Colorado State University, Academic Sponsor

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1 Colorado State University, Academic Sponsor Voyage: Fall 2017 Discipline: Geography Course Number and Title GR 320 Cultural Geography Course Level Upper Division Faculty Name: Robert W. Smith Semester Credit Hours: 3 Pre-requisites: Introduction to Geography COURSE DESCRIPTION This course seeks to understand the concept of place within the context of studying the cultures of the world s regions, with a focus on the areas and countries on our itinerary. We will study the physical and human geography of these region and address the questions of Why have people located where they have, why has economic and political development occurred as it has, and why is there a difference, or similarity, from region to region? Why have people migrated from one region to another? Geographic concepts will be defined, analyzed and incorporated into the discussion of the regions we study. The field trip will allow us to view first hand some of the concepts on cultural geography discussed in the classroom. The events in today s world hopefully will make a little more sense with the geography learned in this course. Grades in this course will be derived from tests (including map tests), memoranda from the field trip and experiencing geographic moments, and class participation. COURSE OBJECTIVES --To familiarize students with the world s rich and diverse regional and cultural geography through classroom lectures, readings, field trips and student feedback. -- To understand the concept of place through class presentations and in country experiences. It is expected that each student will develop a theme on which he/she will report. -- To hone writing and speaking skills in order to present succinct descriptive and analytical briefing papers and oral presentations on the readings, field lab, and in country geographic moments. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE 9 September: Depart Amsterdam Class 1 A. Administrative details (grading system, assignments, field trips, exams, memos) B. Course expectations and goals C. Introduction to general geographic concepts and terms D. Elements of Maps Reading: Text, Introduction, 1-30; Course Syllabus

2 Class 2 West Europe, Part I Nation vs. State Devolution Peoples of the Iberian Peninsula Class preparation for Field Lab in Barcelona: Culture A Day Experiencing the Catalonian Reading: Text; Chapter 4, , Sept: Spain (Barcelona and Valencia) Sept 15- Field Lab= A Day Experiencing the Catalonian Culture [proposed] Class 3 West Europe, Part 2: Librarian Briefing Debrief of Barcelona field lab Nations, States, and Supra States Physical geography and the protection of borders Revolutions: Agricultural, Industrial, Political The Euro Reading: Text: Chapter 4, ; Class 4 North Africa Discussion of climate and climate categorization Rain shadow effect Sahara Cultural diffusion Berbers Arab influence in the region Reading: Text, Chapter 6, ; Sept: No class Class 5 West Africa Presentation by part of the class of Field Lab Era of Colonization Slavery Ghana Resources: Fish and Oil & Gas Reading: Text, Chapter 7, ,

3 Class 6 Sub-Sahara Africa Presentation by part of the class of Field Lab Africa s physiography Equatorial climate 0-0 day Readings: Text, Chapter 7, , Sept: Tema, Ghana 2 Oct.: No class Class 7 South Africa Colonial history Apartheid Land-locked States Reading: Text, Chapter 7, Class 8 East Africa Piracy and Maritime Security Non-functioning governments Transition Zone: Arab-Black Influence of China in the region Reading: Text, Chapter 7, , Oct: Cape Town, South Africa Class 9 Southwest Asia, Part 1 Israel Strategic geography Water and Oil Palestinians and their territories Field trip Memo due Test 1 (Map quiz elements of maps) Reading: Text, Chapter 6, , ,

4 Class 10 Southwest Asia, Part 2 Isis Kurds Rivers and development (Nile, Jordan, Tigrus, Euphrates) Reading, Text, Chapter 6, , , Oct: No Class Class 11 Film: Islam- Mecca Class 12 South Asia, Part 1 India India- Pakistan disputes Borders Monsoon Reading, Text, Chapter 8, , Oct.: Port Louis, Mauritius Class 13 Test 2- Mid-term Exam (thru class 10) Oct: Cochin, India Class 14 South Asia, Part 2 Oral presentation by part of the class on Geographic Memo No. 1 Bangladesh Population issues Bangladesh maritime disputes with India and Myanmar Myanmar Reading, Text, Chapter 8, , Chapter 10, Nov.: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) 31 Oct: No class Class 15 Southeast Asia, Part 1 Oral presentation by part of the class on Geographic Memo No. 1

5 Vietnam Role of War in region s history Thailand Khmer Rouge Reading, Text, Chapter 10, Geographic Moment Memo 1 [Ghana/South Africa] Due Class 16 Southeast Asia, Part 2 Singapore s Miracle Peninsular and island States of the region Colonial impact Chinese influence in the region Reading, Text: Chapter 10, Nov: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Class 17 East Asia, Part 1: China- Domestic Test 3 (Map Quiz/short answers) Oral presentation by Part of the class on Geographic Memo No. 2A Natural resources China s regions Reading, Text: Chapter 9, , Class 18 East Asia: Part 2 China= Foreign Affairs, Taiwan Oral presentation by Part of the class on Geographic Memo No. 2A China s role in the region, in the world China-Japan Disputes South China Sea issues China s Relationship with the U.S. Reading, Text: Chapter 9, Geographic Moment memo 2A [India/Myanmar] Due Nov.; Shanghai, China

