This document provides the syllabus for a Cultural Geography course taught online in Spring 2016. The 3-credit course is instructed by Lisa Schmidt and uses the textbook "Human Geography" by Knox. Assignments include weekly postings, maps quizzes, chapter quizzes, exams, and a semester-long project. The course aims to examine human activities and cultures around the world through geographical concepts and analysis of populations, development, economies, and social differences. Grades are calculated based on completion of these assignments throughout the semester.

1. Syllabus Geography 102 ~ Cultural Geography Spring 2016
COURSE NO: Geog 102 COURSE TITLE: Cultural Geography UNITS: 3
SECTION NO.: 55636 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
movement of ideas and people from these areas.

2. 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.
Grading Policy:

3. 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 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.

4. 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.
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

5. 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.
SPRING CALENDAR
Spring Term Begins February 16
Spring Break Holiday (college closed) March 25
College Closed (no classes) March 26
Spring Break (no classes-offices open) April 11 - 15
College Closed (no classes) April 16
Memorial Day Holiday (college closed) May 30
Commencement June 10
Spring Semester Ends June 11
Sixteen (16) week term February 16 - June 11
Off-Campus Twelve (12) week term February 16 - May 14 (Does not follow VVC calendar, see
that site's calendar)
First Twelve (12) week term February 16 - May 14
Second Twelve (12) week term March 14 - June 11
First Eight (8) week term February 16 - April 9
Second Eight (8) week term April 18 - June 11
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

6. 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
Date Topic Assignment What's Due Project
Week One
Feb 16-22
Ch 1: Objectives and
Tools, Ch 2: The Changing
Global Context, & Map 1:
Geography Basics
Ch 1 & 2
Quizzes &
Map 1 &
Introduction
& Survey
Read
instructions,
start thinking
about your
topic
Week Two
Feb 23-29
Ch 3: Geographies of
Population and Migration,
Ch 4: People and Nature,
& Map 2 North America
Ch 3 & 4
Quizzes, Map
2 & Post 2
Ch 1 & 2
Quizzes &
Map 1 &
Introduction
& Survey
Topic due -
post to Padlet
Week Three
Mar 1-7
Exam 1 Ch 1-4, Ch 5:
Cultural Geography, Map
3: Latin America
Exam 1, Ch 5
Quiz, Map 3,
Post 3
Ch 3 & 4
Quizzes,
Map 2 & Post
2
Week Four
Mar 8-14
Ch 6: Language,
Communication, and
Belief, Ch 7: Interpreting
Landscapes, Map 4:
Europe
Ch 6 & 7
Quizzes, Map
4, Post 4
Exam 1, Ch 5
Quiz, Map 3,
Post 3
Five Sources
Due - email to
instructor
Week Five
Mar 15-21
Ch 8: Economic
Geography, Exam 2 Ch 5-
8, Map 5: Middle East &
North Africa
Ch 8, Exam
2, Map 5,
Post 5
Ch 6 & 7
Quizzes,
Map 4, Post
4
Research
Questions Due
- e-mail to
instructor

7. Week Six
Mar 22-28
Ch 9: Geographies of
Food and Agriculture, Ch
10: Political Geography,
Map 6: Asia
Ch 9 & 10
Quizzes, Map
6, Post 6
Ch 8, Exam
2, Map 5,
Post 5
Presentations
Accepted
Week
Seven Mar
29-Apr 4
Ch 11: Urbanization and
Urban Systems, Ch 12:
City Spaces and Urban
Structure, Map 7:
SubSaharan Africa
Ch 11 & 12
Quizzes, Map
7, Post 7
Ch 9 & 10
Quizzes,
Map 6, Post
6
Presentations
Accepted
Week Eight
Apr 5-9
Final Exam/Presentations
Due
Final Exam,
Post 8
Ch 11 & 12
Quizzes,
Map 7, Post
7, Final
Exam, Post
8, any other
open items or
extra credit
All
Presentations
due