GEOG110 World Geography

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Geography

1. Course Number and Title

   GEOG110 World Geography

2. Number of Credits

   3 credits

3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

   2250 minutes

4. Prerequisites

   None

   Corequisites

   None

5. Other Pertinent Information

   None

6. Catalog Course Description

   A thematic survey aimed at understanding the contemporary world through an analysis of physical/environmental and cultural regions. Special attention is given to problems of social and technological change, political geographic disputes, and population growth.

7. Required Course Content and Direction

   1. Learning Goals:

      Students will:
      1. demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of world regions, the variety and complexity of the world�s cultural mosaic, and recognize geography as a synthesizing or �bringing together� discipline, bridging the social and physical sciences;
      2. analyze situations from the perspective of people in other nations and cultures and recognize how value systems differ from place to place around the globe;
      3. articulate personal, ethical, and environmental responsibilities toward the world and its people;
      4. interpret different kinds of maps, air photos, and satellite images.
      
      Core Learning Goals and Objectives
      Category I: Social Perspectives
      Learning Goals
      
      Students will:
      1. be aware of and sensitive to the social, economic, political, and ideological diversity of society.
      
      Category I: Social Perspectives
      Learning Objectives
      
      Students will be able to:
      3. recognize and explain components of civic and/or personal responsibility.
      
      Category III: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
      Learning Goals

      The students learn and practice the skills of interpretation, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, reasoning, and/or problem solving.

      Category III: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
      Learning Objectives
      
      Students will be able to:
      1. understand and express the meaning and significance of a variety of communications (Interpretation).
      8. demonstrate an understanding of solving problems by:
      1. recognizing the problem
      2. reviewing information about the problem
      3. developing plausible solutions
      4. evaluating the results
      
      Category III: International, Gender, and/or Minority Perspectives
      Learning Goals

      The students explore world cultures and/or the complexities of gender and/or minority groups. They reflect upon the interrelation of diverse cultures and/or groups and the ways in which those perspectives broaden the scope of the students' understanding of identity.

      Category III: International, Gender, and/or Minority Perspectives
      Learning Objectives
      
      Students will be able to:
      1. articulate similarities and differences in the various cultures of the world and demonstrate familiarity with the skills necessary to make informed judgments.
      
      Category III: Responsible Citizenship
      Learning Goals

      The students develop an understanding of the need for each individual to promote the public good, an awareness of environmental issues, or a recognition that their actions carry responsibilities and consequences.

      Category III: Responsible Citizenship
      Learning Objectives
      
      Students will be able to:
      1. demonstrate an understanding of major ethical concerns.
      2. demonstrate familiarity with contemporary environmental issues.

   2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Introductory Concepts and Background
      2. Climatic and Other Physical Geographic Patterns
      3. Middle Eastern Studies: from the Maghreb, to the Levant, to Afghanistan
      4. Latin American Studies
      5. The Pacific Realm: Oceania, Australia and New Zealand
      6. The Pacific Rim's "Jakota Triangle"
      7. China's Pacific Rim: The SAR's and SEZ's
      8. Southeast Asia: Between the Giants
      9. Resilient Europe: Both West and East
      10. Turkey: Caught Between Two Worlds

   3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      Students enrolled in GEOG110 will be assessed for Social Perspectives, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, International, Gender and/or Minority Perspectives, and Responsible Citizenship by the following:
      
      
      1. Students will prepare an end-journal describing and analyzing similarities and differences between cultures. In addition, students will indicate how the knowledge gained can be used in a socially responsible and ethical way.
      2. Students will submit a written project describing local environmental issues and problems and how planning/government agencies are addressing these issues.

   4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See course format.

8. Teaching Methods Employed

   Lectures, class discussions, audio-visual presentations, and field trips (optional).

Review/Approval Date - 5/05; Core Goals/Objectives added 5/05; Revised 5/07