6 Class 19 East Asia, Part 3 = Japan, Koreas, Philippines Coastal Development Japan s rise after WWII Tsunamis Asian Tigers Unified Korea? Reading, Text, Chapter 9, , Dec.; Kobe, Japan Class 20 East Europe-Russia Centripetal and Centrifugal forces Balkanization Shatterbelt Communist/USSR Legacy New East Europe Reading: Text, Chapter 4, ; Class 21 Russia-Former USSR Republics Oral presentation by Part of the class on Geographic Memo No. 2B Physical geography and Russian history Continentality Impact of the Russian nation on former USSR republics Russian relations with East Asia Reading: Text: Chapter 5, Class 22 Oceania Oral presentation by Part of the class on Geographic Memo No. 2B Sea level Rise Origins of the islands (volcanic vs. coral atolls) Pacific Island cultures Reading, Text: Chapter 12, Geographic Moment memo 2B [Vietnam/China] Due Class 23 Australia and New Zealand Nations of Australia and NZ

7 Geographic isolation and impact on develop and foreign relations Reading, Text: Chapter 11; December: No class Class 24 Polar Regions Why are these regions important? Climate considerations Treaties Navigation Resources Reading, Text: Chapter 12, Dec: Honolulu 18 December: Study Day Class 25 Test 4: Final Exam FIELD COMPONENT One of the objectives of this course is to understand the concept of place in the context of the cultures in that region. Why have economic and political developments occurred the way they have in a given region, and what are the differences and similarities in the cultural and physical landscapes from region to region? The proposed field lab for this course is to spend a day in Barcelona immersed in the Catalonian culture (specific approval and itinerary to be determined). The proposed day will be spent learning about, and viewing, the wonderful cultural heritage of the Catalonian people: its history, architecture (with a visit to Gaudi s Sagrada Familia- perhaps Barcelona s most famous structure), food, and political aspirations to become independent from Spain. [Note: If the Barcelona field lab is not approved, then the alternative would be to focus on the history of Apartheid in South Africa a field lab would include a visit to Robbins Island, an island off Cape Town which historically has served as a prison and where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years.] The field component comprises twenty percent of the course work. Students will be asked to submit a written report on the day (specific topic to be discussed in class prior to the field lab). Students should also be prepared to discuss, in class, their field trip experiences and this will count towards the 20% component of the grade. In addition to the field lab, students will be required to write two memoranda (and make oral presentations) on experiencing geographic moments while in country. The specifics of this assignment will be discussed in class, but the aim will be to have the students focus on some aspect of that country s cultural make up and heritage. Geographic moment No. 1 will be experienced

8 in either Ghana or South Africa. Then, half the class will choose between India and Myanmar and the other half of the class, between Vietnam and China for Geographic Moment No. 2. METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING SCALE The following Grading Scale is utilized for student evaluation. Pass/Fail is not an option for Semester at Sea coursework. Note that C-, D+ and D- grades are also not assigned on Semester at Sea in accordance with the grading system at Colorado State University (the SAS partner institution). The final grade will consist of two short tests (maps and short answer/multiple choice), a mid-term exam, final exam, three memos, and class participation. The weight of each component will be discussed during the first class period. Class participation will be defined as attending all classes, periodically commenting and posing questions either in class or via s, making it evident you are keeping up with the readings and engaging in the field component of the class. GR 320: Cultural Geography Grading Product % of Final Grade No. Points Test 1 map test: elements of maps Test 2 (Mid-term) Test 3 (map and short answer) Test 4 (Final exam) Field trip memo (Barcelona) Geographic Moment No. 1 Geographic Moment No Class Participation 5 25 Course total Final Grades Grade Percent range Point range (total possible = 500) A A B B B C C D F 56 and under 282 and lower

9 ATTENDANCE/ENGAGEMENT IN THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM Attendance in all Semester at Sea classes, including the Field Class, is mandatory. Students must inform their instructors prior to any unanticipated absence and take the initiative to make up missed work in a timely fashion. Instructors must make reasonable efforts to enable students to make up work which must be accomplished under the instructor s supervision (e.g., examinations, laboratories). In the event of a conflict in regard to this policy, individuals may appeal using established CSU procedures. LEARNING ACCOMMODATIONS Semester at Sea provides academic accommodations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities, in accordance with ADA guidelines. Students who will need accommodations in a class, should contact ISE to discuss their individual needs. Any accommodation must be discussed in a timely manner prior to implementation. A memo from the student s home institution verifying the accommodations received on their home campus is required before any accommodation is provided on the ship. Students must submit this verification of accommodations to academic@isevoyages.org as soon as possible, but no later than two months prior to the voyage. STUDENT CONDUCT CODE The foundation of a university is truth and knowledge, each of which relies in a fundamental manner upon academic integrity and is diminished significantly by academic misconduct. Academic integrity is conceptualized as doing and taking credit for one s own work. A pervasive attitude promoting academic integrity enhances the sense of community and adds value to the educational process. All within the University are affected by the cooperative commitment to academic integrity. All Semester at Sea courses adhere to this Academic Integrity Policy and Student Conduct Code. Depending on the nature of the assignment or exam, the faculty member may require a written declaration of the following honor pledge: I have not given, received, or used any unauthorized assistance on this exam/assignment. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AUTHOR: Jan Nijman, Peter O. Muller, Jan Nijman, HJ de Blij TITLE: The World Today

10 PUBLISHER: Wiley and Sons ISBN #: DATE/EDITION: 2016/Seventh Edition COST: approx. $ 95 RESERVE BOOKS AND FILMS FOR THE LIBRARY Atlases preferably at least 2 World Atlases Films: Witness: Disaster in Japan Islam: Mecca ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS None [readings and films may be added] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Following a briefing by the ship s librarian on the availability of research resources on the ship s library, the students will be expected to use these resources in writing up their field lab and geographic moment memoranda.