfettered discussion of ideas. This
course encourages the exchange of thoughts in order to analyze them leading to greater
learning and understanding. Some ideas broached may therefore be unpopular or controversial.
However, since this is an academic course all ideas should be scrutinized and must be
supported and defended by logic, facts, or reference to authoritative sources.
Lesson Objectives: In addition to course outcomes, objectives are provided for each lesson.
These objectives should help you focus on the main points of each chapter and video, and
assist you in studying for the tests. Although lesson objectives cover the most important topics,
other items presented in this course may also be formally assessed. Lesson objectives are
available at each lesson.
Grades: Student grades are assigned along straight 90 percent and above as an “A”, 80 as a
“B”, 70 as a “C”, and 65 as a “D”. The instructor reserves the right to lower these, but will not
raise the cut-off lines. Below 65 is a failing grade.
Withdrawal Policy: A “W Grade” may be awarded to students who have officially withdrawn
or have been withdrawn from a course after the refund period and through the last class
meeting of the course. Besides, a “W or F Grade” may be awarded to students who decide to
withdraw from the course after the mid-point of the semester. See AP 667 for additional
information regarding the grading policy. The instructor would only award an incomplete or “I
Grade” to a student who could not complete the course work due to extenuating circumstance.
However, it is at the instructor’s discretion to grant to the student in question an extension to
complete the coursework. See AP 667.
Feedback to Students: The instructor will try to respond to any e-mail within 24 hours, but no
later than 48 hours (between Monday and Friday) per HACC Administrative Policy 772. On-line
discussion feedback will be given within 72 hours of the discussion completion date. Test
answers will be available to you on-line when you first log into the course after the deadline
passed for taking the exam.
Apart from the weekly feedback on assignments, a mid-term and final grade for the course will
be submitted to the college as stated in the Course Catalog. It is your responsibility to keep
track of the drop dates for the course. Failure to keep up with the course obligations will earn
the student a grade of "F".
Student Workload and Missed Assignments: Students should expect to spend between 9
and 12 hours per week studying and participating in this course. Three hours to complete each
reading, including half an hour viewing videos, and four hours participating in threaded
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discussions; and two hours should be devoted to studying and preparing for the quizzes and
exams. Students should plan carefully to complete their work on time and avoid last minute
inputs to complete course requirements. However, since work and personal events may
occasionally upset academic planning, the requirements for one week during the course may be
made up without penalty. Students must notify the instructor, who will set requirement to
complete the missed work. Missed work must be completed by the end of the next examination
week (weeks 4, 8 or 16), or all missed work will be given a zero grade. Students may only make
up one week of work during the course, and examinations may not be postponed under this
provision.
Feedback on Course: Your instructor welcomes feedback on the course and its progress.
Formal feedback which is anonymous and reviewed by the school is conducted at the end of the
semester and is available on-line between Lessons 12 and 14. Informal feedback is welcome
by telephone or e-mail directly to your instructor. For timely feedback, a folder has been
established in the course page for students to post issues and receive feedback.
Grade Disputes: All students will be graded fairly in accordance with the standards set in this
course. Should there be any dispute with regards to a grade given, that student must contact or
meet with the instructor within a week of receiving the grade in question.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic integrity is demanded in all your academic endeavors in this
class. As part of the bond of trust between an instructor and the students in a course, each
student should scrupulously perform his or her own work, under the conditions stipulated in this
course, and not take unfair advantage of fellow students, or his or her own education. Cheating
or plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class, and will be pursued in accordance with HACC
Administrative Procedure 594, with penalties up to suspension. From the HACC intranet site
see more at: http://intranet.hacc.edu/modules/ap/apfiles/594%20Academic%20Dishonesty.doc
DISCRIMINATION: ( EEOC/PHRC Statements)
STUDENTS IN NEED OF ACCOMMODATIONS:
Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations should contact the campus
disability coordinator listed below. Coordinators for each campus are listed here:
http://www.hacc.edu/Students/DisabilityServices/Contact-Disability-Services.cfm
EEOC POLICY 005:
It is the policy of Harrisburg Area Community College, in full accordance with the law, not to
discriminate in employment, student admissions, and student services on the basis of race, color, religion,
age, political affiliation or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, place of birth, General
Education Development Certification (GED), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, veteran status, genetic history/information, or any legally protected classification. HACC
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recognizes its responsibility to promote the principles of equal opportunity for employment, student
admissions, and student services taking active steps to recruit minorities and women.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRAct’) prohibits discrimination against prospective and
current students because of race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or
disability, record of a handicap or disability, perceived handicap or disability, relationship or association
with an individual with a handicap or disability, use of a guide or support animal, and/or handling or
training of support or guide animals.
The Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (“PFEOAct”) prohibits discrimination against
prospective and current students because of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap
or disability, record of a handicap or disability, perceived handicap or disability, and a relationship or
association with an individual with a handicap or disability.
Information about these laws may be obtained by visiting the Pennsylvania Human Relations
Commission website at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
HACC—Lebanon Campus and Virtual Learning
Deborah Bybee
Coordinator, Disability Services
104R
735 Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717-270-6333
Email: dabybee@hacc.edu
Course Calendar: The sequence of topics, assignments due, and other course activities are
listed in the calendar below, with their applicable dates.
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HUMAN GEOGRPHY COURSE CALENDAR
Lessons and Dates
Assignments
Due Date
Points
Block 1: Human Population
1. (25 May - 30 May)
Read Chapter 1: Basic Concepts
Suggested Video: Artic Blue (Optional)
Participate: Discussion Question 1
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 1
2. (31 May - 06 Jun)
06 Jun
06 Jun
06 Jun
20
13 Jun
13 Jun
13 Jun
20
20 Jun
20 Jun
20 Jun
20
20
20
Read Chapter 3: Migration
Required Video: Roma Rights
Participate: Discussion Question 3
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 3
4. (14 Jun - 20 Jun)
20
Read Chapter 2: Population
Required Video: Sowing Seeds of Hunger
Participate: Discussion Question 2
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 2
3. (07 Jun - 13 Jun)
30 May
30 May
30 May
20
Read Chapter 4: Folk and Popular Culture
Required Video: Geraldo’s Brazil
Participate: Discussion Question 4
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 4
Complete: Exam 1 (Lessons 1 – 4)
Last Day to Withdraw Without Grade
20
150
Check: www.hacc.edu
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Block 2: Human Culture
5. (21 Jun - 27 Jun)
Read Chapter 5: Languages
Required Video: None
Participate: Discussion Question 5
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 5
6. (28 Jun - 04 Jul)
8. (12 Jul - 18 Jul)
04 Jul
04 Jul
04 Jul
20
11 Jul
11 Jul
11 Jul
20
20
20
Read Chapter 7: Ethnicities
Suggested Video: Outsiders (Optional)
Participate: Discussion Question 7
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 7
7. (05 Jul - 11 Jul)
20
Read Chapter 6: Religions
Suggested Video: Untouchable (Optional)
Participate: Discussion Question 6
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 6
7. (05 Jul - 11 Jul)
27 Jun
27 Jun
27 Jun
20
Read Chapter 8: Political Geography
Required Video: Yemeni Futures
Suggested Video: Estonia: The Risk of Russia (Optional)
Participate: Discussion Question 8
11 Jul
Mastering Geography Exercises
11 Jul
Complete: Quiz 8
11 Jul
20
Mid-Term Instructor Points/Subtotal
15/485
20
Read Chapter 9: Development
Required Video: The Trade Trap
Participate: Discussion Question 9
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 9
Complete: Exam 2 (Lessons 5 – 9)
18 Jul
18 Jul
18 Jul
20
20
150
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Block 3: Human Economic Activity
09. (19 Jul - 25 Jul)
Read Chapter 10: Food and Agriculture
Required Video: The Coffee Go Round
Participate: Discussion Question 10
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 10
09. (19 Jul - 25 Jul)
25 Jul
25 Jul
25 Jul
20
08 Aug
08 Aug
08 Aug
20
13 Aug
13 Aug
13 Aug
20
20
20
Read Chapter 13: Urban Patterns
Required Video: Slum Futures
Required Video: Barcelona Blueprint
Participate: Discussion Question 13
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 13
12. (09 Aug - 13 Aug)
20
Read Chapter 12: Services and Settlements
Required Video: No Video
Participate: Discussion Question 12
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 12
11. (02 Aug – 08 Aug)
20
Read Chapter 11: Industry and Manufacturing
Required Video: Blue Danube
Participate: Discussion Question 11
Mastering Geography Exercises
Complete: Quiz 11
10. (26 Jul - 01 Aug)
25 Jul
25 Jul
25 Jul
Complete: Exam 3 (Lessons 10 - 13)
Final Instructor Points (chapter 10 - 13)
Total Course Points
20
150
15
1000
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Human Geography, Geog 230 Lesson Objectives
Course Outcomes: At the end of this course students should be able to:
1.
