IS 2000 - Global Human Systems-Online (4)

Global Human Systems or GEO/IS 2000/AN 2130 Online, introduces students to a range of themes and topics that explore and analyze the spatial organization of humans and human activities on the earth’s surface. It emphasizes a study of the distribution, organization, and variation of natural and social processes and their interdependencies. Utilizing concepts, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches drawn primarily from the field of Geography, students will become more aware of the importance of spaces and places, learn about complex links and interconnectedness between people and their physical environments, and gain insights into complex social, cultural, economic, political factors, and environmental conditions that characterize our increasingly globalized world.

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Mode: via WebEx E-mail: alcampos@oakland.edu

• Describe similarities as well as uniqueness of environmental/physical, social, economic, cultural, and political systems of different places and regions; 

• Differentiate what dual relationship of people/culture-environment means or by “how environment influences culture as well as how culture influences or has altered the environment to suit people’s needs”; 

• Explain geographic perspective, and spatial concepts; 

• Use and interpret maps and other data. 

• Interpret and analyze contemporary issues and challenges associated with social and economic globalization. 

This course requires that you access the Modified Mastering Geography learning space. Mastering Geography is a multimedia resource designed for effective student learning experience. Map quizzes, online quizzes and other learning activities in this course will take advantage of the Mastering Geography resources. Please refer to the ISBN number when you make your purchase. NOTE: You need to purchase one (code) only based on the three options below. 

Option 1. Purchase the Access Code at the OU’s bookstore, the Barnes and Noble with ISBN: 9780321975959 

Option 2. Modified Mastering Geography without Pearson 

eText – Instant Access – for Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, 7th Edition | ISBN-13: 978-0-321-99254-3 

Knox, P. L., and Marston, S. A. (2015). Human geography: Places and regions in global context. 7th ed. Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall. 

This option is for students who prefer the textbook in print format to go with the instant access to Modified Mastering Geography learning space. Used print copy can be purchased or rented through the OU campus bookstore or other online vendors. 

Option 3. Modified Mastering Geography with Pearson eText – Instant Access – for Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context, 7th Edition | ISBN-13: 978-0-321-97594-2 This option is for students who enjoy the packaged digital textbook along with the instant access to Modified Mastering Geography learning space. 

How to purchase an access code and register 

To purchase the access code for Modified Mastering Geography for Human Geography directly from the publisher, simply go to the GEO/IS2000/AN2130 Course Webpage on Moodle and click the link to the Mastering Tools to get started. For details of the access and registration process, open the link to a Registration Handout. Once you are registered, you will always access assignments and tests in Mastering Geography via your Moodle account so that grades or scores from your work in Mastering are automatically added and synced with your Moodle gradebook. 

Need help for registering and other student support? You will go to → Pearson Mastering Support. 

Review quizzes and some exercises are accessible for you to use to prepare for the weekly graded quizzes or other graded assignments. It will be available for you via the Mastering learning space to take as many times as you need. In review quizzes, the purpose is to help you assess (for yourself) what you have learned, to get accustomed to quiz questions, and to get used to taking online graded quizzes. Review quizzes are not graded, however, completing review quizzes can (and will) only help you in the graded quiz and will demonstrate to your Instructor that you are interested in learning the course material. 

2. Graded quizzes, assignments/exercises (30%) 

There will be timed quizzes via Mastering Geography learning space that corresponds to themes and topics covered each week. The purpose of these quizzes is to test your understanding of the material from the course lessons–this way you can demonstrate your grasp of the material from these units while you can still remember or still fresh to you. 

Timed quizzes will open on Wednesdays, 9 am, after you have had the chance to read and start completing the weekly assignments. They are due at the end of the week, on Sunday before midnight or 11:55 pm. I will notify you when a quiz is opened via Announcement. 

You may log into the quiz at any time during that window. Once logged into the quiz, you will have a set time limit (180 minutes) to complete your quiz and turn it in. You must submit your quiz by the time your limit is reached. Failure to submit on time means that open quizzes will be automatically closed and submitted for you. 

Once you have turned in your quiz, the computer automatically grades test items prepared in multiple-choice, fill- in- blank, and T/F questions. Quiz questions are selected at random from a larger pool of questions.They test your understanding of concepts presented in the weekly lesson and/or in the textbook. All answer options for each question are also ordered at random. 

Also, there will be some graded and ungraded assignments or exercises throughout the term. These and all other learning resources and exercises will open on Mondays. Be sure to note the quiz dates and access times each week and please refer to the Course Schedule (last page of the syllabus) for an overview of the dates of the quizzes and other weekly assignments. 

3. Map Quiz, Discussion Forums (30%) 

You will have opportunities to enhance your mental map of the world and learn about world regions and cultures through location knowledge tests or map quizzes and the Global Awareness Involving Neighbors or GAIN discussion forum. The location knowledge test or map quiz aims to develop your mental map of the world using the Mastering Geography interactive map games and other recommended online map quizzes and resources. 

