GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A survey of human activity within the context of its regional
settings. The course considers ideas such as economic development and the cultural,
physical, and political dynamics at work within each region. The course guides the student
into thinking about human phenomenon from a spatial perspective. It emphasizes the
understanding of place, region, and spatial connection. For students interested in world
affairs, culture, international relations, and understanding the characteristics of places
around the world.
Course Title:
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Course Number
1303
Credit Hours:
3
Semester and Year
Spring 2004
Instructor
Mrs. Jennie Pierce
T/TH
9:30 – 10:50 a.m. Tomball S259 #31002
M/W
5:30 – 6:50 p.m.
Willow Chase 209 #30002
Class Days and Times
FLEX - arranged #39001
Office:
Tomball S206
M/W - before or after class by request
Office Hours:
T/TH - 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (or before class by request)
jennie_hou@yahoo.com (preferred)
E-mail
Jennie.M.Pierce@nhmccd.edu
Phone:
281-357-3655 (office) or 281-376-3414 (home)
Course Learning Outcomes: World Geography
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Discover the scope, methods, and perspectives of geography.
Define the relationship between geography and economic development.
Account for the disparity among countries in the level of economic development.
Explore the locational and physical bases of global human activities.
Examine the diverse physical environment of world regions in relation to human geography.
Demonstrate a stronger knowledge base of place-name geography by using and atlas.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
TEXT : CONCEPTS AND REGIONS IN GEOGRAPHY
DEBLIJ & MULLER (LATEST EDITION)
ATLAS : GOODE’S WORLD ATLAS
RAND MCNALLY (LATEST EDITION)
OTHER MATERIALS :
Base maps for map tests may be copied from instructor or others found online
Evaluation:
Your final grade in this class will be based on your total points from the following:
TESTS : There will be 5 Topics tests.
Map Tests : There will be 4 Map tests plus a COMPREHENSIVE map as the Final
Book Review for Extra Credit : 2-3 page review from the list provided
Misc. Assignments : there will be other assignments during the course.
Current Events Quizzes : quizzes will be given the last day of the class covering the news of the
week. There will be 7 – 12 quizzes beginning the 2nd week of class.
LETTER GRADE ASSIGNMENT:
Final grade will be based on total number of points earned (required + extra credit) as a percentage
of the total points required. ( PE/PR)
Final Average in Percent
Letter Grade
100 – 91 %
90 - 81 %
80 - 70 %
69 - 60 %
59 – 0 %
A
B
C
D
F
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
This is YOUR responsibility. There will be a sign in sheet passed around. I do not count absences against your grade
but if you are “between” grades at the end of the course I will take it into consideration. If you are absent, please get
the notes and assignments from another student. YOU DO NOT NEED TO NOTIFY ME IF YOU WILL BE
ABSENT UNLESS IT IS FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. I have no policy on later arrival, however I, and the rest of
the class, would appreciate it if you would enter or leave as quietly as possible. PRACTICE CONSIDERATION !!!
ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments are to be completed and submitted to the instructor on the scheduled due date. Late assignments will
be accepted, but there WILL be points deducted. No extra credit or make-up work will be accepted
during the last week of class.
MAKE-UP EXAMS:
All make-up exams will be administered in the Assessment Center (or may given by me by arrangement.) You will
need to arrange with me to have a test left in the Assessment Center. To take a test there, you MUST show a
PICTURE ID.
EXAMS for FLEX class :
ALL topic and map test will be taken at one of the NHMCCD Assessment Centers. (IF the tests become available
on WebCT at a later date, I will let you know) The current events quizzes WILL be available online by Thursday and
due by Sunday. You will be notified as to when tests will be in the Assessment Centers and when they must be
completed.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
Withdrawal from the course, after the official day of record (see current catalog), will result in a final grade of “W” on
the student transcript and no credit will be awarded. The last day to drop this class and still receive a “W” is April 5th,
2004. I will NOT withdraw you from this class for administrative reasons. It is YOUR responsibility to submit the
required forms. Failure to do so will result in an “F” in this course
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
NHMCCD is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the
academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards
includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments,
collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course.
Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating or receiving answers
during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes,
texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an
exam. Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving
proper credit by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report or project that someone
else has prepared, in whole or in part. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be
completed independently. These definitions are not exhaustive. When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism,
collusion or misrepresentation, a faculty member will take disciplinary action including but not limited to:
requiring the student to retake or resubmit an exam or assignment, assigning a grade of zero or "F" for an
exam or assignment; or assigning a grade of "F" for the course. Additional sanctions including being withdrawn
from the course, program or expelled from school may be imposed on a student who violates the standards of academic
integrity.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
It is the policy of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District to provide equal employment, admission
and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. NHMCCD
Colleges strive to provide an excellent learning environment free from harassment or intimidation directed at any
person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any form of harassment will not be tolerated.
ADA STATEMENT:
The NHMCCD colleges are dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for
all students. The college district promotes equity in academic access through the implementation
of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V,
Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students
with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.
If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability,
please notify the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the
first two weeks of class to arrange for reasonable accommodations.
TOPICS
INTRO, CANADA,
U.S.
TEST # 1 (includes map test)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
POINTS
MATERIALS
INTRO. PGS 1-28
APPND. “A-1”,
ATLAS VI-XII
TEXT CHPTR 3 &
MAP LIST
++++++++++++++++++++++++
CENTRAL AMER.,
SOUTH AMER.
