INSTRUCTOR:        Lisa Keys-Mathews

OFFICE:                              Wesleyan Hall 104

TELEPHONE:           (256) 765-4640 

E-MAIL:                          lkeysmathews@una.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: World Regional Geography - GE102 - is described in the University of North Alabama Bulletin as follows: "The geographic method of inquiry used to examine, describe, explain, and analyze the human and physical environments of the major regions of the world."

This course will acquaint you with the human and physical features that give uniqueness and diversity to world regional patterns on Earth’s surface. World Regional Geography helps you develop a global perspective from which you will recognize the interconnectedness of various elements on planet Earth and will understand that everyone contributes to its welfare.  This outlook is achieved by investigating specific topics within the different human and physical regions of the world. Majors in education will find that this course supports the standards of the Alabama K - 12 Social Studies Course of Study.  

There are benefits to studying World Regional Geography as an elective, as a requirement for the core curriculum, as a requirement for the education degree component, and as a requirement for geography majors.  Each of you will have a different reason for studying geography, but all of you will learn that knowledge of world geography is critical to being a well-informed citizen. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  By the end of the course, you should gain a greater knowledge of the world through the perspectives of geography.  The course has several objectives, which are divided into Instructional Objectives and Skills Objectives.  Instruction in World Regional Geography will include but not be limited to these objectives.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of the course are to acquaint you with the world’s major geographic realms and to familiarize you with the perspectives. subject matter, and skills of the world-class standards in geography.  Following instruction in World Regional Geography, you will: 

1. Understand key concepts, generalizations, and methods of inquiry appropriate to the study of geography.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of perspectives, subject matter and skills of geography.

3. Understand the use of maps, globes, charts, and other graphic material in geographic inquiry.

4. Distinguish the worldwide spatial distributions of landforms, climate, vegetation, soils and other natural resources.

5. Distinguish the worldwide spatial distributions of major demographic, cultural, economic, and political attributes.

6. Investigate the differences between the developed and lesser-developed areas of the world.

7. Understand that knowledge of locations and their characteristics is a key in understanding human (global) interdependence.

SKILL OBJECTIVES: Instruction in World Regional Geography will include skill development that will enable you to: 

1. Ask geographic questions distinguished by the “where” and “why there” aspects of the problem. 

2. Acquire geographic information by finding places on maps and in atlases, by observing human and physical characteristics of places, and by obtaining data about people’s geographic activities.

3. Analyze geographic information obtained from maps, graphs, and tabular data.  

4. Apply problem solving and critical thinking procedures to geographic information.

5. Present geographic information in both written and oral formats.

GRADING:  The course grade will consist of class participation in on-line discussions, three one-hour exams, five place name quizzes, and a final examination.  The major exams will consist of  objective  questions.  Place names will be specified before each test and the test will be taken on a virtual base map of a particular region.  A study guide will be provided  prior to each exam which will list the major topic headings and key terms from each of the chapters and from the lecture material.  

Mastery of instructional objectives will be assessed via tests.  A passing grade on assignments is required to meet instructional and skill objectives. 

The values of the tests are as follows:                                 

The schedule of exams is listed on the course outline.  With a valid excuse (e.g. note from a Dr.) missed exams can be made up two days after missing the exam or one day early if absence is anticipated.  Any semester requirements not fulfilled by final exam time may result in a failing grade for the course. 

TEXTS AND MATERIALS: 

•  deBlij, Harm J., and Muller, Peter O., Geography, Regional and Concepts 2002 (New York: John Wiley and Sons, 10^th ed., 2000).

• Espenshade, Edward B. Jr. and Morrison, Joel L.  Goode’s World Atlas (Chicago: Rand McNally and Company, 20^th ed.). 

• Base maps of world and other specified regions.

SUGGESTED READING: Any newspaper or news magazine with a large amount of international news such as the USA Today, Time, U.S. News and World Report  or Newsweek.  In addition to learning about areas of the world from the textbook, you will be asked to discuss current events around the world.  Getting into the habit of reading a newspaper or magazine will help increase your knowledge of the world substantially. 

ABSENCE POLICY: Missing a total of the equivalent of four weeks of classes without valid excuses may result in a failing grade for the course.  Absences in this on-line courses means a failure to email the professor for four weeks.

POLICY:  It is the policy of the University of North Alabama to afford equal opportunity in education to qualified students.  If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor within the first three class sessions to file a Student Disability Statement and to develop an accommodation plan.  Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations will be made to allow you to meet the requirements, provided that you are timely in working with the instructor to develop an accommodation plan. 

The course outline should guide you in your studies and in arranging to take the exams on the specified dates. Occasionally you will find some minor variations between the lecture material and the course schedule so please feel free to call or e-mail whenever you have a question. As instructor, I reserve the right to modify the outline when necessary. In order to get acquainted with you, I suggest that you come by my office for at least one visit during the semester.  Thanks.    Lisa Keys-Mathews