Syllabus World Regional Geography

1. Syllabus Geography 104 ~
World Regional Geography Fall 2015
COURSE NO: Geog 104 COURSE TITLE: World Regional Geography
UNITS: 3 SECTION NO.: 53877
CLASS HOURS: Arranged 6 hours weekly DAYS & ROOM: ONLINE
INSTRUCTOR NAME: Lisa Schmidt
OFFICE NO: NONE
TEL. EXT.: 760 440 8977
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com
WEBPAGE: http://schmidtworldregions.wikispaces.com/
Prerequisite: None
Textbook: Fundamentals of World Regional Geography By: Hobbs (3rd
Edition) ISBN-13: 978-1133113782
Course Description: An examination of the world's countries within their
global regions with emphasis on their physical and cultural attributes.
Variations within and among these global regions are explored. CSU,UC
transfer.
Course Objectives -
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. Identify and describe the five themes of geographic study and
illustrate how these allow geographers to analyze physical and
cultural attributes of global areas.
2. Describe how maps and GIS are useful tools for geographic spatial
analysis.
3. Describe and analyze the cause and effect of globalization on the
cultural and physical attributes of different countries in the world.
4. Identify and analyze the distinctive physical landscapes of world
regions, including climate and landforms.
5. Analyze and describe the distinctive cultural landscape of world

2. regions as related to attributes such as language, religion,
population, economic systems, political systems, and levels of
development.
6. Identify and describe economic activities and population settlement
patterns within world regions.
7. Identify and analyze the effect of natural disasters on global
populations.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon completion of the course the
student can:
1. Explain and understand the basic processes in geographic study, such as location, and
spatial analysis of physical and cultural attributes.
2. Identify and describe physical attributes of global regions and how these affect the
cultural elements within these regions.
3. Identify and analyze the distinctive cultural landscape of global regions and how these
affect interactions within the global community.
Grading Policy:
A = 100-90% or 785-705 points
B = 89-80% or 704-628 points
C = 79-70% or 627-549 points
D = 69-60% or 548-471 points
F = 59-0% or 470-0 points
Assignments:
Postings 8 @ 10 Points each
Maps 7 @ 10 Points each
Quizzes 11 @ 20 points each
Exams 3 @ 100 points each
Project 1 @ 115 points each
POSTINGS - Each week you will have a writing assignment, these are your POSTINGS.
You will post to the digital Padlet on the class web page. Some weeks you will have one
writing assignment, some weeks you will have two. If you have one, it is worth 10
points, if you have two, they are worth 5 points each. Postings should be error free, it is a
good idea to type them in Word or something like it so that you can spell check before

3. the final submission, then copy and paste into Padlet. Some postings will require you to
include a picture or video.
MAPS - Each week you will have a map study and map quiz. You are required to sign
into EDCITE for this class. You will take your map quizzes on EDCITE. You should
view the map study before taking your quizzes. Each map quiz has a Prezi of the places
that will be on the quizzes.
CHAPTER QUIZZES - Each week you will have a quizzes on Blackboard about the
chapter assigned for the weeks' reading. You may take quizzes twice. Quizzes are timed,
you are allowed 30 minutes. The format of Blackboard quizzes is multiple choice,
matching, or true/false. Some quizzes may have images from the textbook that you will
need to answer questions about. It is recommended that you look at all images in the text
because maps and charts or pictures may be used. Quizzes will open and close on
Mondays each week. You have one week to complete quizzes. Quizzes will close at
11:59 PM on their due dates.
EXAMS - Exams will be given approximately ever four chapters. Exams will be given
using Blackboard. You will have one week to complete exams, they are timed - 60
minutes, and you get one chance. Exams will be made from quiz questions and from new
material. A study guide will be posted for each exam.
PROJECT - You will create a presentation project for this class. The presentation will
be posted to the class web page using an online presenter like Prezi or Slideshare for final
grading. You will choose a place and create a digital travel guide for that place
highlighting information covered in this course. There will be stages of your project 1.
Pick your topic and post, 2. Pick your sources and e-mail to me, 3. Answer your research
questions and e-mail to me, 4. Post final presentation. Instructions for the specifics of
your project will be posted on the class web page. 5 points are given for each small part
of the project - topic, sources, and questions, and 100 points is possible on the final
digital presentation.
Class Policies
Attendance & Work - You are expected to participate in all class activities.
If you stop participating and do not complete assignments for two weeks in a
row, you may be dropped from the course. If something happens in your life
that causes you to miss assignments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
You may contact me by text message or voicemail at 760 440 8977, you can
e-mail me at ProfessoLisaS@gmail.com, and you may see me on campus
Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Due Dates - Assignments will be made available each Monday and will be
closed and graded the following Monday at 11:59 PM. I encourage all of

4. you to complete assignments on time, however, I also understand that this is
a compressed course and I know that online students usually have very busy
lives, so I will consider extending due dates if you request it. Should you
need to complete a posting assignment after that assignment has been
graded, you will need to notify me that you have completed the assignment.
Class Web Page - A web page has been created for this class. You will be
required to post things on the class web page. Resources for the class will
be posted on the class web page as well. The address is:
http://schmidtculturalgeography.wikispaces.com You should bookmark this
site for the duration of the class.
Blackboard - Blackboard will be used to announce and link to assignments,
for messages to you as a class, for quizzes and for exams. You should make
sure that your correct contact information is in Blackboard so you receive
announcements.
Negative Comments/Disruptive Behavior - I expect all of you to be
respectful of each other when you are posting. Just like my onsite classes, I
expect this to be a place where you all feel comfortable and we are all nice
to each other. Negative comments directed at fellow students is not allowed.
This is something I take very seriously and depending on the situation, may
report to the school disciplinarian. Negative comments create a hostile
environment and disrupt the learning environment. If you are having a bad
day and feel compelled to make a negative comment, step away from the
computer and come back when you feel better.
Contacting Me - All of my contact information is listed at the top of the first
page. I will list it here again for you. I am what they call a freeway flier,
that means that I am an adjunct, or part-time instructor, so I am currently
working at four schools. I encourage you to contact me if you have any
problems or questions. I do not have an office, but I am on campus every
Monday and Wednesday evening from about 5:30 PM to about 10 PM and
you can come and talk to me. You may also text me at 760 440 8977 - this
is a Google Voice number, you can also call and leave voice mail. I will
probably not answer text messages immediately, so I ask that you be patient.
This semester I have night classes every night of the week, so I also may not
answer late at night when I am off work, but try to return all messages the
next day. You can also e-mail me at ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com. The same
policy applies to answering e-mail. If you have had technical difficulty with

