Regional Geography 105
Assignment Guide
The following is a list of links to reading material from a variety of sources. Use of some of this material is password protected and restricted to use by students currently enrolled in Regional Geography 105. This material may only be used for the purpose of completing the required reading assignments. All copyright laws apply. Electronic copying and distribution of this material is prohibited.
Many of the topics covered below can be further researched using other web-based materials or printed materials. Students are encouraged to examine other sources of information for more details or additional information.
Students are encouraged to view and read the material contained in the following links on the computer screen. Printing out of this material is the decision of the student, but is not required for this course. Be warned that many of the articles are long and will require a substantial amount of paper and ink to fully print. If you need to print an article, print only those sections that you absolutely need. To conserve ink, print articles in black and white; color printing should not be used for text articles. Students are strongly encouraged to conserve and minimize their use of paper whenever possible and to recycle paper once it has served its purpose and is no longer needed. Students will not be reimbursed for any printing costs.
See the Syllabus for assignment requirements and due dates.
Lecture outlines for the following topics can be found at the Study Material link.
National Geographic Survey
To access the National Geographic Survey, login to Canvas at: https://learn.bhc.edu/login
Once into Canvas click on Assignments. Click on the "National Geographic Survey" link. Complete the survey.
This is a survey that was designed by the National Geographic Society. There are a total of 68 questions. This survey will take a bit of time to complete. DO NOT start this survey unless you can finish it. Once an answer has been saved, it cannot be changed. All answers must be saved before finishing the survey.
The intent of this survey is to find out your base knowledge in the area of geography. DO NOT look up any of the answers. There is no penalty for wrong answers. No grade will be associated with how well or poorly you do on this survey. It is intended to be an honest assessment of your current knowledge. If you don't know an answer, do not guess, check or type "Don't Know".
Completion of the survey will be counted towards your class participation.
Check the Syllabus for the due date for this assignment.
World Regional Geography
Read the following information and articles:
• "The Four Traditions of Geography" - by William D. Pattison, Journal of Geography, Vol. 63 no. 5: 211-216, May, 1964. - This article can be found on Canvas.
• "A New Global View of Geography" - by Laurel Shaper Walters, Christian Science Monitor, Nov 14, 1994 v. 86
• "Rediscovering the Importance of Geography" - by Alexander B. Murphy, Chronicle of Higher Education, Oct 30, 1998 (This is an American Association of Geographers PDF file)
• "Geographic Regions as Brute Facts, Social Facts, and Institutional Facts" - by Daniel R. Montello, 2008, Chapter 15 n B. Smith, D. M. Mark, & I. Ehrlich (Eds.), The Mystery of Capital and the Construction of Social Reality, (pp. 305-316), Chicago, IL.
Indicators of Development and Underdevelopment
Read the following information and articles:
• About Human Development - a United Nations Development Programme web page.
• The Human Development Index - a United Nations Development Programme web page.
• Human Development Index Data - a United Nations Development Programme web page.
Europe
Read the following information and articles:
• Europa - The European Union web page. Pay particular attention to the information in the "About the EU".
• European Union - Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (This is an Ebsco database article)
• The European Union Explained*" - YouTube Video - an accurate and humorous look at some of the complexities of the European Union. This video is not required viewing, but is recommended.
Heartland and Rimland
Read the following information and articles:
• The Geographical Pivot of History - by Sir Halford Mackinder, Geographical Journal; Dec 2004, Vol. 170 Issue 4 (PDF format - 5.4MB size). Click on the "PDF Full Text" link to view article. (This is an Ebsco database article)
• "The Geography of the Second World War" - by Nicholas John Spykman, in America's strategy in world politics, Harcourt Brace and Company, 1942, CoursePack
Summary Paper:
An in-class discussion of the articles dealing with the Heartland and Rimland Theories will be held during the class period. This discussion topic will cover the reading articles by Mackinder and Spykman which present opposing views on this issue. Students will summarize each article and present their poistion on the issue in a three page paper. This paper will then form the basis for a classroom student discussion and debate of the topic. Below are the specific instructions for preparation of the summary paper.
Summary Paper Assignment:
Assignment: Summarize the two articles by Sir Halford Mackinder (The Geographical Pivot of History) and Nicholas J. Spykman (The Geography of the Second World War). Each summary must include the following information:
1. Author's thesis (i.e. their position or theory)
2. Author's major points supporting their position.
****WARNING: Your summary paper is just that - a summary of what the author is saying in their article. It is not about what others have said about the article. Essentially, you are writing an abstract for the article. For more information about abstracts, see the Wikipedia Abstract article.
Summary Format: Each summary is to be a maximum of one page. Summaries must be typed (no handwritten assignments will be accepted). Page format is to be a standard one inch margins, double line spacing, 12 point font size, and Arial font style.
