Hawaii Pacific University
GEOG 2000 Introduction to Human Geography Section ____
Semester and year, meeting times
Instructor: name, contact information and other relevant information about the instructor.
Course description: An introduction to the concepts and major topics of human geography. This course
uses a dynamic, hands-on approach to explore concepts such as mapping techniques, regions, diffusion,
population growth, migration, regional and global economic development, growth of cities, cultural
landscapes, market areas, and the human impact on the environment.
Course prerequisites: Any Communication Skills A course
General Education Requirement: This course is classified under the Global Systems theme and meets
the requirement for a course in Global Systems B: Globalization.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes and the Five Themes: HPU’s general education
curriculum is focused around five themes. This course emphasizes the Global Systems theme and
provides students with opportunities to achieve the following related general education student
learning outcomes:
Students will utilize various systems approaches or theories to comprehend global processes. (GS 3)
Many of the central concepts of human geography are focus on dynamic systems that help us to
understand global processes. For example, the concept of functional regions helps us to understand the
spatial interactions that tie the core of a region with its periphery. The basic demographic equation and
demographic transition theory help us to grasp population change at local and global levels. We use the
gravity model to investigate levels of spatial interaction such as migration between cities and states.
Central place theory helps us to analyze the spatial arrangement of cities and towns across space and
how that might change over time.
Students will recognize some of the roles that international organizations and transnational ideas and
movements play in world societies. (GS 6)
A broad theme in geography is how is power distributed throughout the world and the various levels of
the global power structure ranging from local governments to large international organizations such as
the United Nations. The course looks at the role of international organizations (political, economic,
state, non-state, NGO) across global space. Examples of transnational ideas and movements that human
geography deals with includes the diffusion of ideas, innovations, technologies, and cultural
characteristics; international migration, and theories of economic development.
Students will understand the impact of the process of globalization from a historical or cultural
perspective. (GS 7)
Human geography studies the spread of peoples, religions, languages, foods, diseases, economic
systems, technologies, and cultural trends throughout the world. All of these are aspects of
globalization.
The course also addresses the Research and Epistemology Theme by providing students with
opportunities to achieve the following related general education student learning outcome:
Students will utilize methods and technologies appropriate to the discipline to investigate research
questions, generate predictions, test hypotheses and/or solve problems. (R&E 7)
The course focuses on the research tools used by geographers to investigate research questions, make
projections/forecasts, and solve problems. These tools include maps, remote sensing, geographic
information systems, mathematical models, and qualitative techniques such as cultural landscape
analysis. Throughout the course students analyze, display, and interpret spatial data using maps,
graphs, and tables.
Note: Purple text shows places where specific course information must be filled in. Red text provides
explanatory notes to the instructor which should be deleted before using the syllabus. Blue explanations
above should be rephrased by the individual instructor to reflect the specific approach in that section of
the course. Course-specific outcomes below are an example and may also be rephrased or modified by
the instructor.
Course-Specific Student Learning Outcomes for GEOG 2000 Introduction to Human Geography
1. The course emphasizes the development of the ability to observe and interpret the cultural
landscape. Cultural landscape influences from many parts of the world can be identified through
a number of local level investigations here in Honolulu. Students will do this by observing and
reporting on the cultural landscapes of Downtown Honolulu during scheduled field walks,
completing the cultural landscape portion of the Census Tract Project, and by viewing slide
presentations and videos shown in class. These Learning Outcomes are assessed by evaluating
the field walk reports, and the Census Tract Project.
2. This course stresses the manipulation and analysis of spatial data in order answer questions,
solve problems, and generate predictions. Such data analysis forms the basis of quantitatively
oriented research in geography as well as in the other social sciences. Students will do this by
analyzing and presenting many types of spatial data by completing the interactive CD-ROM
based exercises in the textbook and the Census tract exercise. These Learning Outcomes are
assessed by evaluating the exercises, the Census Tract Project, and examination responses.
3. This course develops critical thinking skills. Students will do this by comparing and contrasting
key ides and concepts such as different population and development policies. These Learning
Outcomes are assessed by evaluating examination responses.
4. This course focuses on the key theories and concepts of human geography and how they
connect with broader global systems. Many of these concepts involve how people, ideas,
technologies, and cultural phenomena spread throughout the world. Students will do this by
completing the interactive CD-ROM based exercises in the textbook, the Residential History
paper and the Census Tract Project. These Learning Outcomes are assessed by evaluating the
exercises, the Residential History paper, the Census Tract Project, and examination responses.
5. This course highlights the overarching importance of map making and interpretation as a form
of visual communication in the field of geography. Students will gain experience with map
making and interpretation by completing the interactive CD-ROM based exercises in the
textbook, and the Census Tract Project. These Learning Outcomes are assessed by evaluating
the exercises, the Census Tract Project, and examination responses.
For the rest of these required syllabus items see the details in the faculty handbook. Delete this note
once the syllabus is complete. For online courses there are some additional requirements given at this
link.
Texts List textbooks with ISBN’s and include this language as well
All textbook information (pricing, ISBN #, and e-books) for this course can be found on the HPU
Bookstore website: hpu.edu/bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding textbooks, please contact the HPU Bookstore at:
Phone:
808-544-9347
Or e-mail:
jyokota@hpu.edu
mmiyahira@hpu.edu
Assignments and mode of evaluation
Summary of important dates and deadlines (if the schedule is a separate document and due dates are
not given with the description of the assignments).
Class rules and policies (including regarding attendance, late work and academic dishonesty)
Schedule of events (may be attached separately)