University of Alberta
HGP 100: Cultures, Landscapes & Geographic Space
Fall 2012
Instructor:
Office:
E-mail:
Course Web Page:
Office Hours:
Leith Deacon
Tory 3-117
deacon1@ualberta.ca
eClass
Monday & Wednesday 1000 – 1100, or by appointment
Lecture:
TEL 150
MWF 1200 - 1250
Calendar Course Description: Introduction to geographical techniques and the spatial
organization of human landscapes and significance of the distribution of human activity.
Not open to students with credit in EAS 192.
Course Objectives: This course is an introduction to the study of human geography. The
course covers the knowledge and skills, and the theoretical background to have an
introductory understanding of topics relevant to human geography.
Required Textbook: Fellmann, J.D., Getis, A., Getis, J., Shrubsole, D., Hopkins, J.
(2009) Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities, 2nd edition, United States:
McGraw-Hill.
Organization of course:
This course is divided into four units, as outlined below, along with the appropriate
background readings in Fellman’s text. There is much more contained in the textbook
that can be learned in a single term. We will sample some topics briefly and some not at
all. It would be ideal if you read over the appropriate material in the textbook before I
talk about it. You should at least read over the appropriate section of the textbook after
each class as needed to help with your understanding of the material.
Unit 1: Some key themes in the study of human geography
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand the research process.
Understand the basic properties of maps and how they show data.
Appreciate the power of geography information systems.
Identify the role of a model, the world-systems analysis, in guiding our
understanding of globalization.
5. Better understand the geographer’s view of human systems, in the contexts of
spatial interactions and human spatial interaction.
6. Know the essence of “space” from a geographic perspective.
7. Better understand the concepts of places and regions.
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8. Better appreciate the relevance of geography in our globalized world.
Unit background reading: Fellmann Chapters 2 and 3.
Unit 2: Landscapes of identity, plurality, and organization
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Know how population is distributed.
2. Know where and how population increases.
3. Understand the concept of population density and overpopulation.
4. Become familiar with demographic transition theory.
5. Understand the types and extent of migration.
6. Become more familiar with population data and projects
7. Appreciate the concepts of culture and landscape.
8. Understand the processes of cultural changes
9. Introduce the dominate these of cultural geography
10. Explain how cultural identities are political and spatial.
11. Understand the concept of ethnicity and its constitution in space.
12. Appreciate the areal extent and diversity of languages.
13. Explain the roles and distributions of major religions.
14. Illustrate how these three cultural identities both unify and diversify people.
15. Know what a state and nation are.
16. Understand how the modern state has evolved
17. Know what are geographic characteristics of states.
18. Understand different types of boundaries and boundary disputes.
19. Identify the forces that bring states together and apart.
20. Understand why and how states project power and cooperate with each other.
21. Become familiar with the role of local governments.
Unit 2 background reading: Fellmann, Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Unit 3: Dynamic spaces of cities and economies
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Introduce the nature and spatial organization of urban settlements.
2. To identify economic and social patterns and processes of urban systems.
3. Explain the formation of suburbs and central cities.
4. Convey the global diversity of urban structures.
5. Identify the structure and categories of economic organization.
6. Identify and clarify primary economic activities.
7. Introduce and discuss geography of agriculture.
8. Introduce and discuss geography of resource exploitation.
9. Explain and illustrate the manufacturing sector and its spatial patterns.
10. Introduce factors and theories of manufacturing locational decision-making.
11. Explain and illustrate the service sectors and their spatial patterns.
12. Illustrate the global scale of the world economy.
13. Understand the differences among economic growth, economic development,
and human development measures of development.
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14. Understand how concepts, such as the core-periphery model and gender can
assist in explaining why development varies among nations.
Unit background reading: Fellmann, Chapters 8,9, 10, and 11.
Unit 4: Human-Environment interactions
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand how humans adjust to hazards, particularly climate change.
2. Appreciate the human dimensions of a range of environmental issues.
3. Appreciate the roles geographers can play in solving environmental problems.
Unit background reading: Fellmann, Chapter 12.
Course Schedule:
Week
One (Sept 5 – 7)
Two (Sept 10 – 14)
Three (Sept. 17 – 21)
Four* (Sept. 24 – 28)
Test held Sept. 24
Five (Oct. 1 – 5)
Six (Oct. 8 – 12)
No class Oct. 8
Seven (Oct. 15 – 19)
Eight* (Oct. 22 – 26)
Test held Oct. 22
Nine (Oct. 29 – Nov. 2)
Ten (Nov. 5 – 9)
Eleven* (Nov. 12 – 16)
No class Nov. 12
Test held Nov. 14
Twelve (Nov. 19 – 23)
Thirteen (Nov. s c – 30)
Fourteen (Dec. 3 – 7)
* Indicates week of test.
Unit
Chapter
Introduction
One
One
One
1
2
3
4
Two
Two
5
6
Two
Two
7
8
Three
Three
Three
9
10
11
Three
Four
11, 12
12
Review
Evaluation and Grading:
All assignments and examinations in this course will be given a numerical score. A
cumulative course mark will be calculated from those scores, weighted as tabulated
below. A final letter grade will be assigned based upon your cumulative mark and my
analysis of the class’s cumulative mark distribution. Where possible, natural breaks in the
cumulative mark distribution will be used in assigning grades, but no pre-determined
distribution of grades will be imposed on the class. Your grade will reflect a combination
of your absolute achievement and relative standing in the class.
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Exams and Assignments
Test #1
Test #2
Test #3
Final exam
Weighting
Date
20%
20%
20%
40%
September 24
October 22
November 14
TBA
Missed Term Exams and Tests:
A student who cannot write a term test or exam because of an incapacitating illness,
severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred midterm
examination. Applications are to be made in writing to the professor, within 48 hours of
the missed exam or test. Please consult with me regarding the necessary supporting
documentation. Deferral of term work is a privilege not a right; there is no guarantee that
a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach
of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Deferred Final Examination:
A student who cannot write a term test or exam because of an incapacitating illness,
severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final
examination. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within 48
hours of the missed examination and must be supported by a Statutory Declaration or
other appropriate documentation (Calendar section 23.5.6). Deferral of term work is a
privilege not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted.
Misrepresentation of facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student
Behaviour. If required, the deferred final examination will be held at 9 am on Saturday,
January 19, 2013. Location TBA.
Student Responsibilities:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: ‘The University of Alberta is committed to the
highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be
familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies
of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize
themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially
result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or
participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result
in suspension or expulsion from the University.’
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Cheating, plagiarism
and misrepresentation of facts are serious offenses. Anyone who engages in these
practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and
no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. Any offense
will be reported to the appropriate Dean, who will determine the disciplinary action to be
taken. Typical sanctions for serious violations of the Code have included disciplinary
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grade reductions, disciplinary failing grades, suspension or permanent expulsion from the
University.
EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students
will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes.
Students must remain in the exam room for at least 30 minutes from the time the exam
commenced. Electronic equipment is not to be brought to exams.
CELL PHONES: Please turn off cell phone during lectures. Cell phones are not to be in
your possession during exams; leave it home or put it away in your backpack.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students who require accommodation in this
course because of a disability are advised to discuss their needs with Specialized Support
& Disability Services (2-800 Students’ Union Building).
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing
strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact
the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).
RECORDING: “Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other
teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the
instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be
used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose
without prior written consent from the instructor.” [Calendar 23.4(2)e.]
COURSE OUTLINE POLICY: “Policy about course outlines can be found in section
23.4(2) of the University Calendar.” [Calendar 23.4(2)a.xi]
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and
will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and
takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
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