Geography 3300 -- World Political Geography

Fall Semester, 2008                         Instructor: Dr. Paul R. Larson           Phone: 865-8244                       Office: 9-10 daily

10:00-11:20 AM, SC 122                  Office: SC 309                                  e-mail: larson_p@suu.edu                (or by appointment)

      In Geography 3300 -- Political Geography we examine the spatial or geographic aspects of political systems, entities, features, and activities. We address the geographic factors that influence international relations and intranational issues. What is a state? What factors lead to its establishment? How are territorial boundaries established? We will look at conflict, colonialism, and contemporary issues, and how they relate to the modern political map. Hopefully our examination of world political geography will help you gain a greater appreciation of your own nation and respect for others.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the student will know and understand:

1. The definitions of and differences and similarities between states, States, and nations,

2. The geographic characteristics of States, including shape, size, and boundaries, and how these characteristics influence relationships between States,

3. The effect that European colonialism during the period from 1500 to 1950 had on contemporary political geography, and

      4. Intrastate issues, international relations, and contemporary issues and how all of these are influenced by the map.

Therefore, the student will be able to:

      1. Explain the differences and similarities between political entities, based on geographic principles,

2. Analyze international and intranational relations between and within political entities based on those principles, and

      3. Evaluate the effect of European colonialism on the current political situation across the globe.

Required Texts

(1) Political Geography, 3rd edition, by Glassner

(2) Student Atlas of World Politics, 8th edition, by Allen

Tentative Schedule

General Course Information and Course Policies

1.   Each student is responsible for his or her own progress in this course. That is why I stress attendance, participation, and office visits. See #7, 11, and 13 below. If you receive a score of less than 70 on any exam, I expect you to visit me in my office promptly. The purpose of this visit is to allow me to help you work out any problems you might have and to help you prepare for subsequent exams. Timely visits may earn you bonus points. Also, it is the Student’s responsibility to keep track of due dates, assignments, and grades. The professor will assist, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the student.

2.   Grading: 5 Quizzes and/or homework assignments (20 points each), 2 short essays (50 points each), term paper (125 points), 3 exams (100 points each). The exams are not comprehensive. 625 total points.

A.Quizzes will cover reading material and will occur on the dates shown on the calendar (last page of syllabus). Additional quizzes may be given at unspecified times. At times the quiz may take the form of a take-home assignment.

B.Each essay will cover an event currently occurring somewhere in the world, concentrating on its geographic and political implications. A few topic suggestions are listed below. Each paper will be no less than three nor more than five typed pages in length, excluding map or bibliography. Your papers are due on September 14 and October 26. Since each paper is worth 1/2 of a test, significant effort is expected.

C.The term paper will discuss a topic of your choice related to the subject matter of the course. You may expand one of your short essays into the term paper if you like. Follow the guidelines and dates given below.

D.Exam 1 (October 12) will cover chapters 1-16 of the Glassner text, exam 2 (November 16) will cover chapters 17-30, and the final exam (December 15, 11:00 AM) will cover chapters 31-39.

Grading Schedule (percentage of total points)

                                      87-89   B+                     77-79   C+                     67-69   D+

      94-100 A                 84-86   B                       74-76   C                       64-66   D                       below 60 F

      90-93   A-               80-83   B-                      70-73   C-                      60-63   D-

3.   Bring your atlas to class each day. It will be used extensively in class discussions, exercises, quizzes, and exams.

4.Exams and quizzes may be rescheduled only with a valid excuse and only by prior arrangement. Exam questions will come from the textbook and lectures, while quizzes will concentrate on reading material. Exams and quizzes are open atlas, but not open (text) book. Please refer to the study guide at the end of this syllabus for study suggestions.

5.Academic Integrity Policy: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior.

6.Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Southern Utah University Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center, or phone (435) 865-8022. SSD determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services and aids.

