GEOG 2: Human Geography CRN 40684
Professor Elizabeth Lobb
SPRING 2016: Tuesdays/Thursdays 8-9:25am
Email: ; Course Website: http://faculty.mtsac.edu/elobb/geography2.html
Office: 26D-2481L, Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:30–8am, 9:30-9:45am, 11:15-11:30am, 1-2pm
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. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of Geography 2, it is expected that students can
1. Analyze the spatial variation of humans and their activities around the world.
2. Describe the tools and theories used in geographic research.
3. Evaluate the relationship between humans and the environment.

III. 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.

IV. 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

V. GRADES
A= 90% - 100% B= 89 – 80% C= 79 – 70% D= 69% - 60%

VI. 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: 3/24/16 (Week 5), 4/21/16 (Week 9), 5/12/16 (Week 12) and 6/2/16 (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. You must have a minimum of three (3) outside sources referenced.

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.

VIII. SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS

WEEK TOPIC READINGS

1 What is Human Geography? Chapter 1: pp. 2 – 15; 20-33

2 & 3 Geographies of Development Chapter 9: ALL
Map Quiz 1: Asia (Wk2)
Quiz 1: (Wk 3)

4 Population Chapter 3: pp. 64-81

5 Exam 1 (3/24/16)

Position Paper 1 (3/24/16)

6 No class Week 6, March 29 & 31

7 Migration Chapter 3: pp. 81-97

Map Quiz 2: Africa (Wk7) Chapter 7: pp. 201-203
Quiz 2: (Wk8)

8 Globalization & Cultural Geography Chapter 2: pp. 34-50

Map Quiz 3: Europe (Wk8) Chapter 1: pp. 16-20

9 The Geography of Language Chapter 4: ALL

Position Paper 2 (4/21/16)

10 EXAM 2 (4/28/16)

11 Geographies of Identity Race, Ethnicity… Chapter 6: ALL
Map Quiz 4: Southwest Asia (Wk11)

12 Political Geographies Chapter 7: pp. 194-210
Position Paper 3 (5/12/16)

13 Agricultural Geographies Chapter 11: ALL

Quiz 3: Wk 13

14 Changing Geographies of Industry & Service Chapter 10: ALL

Map Quiz 5: Latin America (Wk 14)

15 Environmental Challenges Chapter 12: ALL
Position Paper 4: 6/2/16

***Final Exam: TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016, 7:30AM – 10:00AM***

***SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROFESSOR***