GEO200 World Regional Geography

Course Outline (Fall 2013)

Lecturer: Dr. George O. Odhiambo Lecture venue: Building C1 Room 1036 ( unda!" and #ue"da!"$ 0%:00 & 0':1(am) O**ice: +ot de", -mail addre"": godhiambo.uaeu.ac.ae O**ice hour": /edne"da!" *rom 10:00 0m to 11:00 am

Introduction
This course will examine a broad range of geographical perspectives covering all of the major regions of the world. Each region will be reviewed in a similar structure so students can clearly see the similarities and differences between each region. Specifically, the course will explore where each region is located along with its physical characteristics, including absolute and relative location, climate, and significant geographical features. The exploration will then continue on to look at each region from a cultural, economic, and political perspective, closely examining the human impact on each region from these perspectives as well as how human activities impact the environments of the region. 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 This course is a descriptive synthesis of the world s realms and major regions. The basic geographic components of each region, both physical and human, are discussed as the course spans the globe in a single semester to give a broad comparative overview of world regional geography. !or each of the world"s realms, a regional issue is identified and current issues will be incorporated into classes as they arise. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the geographic regions of the world while emphasi#ing the nature of their physical resources, economies, culture and politics. These courses will also address the issue of why certain countries are developed versus under$ developed.

Learning Objectives/Outcome
This course is designed to make the students more globally aware. The objectives of the course are for students to be able to%$ &. 'dentify the nations of the world"s regions and the major physiographic features of each region. (. )ecogni#e the discipline of geography as a methodology to describe the world, analy#e interrelationships between physical. *. 'dentify the physical and cultural components of the human environment and have an appreciation for the diversity of human culture throughout the world s geographic realms and regions.

+. ,naly#e and evaluate the development of the major geographic regions of the world in terms of the major aspects of their physical, political, economical, historical and cultural geography. -. .ave a better understanding of the physical and cultural landscapes in the world s geographic realms and the interactions between these landscapes/ 0. .ave an understanding of the global patterns1trends and interregional linkages whose far$reaching impacts are changing lives around the globe/ and 2pon successful completion of this course the student are expected to% know the characteristics of the world"s major regions. comprehend the concepts of regional geography. comprehend how regions and their populations are bound together in a world system. analy#e social and environmental issues using concepts from regional geography. evaluate current events from a world$regional perspective be able to analy#e the interplay between environment and culture in different settings, the interaction between local and global forces, and be able to integrate a cultural and geographical perspective into policy, planning, diplomacy, or business$related work

Student responsibilities:

attend classes/ read course book chapters and other assigned readings/ participate in class discussions/ check and read e$mail regularly as this will be used as a tool to communicate course info/ complete and submit ON TIME course assignments, exams and 3ui##es.

Lectures schedule
Wee & and ( * + 0$8 9 < $ &= && $ &( &* &+ Topic to be covered 'ntroduction, The world of )egions The !oundation of 4orld )egions 5iddle East and North ,frica 65EN,7 region Europe Southeast ,sia and South ,sia :apan, ;hina and ;entral ,sia The 2nited States and ;anada Sub$Saharan ,frica >atin ,merica )eview

!ecommended te"t boo

5arston ,. Sallie, ?nox >. @aul and >iverman 5. Aiana. (==-. 4orld )egions in Blobal ;ontext. @earson @rentice .all. 2pper Saddle )iver, New :ersey. 2S,.

#rading $olic%
Evaluation will be based upon exercises, tests and class assignments 6*-C total7, a midterm exam 6(-C7 and a final exam 6+=C7. M&'E S(!E T)&T *O( S(+MIT T)E ,L&SS &SSI#NMENTS ON- O! +E.O!E- T)E /(E /&TE0 NO E1,(SES .O! L&TE S(+MISSIONS .O! !E&SONS NOT &,,E$T&+LE TO T)E (NI2E!SIT* WILL +E ,ON/ONE/. Aates and time for all exams will be communicated.

,lass $olicies
Attendance is crucial and strongly re3uired. 't is hard to catch up if you miss classes. Note that attendance register will be taken during each lecture and university rules about lectures attendance will apply. Blackboard% ,ll the class materials and reading assignments will be posted on the course site of the Dlackboard. Eou need to login to Dlackboard very often to download1print the relevant materials. Eou will also be notified in class about various class activities. Class tasks/activities% ,ny class assignments1tasks must be submitted on the due date. No late submissions, except for cases where the student is not able 6due to circumstances beyond her control such as sickness7 to submit on time will be acceptable.