Geography 1200: World Regional Geography
Spring Semester, 2009

SYLLABUS

Instructor: Dr. Michael Cornebise

Class Meeting Time: 2:00-2:50 MWF

Office: PHYS 3065

Office Hours: 12:00-2:00 TR & 3:00-4:00 MWF, or by appointment

Phone: 581-5400 (office); 581-2626 (Geology/Geography Department)

E-mail: mwcornebise@eiu.edu

Class Webpage: www.ux1.eiu.edu/~mwcornebise

Course Content and Objectives:

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the major regions of the world by examining how their important geographic characteristics intersect with economic, cultural, political and historical themes. This class will focus on the following regions: Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. In order to facilitate a varied and lively class atmosphere, we will incorporate a combination of lectures, videos, power point presentations, and, where possible, guest lectures.

Class Materials (both of which are available at Textbook Rental):

1. Pulsipher, L. & Pulsipher, A. (2008). World Regional Geography: Global Patterns, Local Lives (4th ed.). New York: WH Freeman and Company.

2. Gover, B. (2005). Atlas of World Geography. Rand McNally. (Optional)

Course Assignments:

1. Textbook Readings: Students will be responsible for the readings assigned in the text and any handouts provided during the semester.

2. Articles: In addition to the text, there will be two articles (posted on the class webpage) that will be discussed in class and will be fair game on examinations and quizzes (see schedule for due dates.)

3. Map Exercises: There will be eight map exercises assigned during the semester (worth 10 points each.) You will need to access the assignments on the class webpage and use the maps provided there. Instructions on how to complete each exercise are provided on the webpage. Map exercises are due at the beginning of the class period on which they are assigned.

4. Project: Students will complete a short project (worth 25 points) that will be due on Apr 17. Assignment will be given three weeks before the due date.

Exams and Grading:

Your grade will be based on exams, quizzes, in-class exercises, map exercises and the project. Grades will be weighted as follows:

First Exam 60 points Feb 6

Second Exam 100 points Mar 6

Third Exam 100 points Apr 10

Final Exam 100 points May 7 (The final exam is NOT comprehensive)

Quizzes/In-Class Exercises 35 points ???

Map Exercises 80 points See Schedule

Project 25 points due Apr 17

Total 500 points

Course Evaluation: A 90% or higher

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F 59% or lower

Attendance:

Attendance is required, role will be taken and records will be kept. You are penalized for poor attendance in two ways. First, I do not give make-up class assignments (see below for explanation); therefore, you lower your grade by losing points for assignments given when you are absent. Second, lecture notes are not derived exclusively from the textbook reading and exams will include material not found in the text. You are considered absent if you miss a class because of undue lateness.

NOTE: Several pop quizzes and in-class exercises will be given over the course of the semester. They will be based on class lectures and reading assignments. Make sure you keep up with both!

Important Points to Note:

You will be allowed to make up exams and class assignments (including quizzes, map assignments, impromtu exercises, or any other work that is done during class) ONLY if you show me verifiable proof that clearly indicates that it was impossible for you to attend class during the regular meeting period. It is your responsibility to contact me after missing an exam to see if I will accept your proof as verifiable. In every case that you miss a class, exam, or any other assignments, you are responsible for obtaining missed material regardless of whether I allow you to make up the material in question. LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR POINTS EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF AN EXCUSED ABSENCE!

Leaving a message on my voice mail does not constitute a verifiable excuse for missing class, exams, or other class assignments. For medical emergencies, I will accept ONLY a written note from a physician, a university health service worker, or the dean of enrollment management.

Students who have to miss all or part of a class session because of an academic function (e.g., an event for which the student has university approval) must contact me with proof of such an activity (e.g., a letter from a coach or department chairperson.)

Activities such as work schedules, appointments, club or organizational functions, or making up another exam during this class period are not acceptable excuses for missing class, exams or assignments.

Final exams will only be rescheduled in the event of university sanctioned events and verifiable emergencies. Final exam week is a regularly scheduled part of the academic calendar and will be treated as such.

Please refrain from undue distractions that affect the ability of your fellow students to learn the material. This includes chronic tardiness, in-class "chit-chat," texting, and leaving the classroom before the end of the period. If you require special consideration (i.e., you need to leave early for whatever reason), please contact the instructor beforehand. Please turn off cell phones before class begins.

If you have a documented disability and wish to receive academic accommodations or services, please contact Julie or Kathy in the Office of Disability Services at 581-6583. If you need to know where the areas of rescue assistance are located in case the building must be evacuated, please notify the instructor.