| ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATIONS
OF LEARNING OUTCOMES:
To accomplish the course objectives and learning outcomes,
the course will involve the following evaluated activities:
Map Quizzes (10 points):
Map Quizzes will be given on Tuesdays for the week that
region is assigned. Map quizzes cover primarily countries, but some
include rivers, mountains, and other geographical features of importance.
Study guides to the map quizzes are posted at the course website listed
on the front of this syllabus. Eleven map quizzes will be administered,
with the lowest score dropped.
Atlas Exercise (10 points):
The atlas used for this class has extensive information
about the world, far beyond the maps with which we are normally familiar.
By means of a Òscavenger huntÓ, this exercise will require
that you learn your way around this atlas, and in doing so, become familiar
with the kinds of information that underlie the study of World Geography.
Weekly Exercises (40 points):
The core of this course lies in weekly exercises in which
you will be required to gather data on a country or region, and perform
analysis of that data. Some of this analysis will be carried out in
class, and some before you come to class. It is absolutely essential
that you be prepared for each exercise, as the sharing and comparing
of data with other members of the class is key to accomplishing our
learning goals. These assignments will be given out individually, and
may include data collection, media watching, analysis of written articles,
or any combination thereof. Ten of these exercises will be conducted
during the semester, on Thursdays. These assignments will develop your
analytical and critical thinking skills, and your ability to gather,
process and interpret data and materials.
Group Project (10 points):
The class will be divided into groups at the beginning
of the semester for the purpose of presenting current-issues reports
on the various regions we cover. This project will require working collaboratively
with group members; strategy planning; and peer review by fellow students.
Detailed instructions on this assignment are provided at the end of
this document.
Click here for Group Project Instructions
Examinations (30 points):
Three short examinations will be administered during the
semester to ensure your grasp of the course material and knowledge of
world regions. These examinations focus more on content than on process,
whereas the exercises focus more on process.
| Map Quizzes: |
10 |
Group Project |
10 |
| Atlas Exercise |
10 |
Exams (3 @ 10% |
30 |
Weekly Exercises (10 @ 4%) |
40 |
Total |
100 |
Attending class is essential to achieving the goals of this course.
Positive attendance will be rewarded and negative attendance will
be penalized, based on the number of unexcused absences. Excused absences
involve doctorÕs note or other documentation of your need to
miss class. Perfect attendance will earn two bonus points. One unexcused
absence will earn one bonus point. More than one unexcused absences
will lose points as follows: 1:1, 2:2, 3:3, 4:4. Determination of
these points will be based solely on attendance sign-in sheets passed
around in class each day. It is your responsibility to ensure that
you have signed in.
This course uses plus-and-minus grading based on a 100-point scale.
In the event that the total points possible is not 100, a percentage
scale will be used to determine your grade out of 100%.
Excellence--in either performance or effort--is expected.
Mediocrity is not rewarded.
A |
92.0-100 |
C+ |
76.1-79.0 |
A- |
89.1-91.9 |
C |
69.0-76.0 |
| B+ |
86.0-89.0 |
D+ |
66.0-68.9 |
B |
82.0-85.9 |
D |
60.0-65.9 |
| B- |
79.1-81.9 |
E |
0-59.9 |
Grading:
Grade A: The student grasps the models and principles
of the course, demonstrating strong analytical skills and critical
thinking. The work is without major weaknesses and flawlessly executed.
The student performs consistently at a level of intellectual excellence
compared against the criteria outlined above.
Grade B: The student is less consistent in analysis
and critical thinking than is a student who performs at an A level.
Work reflects more strengths than it does weaknesses. It demonstrates
a good grasp of thinking critically, is on the whole precise, measured
against the criteria outlined above, but lapses occasionally into
common sense and unreflective thinking.
Grade C: The studentÕs analytical skills and
critical thinking is inconsistent. The work reflects as many weaknesses
as it does strengths (see F and D for specific criteria).
Grade D: The studentÕs analytical skills and
critical thinking are at a minimal level. This kind of work is often
poorly executed, shows only occasional critical thinking, but generally
lacks discipline and clarity. The student "goes through the motions"
of the assignment but does not engage it in earnest. The work mirrors
F work.
Grade F: The student does not does not demonstrate
analytical skills and critical thinking and/or has failed to do all
of the required work. The work of this kind of student will be based
on "common sense" thinking. This includes basing conclusions
on opinions and on irrelevant information. There will be no awareness
of underlying assumptions, identifying key concepts, nor competing
points of view. The student will not trace implications and consequences.
Student's work lacks evidence of consistent reflection and of problem
solving skills.
¥ de Blij, H.J. & Peter O. Muller, Concepts and Regions
in Geography John Wiley & Sons, 2002
NOTE: This course is adopting the eGrade
Plus online version of the textbook.
¥ GoodeÕs World Atlas, latest edition (no other
Atlas is sufficient)
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