Geography Program
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.
SYLLABUS -- GEOG 350 URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
INSTRUCTOR: John B. Richards, Ph.D.
OFFICE: 119 Taylor Hall
CONTACT: 552-6281 or richards@sou.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE OBJECTIVE: To better understand the city as the primary product of human modification of the landscape and dominant human habitat of the coming millennia.
TEXT: Hartshorn, Truman A. Interpreting the city: An urban geography (2d). New York: Wiley, 1992.
REQUIREMENTS: One term paper or approved alternative project or writing set (60%). Midterm exam (15%) and final exam (25%); both exams will test mastery of concepts presented in the text or classroom. The term paper is due on Thursday of the eighth week of class and should be 15 to twenty standard pages in length. Alternative projects must be approved by the end of the second week, and can be three essays of at least five pages each, topics to be selected by Thursday of the second week, or an alternative project appropriate to the student’s interests and skills that can be presented to the class in the ninth week.
GRADING SYSTEM: All scores will be presented as percentage values of course grades; course grades will be assigned the following percentage values: 96-100% = “A,” 90--95.999% = “A-.” 87--89.99% = “B+,” 84--86.99% = “B,” 80--83.99% = “B-, ” 77--79.99% = “C+” etc...
EXTRA CREDIT: Extra credit points can be achieved at the rate of two percentage points per week for written work of one standard page (~250 words) posing and answering a question germane to the week’s topic. All such work must contain appropriate references to published books or journal articles or be supported by field notes from the student’s first-hand observation submitted in legible Xerox or other copy as an appendix to the written page, or both. Full attendance and appropriate participation in class will also be rewarded with 1/2% point per week; any unexcused absence or inappropriate behavior in class will cause loss of this credit.
SCHEDULE:
READINGS REQUIREMENTS DUE
WEEK I: Chs. 1 & 2
WEEK II Chs. 3 & 18 Term project categories and topic or topics submitted for
instructor approval.
In-class exploration and discussion of term projects
Term project approval. Subsequent modification requires
instructor approval by 10/28.
WEEK III Chs. 4 & 19 First of three term essays due or preliminary outlines and
bibliographies due for term papers
WEEK IV Chs. 6 &10
WEEK V Chs. 5 & 7 MIDTERM EXAM
WEEK VI Chs. 8 & 11 Second term essay due or final outline due for term paper.
WEEK VII Ch. 9
WEEK VIII Chs. 12 & 13 &14 Term paper or term project due.
WEEK IX Chs. 16 &17 Third term essay due.
WEEK X Review sessions and student presentations in class. (Required for participation 5% participation credit)
WEEK XI FINAL EXAM