GEOG 2: Human Geography CRN 20906
Professor Elizabeth Lobb
SPRING 2015: Tuesdays/Thursdays 1:15pm – 2:40pm
Email: elobb@mtsac.edu; Course Website: http://faculty.mtsac.edu/elobb/geography2.html
Office: 26D-2481L, Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7am – 8am, 3pm – 4pm.
Online office hours: Wednesdays 10am – 11am.
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES:
This course is an introduction to Human Geography with two main objectives: first, the introduction of
critical areas of inquiry and research within the discipline of Geography. We will focus primarily on the
interconnections of place and process in several sites around the globe. Secondly, the comprehension of
important terms and concepts in the discipline will be emphasized.
II. COURSE READING:
Visualizing Human Geography, 2nd edition, Greiner. Wiley Publisher.
The textbook can be purchased at the Mt SAC Bookstore new for $81.35. You can find it online for as little
as $52 (Amazon.com), or you may be able to find online rentals of the book for as little as $40. Currently
the Mt SAC book store does not offer this textbook as a rental. The book is also available at the Mt SAC
Library, at the Reserve Desk.
III. COURSE EVALUATION
Your performance in the course will be assessed through the following:
3 Essay and Multiple Choice Based Quizzes
100 points (17%)
5 20-point Map Identification Quizzes
100 points (17%)
3 Exams, 100 points each
300 points (50%)
2 Position Papers, 50 points each
100 points (17%)
TOTAL
600 points
IV. GRADES
A= 90% - 100%
B= 89 – 80%
C= 79 – 70%
D= 69% - 60%
V. COURSE POLICIES:
1. No makeup exams or quizzes are given. Please arrange your schedule so that you will be in class on
the days these assessments are given.
2. There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism in this course. ANY evidence of plagiarism will
result in an automatic “F” in the course and possible suspension from the College.
3. No late work of any kind will be accepted.
4. Cell phones must be turned OFF.
5. Laptops may be used for note taking purposes, ONLY.
6. Audio recording requires PERMISSION of instructor.
VII. POSITION PAPERS
The purpose of the position papers is to allow you the opportunity to explore in greater depth an issue or
idea introduced in the lecture and/or readings. A minimum of 3 outside sources is required for each paper
(the textbook and Wikipedia do not count). During the semester you will be responsible for writing 2
different position papers. You may write a maximum of 3 position papers, with the best two counting
towards your grade. Each paper should be 2-3 pages long, double spaced, and written in 12 point font.
The papers are due on the dates indicated and should deal with an issue or topic covered in lecture
the previous weeks.
You will have 4 opportunities to turn in position papers: 9/24/15 (Week 5), 10/22/15 (Week 9), 11/12/15
(Week 12) and 12/3/15 (Week 15). You can only submit 1 paper per due date, so plan accordingly. Late
papers will not be accepted, it is therefore essential that you keep up with your work.
How to Write a Position Paper:
1. Choose a topic or idea of interest from the previous week. This is a difficult process. I advise you to
choose either a term or a topic from the previous week and expand on it. For example, in the first
week we will be discussing the core themes for the class: sustainability and human-environment
relationships. A possible paper topic could be the potential for sustainable development using a
particular approach or based on a particular country/region experience. Other possible topics
include: genetically modified foods, corn subsidies, language and cultural preservation, global
culture and fast food, guest worker programs, refugee policy, etc.
2. Find some newspaper, magazine, or scholarly publications to augment your understanding of the
topic. Please cite these appropriately. Do not use Wikipedia as your only source.
3. Take a clear position in your writing. For example: “In this paper I argue that eco-tourism in Latin
America is one of the few industries that can successfully bridge the demands of economic growth
with sustainable resource use”. Your position is your thesis statement. You thesis statement should
be included in your first paragraph. The following paragraphs should support your thesis statement
with evidence and/or illustration. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence. Any
significant conclusions that you draw in your position paper should also be included your first
paragraph; this helps your audience know where the paper is headed.
4. Assume that your reader is intelligent, but that she or he may not have necessarily read or heard
all that you have. Thus, you will need to tell your reader enough so that she or he will know what
you are talking about, but not so much that she or he gets bored or feels talked down to.
5. Be sure to support your assertions with both logic and information. For your reader, many things
will not be as self-evident as they are to you. Be sure to tell your reader why you are saying what
you are saying. Always ask the question of yourself, why is this important? Then answer that
question in your essay.
6. Always read your essay out loud before you turn it in. If you were hearing it for the first time, would
it make sense to you? Have you expressed yourself as clearly as possible?
7. Always proofread everything you turn in. Typographical errors, spelling mistakes, and bad
grammar prove very frustrating for your audience. They also result in lower grades.
VI. SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS
WEEK
TOPIC
1
What is Human Geography?
READINGS
Chapter 1: pp. 2 – 15; 20-33
2&3
Geographies of Development
Map Quiz 1: Asia 9/3/15 (Wk2)
Quiz 1 (Wk 3)
Chapter 9: ALL
4
Population
Chapter 3: pp. 64-81
5
Exam 1
Position Paper 1
6&7
Migration
Map Quiz 2: Africa (Wk6)
Quiz 2 (Wk7)
Chapter 3: pp. 81-97
Chapter 7: pp. 201-203
8
Globalization & Cultural Geography
Map Quiz 3: Europe
Chapter 2: pp. 34-50
Chapter 1: pp. 16-20
9
The Geography of Language
Position Paper 2
Chapter 4: ALL
10
EXAM 2
11
Geographies of Identity Race, Ethnicity…
Map Quiz 4: Southwest Asia
Chapter 6: ALL
12
Political Geographies
Position Paper 3
Chapter 7: pp. 194-210
13
Agricultural Geographies
Quiz 3
Chapter 11: ALL
14
Changing Geographies of Industry & Service
Map Quiz 5: Latin America
Chapter 10: ALL
15
Environmental Challenges
Position Paper 4
Chapter 12: ALL
***Final Exam: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015, 10:30AM – 1:00PM***
***SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROFESSOR***