GEOG 102-03: Introduction to Human Geography
Syllabus – Fall 2013
Instructor: Owen Bettis
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Butte 101
Office: Butte Hall 508
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contact: obettis@csuchico.edu
Geography Computer Lab: Butte 501
Writing Center: http://online.csuchico.edu/public/Writing_Center/
Course Description:
In this course students will learn how the study of human geography leads to an
understanding of the interdependence of places and regions in a globalizing world.
Among the topics we will consider during the course are regions, culture, resources, and
spatial behavior.
Required Materials:
** Note: I will be teaching out of the most recent edition of the textbook. If you can
afford it, that book is the most up to date. If you are paying your own way through
college you could buy an older version, and pay attention to the chapter titles rather than
the chapter numbers as some of them may have changed.
1.) Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities (12th Edition)
Author: Jerome Fellman, Arthur Getis, and Judith Getis
Please get this book by September 12th
2.) Goode's World Atlas (22nd edition) – need before Tuesday Sept. 3
3.) Longitude: The Story of a Lone Genius who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of
his Time.
Author: Dava Sobel
You need to get this book by the end of September to give yourself enough time to read it
by the in class review day.
Grading/Assignments:
Orientation Writing Exercise
10 in class quizzes (10 points each)
4 Map exercises (20 points each)
Migration History
Book Review – Longitude
National Park Presentation
10 one-page journals
20 Points
100 points
80 points
100 points
100 points
150 points
100 points
Total points possible:
650 points
Instructions for assignments and all Map Exercises can be found on Blackboard Learn.
We will go over the assignments in class but it is your responsibility to get the map
exercises from Blackboard Learn.
Journals:
Writing about something you have read is an essential skill in college. For all dates on
the schedule stating “Journal due” you are to write a one-page journal (12 pt. font, Times
New Roman, double-spaced) reflecting on the assigned reading. If it appears to me that
you have read the material and spent some time thinking about it, you receive full credit.
We will be sharing these in small groups in class. My goal in assigning the exercise is to
get you into the habit of writing about what you have just read. Try to avoid rehashing
what you read and really focus on reflecting upon the material.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will focus on the readings at first, switching to a focus on maps after the Family
Migration assignment is due. The particular maps to focus on will be announced during
the class preceding the quiz day.
Late Work:
Due to the fact there are so many small assignments, I will not generally accept late work
or allow quiz make-ups. I do understand things happen so you can make up one journal
and one quiz at any point in the semester. Major assignments will lose 10% for every day
they are late (includes weekend days).
Attendance:
Obviously, your regular attendance will greatly help you succeed in this course. Do not
expect to do well if you do not attend class. Though I will be taking attendance, I will
not reduce your score for missed classes. Your grade will drop all by itself if you miss
too much class as you will miss quizzes and important information. Also, if you do not
miss a single class you will be awarded 20 extra credit points for your admirable efforts.
Course Etiquette: Minor requests: Please, turn off cell phones in lecture and lab to avoid
disruption. Please do not eat in lecture (we’re ALL hungry!).
§ Student assignments will be handed back promptly. Any material not picked up
in lecture/lab will be retained for one semester, and then discarded.
Disability Support Services: If you have a documented disability that may require
reasonable accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for
coordination of your academic accommodations. DSS is located in the Student Services
building across from Merriam Library. The DSS phone number is 898-5959 or FAX
898-4411. Visit the DSS website at <http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/>.
Statement on Academic Honesty: Academic misconduct (as defined in the current
California State University, Chico catalogue, pg 47, 635) will not be tolerated. Students
are encouraged to discuss course materials inside and outside the classroom. However,
all written material submitted by students must be their own work exclusively. No
answers to questions cribbed from other students, other classes or the Internet. The
highest standards of honesty are expected when taking exams: no sneaking, peeking or
cheat sheeting. If you have any questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty, or
the consequences of academic misconduct, consult the current university catalogue, the
Office of Student Judicial Affairs (Kendall 112), or ask me.
