Overview: The most populous country in the world, China, forms the core of the East Asian realm. It also contains the technologically advanced countries of Japan and South Korea while embracing lesser developed countries like North Korea and Mongolia. Rarely does a day go by when there is international news about events in several of these places including the fact that China won a chance to host a future Summer Olympics.  This region is also part of the Pacific Rim, a regional phenomena that embraces a high tech society, skyscrappers, and booming economies amidst large populations of lower income individuals who have not yet shared in the wealth.  The next superpower might well be China.

Assignments:

• Read the chapter paying careful attention to the key concepts, ideas and terms listed on page 428.  
• Please submit no more than a 2 page discussion on one of the following by December 4th by midnight
  • Define and discuss the "economic tiger" concept. Select one of the economic tigers and trace its recent development and future trend.
  • Discuss the environmental hazards of the subregion of the North China Plain.
  • Explain Japan's record of modernization and industrialization over the past century.
  • Compare and contrast the two Koreas:  North Korea and South Korea.

Course Review and Final Exam:

The final exam study guide is available on this website for your review prior to the final exam.  The study guide will give you specific items to remember from these chapters.    

According to the syllabus, the final exam makes up 22 % of your grade. This is broken into 11% for a project and 11% for the exam.  The project (11%) involves writing an essay and e-mailing it to me not later than  8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10th. You can mail it sooner if you wish. 

This essay should complete the following:  "Compare and contrast (explain how they are alike and how they are different) three of the realms based on their 'Major Geographic Qualities', then explain four items about each of the three realms that you found interesting and did not realize before you studied that area.  Finally, conclude your essay by explaining why it is globally and locally important to study geography."

The final exam comprising the other 11% will be similar to those you have already taken.  Have your Goode's World Atlas with you for the last few questions.

FINAL EXAM DAYS - December 6th at 2:00 until December 10th at noon