Discipline: Geography Degree Credit  [ ]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Geography 3


COURSE DESCRIPTION
3 World Regional Geog Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
A study of major world regions, emphasizing current characteristics and issues including cultural, economic, political and environmental conditions. Topics may include the natural environment, population distribution, cultural practices, political institutions, economic development, agricultural practices, and urbanization. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A study of major world regions, emphasizing current characteristics and issues including cultural, economic, political, and environmental conditions.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
  1. Identify world places and features on maps;
  2. Describe the major physical and human characteristics of each world region;
  3. Comprehend connections and conflicts between regions and analyze trends;
  4. Apply geographic perspectives to current issues, e.g., famine, desertification, health, pollution, deforestation, natural disasters;
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of current world events orally in presentations and discussions;
  6. Write an analysis of a world regional issue in a manner that demonstrates research, and analytical and critical thinking.

 
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1.   Europe
    1.  Economic integration
    2.  National identity
    3.  Ethnic tensions
    4.  Environmental activism 
  2.  Russia
    1.  Post-Soviet political transformations
    2.  Oil wealth
    3.  Income disparities and population trends
  3.  North America
    1.  Globalization
    2.  Immigration
    3.  Aging population
  4.  Middle America
    1.  Neoliberalism
    2.  The informal economy
    3.  Income disparities and population trends
    4.  Environmental sustainability
  5.  South America
    1.  Neoliberalism
    2.  The informal economy
    3.  Income disparities and population trends
    4.  Environmental sustainability
  6.  North Africa
    1.  Political conflict and violence
    2.  The impact of oil
    3.  Gender relations
    4.  The scarcity of water
  7. Sub-Saharan Africa
    1.  The roots of African poverty
    2.  Population dynamics and disease patterns
    3.  Gender relations
    4.  Cultural heritage
  8.  Southwest Asia
    1.  Political conflict and violence
    2.  The impact of oil
    3.  Gender relations
    4.  The scarcity of water
  9.  South Asia
    1.  Complex cultural influences
    2.  Village life
    3.  Income disparities
    4.  Population growth
    5.  Gender relations
  10.  Central Asia
    1.  Post-Soviet political transformations
    2.  Complex cultural influences
    3.  Globalization and national identity
  11.  East Asia
    1.  Economic and political transformations
    2.  Rivalries for power
    3.  Environmental hazards
    4.  Ecological sustainability
  12. . Southeast Asia
    1.  Economic interdependence
    2.  Religion and democracy
    3.  Globalization and transnationalism
  13.  Australia/ New Zealand/Pacific Islands
    1.  Economic development and natural resources
    2.  Ethnic relations
    3.  Orientation towards Asia


Students are also assigned reading, writing, and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class lectures/discussions/demonstrations in order to model and foster a geographic perspective on human and physical characteristics of regions; 
  • Videos/films/PowerPoint presentations that provide additional content in addition to the textbook on regional issues, such as cultural transformations, economic systems, health issues, environmental debates and natural disasters;
  • Pair and small group activities/discussions that require students to articulate connections and differences between regions and to analyze trends toward integration or diversification;
  • Class exercises that develop and enhance mapping skills by identifying world places and  features on maps;
  • Handouts which inform students about the complexities of  the physical and human characteristics of world regions;
  • Individual conferences which communicate the strengths and weaknesses of students’  mapping and analytical skills;
  • Guest lecturers which provide personal perspectives on specific regions and on geo-political issues;
  • Internet based activities which enhance research on world regional issues and computer skills which promote geographic literacy.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Oral reports and presentations that demonstrate basic understanding of regional geographic approaches to social issues;
  • Written reports/formal presentations that demonstrate insightful geographical perspectives  on world regional issues;
  • Quizzes/examinations that test geographical knowledge, familiarity with regional issues, and analytical perspectives on specific issues;
  • Class and individual projects that require students to apply a geographic perspective on current events. and synthesize information on contemporary geographic topics.
  • Class discussions that demonstrate the application of geographic perspectives of specific issues and the ability to synthesize multiple geographic themes; 
  • A final examination that tests basic knowledge and comprehension about world regions their significant issues and understandings of the commonalities and unique dimensions of specific world regions.

 
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • De Blij, Harm J., et al.. Geography-Realms, Regions and Concepts. 12 ed. any: Wiley, 2005.
  • De Blij, Harm J., et al.. Concepts and Regions in Geography. 3 ed. any: Wiley, 2007.
  • Bradshaw, Michael, et. al.. Contemporary World Regional Geography. 2 ed. any: McGraw-Hill, 2007.
  • Marston, Sallie, and Paul Knox, and Diana Liverman. World Regions in Global Context: Peoples, Places, and Environments. 2 ed. any: Prentice Hall, 2005.
  • Pulsipher, Lydia. World Regional Geography: Global Patterns, Local Lives. 3 ed. any: W. H. Freeman, 2005.
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