COURSE CONTENT

   Asia, also referred to as the Orient (East) includes the countries occupying the south-eastern quarter of  Eurasia.  More than one half of the world's people are packed into areas comprising a relatively minor share of Asia's total land.  As a result, parts of Asia have become extremely crowded.  The global studies series texts on Asia provide a wealth of information on geographic, cultural, economic, political, historic, artistic and religious aspects in the region.  During the course of this semester we are going to be exposed to a series of articles ranging from fundamental background information to world press releases on Asian issues.  Our discussions will be very alive since we will take an in-depth look into this region of the world, debate and predict dynamic happenings, and make comparisons between actualities witnessed and our own insights and perceptions.  

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

 The objectives of this course include:

!                      assuring that students comprehend material provided and integrate it with the basic tenets of geography

!                      encouraging students to use comprehension of that material as a vehicle for critical thinking, reasoning, and effective argument

!                      training students to identify and relate similarities and differences among the peoples of Asian to their level of progress and development

!                      exposing students to various peoples and cultures of  Asia and examining the human impact on the region as well as on global development

!                      cultivating geographic skills through understanding, analyzing and interpreting statistics, maps, figures, and graphs depicting Asia 

!                      encouraging students to express ideas clearly and concisely through review of articles and research preparation and presentation

ATTENDANCE

 According to the recent federal government mandate, schools are required to record the last date of attendance for students who have ceased attending class. In order to comply with the new guidelines, roll will be taken each time we meet. It is your responsibility to ensure that you indicate your presence on the roll sheet every class period. Please let me know if you stop attending my class permanently so that I can inform the Records Office.

Regular attendance at formal in-class meeting dates is essential since you will be playing a major role in discussions of issues concerning the world in class. Your participation in class discussions regarding theoretical and fieldwork aspects of regional geography issues will enhance your overall performance in this course.

You are expected to interact online with students and access course components a minimum of twice per week. Statistics will be retrieved from the course site to verify your access and input. In order for statistics to be generated for you individually, you must sign in under your sign on information and password. Any sign ons as a guest will not be utilized to verify your interactions

Required Attendance Dates

 Group presentations regarding Geography of Asia Regional presentation will take place on the following dates: September 23, October 21, and November 18, at previously advertised class times (12:30-1:45pm). Attendance at these presentations is mandatory.

Please note that attendance is mandatory for dates specified above.  If you do not attend a mandatory session your grade will be reduced.

Course Information

Initial class meeting dates: August 19^th & 21^st in KOM 324. Important class information will be discussed and initial plans made to facilitate a successful semester (e.g., presentation information and an orientation to the computer component of this course). This information will not be repeated during any other course sessions. If you are unable to attend these classes you may want to consider selecting another course for this component of your educational experience.

Class Participation: You will need to interact on the discussion board in order to receive a grade for your participation.  At periodic intervals during the semester the instructor will post questions with response deadlines concerning a specific topic on this board and students will be expected to respond to them or other student’s responses to these questions.  Class participation accounts for 15 percent of your grade.  For every instance that a student does not respond to the question concerning a certain topic, participate in the resulting discussion or does not provide a reasonably intelligent response or comment (as determined by the instructor), the student will have 5 percentage points deducted from his/her total participation points.

TESTING AND GRADING

 The course grade will be based on cumulative points acquired through the following activities:

v     One page assessment of 1 regional essays, any 10 world press articles from the text (see details below), quizzes/examinations:  60%

v     Research presentation of an African country-- 25%

v     Discussion board interaction—15%.

Assignment/Assessment Due Dates:
Regional Essay on Images of South Asia --September 3, 2003 no later than 11:55PM
World Press Regional Article: Your choice 1—September 10, 2003 no later than 11:55PM
World Press Regional Article: Your choice 2—September 17, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press Regional Article: Your choice 3--September 24, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press India Article: Your choice 4—October 1, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press India Article: Your choice 5—October 8, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press India Article: Your choice 6—October 15, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press India Article: Your choice 7— October 22, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press South Asia Article: Your choice 8— October 29, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

World Press South Asia Article: Your choice 9—November 5, 2003 no later than 11:55PM World Press South Asia Article: Your choice 10—November 12, 2003 no later than 11:55PM

Grade Scale:

DROP/ADD DATES

·        August 18-19: Late registration and drop/add on TRAM (898-2000)

·        August 18-21: Drop/Add on TRAM

·        September 15: Last day to drop without a grade

WITHDRAWAL INFORMATION

·        August 31: 4:30 p.m., 75% refund deadline.  Last day for students to withdraw from the University or drop to part-time and receive a 75% refund

·        September 16: 4 p.m., 25% refund deadline.  Last day for students to withdraw from the University or drop to part-time and receive a 25% refund

·        October 14: Last day for RODP students to drop with a grade of “W”

HOLIDAYS/BREAKS

 Sept. 1: Labor Day Holiday; Oct. 16-18: Fall Break; Nov. 27-29:Thanksgiving Holidays

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

 If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodation for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible.  Students may also contact the Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.

GENERAL

Asia, which is more than twice the size of the United States, includes:

v     mainland counties extending from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to China, Mongolia, and Korea; and

v     an arc of island countries stretching from Sri Lanka, through Indonesia and the Philippines, to Japan.

Our "travels" through India and South Asia will expose us to a wealth of different cultures, traditions and customs.  It is going to be quite a learning experience for us this Fall 03 as we explore the spatial interconnections of this vast continent.  This knowledge is vital as we respond to the realities of our global age in the twenty-first century.  Hope this "Geography of Asia" experience in Fall 03 is going to be "awesome" for all!