Explain forces of global change in human societies.
2.
Understand the diversity of local adaptation to global change.
3.
Understand the occurrence and interrelationships of economic, cultural,
political, population and physical elements of the human landscape.
4.
Think and write critically about geographic issues that affect people and places
around the world.
5.
Think spatially, and understand and interpret thematic maps.
6.
Demonstrate the interrelationship between geography and other academic
discipline.
Lesson Objectives: At the end of each lesson, students should be able to:
Lesson 1, Basic Concepts
1.1 Explain how geographer’s address where things and activities are located.
1.2 Explain how and why each point of earth is unique.
1.3 Explain why different places share similar characteristics.
Lesson 2, Population and Health
2.1 Describe where the world’s human population is distributed.
2.2 Identify the areas where the world’s population has increased.
2.3 Explain the reasons why population growth rates vary from one area to another.
2.4 Predict how and why the world might experience an overpopulation problem.
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Lesson 3, Migration
3.1 Explain the factors that cause human migration.
3.2 Identify the major areas where migrants are distributed.
3.3 Explain how and why migrants face obstacles to their movement and resettlement.
3.4 Explain why people migrate with a country (intra-country migration).
Lesson 4, Folk and Popular Culture
4.1 Explain where folk and popular cultures originate, and how they diffuse
4.2 Explain why folk cultures are clustered
4.3 Explain why popular culture is so widely distributed.
4.4 Explain the problems caused by the globalization of popular culture.
Lesson 5, Languages
5.1 Identify the countries where English-language speakers are located.
5.2 Explain why and how English is related to other languages.
5.3 Identify where other language families are found.
5.4 Explain why cultures preserve their local languages.
Lesson 6, Religions
6.1 Identify areas where various religions are distributed.
6.2 Explain why the world’s major religions have different distributions.
6.3 Explain why religions organize space in distinctive patterns.
6.4 Explain why territorial conflicts arise among religious groups.
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Lesson 7, Ethnicities
7.1 Describe the distribution of various ethnic groups.
7.2 Explain why some ethnicities have been transformed into nationalities.
7.3 Explain why ethnicities clash.
7.4 Describe ethnic cleansing and give examples of it.
Lesson 8, Political Geography
8.1 Explain where states locate.
8.2 Explain why boundaries cause problems.
8.3 Explain why states cooperate with each other.
8.4 Explain why terrorism is on the rise.
Lesson 9, Development
9.1 Explain why and how economic development varies among countries.
9.2 Identify where more and less developed countries are located.
9.3 Describe areas where levels of development vary by gender.
9.4 Explain how and why economically less developed countries face obstacles to
development.
Lesson 10, Food and Agriculture
10.1 Describe the origin of agriculture.
10.2 Describe agricultural regions in economically less developed areas.
10.3 Describe agricultural regions in economically more developed areas.
10.4 Explain how and why farmers face economic difficulties.
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Lesson 11, Industry and Manufacturing
11.1 Describe the origin of industry.
11.2 Explain where industries are distributed, and where they are expanding.
11.3 Explain why industries have different distributions.
11.4 Explain how and why industries face problems.
Lesson 12, Services and Settlements
12.1 Describe the origins of the services industry.
12.2 Explain where and why consumer services are distributed in a regular pattern.
12.3 Explain why business services are located in large settlements.
12.4 Explain why services cluster in downtown areas.
Lesson 13, Urban Patterns
13.1 Describe how and where urban areas have grown.
13.2 Explain the distribution of people within urban areas
13.3 Explain why inner cities have distinctive problems.
13.4 Explain why suburbs have distinctive problems
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