GEOG 120 - Regional Peoples and Environments

Cascadia Community College – Spring 2007

Mondays and Wednesdays 1:15-3:20

Room CC1 351

 
 
Instructor:  John VanLeer

Office: CC1 145

Phone: 425.352.8157

E-mail: jvanleer@cascadia.ctc.edu

Office hours: M & W 3:30-4:00, or by appt.

http://cascadia.ctc.edu/facultyweb/instructors/jvanleer/

 

 


Course Overview:  Regional Peoples and Environments is an introductory college level course in geography designed to provide students with a basic understanding of geographic tools and methods which they will use to study specific regions of the world.  Maps, satellite images, computer visualizations and mathematics will be used to investigate the physical environments of those regions and allow students to draw conclusions as to the impact of the natural world on the way people live.  Throughout the quarter students will work collaboratively to study particular regions and their people, and create projects which demonstrate their new understanding of the world.

 

Students should expect to immerse themselves in activities and inquiries which will allow them to gather information directly related to the topics of study.  They will read, write, and speak regularly.  They will work individually and collaboratively.  Students will become enlightened in all aspects of the world in which they live.  Students will develop a sense of pride in their new understanding and a feeling of community with all members of the class.  That combination of intellectual pride and community will make Regional Peoples and Environments both an enjoyable and memorable component of a lifetime of learning.

 
 
Text and Materials:

 

Edward F. Bergman and William H. Renwick—

Introduction to Geography: People, Places,

& Environment --  3rd edition.

  • Oxford Essential World Atlas
  • Graph paper & calculator
  • A 3-ring notebook which will serve as a portfolio

containing notes, drawings, reflections,

data collections, etc.

  • Scan Tron sheets

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Outcomes:  As you are probably already aware, all of Cascadia’s courses are designed with four governing outcomes:  Learn Actively; Think Critically, Creatively, and Reflectively; Communicate with Clarity and Originality; and Interact in Diverse and Complex Environments.  These outcomes are woven throughout Regional Peoples and Environments, and are offered in the following statements.  Students will:

 

  • Understand how geographers collect and analyze data in order to establish spatial patterns and derive conclusions based on those patterns. 
  • Understand various aspects of Earth’s physical environment, including climate, landforms, soils, vegetation, and wildlife.
  • Apply geographic methods and knowledge to actively discover relationships between peoples of a specific region and their environment.
  • Work individually and collaboratively to build sophisticated, complete presentations detailing the relationships described above.
  • Extrapolate from new understanding to suggest future evolution of the relationships described above.
  • Communicate their findings using oral, written, and graphic methods with the assistance of a variety of contemporary technological resources.

 

 

Text Box: Academic Success: The best way to succeed in this class is to attend every class and participate with vigor. The material presented in class is the best example of what will be tested. The assigned reading does not cover every concept you are expected to learn. Conversely, the text contains significant amounts of information that will not be tested. In addition, details about assignments and assessments are provided in class. Participation is the best way to get interested and stay motivated. If you’re not having fun, you’re probably not learning as much as you should be. Talk to the instructor. See him during or after class, or use his office hours. Whatever you do, be in charge of your learning – make it happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Classroom Dignity:  A classroom must be a safe and comfortable place for students to learn.  As a result, the instructor and the students must respect each other’s individual differences whether they be cultural, racial, sexual, intellectual, physical, or of any other type.  The atmosphere of this class will be a warm and inviting one for everyone.  No behavior that interferes with the learning of any person or persons will be tolerated at any level.

 

Students with Disabilities:  Students with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations should contact the Advising Office on the first floor.

 

Assessments and Grading:  Students will be assessed in a variety of ways.  These will include an article review, scientific inquiries, a final project and presentation, quizzes, take-home independent essay questions, and mid-term and final exams.  They are outlined below.  Additional information will be made available in the future.

 

All assignments will be graded on a scale of 0 – 100%.  However, they will be weighted individually for calculation of the final grade.

 

  • Portfolio of Student Work (25%)  Specific assignments conducted inside and outside of class should be completed with care and presented well.  All assignments identified as portfolio entries should be maintained throughout the quarter.  Assignments may include graphs, data sets, analyses of data, diagrams, maps, reflections, etc.  They will be posted in your portfolio and assessed near the end of the quarter.

