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Introduction to Geography: Geography 107

Summer Session 2001

Dates of course: July 2-August 23
Meeting time: M, T, Th 1-2:50P
Room: Strong 208
Instructor: Chris Mayda
Office Strong 217
Phone: 734 487 7856
Email: cmayda@online.emich.edu

Text: Introduction to Geography, by Bergman, Renwick
Prentice Hall, 2000

This is an introductory course in the complex field of geography. Though most people seem to feel that geography is the "art" of knowing state names and capitals along with rivers and mountain ranges, they are right and wrong. It is all of that, but much, much more. Geography is not simple but perhaps one of the more complex disciplines, not in its mathematical equations (though that can be found too) but in its understanding of humanity and the place we call home, Earth.

Albert Einstein said: "As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the customs office I thought deeply about the matter and concluded it was too difficult a subject. With some reluctance I then turned to physics as a substitute."

The purpose of this course is to bring light to why he might have said this.

This course is intended for freshmen and sophmores who have had little or no previous experience in geographic study.

The objective of this course is to make you aware of a geographic way of seeing the world. hopefully, within your college career you will acquire many different tools and perspectives to both make sense of the world and find your won path within it. Major topics associated with geographic sub fields will be introduced while exploring the impacts of environment, culture and location on the human condition.

There are three (3) assignments and 4 exams during the semester, with a final comprehensive exam at the end of the semester.

You will also note that on August 20 we will be having a class seminar: a class discussion in which all are expected to both attend and participate. The subject is culture and if it matters, concerning issues of multi-culturalism and what does it mean in realtion to traditional culture. Though this is NOT directly part of your grade, this will be the extra points needed to push you either up or down in your grade. It will help you if you read some of the questions and references at the end of chapter 6 so that you will be well-versed in the discussion.

There are also some OPTIONAL internet based homework assignments that can be done to replace one grade on an exam (if you did not do well, or if you miss one exam). Four (4) homework assignments must be done (critical thinking) to makeup for the one test. This homework is OPTIONAL (only to replace a test grade). All homework must be sent via internet by August 20.

Grading:

Each of 4 exams worth 15%

Final worth 25%

Assignments worth total of 15%

A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
E=below 60

If you choose to do he OPTIONAL homework to improve your grade please go to:

http://cw.prenhall.com/bergman/

Once there you have the choice of doing 4 chapter items: either short essays or critical thinking. These are to be submitted via the internet. You may choose any chapter that interests you and then either the critical thinking questions or the short essay questions for that chapter. Only one of these two options can be used per chapter. You must do this for 4 different chapters. Due by August 20.