Geography 10

 

Introduction to Geography

Tuesdays/Thursdays 10:30-12:00

Vista College

Fall 2002

 

 

Instructor:  Alan Forsberg

 

Office hours:  After class or by appointment

 

E-mail:  anf@uclink.berkeley.edu

 

               

Course Description:

 

This course is intended to introduce you to the basic ideas and concepts of physical and human Geography.  We will examine human-spatial relationships, cultural differences, and the physical processes that shape our environment.  Furthermore, we will look at the world’s major regions through a geographic perspective to gain a broader understanding of the cultural, environmental, historical, political and economic attributes that make each one unique.

 

The course requires reading, writing and critical thinking skills.  The material is designed with a holistic approach to the subject; the goal is not memorization and regurgitation of assignments and readings, but for you to develop your own perspectives and opinions.

 

Texts:  Geography 02/03, Gerald R. Pitzl:  Dushkin – McGraw Hill

                Building Geographic Literacy, 4th Edition, Charles A. Stansfield:  Prentice Hall

 

Both books are available at Ned’s on Bancroft, across the street from UC Berkeley.

 

Revised Requirements:

 

Readings and other assignments will be given throughout the course of the semester.



Grading:  

Your course grade will be based on the following criteria:

 

Attendance and Participation

10%

 

Map quizzes and Homework

20%

Exams (2)

40%

Newspaper map assignment (new)  

15%

 

Essay

15%

 

                                                                               

Please keep more than one back-up disc and/or photocopy of all work (try e-mailing yourself an attachment).  Quizzes and exams cannot be made up without a really convincing written excuse, i.e., medical excuse or family emergency. Prior approval is always preferable to telling me about it later.  The lowest weekly quiz grade will be dropped.  No late homework will be accepted and you must take all exams and quizzes on the dates they are given.  Again, if you need to make up a quiz, an exam, or turn work in late, we will need to discuss it beforehand and I require written proof of a real personal emergency. 

 

If you need help with any assignment, please feel free to see me after class, contact me via e-mail or by phone.  I will be happy to assist you in any way possible.

 

If you need special accommodations based on a disability, please try to schedule an appointment with me immediately.

 

Course Outline: 

Subject to change as current events occur during the semester.  The readings are for that week, so read ahead.

 

Week 1                                   Introduction                                          Read news

August 25-31                                                                                                        Map quiz # 1

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Week 2                                                                                                   Read news

September 1 – 7                                                                                    Map quiz # 2

                                                                                                                                Article 1, 3 - Geography

                                                                                                                                Chapters 1, 2 – BGL

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Week 3                                                                                                   Read News

September 8-14                                                                                     Map quiz # 3

                                                                                                                                Article 5 - Geography

                                                                                                                                Chapters 3, 4 - BGL

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Week 4                                                                                                   Read News

September 15-21                                                                                                   Map quiz # 4 - W. Europe

                                                                                                                                Articles 6, 7, 10, 12 - Geography

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Week 5                                                                                                   Paper Topics Due - Tuesday, 9/24

September 22-28                                                                                   Read News

                                                                                                                                Map quiz # 5 – E. Europe

                                                                                                                                Articles 11, 13, 14, 16, 18 - Geography

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Week 6                                                                                                   Read News

September 29 – October 5                                                                   Map quiz # 6 – Southwest/Central Asia

                                                                                                                                Articles 21, 23, 41 – Geography

                                                                                                                                Chapter 5 – BGL

                                                                                                                                Study guide for Exam # 1 handed out

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Week 7                                                                                                   Exam # 1 – Thursday, 10/10

October 6-12                                                                                                         Read News

                                                                                                                                Articles 22, 43 – Geography

                                                                                                                                Chapter 6 – BGL

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Revised schedule:

Week 8                                                                                                   Read News

October 13-19                                                                                       Map quiz # 7 – South Asia

                                                                                                                BGL Chapter 7 – Australia, NZ, and the Pacific Islands

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                18. A Modest Proposal to Stop Global Warming 

                                                                                                                29. Does It Matter Where You Are?

                                                                                                                33. Gaining Perspective

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Week 9                                                                                                   Read News

October 20-26                                                                                       BGL Chapter 8 – East Asia

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                37. China Journal I

                                                                                                                45. China's Changing Land

 

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Week 10                                                                                                 Read News

October 27-November 2                                                                      BGL Chapter 9 – South Asia

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                25. AIDS Has Arrived in India and China 

                                                                                                                38. Before the Next Doubling

                                                                                                                               

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Week 11                                                 **Double map quiz #8-9 – East Asia & Southeast Asia and readings weeks 10-11

November 3 – 9   

                                                                                                                Read News

BGL Chapter 10 – Southeast Asia

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                20. The Rise of the Region State

                                                                                                                46. Helping the World's Poorest                                                                                                                    

 

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Week 12                                                                                                 Map quiz # 10 – Africa and readings week 12

November 10-16                                                                                   Read News

BGL Chapter 11 – Africa South of the Sahara

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:                                                                                                                                                                                                                         `                               2. The Geography of Poverty and Wealth

                                                                                                                15. The Himba and the Dam

                                                                                                                24. A Continent in Peril

                                                                                                                39. A Turning-Point for AIDS?

                                                                                                                               

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Week 13                                                                                                 Paper #1 rough draft due – Tuesday, 11/19

November 17-23                                                                                   Classwork on Newspaper Map Assig. Thursday 11/21

BGL Chapter 12 – North Africa and the Middle East

Articles from Geography 02/03: 

                                                                                                                10. Global Warming: The Contrarian View 

40. The End of Cheap Oil

44. Trying to Save Sudan

Study guide handed out for Exam # 2

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Week 14                                                                                                 Paper #1 due – Tuesday, 11/26

November 24-30                                                                                   Read News

Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday                                                BGL Chapter 13 – Latin America

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                19. A Greener, or Browner, Mexico                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                43. Forest `Sinks' As a Tool for Climate-Change       

 

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Week 15                                                                 Tuesday 12/3 - Map quiz # 11 – Australia/Antarctica and readings weeks 13-15

December 1-7                                                                                        Exam # 2 – Thursday, 12/5

Study Guide for Exam #2

Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                8. Nuclear Power: Renaissance That May Not Come

27. Underwater Refuge

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Week 16                                                                                                 Present on In-class Map Assignment Tuesday 12/10

December 8-14                                                                                      Optional Paper # 2  due– Thursday, 12/12

                                                                                                                Read News

                                                                                                                Articles from Geography 02/03:

                                                                                                                42. A Rare and Precious Resource                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 13. Texas and Water: Pay Up or Dry Up

                                                                                                                28.The Rio Grande: Faces Rough Waters Ahead

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Week 17                                                                                                 Finals Week         

December 15-21                                                                                    No Final Exam!