Geog 1302: Introduction to Cultural Geography

Summer 2011 GEOG 1302 (28000 - 001) Distance Learning / On-line

GEOG 1302: INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY (Synonym 28000 & Section 001) INSTRUCTOR Bill E. Couch, P.G., AICP Office: On line 6 - 8 pm Mon. and Thur. (Email, Text or Skype) Email anytime I will respond within 48 hrs. Office Hours: On line 6-8 pm Mon. and Thur. (Email, Text or Skype) or by appointment. E-mail: [email protected] Skype: txagua Phone: (512) 223-1790 Ext. 26264 (leave message)

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course explores how humans create “places” through culture and their adaptation to the physical environment. Formal and functional aspects of spatial decision making are stressed. Participation in class expected with students having read the material prior to class and prepared to interact with classmates and instructor in discussing the materials.

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS Contemporary Human Geography by James Rubenstein, 1st Edition, 2010, Pearson.

STUDENT RESOURCES DISTANCE LEARNING (DL): ACC student support resources (http://dl.austincc.edu/students/resources.php)

COURSE RATIONALE Introduction to Cultural Geography is the science of place and space. The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the spatial distributions of cultures and the processes that led to these distributions. Students should be able to successfully apply general geographic knowledge and skills to their chosen careers, to apply the course towards an associate degree at Austin Community College, or to prepare students for success in upper division courses in Geography at other institutions. Human Geographer’s work in the fields of urban and regional planning, transportation planning, marketing, real estate, tourism, natural resource protection and management, and geographic information sciences (GIS).

COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING SYSTEM EXAM 1: Chapters 1-4 (20%) EXAM 2: Chapters 4-7 (20%) EXAM 3: Chapters 8-11 (20%) EXAM 4: Chapters 12-14 (20%)

*Exam format is multiple choice. *50-100 multiple choice questions (plus true/false bonus questions) on Exams 1 – 4 *Exams 1 – 4 are taken at a Testing Center *Bring 2 - #2 pencils. *Student is to use Red Scantron. *All exams must be completed by Friday, August 5, 2011 (Date may be adjusted due to Testing Center)

COMMON OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, the student a) Will be able to describe what geography and cultural geography are. b) Will understand the importance of geographic tools and philosophy. c) Will understand the processes determining place. d) Will understand the basics of human-environmental interaction. COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING SYSTEM: The student is required to take four (4) objective-type (multiple choice) tests. The final grade will be based on the student’s average of the test scores. The test scores will form 80% while written assignments and attendance scores will form 20% of the student’s final grade. All tests must be taken. There are no retests offered in this course. Each exam will have bonus questions attached, that can add up to 10 points to the student’s score on each test. If the student does not take the test by the deadline, the bonus questions will not be valid. Deadline is within TWO DAYS of the Test Date on Test 1-3. On Test 4 there will be no opportunity to makeup and a zero will be recorded.

Written Assignment described below which can be helpful to bring up a student’s score. Weekly Attendance (10 written assignments) – 1-2 page summary (600-750 Words 10 - 12 point font) discussing a cultural event in the world and the geographic relationship (e.g. economic, religion, food, dance, music, dress, goods, services, or celebration) related to the current chapters we are studying for the next exam.

The traditional score equivalency will be used. It will be based on the following scale of the student’s test, attendance and written project average of scores: Grade Percentage A 90 - 100 B 80 - 89 C 70 - 79 D 60 - 69 F Below 60

TESTS There will be four multiple choice tests. Each test will be 100 multiple choice test, plus bonus questions.

Deadlines Tests must be taken on the following dates unless the instructor had given written permission for a later date due to extenuating circumstances. Test taken after Exam Date include NO BONUS QUESTIONS. Make up exams due within two days. No make up opportunity for Exam 4 a Zero will be recorded. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the TEST deadline. Makeup Exams must be approved by the instructor. Required Exam Date (subject to change) Test 1 June 15, 2011 Wednesday Test 2 July 6, 2011 Wednesday Test 3 July 20, 2011 Wednesday Test 4 August 5, 2011 Friday

COURSE POLICIES Attendance and Homework: Written Assignment Due by Friday of each week. Number of on-classes attended Attendance / Homework (Based on written assignments) (Based on written assignment) 10-11 100 8-9 90 6-7 80 4-5 70 3-4 60 Less than 3 0

WITHDRAWAL POLICY A student may withdraw at any time during the semester until the withdrawal deadline without academic penalty. Failure to take scheduled tests or poor performance on the course requirements may lead to withdrawal. While the instructor reserves the right to withdraw a student for lack of progress in the course, the responsibility of officially withdrawing rests entirely with the student. If a student stops meeting the requirements of the course and is not officially withdrawn, he or she will then receive a grade of “F”. The Final day to withdrawfrom the course is July 25, 2011.

Important: State Law states that students enrolling for the first time in Fall, 2007 or later at any Texas College or University may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college career.

INCOMPLETE Only a student who has completed and passed 80% of the course requirements will be eligible for an incomplete. Personal illness, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances needs to be present and consultation with the instructor is mandatory. Final decision is the prerogative of the instructor.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS/OFFICE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do request assistance three weeks before the start of the semester.”

ACADEMIC FREEDOM/LEARNING ATMOSPHERE “Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions post. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is my hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.”

STUDENT BEHAVIOR/DISCILINE POLICY The instructor expects students to treat each other with respect and manifest appropriate classroom behavior.