Cover Page / Student Position: You must also have a cover page which has your name, class name, and date. Additionally, it must contain a one to two paragraph statement indicating your position regarding the two articles. State with which article and theory you think best matches, best explains today's global geopolitical reality, and briefly explain why you agree with this author and theory.
Submission of Assignment: Two copies of the assignment are to be submitted - a printed copy and an electronic copy of the assignment are to be submitted by the due date. The paper copy will be due in class on the assignment due date (see the Syllabus for the specific date). A MS Word formatted document (.doc or .docx file extension) electronic copy of the assignment will be e-mailed as a file attachment to the instructor at profharwood@icloud.com by the due date.
Class Discussion: Be prepared to discuss the two papers, the author's theory and evidence, and your position regarding the articles.
****Discussion for this topic will consist of going through the Mackinder and Spykman articles paragraph by paragraph. It is strongly recommended that you have these articles printed out for class, and that you number the paragraphs so that you may easily follow along with the analysis of each article.
Metropolitan Growth
Read the following information and articles:
• "American Metropolitan Evolution" - by John R. Borchert, Geographical Review, 1967, v. 57
| Click on the JSTOR link. You will first need to enter information for BHC student access. Follow the directions for logging in on that web page. Once in the the JSTOR web page, click on the Advanced Search link. Enter "American Metropolitan Evolution" in the first search box. Select Item Title in the pull down menu to the right of the search box. Click Search. Select the article "American Metropolitan Evolution". |
• "Transportation and Urban Growth" - by Peter O. Muller, Focus, Summer 1986, v. 36. A PDF version of the article is available here.
• "Sprawling, sprawling..." - by D. Pedersen, V.E. Smith, J. Adler, and S. Totilo (This is an Ebsco database article)
• "Traffic, Urban Growth and Suburban Sprawl" - by Michael Batty, Elena Besussi, and Nancy Chin, Working Papers Series Paper 70, Nov. 2003, ISSN 1467-1298
• "The Law of the Primate City" - by Mark Jefferson, Geographical Review, 1939, v. 29, n. 2.
| Click on the JSTOR link. You will first need to enter information for BHC student access. Follow the directions for logging in on that web page. Once in the the JSTOR web page, click on the Advanced Search link. Enter "Law of the Primate City" in the first search box. Select Item Title in the pull down menu to the right of the search box. Click Search. Select the article "The Law of the Primate City". |
The Law of the Primate City and the Rank-Size Rule - by Matt Rosenberg
Exam I
Middle America
Read the following information and articles:
• "The Rimland-Mainland Concept of Culture Areas in Middle America" - by John Augelli, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, June 1962, Vol. 52, Issue 2. (PDF format - 3.1MB size) Click on the "PDF Full Text" link to view article. (This is an Ebsco database article)
• Honduras - an Afro Tropical web page
• Bringing the Camps Together: GIS and ED by Kvamme, Kenneth L. (1997), Archaeological Computing Newsletter 47:1-5. page. This article can be found on Canvas.
• Slash and Burn Agriculture - Article by an unknown author. This article can be found on Canvas.
• More about Slash and Burn - Balikpapan Orangutan Society in the USA web page (originally posted on the BOS web site; no longer available at that site). This article can be found on Canvas.
The Peace Corps
Read the following information and articles:
• Peace Corps
Read the following sections under the "Learn About Peace Corps" link:
What is Peace Corps?
Mission
Fast Facts
History
Notable Former Volunteers
What Do Volunteers Do?
Where Does Peace Corps Work?
How Do I Become a Volunteer?
Cultural Spheres of South America
Read the following information and articles:
• "The Controversial Image of Latin America" - by John Augelli, Journal of Geography, March 1963, v. 62, CoursePack
Amazon River and Forest
View the following video (This video will be shown in class):
• National Geographic video "Amazon: Land of the Flooded Forest". This video is available for viewing through the public libraries (check your local library). The entire video is also available through YouTube at the following link: Amazon: Land of the Flooded Forest.
Read the following information and articles:
• Journey into Amazonia - a PBS web page.
• Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforests and CO2 - a University of Michigan article. This article can be found on Canvas.
• "Flooded forests of the Amazon" by Goulding, Michael (Scientific American, Mar 93, Vol. 268 Issue 3), CoursePack.
Chile: Volcanoes, Glaciers and Deserts
Read the following information and articles:
• Andes: Geology and Geography.
• Introduction: Glaciers of South America, Glaciers of Chile and Argentina by Louis Lliboutry
• Deserts by Greg Anderson. This article can be found on Canvas.