7.Regular attendance and participation is required. I will take roll at random times during the semester. History has demonstrated a very close correlation between attendance and exam and quiz scores. Missing more than one class period may result in a lowered grade, because many learning activities are completed in class. You cannot get notes from another person and adequately understand what was discussed. If it is necessary to be absent, it is your responsibility to make up the work missed that day. Please note item #4 above in relation to rescheduling exams and quizzes. If your scores are on a borderline between grades, your attendance history will determine on which side of the border you will be graded. Also, according to the Registrar’s Office, regular attendance is closely tied to your eligibility for financial aid.

8.   All written homework must be typed (word processor).

9.   No extra credit work will be authorized.

10.No work will be accepted beyond Friday, December 5 Late work will be accepted, but it will receive a deduction in score.

11.I strongly discourage certain activities which are counterproductive to class goals. These include, but are not limited to, irregular attendance (see #7 above), coming late and leaving early, social conversations during class, eating during class, and similar unproductive and disruptive activities. Please take care of these things elsewhere.

12. Course Fees: No additional fees are required for this course.

13. I will be available during office hours and by appointment at other times. Office hours are listed above. Please feel free to visit me at any time. Your success is my first priority.

14. Disclaimer: Information contained in this syllabus, other than grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Grading Criteria for all Written Papers

      This is not an English class, but grammar, spelling, and clarity are considered in grading. If you are unsure of your writing style, please follow the suggestion given below about having another person edit your work. Papers will be graded on the following basis:

An "A" paper is excellent in nearly all respects. It

-- is well organized, with a clear thesis, and is well developed with content that is specific, interesting, appropriate, and credible.

-- is reader-based, not writer-based. It considers a specific audience.

-- has logical transitions that contribute to a fluent writing style. These are the links between introduction, main body, and summary, and between major points within the paper itself.

-- has few if any mechanical, grammatical, spelling, or diction errors.

-- uses mature, unpretentious language.

(Be aware that I seldom give a ‟perfect” score, but it does happen.)

A "B" paper shares most characteristics of an "A" paper, but may

-- contain some minor lapses in organization and development.

-- contain some sentence structures that are awkward or ineffective.

-- have minor mechanical, grammatical, or diction problems.

-- be less distinguished in its use of language.

A "C" paper is generally competent. However, compared to a "B" paper, it may have a weaker thesis and less effective development. In addition, it may

-- contain some lapses in organization.

-- have poor or awkward transitions.

-- have less varied sentence structures that tend toward monotony.

-- have more mechanical, grammatical, and diction problems.

      (I cannot stress this following point enough.) Before submitting written papers, have someone read them to check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity. We sometimes get so close to our own work that these things escape us when we proofread. Even professional authors rely on editors to catch things. Care in grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. results in a more readable paper and will affect the quality of your paper and the grade it receives. Although this is not an English class, you still need to communicate effectively. If I cannot read it, I cannot grade it. That is why ‟A” paper standards consider these factors.

Essay Guidelines

      The major purpose of the essay assignment is to give you an opportunity to explore issues of interest to you that we might not discuss in class. Each essay will cover an event in the current world news, analyzing its geographic and political implications. This will require research on your part above and beyond the text. Refer to the list below, your textbook, or your atlas for topic suggestions. Your papers are due September 11 and October 23. Since each paper is worth ½ of a test, significant effort is expected. Papers must be your original work. Papers purchased or duplicated from internet or other sources will not be accepted.

      Include each of the following items in your papers:

1. An introduction outlining what the paper will accomplish (pay attention to this one. Many papers lose points because they neglect this important item),

            2. The body of the paper including background material, your analysis, and discussion,

3. Summary and conclusions, (It should be a foregone conclusion that the introduction, body, and summary discuss the same topic. You would be surprised how often they do not. Papers often begin discussing one topic and end up describing another.)

4. A map (not optional, points deducted for omitting the map). This helps establish the geographic perspective. Locations discussed in the paper should be identified on the map.

5. Other illustrations, such as photographs, charts, graphs, and tables are optional, but are encouraged and will contribute to a higher grade.

6. A bibliography listing your principal sources of information.

      You may obtain a blank map from any convenient source. Locations mentioned in the paper should be identified on the map, and locations identified on the map should be discussed in the paper. In other words, tie the two together. Each paper will be three to five typed pages in length, plus map, other illustrations, and bibliography.

