GEOG 121: Lands and Peoples of the WorldFall 2013T TH 11:40am-12:55pm CALLCOTT 011Instructor: Prof. Caroline NagelOffice: Callcott 106 Office Hours: Thursdays 10-11 am or by appointmentEmail: [email protected] Assistant: Ms. Amelia AyoobOffice: Callcott 107Office Hours: Wednesday 3-4 pmEmail address: [email protected] OverviewThis course introduces students to diversity, inequality, and interconnectedness in the contemporary world. In terms of diversity, this course highlights the ways that the physical environment, social and economic systems, political relationships, and historical circumstances have produced distinctive regional geographies. In terms of interconnectedness, this course explores the ways in which global processes—world trade, colonialism and neo-colonialism, geopolitical conflict, and climate change—have integrated different world regions into a complexglobal system. In terms of inequality, this course gives special attention to the way that regional and global processes intersect to produce and reinforce social and geographical disparities and differences.Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of this course, students should be able to conduct independent research and to speak in an informed manner on key issues and problems relating to global andregional transformations and inequalities. More specifically, students should be able - To analyze diverse regional patterns and relationships between world regions using key interdisciplinary concepts, including globalization, colonialism, development, sustainability, and neoliberalism; - To analyze the intersections between global and local processes and how these generate diverse patterns of resource use, inequality, and socio-political conflict in different world regions;1- To evaluate interactions between the natural environment and human systems in different parts of the world and to discuss the potential impacts of global environmental change on particular places;- To analyze current events through an understanding of the complex environmental, political, economic, social, and cultural processes that shape them; - To use academic articles, journalistic accounts, and on-line resources to gain a deeper understanding of world regions and global processes;- To communicate geographical analyses of world regions and globalization to others through writing and discussion.Required TextRowntree, L., Lewis, M., Price, M., and Wyckoff, W. (2012). Diversity Amid Globalization: World Regions, Environment, and Development (5th Edition) Additional required readings will be posted every week on Blackboard.AssessmentThis course offers a steady flow of readings, research and writing assignments, lectures, quizzes, and discussion. This system is intended to discourage cramming and instead to constantly reinforce students’ understanding of and ability to explain key concepts. The frequent quizzes and writing assignments require that students come fully prepared to class. While this is a large class, I will encourage meaningful discussion and interaction. The assessment is as follows:Grades will be based on 5 multiple-choice quizzes (6% each; 30% total of final grade), 3 short research-and-writing assignments (10% each; 30% total of final grade); clicker questions (approximately 30 questions over the course of the semester; 15% of final grade); and a comprehensive, multiple-choice final exam (25% of total grade).Textbook Quizzes: The five multiple-choice quizzes test students’ comprehension of textbook readings. These quizzes will be given at the START of each regional section of the course, rather than at the end. Mastering the textbook material at the start of each section will allow us to explore in depth current issues relating to specific regions. Students will be given a set of study questions to guide their reading and to prepare for quizzes.Clicker questions: We will be piloting the use of clickers this semester. Clickers allow me to test your comprehension of the lectures as we go along. They also encourage attendance and participation. I will ask two or three questions per lecture period (including days when there are 2quizzes) to evaluate instantaneously how the class is doing. You will need to purchase an i-clicker (first generation is fine; you can buy them used for $30 or so) for this course, and you willneed to bring the clicker to EVERY CLASS PERIOD. I will not provide any opportunities to re-take the clicker questions if you forget to bring your clicker to class. I will provide information in class for linking your clicker to this course. Students who have a total clicker score of 75% or above will receive full credit for this component of their grade. Students who score between 65% and 74% will receive the equivalent of a B for this component of their grade; those scoring between 55% and 64% will receive the equivalent of a C; scores between 45% and 54% will receive the equivalent of a D. Scores below 44% will be treated as F.Research and writing assignments: Students will complete assigned readings and will conduct independent, interdisciplinary research on set topics relating to THREE of the five worldregions we cover in class (there are five due dates in the syllabus, but students need to choose three to complete). Paper topics will be listed on Blackboard. Students will write up their findings in a short (600-700 word) discussion paper. The paper should address the historical and geographical context of topic at hand, how the issues and events described affect different groups of people, and how they may be of wider regional and/or global significance. Papers willbe graded according to a standard rubric that includes content, essay structure/grammar, qualityof references, and use of citations. Students should be prepared to discuss their findings in class. Essays will be marked down for not following the specifications in the box below.Final exam: The final exam is cumulative and multiple choice, and will include questions basedon non-textbook readings, lectures, films, and any guest lectures. The final is scheduled for Thursday, December 12 at 9 am. I will not under any circumstances administer this exam early.Please make your travel arrangements accordingly. Extra credit: I will occasionally offer relevant public lectures around campus as extra credit. If you wish to receive extra credit for these events, you must stay for the