GEOS 145
Description:
In this introductory course, the student will first review the basic theories of the discipline of geography, the relationship of world population and resources and the factors affecting development. Next, the student will survey the major regions of the world to identify each region's distinguishing geographic characteristics, summarize its past development and explain the key issues affecting the region's future development. 3 hrs. lecture/wk. Note: An honors contract is available. Contact the Honors Program Office, COM 201, for more information.
Prerequisites:
None
Course Fees:
None
Textbooks:
Supplies:
Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Identify the nations of the world’s regions and the major physiographic features of each region.
- Read maps and graphs of various types.
- Recognize the discipline of geography as a methodology to describe the world, analyze interrelationships between physical and cultural phenomena and explain why resources are distributed over the Earth.
- Analyze world population, its historic growth and future projections of growth.
- Identify the physical and cultural components of the human environment.
- Contrast the characteristics of more developed and less developed nations.
- Analyze and evaluate the development of the eight geographic regions of the world in terms of the major aspects of their physical, political, economical, historical and cultural geography.
Content Outline and Competencies:
I. Basic Concepts and Ideas of World Regional Geography
A. The discipline of geography
1. Describe the evolution of geography as a formal discipline.
2. Identify the subfields of geography.
3. Relate geography to other disciplines.
4. Explain the relationship between geographic factors and economic
development.
B. Relationship between population and resources
1. Trace the growth of the world’s population over the last 6,000
years.
2. Describe the distribution and density of the world’s
population.
3. Explain the differences between the Malthusian, Neo-Malthusian
and Technocratic Theories of the relationship between population growth
and resources.
4. Define the resource concept.
5. Differentiate between fund and flow resources.
6. Explain how resources can be expanded and lost.
C. Interrelationship between physical and cultural components of the
human environment
1. List the three chief factors affecting the level of economic
development in an area.
2. Describe the physical elements of an area: landforms, climates
and natural resources.
3. Define culture.
4. Identify the primary and secondary culture hearths of the world.
5. Describe the impact of language, religion and political ideology
on culture.
6. Describe the evolution of social and political organization.
7. Describe the levels of economic activity.
8. Discuss the economic organization of the society continuum from
traditional to industrialized.
9. Describe the economic characteristics indicating a country’s
level of modernization.
10. Explain the role of trade relationships in economic development.
D. Economic development
1. Describe the three criteria used to classify the level of
economic development in a country: per capita GNP, per capita consumption,
of inanimate energy and percent of the labor force in primary activities.
2. Describe the two measures of development that consider both
economic and cultural attributes: the Human Development Index (HDI) and
the Gurder-Related Development Index (GDI).
3. Describe the economic and cultural characteristics of “more
developed” and “less developed” regions.
4. Discuss the conflicting theories that attempt to explain
differences in development of regions: cultural determinism, environmental
determinism, mercantilism, dependency theory, neocolonialism, circular
causation, Rostow’s Stages and the Lacostian View.
5. Identify the more developed and less developed regions of the
world and explain their categorization.
6. Describe recent trends in Per Capita GNP, agricultural production
and industrial productivity in more developed and less developed
countries.
II. Regional Geography of the More Developed Regions
A. Anglo America: United States and Canada
1. Describe the bases for development of the region.
2. Trace the economic development of the region.
3. Identify the fundamental social, economic and political problems
of the region.
B. Western Europe.
1. Identify the locational and physical bases for development of the
region.
2. Describe the culture of the region.
3. Trace the trends towards unity since World War II.
4. Describe the historic changes in population, industrialization,
agriculture and urbanization.
5. Identify the nations comprising the European Union (EU) and
summarize the key geographic characteristics of each.
6. Infer the future problems for the European Union.
C. Eastern Europe, Russia and the Eurasian States of the former Soviet
Union
1. Survey the primary political, physical, cultural and economic
characteristics of the region.
2. Identify the natural vegetation, landforms and population
distributions of the region.
3. Describe the economic geography of the region.
D. Australia/New Zealand and Japan
1. Describe the geographical bases of development in Australia/New
Zealand.
2. Explain the rise of Japan as an economic giant.
3. Identify the Rostow Stages in Japan’s development.
4. Examine methods for Japan to maintain its competitiveness into
the future.
III. Regional Geography of the Less Developed Regions
A. Monsoon Asia: East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia
1. Describe the distinctive climate of this region, its causes and
its effects.
2. Describe the region’s cultural geography including the major
languages and religions.
3. Describe the impact of colonialism on the region.
4. Review the development indicators for Monsoon Asia.
5. Survey the cultural, political and economic development of
Monsoon Asia.
6. Describe the population distribution of Monsoon Asia.
7. Examine the challenges to the region’s future.
B. Middle East and North Africa
1. Survey the physical and cultural environments.
2. Contrast the economics of Egypt, Algeria and Turkey with Israel,
Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
3. Explain the diverse impacts of petroleum exploration and
production on the Persian Gulf States.
4. Assess the region’s future.
C. Africa South of the Sahara
1. Describe the physical geography of the four major subdivisions of
the region: West, Central, East and South.
2. Survey the cultural heritage of the region including linguistic
and religious diversity.
3. Identify the impacts of colonialism.
4. Describe the population distribution, diversity and growth rate
in the region.
5. Identify the future outlook for the region.
D. Latin America: Middle America, the Caribbean and South America
1. Explain the historical perspective for the cultural bases of the
region and how these impact economic development.
2. Describe the current changes in the modernization of Latin
America.
3. Identify the problems for development in Middle America and the
Caribbean.
4. Survey the physical geography of South America.
5. Describe the population distribution and density of South
America.
6. Describe the current stage of development and the potential for
the future of each country in South America.
Method of Evaluation and Competencies:
Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:
Activities:
Examinations: Students will take a minimum of four unit exams and one
comprehensive final exam.
Homework Assignments: Students will complete 13 assignments from Building
Geographic Literacy.
Summary/Response Papers: Students will complete two writing assignments
covering all issues of current concern in a region under study.
Class Participation: Students may earn five points per class through
attendance and contribution to in-class discussions.
Grading: All work is graded on a point system and computed into
percentages. The final grade is based on the percentage of total points
earned from all assignments.
Grades on written assignments are based on complete, correct, concrete and
clear writing as well as incorporation of the elements and characteristics
of the formal Summary/Response.
Grading Criteria Minimum Points Required
A 900 ( 90%)
B 800 ( 80%)
C 700 ( 70%)
D 600 ( 60%)
F <600 (<60%)
Point Summary:
Activity % of Total Points
Unit exams 40.0% of grade
Final exam 10.0% of grade
Homework 32.5% of grade
Summary/response papers 10.0% of grade
Class Participation 7.5% of grade
Total 100%
Caveats:
- Computer Literacy Expectations: Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.
Student Responsibilities:
Disabilities:
If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.
JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.