Term Paper Guidelines

      The paper will discuss a topic of your choice. Refer to the list below, your textbook, or your atlas for topic suggestions. Follow this format:

1.Paper - ten to fifteen pages of text, bibliography consisting of at least eight to ten sources. Graphics, maps, tables, etc. are encouraged and will be included in an appendix.

2.Structure: Title page, introduction, main body of the paper, summary and conclusions, appendix, bibliography.

3.A short statement or paragraph describing your chosen topic is due September 2. This is not optional. Points will be deducted if this statement is not submitted on time.

4.I encourage you to submit a rough draft two or three weeks before the deadline. I will review it and give suggestions for your final paper.

5.Papers must be typed and are due December 2. A penalty of 50% may be deducted for late papers. In no case will work be accepted after December 5.

6.   Paper Grading Policy:

     Grade -- Total 125 points.

The 10- to 15-page requirement is a guideline. I will not hold strictly to it if the paper is thorough and exhibits a serious effort in scholarly research and writing. However, if the paper is shorter, it must reflect these qualities to justify its length (or lack thereof). This does not mean that a long paper is automatically a good paper. Regardless of length, the paper should reflect serious effort in scholarly research and must be well-written. Before submitting your paper have someone read it to check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity.

The due date for the written paper is Tuesday, December 2. Any time during the day is fine. Please be aware of the late paper guidelines in the syllabus.

     I will look for the following items in your written papers:

1.Introduction of your topic. This is often overlooked. Pay attention to it. It sets the stage for the entire paper.

            2.   A well-organized main body which hopefully discusses the same topic as the introduction.

            3.   Summary and conclusions. Don’t just end abruptly.

4.Recommendation for the presentation: Use visual aids, such as slides, overhead transparencies, pizza, videos, pictures to pass around, handouts, or whatever you can come up with.

5.A bibliography of at least 8-10 sources (again, there may be some leeway depending on your topic). I do not expect you to use any specific style guide, but I do expect you to be consistent. NOTE: Points will be deducted if all of your references are from the WWW. You must use sources in addition to the web. Also, please note that Wikipedia is not acceptable as a source. Please ask me if you have questions about the use of footnotes, bibliographic entries, or any other aspect of your papers.

            6.   Ten to fifteen pages in length (a guideline, as stated above).

I am more interested in content than I am paper length or bibliography size, but don’t neglect these either.

                                                                       Paper Topic Suggestions

These are examples of papers written in past semesters. They may or may not be current, but they will give you some ideas of the types of topics that would be appropriate. Other timely issues might be appropriate for an essay or term paper. Check out the latest issues of Time, Newsweek, New York Times, or similar publications for ideas.

Does persecution of ethnic Russians exist in the former Soviet republics?

Relationship between the Council of Europe and the European Economic Community

Islamic fundamentalism in Northern Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and elsewhere (are all Moslems terrorists?)

The Spratly Island question

Political implications of pollution in Poland and other eastern European countries

Economic problems faced by single-resource countries. (Examples: Nauru or Brunei)

International border disputes

Trade balance between Japan and the United States (automobiles, Kodak vs. Fuji, etc.)

Modern implications of India’s caste system (even though it is technically illegal, is it still practiced? If so, to what extent?)

Refugee problems (for example, southeast Asia following the Vietnam War)

The drug trade in Southeast Asia or South America

Quebec separatism – bring us up to date

Political ramifications of natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. Pick one, such as drought in Somalia or Hurricane Mitch in Honduras.)

Implications of the last Israeli election on the Mideast peace process

      Implications of the recent Russian elections on US-Russia relations

The current presidential campaign and elections in the USA, its effect on international political and economic relations

      Recent Civil Wars

      September 11, 2001, and Osama bin Laden

      International terrorism, and its effect on our way of life

      Child labor in Asian factories or in West African gold mines

      The politics of the Olympic Games

      The politics of natural resources: gasoline prices, for example

GEOG 3300 -- World Political Geography -- Fall Semester, 2008

TR 10:00-11:20 AM, SC 122

SUBJECT TO CHANGE