Syllabus Cultural Geography

1. Syllabus Geography 102 ~ Cultural Geography Fall 2015
COURSE NO: Geog 102 COURSE TITLE: Cultural Geography UNITS: 3
SECTION NO.: 53872 CLASS HOURS: Arranged 6 hours weekly
DAYS: ONLINE ROOM NO.: ONLINE
INSTRUCTOR NAME: Lisa Schmidt
OFFICE NO: NONE
TEL. EXT.: 760 440 8977
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com
WEBPAGE: http://schmidtculturalgeography.wikispaces.com/
Prerequisite: None
Textbook: Human Geography By: Knox ISBN 978-0-321-98424-1
Course Description: An examination of human activities on the surface of
the earth as exhibited by various cultures. Global variations in land-use
systems, settlement patterns, economic activities, political and religious
institutions, languages, and the numbers and movement of human
populations are explored.
Course Objectives -
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. Define the cultural geographical concepts of culture, such as culture
hearth, culture trait, and cultural landscape.
2. Explain the factors related to population movement, such as
migration, push and pull factors and refugee groups.
3. Explain the origination of culture hearths in Eurasia and the

2. movement of ideas and people from these areas.
4. Explain the origination of culture hearths in the Americas and
describe their unique cultures.
5. Identify and describe the climate, topography and other physical
landscape features found in the physical environment for each of the
worlds major culture realms.
6. Identify and describe global patterns development including health
and nutrition.
7. Identify and describe global similarities and differences of race,
gender, and ethnicity.
8. Identify and describe global similarities and differences of language
and religion.
9. Identify and explain global differences in settlement patterns.
10. Identify and explain global differences in economic activities,
including primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary industries.
11. Describe the global pattern of rural settlements and explain the
similarities and differences.
12. Describe the global pattern of urban settlements and explain the
similarities and differences.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon completion of the course the
student can:
1. Identify and describe the basic geographical concepts of culture.
2. Recognize the physical characteristics of each of the world's cultural environments.
3. Analyze global population movement from early culture hearth to present day.
4. Identify and analyze global patterns of development.
5. Discuss the global differences and similarities in land use and economic activities.
6. Describe and analyze global similarities and differences of race, gender, ethnicity,
language and religion.

3. Grading Policy:
A = 100-90% or 805-724 points
B = 89-80% or 723-644 points
C = 79-70% or 643-563 points
D = 69-60% or 562-483 points
F = 59-0% or 482-0 points
Assignments:
Postings 8 @ 10 Points each
Maps 7 @ 10 Points each
Quizzes 12 @ 20 points each
Exams 3 @ 100 points each
Project 1 @ 100 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
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

4. 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 problem covered in this course and solve the problem. 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 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
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.

5. 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
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

6. 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
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
1.Week One Oct 26 - Nov 1
2. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter One: Geography Matters
3. Posting Assignments
a. Introduction

7. b. Sign in to Edcite-Join this class, Class Code:
6S73Q
4. Map Assignments
a. Geography Basics
b. North America
5. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter One Quiz
6.Week Two Nov 2 - Nov 8
7. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter Two: The Changing Global Context
b. Chapter Three: Geographies of Population and
Migration
8. Posting Assignments
a. The Changing Global Context
b. Geographies of Population and Migration
9. Map Assignments
a. South and Central America
10. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter Two Quiz
b. Chapter Three Quiz
11. Week Three Nov 9 - Nov 15
12. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter Four: People and Nature
b. Exam One Study Guide
13. Posting Assignments
a. People and Nature
b. Reflection - What I didn't know Ch 1-4
14. Map Assignments
a. Europe East & Europe West
15. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter Four Quiz
b. Exam One Ch 1 - 4

8. 16. Project
a. Pick your topic and post it to the padlet.
17. Week Four Nov 16 - Nov 22
18. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter Five: Cultural Geography
b. Chapter Six: Language, Communication, and Belief
19. Posting Assignments
a. Cultural Geography
b. Language, Communication, and Belief
20. Map Assignments
a. Middle East and North Africa
b.
21. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter Five Quiz
b. Chapter Six Quiz
22. Week Five Nov 23 - Nov 29
23. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter Seven: Interpreting Landscapes
b. Chapter Eight: Economic Geography
c. Exam Two Study Guide
24. Posting Assignment
a. Interpreting Landscapes
b. Economic Geography
25. Map Assignments
a. Asia
26. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter Seven Quiz
b. Chapter Eight Quiz
c. Exam Two Ch 5-8
27. Project
a. Five Sources
28. Week Six Nov 30 - Dec 6

9. 29. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter Nine: Geographies of Food and Agriculture
b. Chapter Ten: Political Geography
30. Posting Assignments
a. Food and Agriculture
b. Political Geography
31. Map Assignments
a. Sub-Saharan Africa
32. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter Nine Quiz
b. Chapter Ten Quiz
33. Project
a. Research Questions
34. Week Seven Dec 7 - Dec 13
35. Reading Assignments
a. Chapter Eleven: Urbanization and Urban Systems
b. Chapter Twelve: City Spaces and Urban Structure
36. Posting Assignments
a. Urbanization and Urban Systems
b. City Spaces and Urban Structure
37. Map Assignments
a. Oceania
38. Blackboard Assignments
a. Chapter Eleven Quiz
b. Chapter Twelve Quiz
39. Week Eight Dec 14 - Dec 18
40. Blackboard Assignment
a. Exam Three Chapters 9 - 12
41. Posting Assignment
a. Reflection
42. Project
a. Post Presentation