• "The Driest Place on Earth" - by Priit J. Vesilind, National Geographic, Aug. 2003 (This is an Ebsco database article)
• Library of Congress: CHILE - A Country Study
The above link is an extensive look at the country of Chile. Within this work specifically read the following sections: Chapter 2: GEOGRAPHY, Chapter 2: A Long, Narrow Nation, Chapter 2: Natural Regions, Chapter 2: The Far North, Chapter 2: The Near North, Chapter 2: Central Chile, Chapter 2: The South, Chapter 2: The Far South.
Exam II
North Africa and Southwest Asia
Read the following information and articles:
• Near East.
• Middle East.
• Far East.
• Arab World.
• Aswan High Dam Controls World's Longest River - by Matt Rosenberg.
• Understanding Islam - an Islamic Affairs Dept. of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington web page.
• Understanding Islam - an Islamic Affairs Dept. of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington web page (alternate site and PDF format).
Iraq
Read the following information and articles:
• USIP Iraq Study Group Report, pages 3-26. (519 KB, PDF file) - originally published, 6 December 2006
• Timeline: Iraq - BBC website.
• BBC Iraq Timeline - This is an earlier, more detailed version of the information as originally posted on the BBC web site. The site in the above link is has more recent information, but this article has some of the details that will be pertinent to class discussion regarding Iraq and U.S. involvement. This is the information that will be used in class. This article can be found on Canvas.
Subsaharan Africa
Read the following information and articles:
• This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics - United States Geological Survey web page
• Myths about Africa, Africans, and African History: The Student's "Ten Commandments" - by Pier M. Larson, This article can be found on Canvas
• Visit the Hopes on the Horizon web page. Read some of the transcripts that are available on each of the countries listed on the site, especially Rwanda.
• Guns, Germs and Steel - Episode Three : Into the Tropics
• "The Shape of Africa" - by Jared Diamond, National Geographic, Sept. 2005, v. 208, i. 3 (This is an National Geographic Magazine article)
• Excerpt from "Heart of Darkness" - by Joseph Conrad
The Berlin Conference of 1884
Read the following information and articles:
• The Berlin Conference - by Goran Aronson
• The Congress of Berlin (1884-1885) - by Jim Jones
• Introductory Notes: Berlin Conference
• "Berlin Conference and the Expansion of Europe: A Conclusion" - by H. L. Wesseling, CoursePack
• "Results of the Berlin West Africa Conference: An Assessment" - by G. N. Uzoigwe, CoursePack
Summary Paper:
An in-class discussion of the articles dealing with the Berlin Conference of 1884 will be held during the class period. This discussion topic will cover the reading articles by Wesseling and Uzoigwe which present opposing views on this issue. Students will summarize each article and present their poistion on the issue in a three page paper. This paper will then form the basis for a classroom student discussion and debate of the topic. Below are the specific instructions for preparation of the summary paper.
Summary Paper Assignment:
Assignment: Summarize the two articles by H.L. Wesselin (Berlin Conference and the Expansion of Europe: A Conclusion) and G.N. Uzoigwe (Results of the Berlin West Africa Conference: An Assessment). Each summary must include the following information:
1. Author's thesis (i.e. their position or theory)
2. Author's major points supporting their position.
****WARNING: Your summary paper is just that - a summary of what the author is saying in their article. It is not about what others have said about the article. Essentially, you are writing an abstract for the article. For more information about abstracts, see the Wikipedia Abstract article.
Summary Format: Each summary is to be a maximum of one page. Summaries must be typed (no handwritten assignments will be accepted). Page format is to be a standard one inch margins, double line spacing, 12 point font size, and Arial font style.
Cover Page / Student Position: You must also have a cover page which has your name, class name, and date. Additionally, it must contain a one to two paragraph statement indicating your position regarding the two articles. State which article and theory best explains the current sociopolical situation in Africa, and briefly explain why you agree with this author and theory.
Submission of Assignment: Two copies of the assignment are to be submitted - a printed copy and an electronic copy of the assignment are to be submitted by the due date. The paper copy will be due in class on the assignment due date (see the Syllabus for the specific date). A MS Word formatted document (.doc or .docx file extension) electronic copy of the assignment will be e-mailed as a file attachment to the instructor at profharwood@icloud.com by the due date.
Class Discussion: Be prepared to discuss the two papers, the author's theory and evidence, and your position regarding the articles.
****Discussion for this topic will consist of going through the Wesseling and Uzoigwe articles paragraph by paragraph. It is strongly recommended that you have these articles printed out for class, and that you number the paragraphs so that you may easily follow along with the analysis of each article.
