GEOGRAPHY 401/551
GROWTH OF GEOGRAPHIC THOUGHT

RDK Herman
Towson University
Fall 2006

COURSE CONTENT:

Course Rationale:

Geography is a broad, diverse and powerful discipline that examines the physical and human world using a range of tools, techniques, theories, and conceptualizations. This amorphous monster we call “Geography” both draws from and contributes to Western understandings of the world, and because the Western viewpoint is hegemonic, these understandings hold real power in how the world is conceptualized and utilized.

This course explores the historical foundations of geography and, more practically, scrutinizes the origins of the intellectual habits we have come to understand as the practice of Geography. It asks the question, “how can we know?” in relation to the world.

Answering this question leads us to probing the historical development of Geographic thought and its relationship to social, philosophical, political and economic evolutions in Western thought as a whole. We will explore how Geography has shaped and been shaped by this intellectual legacy, building an approach to the study of geographic knowledge that is situated in larger social forces over time.

Course Objectives and Goals:

By examining the intellectual history of the discipline in tandem with greater epistemological questions, this course aims to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to “think geographically.” This involves understanding the connections between Geographic Thought and larger intellectual traditions. Students will become be familiar with the names and contributions of major figures in this discipline, and will gain a context for asking critical questions on the nature of Geography

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will have

  • Effective written communication skills
  • Improved interpretative skills and approaches
  • Improved higher order reasoning skills
  • Opportunities to reflect on increased knowledge and their own learning

Required Texts:

    • Unwin, Tim (1992) The Place of Geography. New York: Longman Scientific and Technical/John Wiley and Sons.
    • Livingstone, David N. (1992) The Geographical Tradition London: Blackwell.

Course Requirements:

This course involves sustained and indepth intellectual analysis and debate. You will need to exercise your mind each week, and wrestle with material that may at times be difficult.


 

ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATIONS OF LEARNING OUTCOMES:

This course involves sustained and indepth intellectual analysis and debate. You will need to exercise your mind each week, and wrestle with material that may at times be difficult.

Class Participation:

There is no point in going to university if you do not go to class. Hence, unexcused absences are not tolerated, and will count seriously against you. Especially in a course such as this, where in-class discussions are an essential part of the pedagogical process, and where meetings occur only once per week, it is essential that you attend class. Excused absences involve doctor’s note or other documentation of your need to miss class. For other than excused absences, you will lose points as follows:

First absence Lose two points 2 lost total
Second absence Lose four more points 6 lost total
Third absence Lose six more points 12 lost total
Fourth absence Lose eight more points 20 lost total

Work in the classroom will involve active participation and work in small groups. Obvious and sustained failure to participate in these exercises will be called to your attention, and may result in a lowering of your class participation grade.

Examinations:

Two short-essay or short-answer midterm exams and a final exam will be administered. Each examination is worth 15% of the total grade. The midterms will not be cumulative, but the final may ask you to draw on everything you have learned during the semester.

Other Assignments:

During the semester, it is likely that I will be called away to attend conferences or other professional duties. At such times, short exercises will be assigned. Specifics on these exercises will be clarified should such occasions arise, and will depend on where in the semester they fall.

Evaluation:

1st Midterm:

20

Class Participation:

20

2nd Midterm:

25

Other Assignments:

10

Final Examination:

25

Total:

100

 

Be aware that additional assignments can be added to this list if deemed necessary. There is no extra-credit in this course.

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
92-100
C+
76-78
A-
89-91
C
72-75
B+
86-88
D+
66-68
B
82-85
D
62-65
B-
79-81
E
0-58

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 student’s 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 student’s 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.


 

COURSE POLICY

Guidelines: General

a) Students are expected to master the material and to attend all classes
b) Students are expected to participate in in-class group activities
c) Assignments and exercises should be attended to at the proper times.
d) The classroom is not a cafeteria: please arrive at the beginning and do not leave until the end. There is no coming and going during the class itself, except during scheduled breaks.

Late assignment policy:

Assignments due Tuesday will be accepted no later than Friday, losing 10% of the total possible grade for each day late. If you realize that your paper will be late, you should notify me.

Cell Phones and Pagers:

Other than to be turned off, Cell Phones should never appear in the classroom, and more than one occurrence of cell phone usage (of any sort, even opening one up) will result in the student being dismissed from that class. Opening a cell phone during a test will result in failure of that test. If you need to be available by pager, you must notify the instructor and explain your reasons.

Students with Disabilities:

This course is in compliance with Towson University policies for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with Disability Support. Students who suspect that they have a disability but do not have documentation are encouraged to contact DSS for advice on how to obtain appropriate evaluation. A memo from DSS authorizing your accommodation is needed before any accommodation can be made.

Academic dishonesty:

Academic dishonesty is not accepted in this course. Cheating on a map quiz will result in an automatic deduction of 10 points from your course grade. Cheating on an exam or handing in plagiarized materials will result in an automatic failing grade for the course.

Repeating the course:

University policy states that a student may not repeat a course more than once without specific prior permission from the Academic Standards Committee. It you have taken this course twice before and have not received written permission from Academic Standards to take the course a third time, you should not be registered in the course - consult the Registrar's office about the procedure for petitioning Academic Standards.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM:

Come see me. If you are having serious trouble either in the class, or coming to class, or getting the work done, don’t let it slide without letting me know. We’ll try to salvage what we can for you.


 

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