Cultural GeographyGeography 102

Professor Lisa Schmidt

Introduction

Welcome to Cultural Geography - Geography 102!

Important Information:• Ref# 3238 Section 10• Meeting Times - 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM MTWTh• 3 Units• Room PS 221• ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com• (760) 440-8977 Text or Voicemail

What is geography?

• The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.

Two Main Branches

• Human or Cultural Geography– Deals with social,

economic, and behavioral processes.

• Physical Geography– Examines the natural

processes occurring at Earth’s surface that provide the physical setting for human activities.

Two Main Branches

• Cultural Geography

• Developmental Geography

• Economic Geography

• Medical Geography

• Historical Geography

• Political Geography

• Population Geography

• Demography

• Transportation Geography

• Urban Geography

• Biogeography

• Climatology

• Coastal Geography

• Environmental Geography

• Geomorphology

• Glaciology

• Hydrology

• Oceanography

• Paleogeography

Human or Cultural Physical

Cultural GeographyCourse description

Cultural geography is the study of the many cultural aspects found throughout the world and how they relate to the spaces and places where they originate and then travel as people continually move across various areas. Some of the main cultural phenomena studied in cultural geography include language, religion, different economics and governmental systems, art, music, and other cultural aspects that explains how and why people function as they do in the areas in which they live.

Textbook

REQUIRED TEXT• Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global

Context (6th Edition) • by Paul L. Knox , Sallie A. Marston• Prentice Hall; 6 edition (January 7, 2012)• ISBN-13:978-0321769664

– A digital version of the text is available, and the 5th edition is still floating around, that is also acceptable.

– See announcement on Blackboard for link to the digital version.

Materials

Pens, pencils, paper, and the Internet are required for this course.

Colored pens or pencils are recommended.

Course Objectives• You will gain an understanding of location, interconnectivity of locations

at local, regional, national, and global scales, and spatial diffusion. In short, you will learn about geography and how it facilitates an understanding of culural, social, economic, political, health, and environmental systems across the Earth.

• You will incorporate the geography of religion, language, politics, economics, urban and rural studies, and demographics * including race, ethnicity, gender, age, and sexual orientation * into your understanding of your culture and other cultures.

• You will learn, evaluate, and apply meaning and interdependence of places, globalization, spatial analysis, regional analysis, and more in order to better understand and respect the diversity of your culture and other cultures.

Professor Schmidt's Objectives

1. To introduce students to several important problems, events, and issues that affect the world today.

2. To develop a knowledge of the relative location of places in the world’s major states, cities, and geographical features.

3. To become thoroughly conversant with the global/regional issues presented in class and in the readings.

4. To be able to demonstrate effectively the ability to synthesize, evaluate, and form well-informed opinions about contemporary global and regional issues.

5. To be able to acknowledge and critically evaluate various viewpoints concerning a specific issue.

Assignments

Quizzes 11 @ 10 points each = 110Posts 6 @ 10 points each = 60Exams 3 @ 100 points each= 300Presentation 1@ 100 points = 100Map Packets 10 @ 5 points = 50Participation Points 100 possible = 100

Total Possible Points = 720

Grading

A = 720 - 648B = 647 - 576C = 575 - 504D = 503 - 432F = 431 - 0

Chapter Quizzes

There will be a quiz for each chapter of the textbook. Quizzes will be given online using Blackboard. Quizzes will consist of multiple choice, true or false, and matching questions. You will have 30 minutes to complete quizzes. They will open after class once we have finished lecture. Quizzes will be open for one week and will close at 6:30 PM on their due dates.

Exams

Exams will also be given using blackboard. Exam will be created using questions from quizzes and new material. Exams will consist of multiple choice, true or false, matching, an essay questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete exams. They will be open for one week, you will have one chance on exams and they will close at 6:30 PM.