TEXT CHPTRS 4, 5 &
TEST # 2 (INCLUDES MAP TEST)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHPTRS
+/- 100
++++++++++++++++++++++
MAP LIST
+/- 100
+++++++++++++++++++++
1, 2 & MAP LIST
EUROPE AND RUSSIA
TEST # 3(LNCLUDES MAP TEST)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++
CHPTRS
+/- 100
++++++++++++++++++++++
6, 7, 8 & MAP LIST
AFRICA , SOUTHWEST ASIA
AND SOUTH ASIA
TEST # 4(INCLUDES MAP TEST)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++
ASIA AND PACIFIC
CHPTRS
TEST # 5(INCLUDES MAP TEST)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
COMPREHENSIVE
MAP FINAL
ADDITIONAL WORK & CURRENT
EVENTS QUIZZES
TOTAL POINTS(aprox)
+/- 100
+++++++++++++++++++++
9,10,11,12 & MAP LIST
++++++++++++++++++++++++
+/- 100
++++++++++++++++++++++
50
+/- 200
+/- 750
BOOK LIST - WORLD GEOGRAPHY
PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are several controversial topics and authors included on this list. Most of these
books are fictionalizations of historic happenings and are open to interpretation. They are NOT to be taken as
“fact” but may be representations of the events the author is dealing with. The purpose of this book review is to
introduce you to other ideas and viewpoints.
TITLE
AUTHOR
Sarum
Poland
Rutherfurd
Michener
Centennial
The Source
The Covenant
Michener
Michener
Michener
Alaska
Caribbean
Beirut to Jerusalem
Michener
Michener
Friedman
Noble House
Plains of Passage
The Haj
Clavell
Auel
Uris
Arabia
A Year in Provence
Galveston
Raban
Mayle
Cartwright
Princess
Sasson
Princess’ Daughters
The Kingdom
Wine & War
Body of Truth
Sasson
Lacey
Kladstrup
Lindsey
Mirage
The Perfect Storm
S. Khashoggi
S. Junger
SUBJECT
Stolen Lives
Oufkir
Surviving Galeras
S. Williams
No Apparent Danger
V. Bruce
Isaac’s Storm
Larson
I’m a Stranger Here Myself
Bryson
The Great Railroad Bazaar
Theroux
Yemen
Mackintosh-Smith
The Sunburned Country
Bryson
The Last Boom
Clark & Halbouty
Nathaniel’s Nutmeg
Milton
Volcanoes in Human History
de Boer & Sanders
Firestorm at Peshtigo
Gess & Lutz
Volcano Cowboys
Thompson
Islam a Short History
Armstrong
Under a Sickle Moon
Hodson
Heart of Islam
Nasr
Al_Jazeera
el-Nawawy & Iskandar
English history in fictional setting
Polish history – follows several fictional
families
Colorado territory – fact & fiction
Israel settlement – by archeological “dig”
South African history – through various
groups
Alaskan history – through statehood
Caribbean history/culture – fact & fiction
Lebanon’s civil war by American Jewish
journalist
China & Hong Kong – attitudes and business
ancient Eastern Europe – fictionalized history
Israel & Palestine – controversial
fictionalization
Persian Gulf region
Englishman relocates to southern France
Island’s history – very interesting and
informative
woman of Saudi Royal family – one woman’s
story
story continues
history of Saudi Arabia
saving France’s wines from Germany in WWII
set in Guatemala – mystery set several years
ago
a woman of the Middle East
the “perfect” East Coast storm more
than the movie
“modern” Morocco story of escape
volcanic eruption in Colombia
same story.. different viewpoint
1900 Galveston storm – meteorologist
expat returns to the US after 20 years
by train through Asia
story of an ancient country to today
American expat in Australia
discovery of Texas’ great oil fields
saga of the Spice Traders(historical)
impact of various eruptions historically
1871 firestorm in Wisconsin (Chicago Fire)
a look at American volcanologists
a look at Islam by respected Catholic author
journalist view of Afghanistan
exploring Islam’s basic philosophies
the “CNN” of the Middle East?
DIRECTIONS FOR : BOOK REVIEW EXTRA CREDIT
Worth 30 points
NOTE: if it comes in LATE, you will lose 1 point per day. Reviews may be turned in as a hard
copy or emailed as an attachment.
DUE : March 20th, 2004
Book MUST be from list provided.
BOOK REVIEW:
1) Must be 2 - 3 pages long, TYPED and DOUBLE SPACED …. (after 3 pages, I get “testy”!)
2) Must include :
1) Title, author, when the book was written
2) Summary or examples from the book and the time period it covers
3)What you discovered about the people and/or the location …may be positive, may
be negative, depending on the author’s point of view.
4) Do you agree with the author’s “conclusions” or bias? (if any)
5) Your opinion of the book and why you chose it
6) Would you recommend this book to others…why or why not
These books cover a variety of Geographical topics both human and physical. Some are fiction and
others non-fiction and they vary in length. I suggest you pick your book early and take your time reading
it, making notes as you go. I have read them all and know the differences between the books and movies!
IF you find it necessary to quote the author or another reviewer, be sure to include (“…”) quotation
marks and credit the author!!!!!