5. any parts of the class, please do not panic. I can undo anything you do, and
if something goes down or does not work properly, it will never be held
against you.
Withdrawal Policy - It is the students responsibility to withdraw from the
class, should the student decide to drop. If you stop completing assignments
and participating in class activities, you will likely receive an F in the class.
VVC FALL CALENDAR
FALL Term Begins August 31
Labor Day Holiday (college closed) September 7
Veteran’s Day Holiday (college closed) November 11
Thanksgiving Holiday (college closed) November 27-29
FALL Term Ends December 19
Sixteen (16) week term August 31 – December 19
Off-Campus Twelve (12) week term August 31 – December 19 (Does not
follow VVC calendar, see that site’s calendar for holidays)
First Twelve (12) week term August 31 - November 21
Second Twelve (12) week term September 28 – December 19
First Eight (8) week term August 31 – October 24
Second Eight (8) week term October 26 – December 19
NOTE – CAMPUS IS CLOSED and CLASSES WILL NOT BE HELD ON
CAMPUS THE FOLLOWING DATES:
September 7th, November 11th, 26th, 27th, 28th
STATEMENT OF ACCESS: Students with special needs are encouraged
to meet with instructors to discuss the opportunity for academic
accommodation and referral to Disabled Students Programs and Services
(DSPS) and services per Administrative Procedure (AP 3440)
Visit Victor Valley College online at www.vvc.edu
VVC Attendance Policy: (Class attendance is not a measure of performance
or proficiency. Whether a student is just physically present in the class is
not a valid basis for grading. Reference Title 5 Section 55002 of the
California Code of Regulations: (A) Grading Policy. The course provides
for measurement of student performance in terms of stated course objectives
and culminates in a formal, permanently recorded grade based upon uniform

6. standards in accordance with section 55758 of this Division. The grade is
based on demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter and the ability to
demonstrate that proficiency, at least in part, by means of written expression
that may include essays, or, in courses where the curriculum committee
deems them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or skills
demonstrations by students.)
Class Schedule
Week One Oct 26 - Nov 1
Reading Assignment: Chapter One Objectives and Tools, National
Geographic Standards
Posting Assignments:Introduction - Posted to Padlet, Survey - Sent
to Instructor through class web page, Sign In to Edcite Class
Code 3AQL3
Map Assignment & Quiz: Geography Basics on Edcite
Blackboard Assignments: Chapter One Quiz
Week Two Nov 2 - Nov 8
Reading Assignment: Chapter Two Physical Processes and
Chapter Three Human Processes
Posting Assignments - Post to Padlet Chapter 2 & 3 Writing
Assignment
Blackboard Assignments: Chapter Two Quiz, Chapter Three Quiz
Project: Pick your topic, post on the Padlet
Week Three Nov 9 - Nov 15
Reading Assignments: Chapter Four Europe, Study Guide for
Exam 1 (chapters 1-4)
Posting Assignments: Chapter Four & Reflection on Chapters 1-4
Map Assignment: Western Europe Map Quiz on Edcite
Blackboard Assignments: Chapter Four Quiz & Exam One
Project: Pick your five sources, e-mail to instructor

7. Week Four Nov 16 - Nov 22
Reading Assignments: Chapter Five Russia and the Near Abroad
and Chapter Six Middle East and North Africa
Posting Assignments: Chapter Five & Chapter Six Posts
Map Assignments: Russia and Neighbors and Middle East and
North Africa on Edcite
Blackboard Assignments: Chapter Five Quiz and Chapter Six Quiz
Week Five Nov 23 - Nov 29
Reading Assignments: Chapter Seven South and East Asia and
Chapter Eight Oceania
Posting Assignments: Chapter Seven Post and Chapter Eight Post
Map Assignments: South and East Asia, and Oceania on Edcite
Blackboard Assignments: Chapter Seven Quiz and Chapter Eight
Quiz
Week Six Nov 30 - Dec 6
Reading Assignments: Exam Two Study Guide Chapter 5-8 &
Chapter Nine Sub-Saharan Africa
Posting Assignments: Reflection Ch 5-8 and Chapter Nine Post
Map Assignments: Sub-Saharan Africa on Edcite
Blackboard Assignments: Exam Two, and Chapter Nine Quiz
Project: Answer your research questions, e-mail to instructor
Week Seven Dec 7 - Dec 13
Reading Assignments: Chapter Ten Latin America, and Chapter
Eleven US and Canada
Posting Assignments: Chapter Ten Post and Chapter Eleven Post
Map Assignments: Latin America and US and Canada on Edcite
Blackboard Assignments: Chapter Ten Quiz and Chapter Eleven

8. Quiz
Week Eight Dec 14 - Dec 18
Reading Assignments: Exam Three Study Guide Chapters 9-11
Posting Assignments: Final Reflection on Class
Blackboard Assignments: Exam Three Chapters 9-11
Project: Post Final Project to Class Web Page