Posts

Each student will pick a place and will then post about that place on the class web page. Topics will include:

Core/Peripheral Status-Place in the World SystemPopulation – growth, decline, other?Politics – what kind of government?Environment – clean, polluted, other?Language – dominant, others?Religion – importance? What kinds?Food – what is eaten in your place?Agriculture – how is food grown? Imported? Exported?Literature – an example of popular literatureFilm – an example of filmMusic – an example of two kinds of music, folk and popular

Map Studies

Map packets will contain blank map various regions of the world. Students are required to label maps and learn the geography of the world. There will be question about maps on quizzes and exams.

Presentation Project

Presentation projects will based on subject matter covered in the textbook. Students will be required to pick a place and a topic to cover. A five minute presentation is required as well as a paper with five cited sources on the chosen subject. Topics and details are posted on the class web page.

Random Participation Points

Random participation points are reserved for in-class assignments and unplanned activities. Your attendance is required to receive them. Points will be given for picking your presentation topic, finding your sources, and answering your research questions. Those points will be included in random participation points.

Class Schedule

NOTE: June 19th Field TripTo the Getty Villa

Class Policies

Late Work and Missed Exams

Late work will not be accepted. Do not ask to have quizzes or exams reopened.

Absences and Tardiness

Missing three classes is considered excessive. Being more than five minutes late three times is considered excessive tardiness. I reserve the right to drop students for either. If you don't want to be dropped, you should contact me about absences. You are responsible for material covered even if you are absent, so you should also make friends.

Emailing Assignments

Assignments will not be accepted by email. If you are having difficulty making it to class when an assignment is due, contact me.

Dropping

If you decide to drop, it is your responsibility to drop yourself from the class. If you stop coming to class, I don't know what you want and will likely give you an F.

Extra Credit

Some extra credit may be offered during the semester. It will be announced in class and your attendance will be required to take advantage of it.

Academic Honesty

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the dean's office. Please refer to San Bernardino Valley College's policy on academic honesty.

Cell Phones and Other DevicesUse of a cell phone for talking or texting during

class is inappropriate. You may b asked to leave the classroom if you are talking or texting during lecture. Phones should be set to silent mode when in class. Laptop computers and mobile devices may be used, but only a for class related activities. No iPods, mp3 players, or headphones are allowed.

Disabilities Services and Accommodations

• If you have, or think you have a disability which may interfere with your ability to perform in this class, please speak with me immediately and please contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services Office at (909) 384-4443. There is help available.

Blackboard

• Blackboard will be used during this course. You must use Blackboard to take your quizzes and exams. You may access Blackboard here: https://sbccd.blackboard.com/ Ask if you have questions about using Blackboard!

Class Web Page

• A web page has been created for this class. You may access it at: http://culturalgeo.wikispaces.com You will need to access the web page to post. You will find PowerPoints, maps, documents, and more on the class web page.

Contact Information

• The best way to reach me is by e-mail at ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com and you can text me at (760) 440-8977

Note About Changes

All dates, topics, rules, and point totals are tentative. I reserve the right to make changes as they become necessary throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to stay informed. Attendance is the best way, having a friend in class is the next best, try to make friends.

Core Competencies

Core Competencies for GEOG 102: Cultural Geography Lecture:

1. Students will read and retain information.2. Students will employ vocabulary of cultural

geography.3. Students will demonstrate active listening skills.4. Students will demonstrate respect for a diversity of

ideas and the rights of others.5. Students will recognize their own biases and values.6. Students will demonstrate knowledge of and respect

for other cultures.

SLO's

Student Learning Outcomes for GEOG 102: Cultural Geography Lecture:

1. Students will differentiate between population pyramids for core countries (more developed countries) and peripheral countries (less developed countries) on a series of exam questions.

2. Students will compare and contrast origin areas (cultural hearths) of major world religions with modern distributions of major world religions on a series of exam questions.

Services Available for Your Success

• Tutoring services are available. Contact the Student Success Center at (909) 384-8566. The Student Success Center is located in the Physical Science Building.

Services Available for Your Success

• Writing Center

• Library

• Student Success Center

More Services…

• Educational Counseling

• Psychological Counseling

• Health Center

• Child Care Center

• EOPS

• Financial Aid

• AND MORE!!

Next Class Meeting

• The National Geography Standards

• Mental Maps– Bring your colored pens and pencils!