 

  • Quizzes (5%)  Quizzes will be brief, multiple choice assessments designed to give the student feedback on their knowledge attainment before the mid-term and final exams.  There will be approximately three quizzes during the quarter, and each will be approximately 15 questions.  All will be announced. 

 

  • Mid-term Examination (15%)  The mid-term examination will be multiple-choice and will be designed to test knowledge and conceptual understanding of material covered in the first half of the course.

 

  • Final Examination (15%)  The final examination will be multiple-choice and will be designed to test knowledge and conceptual understanding of material covered in the second half of the course.

 

  • Basic Geography Skills Assessment (10%)  A fundamental assumption of geography is that educated citizens of the world must have a basic understanding of the location of various important places.  This framework is critical as a foundation for geographic understanding.  While the locations of places are not specifically taught in this course, a test of basic geographic knowledge will be given.  Study sheets will be distributed on the second day of class and the test will be administered the following week.  You may re-take the test up to two additional times if you are unsatisfied with your grade.

 

  • Microproject (10%)  You will work within a group of three people to create your own environment and people.  You will fabricate an environment, and then explain how inhabitants live as a result of the environment they live within.  Your vision will be presented to the class.

 

  • Final Project (20%)  You will work within a group researching and preparing for a presentation.  The topic will involve a specific region of the world.  Your group will research the natural environment of that region as well of the culture, politics, economics and behavior of the people who live there.  Your project will detail how the environment influences the peoples of that region.  Presentation of the project will include a poster board and any other materials necessary to thoroughly educate your peers.  The projects will be peer evaluated.  Your individual performance will be assessed by fellow group members and instructor observations. 

 

 

Cascadia’s grading policy is detailed on page 50 of the catalog.  This equates to a 100 point scale as follows:

                                                                                                                                   

100% - 96% = 4.0

83% = 2.8

71% = 1.6

95% - 94% = 3.9

82% = 2.7

70% = 1.5

93%  = 3.8

81% = 2.6

69% - 68% = 1.4

92% = 3.7

80% = 2.5

67% - 66% = 1.3

91% = 3.6

79% = 2.4

65% = 1.2

90% = 3.5

78% = 2.3

64% = 1.1

89% = 3.4

77% = 2.2

63% = 1.0

88% = 3.3

76% = 2.1

62% = 0.9

87% = 3.2

75% = 2.0

61% = 0.8

86% = 3.1

74% = 1.9

60% = 0.7

85% = 3.0

73% = 1.8

<60% = 0

84% = 2.9

72% = 1.7

 

 

 

 

Special Circumstances:  While 100% attendance is expected, it is not always possible.  If you know in advance you will be missing a class, it is best to let the instructor know beforehand, as well as speak to a classmate who can get you a copy of notes, etc.  If you miss a day during which an exam or presentation is scheduled, contact the instructor before the class or as soon as possible after the class begins.  A simple e-mail or voicemail explaining the circumstances is acceptable.  Failing to contact the instructor before the next scheduled class may result in receiving a zero for the missed activity.

 

Academic Honesty:  Cascadia Community College’s Academic Honest policy can be found the college catalog and student handbook.  It deals with plagiarism, cheating, and other violations of integrity.  Read it.  Please be aware that any infraction will be dealt with quickly and aggressively.  At no time during this course will it be permissible to turn in a writing assignment that is identical to another student’s.  All writing and most other work must be uniquely your own.  Exceptions will be specifically expressed by the instructor.

 

Inclement Weather:  In the event that extreme weather necessitates the closing of the college, information can be found at schoolreport.org.  Cascadia’s main number will also provide a recorded message when the switchboard is closed.

 

 

 

Schedule of Topics and Assignments:

                                                                                   

Week

Topic

Reading / Assessment

1

Introduction to Geography & Geographic Tools

Chapter 1

 

2

Introduction to Geography & Geographic Tools

Chapter 1

 

3

Weather & Climate

Chapter 2

GKA 4/11; Quiz 1

4

Weather & Climate

Chapter 2

 

5

Landforms

Chapter 3

Quiz 2; Microprojects

6

Landforms

Chapter 3

Midterm Exam 5/2

7

Biogeochemical Cycles & Biosphere

Chapter 4

8

Food Supply

Chapter 8

Quiz 3

9

Natural Resources

Chapter 9

10

Regionalism and Globalization

Chapter 13

Portfolios 5/30; Final Exam 6/4

11

Final Projects

Final projects due 6/6

 

 

Note:  This schedule is subject to change and additions.  Only an overview is provided here.