Date
Assignments/Quizzes
27-Aug
29-Aug
3-Sep
5-Sep
10-Sep
Introduction, Syllabus
Orientation writing exercise due
Quiz 1
Map exercise 1 due "Thematic Maps"
Quiz 2
12-Sep
Map exercise 2 due "US
Demographics"
**Make sure you have the textbook by
now**
Quiz 3
17-Sep
19-Sep
24-Sep
26-Sep
Map exercise 3 due "Geog. of your
Diet", Presentation sign ups
Quiz 4
1-Oct
3-Oct
8-Oct
Map exercise 4 due "Language Maps"
**Make sure you have the book
Longitude by now**
Family Migration History Due
Quiz 5
Journal #1 Due
10-Oct
15-Oct
Quiz 6
Journal #2 Due
17-Oct
22-Oct
Quiz 7
Journal #3 Due
24-Oct
29-Oct
Quiz 8
Journal #4 Due
31-Oct
5-Nov
Quiz 9
Journal #5 Due
Chapters/Reading
*Have chapter read by date
listed*
Intro (find the pdf on Blackboard)
Chp. 2 Roots and Meaning of
Culture
Chp. 3 Spatial Interaction and
Spatial Behavior
Chp. 5 Language and Religion:
Mosaics of Culture
Chp. 4 Population: World Patterns,
Regional Trends
Chp. 7 Folk and Popular Culture:
Diversity and Uniformity
Chp. 8 Livelihood and Economy:
Primary Activities
Chp. 10 Patterns of Development
and Change
Chp. 11 Urban Systems and Urban
Structures
7-Nov
12-Nov
14-Nov
19-Nov
Book Review of Longitude (IN
CLASS)** See below for instructions
Journal #6 Due
Quiz 10
Journal #7 Due, Chasing Ice
BRING PAPER TO WRITE ON
21-Nov
25-Nov
27-Nov
3-Dec
5-Dec
10-Dec
12-Dec
Journal #8 Due covering Chasing Ice
ENJOY YOUR BREAK
No Class
ENJOY YOUR BREAK
No Class
National Park Presentations.
**At some point in these two weeks, turn in a journal on a chapter of your
choice from the textbook. Obviously it would be wise to do this on a day
you are not presenting.**
17-Dec
Final Journal Due between 12:00-1:50
Chp. 13 Human Impacts on
Natural Systems
* Schedule is subject to change by instructor. Reasonable efforts to notify students
will be made.
WRITING A BOOK REVIEW
READ THIS PAGE CAREFULLY BEFORE READING THE BOOK!
As you read, write down your thoughts and reactions; these will be invaluable later. Note that
this is a writing exercise (to practice and demonstrate writing skills) as much as a "test" on the
book's contents.
*****The review will be written IN CLASS, IN 55 MINUTES. Bring paper, a pen, optionally
the book, and a dictionary/thesaurus. Notes are not allowed. It is expected that you will write a
practice review ahead of time, especially to check your writing speed: Fifty-five minutes will pass
quickly.
FORMAT: Label each section of the book review as follows (minus 5 pts for not doing so).
Introduction—The purpose of this introduction is to interest your reader into reading the
rest of the review, to capture their attention (sometimes called a “hook”). Be concise (one short
paragraph), original, and even creative (avoid "This book was written by . . ."). Save the details
and the descriptive material about the book for the overview section. However, make sure to
mention the book by name in the intro.
Overview--A brief overview of the book's contents MUST be included, along with
necessary details about the book, author, setting, time frame, purpose and so on, whatever is
essential information to the reader of your review. This will likely require two, at most three
paragraphs.
(The intro and overview are largely descriptive and objective and will comprise, at most, 40% of
the total review. Make sure that you follow this direction. )
Commentary—[This section generally includes your reactions, comments, criticisms,
and praises of the book.] For this review, I want you to focus in the commentary on how this
book fits into the context of this course (lectures, videos, textbook). Show me how well you
recognized in this book the human geography you have been learning. Remember: this part is
your analysis of the book and the author, not your essay on the topic of the book. In other
words, be sure to address the book and the author; make frequent references to both (at least once
every paragraph). The commentary should include at least four distinct points you are making
about the book, each point developed into its own paragraph.
***This section is analytical (more challenging than the first two sections) and should comprise
the MAJORITY of your review.
Conclusion—You must include a definitive conclusion, perhaps summary comments.
The conclusion to a book review must contain a specific mention of the book.
REMINDERS:
 Expect penalties in points if you fail to follow these directions.
 Avoid the trap of too much `retelling' of the story.
 Do not assume the instructor/grader has read the book; provide the essential explanations.
 The analytical portion should emphasize your own viewpoint; special attention should be
devoted to your insights and reactions, especially as they pertain to course contents. You are
welcome to write in first person.
 Strive for originality in your comments (without going to extremes).
 Maintain a proper balance between generalizations and details/examples;
include both! Paragraphs likely begin with a generalization, followed by supporting
details/examples.
 While your sentiments can provide valuable ideas, avoid strictly and overly emotional
responses.