The Global Awareness Involving Neighbors (GAIN) Forum 

Along with the map quiz is the GAIN Discussion forum where students discuss about people and cultures, politics, economics, and physical attributes of a world region. The information must be based on research and personal experiences or both. Together, the map quizzes and GAIN discussions will provide you with ample opportunities to critically examine and discuss the historical as well as contemporary contexts while developing a mental map of the regions and the world. 

In short, you will do the following: 

• Complete the map quiz each week, and other learning exercises and assignments. 

• Participate in the weekly GAIN forum by o posting at least one entry in voice/texts (2-5 minutes in voice or 2-3 paragraphs in text) that describe culture, natural features, and other attributes of a world region using secondary information or personal experiences (10 points). Add an image or video clip to provide a visual and enriching touch to your entry. 

Note: Unless it is a personal experience, cite your source of information (i.e. URL, book, journal article) at the end of your entry. 

post a question or two to stimulate discussion/s or for your peers to respond (4 points)

respond to at least two questions per week from other students’ postings (2 points each or up to 6 points). 

4. Writing Assignment/Paper (25%) 

The Geography of my Hometown Paper 

The Geography of my Hometown is a text and image essay that allows you to integrate concepts and principles of geography, and image/s into a story of your experience with your hometown. After completing the paper, it is expected that you will: 

• describe the distinctive features of your hometown from a geographic point of view. 

• apply geographic concepts (e.g., absolute and relative location, region, scale, physical and human geography) and tools (e.g., maps) 

• discover and demonstrate your talent for “doing geography.” 

• enhance your skills in conducting research, and 

• improve your skills in writing an informative and visually appealing paper 

There are two (2) key parts to this assignment. You will complete the following a) A brief proposal, and b) a 10-page paper. 

a. A Brief proposal/Description of the project 

You will write a paragraph or two regarding your hometown paper by the second week. Your proposal needs to specify the hometown you will write about and include at least TWO sources of information. Use a standard bibliographic referencing such as American Psychological Association or APA to list your references. Please refer to the Course Schedule for the due date. 

b. The 10-page Paper and its General Framework 

As a general framework, your Geography of my Hometown paper is expected to include the following topics: 

• Location (absolute and relative), 

• Physical environments or physiography (climate, terrain, land cover/use, hydrology, environmental problems, etc.), 

• Human geography (people, cultures, brief history of how people have utilized their local environment, economy, etc.), and 

• Links (e.g., migration, trade, investment, travel) between your hometown (the local) and places in other parts of the world (the global). Introductory and conclusion paragraphs are expected. Each topic can be a heading to a section of your paper. 

Your paper must be written with the following sections: 

a. Summary b. Introduction c. Name and description of your hometown with subsections- 

Location, Physiography, Human geography d. Analysis/Discussion of regional and global Links; Development 

pattern/s, Strengths and weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities e. Conclusion f. Works cited/Sources/References 

You may create subheadings or subsections as needed. Your paper must be 10 pages, 12-font, and double-spaced. A relevant image or two can be included in your 10- page paper but should not be used as substitute to fill the pages of an incomplete paper. Please refer to the Course Schedule for the due date and time of the paper. 

Grading the Paper 

• Clarity and comprehensiveness of description of physical and human geographies, and links/linkages (20%) 

• Data accuracy and credibility of information used (i.e. use of established sources or materials) (10%) 

• Application/use of geographic concepts and themes (40%) 

• Effective use of images, and other visual resources (10%) 

• Clarity of overall project and Organization- Complete sections (from Summary to List of references) (5%) 

Reflection Assignment 

You will submit a Reflection Assignment at the end of the term. The essay is worth 10 points and counts toward your final grade. Details of the content, and how it is graded will be available to you in a separate assignment document on Moodle. 

5. Final Exam (15%) 

The Final Exam covers assigned readings, exercises, discussions, and supplementary materials. It is designed to test your understanding and comprehension of concepts, location knowledge and related geographic topics and processes. The exam is worth 15% of your final grade. 

Summary of Course Requirements 

Graded Work Percent% Graded quizzes, assignments/exercises 30 Map quiz, Discussion Forums (8) 30 Writing Assignment-My Hometown Paper (1), and Reflection Assignment 25, Final Exam 15 

Total 100% 

Grading Scale 

Numerical Grade 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0 (No credit)

Letter Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F 

COURSE AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES 

Missed Exams, Assignments 

In an online environment, students are expected to engage with the course materials at their own pace. However, students need to complete assignments and exercises on time. Unless due to a documented emergency, there will be no make-up or extension for missed exercises or assignments. You will have 24 hours to inform or anyone you authorized to notify me of your emergency before I make arrangement for a make-up or extension to an assignment’s deadline. Plan on submitting assignments and other requirements well-ahead of due date and time to avoid possible delays due to computer and internet glitches.