Africa: A History Denied
View the following video (This video will be shown in class):
Time/Life Lost Civilizations video "Africa: A History Denied". This video is available for viewing at DailyMotion.com in 3 parts, at the following links:
Lost Civilizations: Africa, A History Denied, Part 1
Lost Civilizations: Africa, A History Denied, Part 2
Lost Civilizations: Africa, A History Denied, Part 3
Demographics
Read the following information and articles:
• Population: A Lively Introduction - by Joseph A. McFalls, Jr., a Population Reference Bureau Population Bulletin publication.
• Human population explosion - by Theodore L. Steck, The Encyclopedia of Earth
• Age-Sex Pyramids - by Matt Rosenberg
• World Population Profile: 1998 - U.S. Census Bureau (PDF File). Read just the section entitled "Highlights".
• Global Population Profile: 2002 - U.S. Census Bureau (PDF File). Read just the section entitled "Highlights".
Exam III
China: Resources and Recycling
Read the following information and articles:
• China Facts & Figures 2004 - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
- Specifically, examine the topics under the "Natural Resources" link, especially the "Fauna and Flora Resources", "Mineral Resources" and "Natural Resources" sections.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Garbage and Recycling in China - A Facts and Details web site.
• Urban Garbage Recycling in China - Article by Lou Linwei. This article can be found on Canvas.
• "Waste Not, Want Not" - by Nancy Jervis, Natural History, May 1990, v. 99, i. 5 (This is an Ebsco database article)
• The future of populous economies China and India shape their destinies. - by Robert Livernash, Environment, July-August 1995
(This is an Ebsco database article)
China: Culture, Politics, Economics and Population
Read the following information and articles:
• An Introduction to Confucianism - by Dr. Meredith Sprunger
• An Introduction to Taoism - by Dr. Meredith Sprunger
• Maoism.
• Economy Overview - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
• Special Economic Zones and Open Coastal Cities - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
• Population - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
• Family Planning - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
• China's One-Child Rule - by Matt Rosenberg
• China: Too Many Men - by Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes, CBS
Japan: Path to Modernization
Read the following information and articles:
• "After Centuries of Japanese Isolation, a Fateful Meeting of East and West" - by James Fallows, Smithsonian, July 1994 (This is an Ebsco database article)
• Library of Congress' Country Studies/Area Handbooks Program: Library of Congress: JAPAN - A Country Study
The above link is an extensive look at the country of Japan. Within this work specifically read the following sections: The Emergence of a Modern Japan, 1868-1919, The Meiji Restoration, Foreign Relations, Opposition to the Meiji Oligarchy, The Development of Representative Government, Modernization and Industrialization, Overseas Expansion, Political Rivalries, World War I, Economy, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, and Population Density.
National Geographic Survey 2
To access the National Geographic Survey, login to Canvas at: https://learn.bhc.edu/login
Once into Canvas click on Assignments. Click on the "National Geographic Survey" link. Complete the survey.
This is a survey that was designed by the National Geographic Society. There are a total of 68 questions. This survey will take a bit of time to complete. DO NOT start this survey unless you can finish it. Once an answer has been saved, it cannot be changed. All answers must be saved before finishing the survey.
The intent of this survey is to find out your base knowledge in the area of geography. DO NOT look up any of the answers. There is no penalty for wrong answers. No grade will be associated with how well or poorly you do on this survey. It is intended to be an honest assessment of your current knowledge. If you don't know an answer, do not guess, check or type "Don't Know".
Completion of the survey will be counted towards your class participation.
Check the Syllabus for the due date for this assignment.
Course Evaluation
Click on the following link and complete the online evaluation of the course on Canvas. This is a survey so your name will not be associated with your responses. Please be honest in your responses and comments. Check the Syllabus and Canvas for availability dates and due date.
Vietnam War
Read the following information and articles:
• Visit and browse though various parts of VIETNAM - A Country Study - Library of Congress' Country Studies/Area Handbook Program - read the following sections specifically: Country Profile (and all subsections), Chapter 1 - Historical Setting subsections Under French Rule, World War II and Japanese Occupation, First Indochina War, Second Indochina War and all sub-subsection
• "Vietnam now" - by Stanley Karnow, Smithsonian, Jan 1996, v. 26, n. 10 (This is an Ebsco database article)
• "Suggestions on the Terminology of Political Boundaries" - by Richard Hartshorne, 1936 - CoursePack.
Australia
Read the following information and articles:
• A Short History of Australia.
• The Australian Mining Industry: From Settlement to 2000 - an Australian Bureau of Statistics web page.
• Mineral resources and geology - an Australian Bureau of Statistics web page.
• Convicts and the European settlement of Australia - Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal
• Indigenous Australia - an Australian Museum web page. Be sure to explore and read the subsections of this web page especially the links on Cultural Heritage, Spirituality, Family, Land, and Social Justice.
• Indigenous Self-Management - Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Fact Sheet. This article can be found on Canvas.
• Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976 - National Archives of Australia
Exam IV