GENERIC SYLLABUS:

This is to give you a general idea of the course content, outline and procedures; All specifics including but not limited to instructor, text, exercises, exam weights etc. can vary with term offered.

GEOG 336: Contemporary Geography of Southern & Eastern Asia

MEETING TIMES: T, Th: 2-3:50PM in TA132
INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. John B. Richards, Ph.D.
OFFICE:  TAYLOR 119: HOURS:
E-mail: richards@sou.edu; please use this & the phone freely.  Ph: (55)2-6281 (Includes voicemail.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A general exploration of the regions, cultures and geographic problems of South, East, and Southeast Asia.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Weightman, Barbara A. Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East, and Southeast Asia. New York: Wiley, 2001.

Espenshade, Edward B. Goode’s World Atlas (any recent edition) San Francisco: Rand McNally (1999 –2005) NOTE: You will need a good set of reference maps of Asia; if you already have such in another atlas, fine. Otherwise, this is an affordable way to get one.

Rand McNally Base map of Asia. These blank study maps will be available in the bookstore.

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS AVAILABLE ON RESERVE:

Cannon, Terry & Alan Jenkins, eds. The Geography of Contemporary China; The Impact of Deng Xiaoping’s Decade. New York: Rutledge, 1990.

Collinwood, Dean (ed.) Japan and the Pacific Rim (Sixth edition). Guilford: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin. 2001.

Ogden, Suzanne (ed.) China (Ninth edition). Guilford: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin. 2001.

Shurmer – Smith, Pamela. India: Globalization and Change. New York: Arnold, 2000.

Zhao,Songqiao. Geography Of China: Environment, Resources, Population and Development. New York: Wiley, 1994. ("Zhao" in Schedule of Readings.)

Also refer to the web sites listed in these books and attached list of supplemental resources. Additional readings may be handed out in class.

OTHER RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Collcutt, Jansen & Kumakura. Cultural Atlas of Japan. New York: Facts on File, 1988.

Kerr, Alex. Lost Japan. New York. Random House. 2000.

Patten, Christopher. East and West: China, Power, and the Future of Asia. New York: Times Books, 1999.

Schell, Orville. The China Reader: New York: Vintage, 1998.

Smith, Patrick. Japan: A Reinterpretation: New York: Vintage, 1998.

http://infoserv2.ita.doc.gov/ticwebsite/apweb.nsf/b455adb424acda62852568ce00717fb3/bdd37c33da42ad0e852569e3006e20b7!OpenDocument

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html

COURSE PLAN: I will follow the classic format for regional study in geography:
1. Demarcation of the region;  2. Landforms & Climate; 3. Soils & Agriculture;
4. Population, 5. Cultural History, 6. Industrial Resources, Development and Industries; 7. Political History; 8. Contemporary Regional Issues.
The twist is that after each presentation of the overall picture by the professor, each student will present orally to the class, and in writing to the professor, an analogous topic for a sub-region on which you will become expert. You will be graded on the best six of your oral presentations, and receive written feedback on the written versions of the oral reports, that are due on the Thursdays of the weeks you give your reports. The term paper will be the compendium of your ~weekly presentations, with emphasis on contemporary geographic issues and research citations. There will be 3 map quizzes, a midterm exam and a cumulative final.

GRADING PROCEEDURES:
Grades will be based on (1) Regional presentations, (2) Test scores, (3) Map Scores & the Term Paper, in the following weights:

REGIONAL ORAL PRESENTATIONS:             (6 @   10 points)         60  points

TESTS:                                                          (2 @ 100 points)       200  points

MAP QUIZZES                                               (3 @  30 points)          90  points
PAPER:                                                        (100 points)               100  points

TOTAL:                                                                                         450  points

Course grades will be based directly on the percentage of course points earned.

TESTS: There will be a midterm and a comprehensive final. You will be tested on the readings even if they are not explicitly covered in lecture.

PRESENTATIONS: Students will participate in a guided self-selection of regions during the first class meeting. After that, each is expected to present the week’s topic on their region, at a level of detail appropriate to the region.

QUIZZES: Expect three map quizzes during the term.

PAPERS: One week before the end of the term, students will turn in a written compendium of their regional presentations topic, in which they present their main points, evidence, argumentation, conclusions and documentation in standard APA or MLA format, especially including in-text citations in parenthetic format and a Works Cited List..

GENERAL NOTES:

1. Discrimination or Harassment: It is the policy of Southern Oregon University that discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status or disability shall be prohibited. Neither will the University tolerate sexual misconduct or sexual harassment by students faculty or staff. For more information or assistance, contact me, the department Chair (Dr. Susan Reynolds 2-6279), the Associate Provost’s office in Churchill Hall or Disability Services in the ACCESS Center.

2. Schedule: The quarter is only nine weeks long.  Do not put things off. Particularly, do not delay coming to see me with questions, criticisms, or for advice; I take the advising part of my job seriously.

3. Study time and schedule conflicts: The normal expectation is that you will spend 2-3 hours outside of the classroom for each hour in the classroom. If you have trouble completing assignments in that amount of time, or have trouble finding that much time to spend on the work from this class I should hear from you. I may be able to help you study more efficiently, manage your time, or organize your priorities.

4. Academic Honesty: Don’t cheat. See the Student Handbook and your Colloquium handbooks on plagiarism. If you suspect another student of cheating, take it up with the student or with me; and I will attempt a quiet resolution. The College also has procedures for protection and punishment of students in such cases. I consider honesty the most valuable personal characteristic and assume you do, too.

5. Drugs or Alcohol: Help is available without recrimination and in complete confidence.  See me or the office of student affairs.

6. Handicaps: Some of us live with visible or invisible characteristics that can make learning in a university classroom extraordinarily difficult. If you are in need of academic support because of a documented disability (whether it be learning, mobility, psychiatric, sensory, or health-related), contact Teresa Lowrie, Director of DSS in the ACCESS center: phone 552-6213 or email lowriet@sou.edu. She understands the issues and can get you on the right track for reasonable accommodation in complete confidence.