Last updated 9-Jun-03

Syllabus

Course Information

Course Name and Number: 

Cultural Geography-Geography 205

Instructor:

Steve Graves

Class Room: 

Madison 123 (PAVB)

Scheduled Class Time:

M-F 9:30 to 12:00

Contact Dr. Graves

Office:

GTM 127C

Office phone:

257-2774

E-Mail:

sgraves@garts.latech.edu

Office Hours:

Dr. Graves' Daily Schedule (Office Hours)

Department Phone:

257-3427

Web Address

http://www.latech.edu/tech/liberal-arts/geography/courses/205/205home.htm


Course Description

This course is a general education course; its primary purposes are to help students to:

Required Materials

1. The Human Mosaic.  8th ed.  By Terry Jordan and Mona Domosh.  Ninth Edition OK.

 

Classroom Activities

Because this is a survey course and enrollments often reach 200 students, lectures will be the primary teaching strategy.  Students are nevertheless encouraged to ask questions or seek assistance during posted office hours.

Students must complete all assignments in order to get a good grade.  Click to go to Class Reading and Assignment Page for details regarding assignments.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory.  In accordance with university policy, attendance may be taken each class session and used to aid in your quarter-end evaluation.  You do not have to produce an excuse for missing a class, but you will need a written, verifiable excuse for making up an missed assignments.

Because irregular attendance can become a chronic problem that undermines the overall quality of the educational experience for you and your fellow students, I require students to sign a course contract, which essentially states that they have read the course policies and that they agree to follow them.  Click here to access the course contract

Quizzes

During the course of the quarter a number of quizzes may be administered.  Depending on the course, they may include announced map quizzes, pop quizzes or on-line quizzes.  Check your course schedule for dates and information.  As a percentage of your grade, quizzes are of not of great value, but they can be very valuable as exam preparation devices, so take them seriously.

Exams

There will be two or three exams during the quarter.  The exams will not be comprehensive.  The tests will be largely multiple choice and students are required to bring a number 2 pencil and a blue “scantron” sheet.

Make-up Exams.  .  If a person misses an exam and is able to produce a valid, verifiable excuse for his or her absence then he or she will be allowed to take an equivalent exam within one week of their return to class.  Failure to produce a valid excuse for a missed exam will result in a grade of 0 for that exam.

Assignments

During the course of the quarter three to five assignments will be issued.  You may be asked to read a newspaper article, analyze a map, etc. and write a one and a half to two page response paper.  Details will be forthcoming in class and on the course assignments web page.

Obligations

  1. Attendance will be taken at every session in accordance with University policy.  Students are expected to arrive on time for class and to remain until dismissed.  Failure to attend class or to be less than punctual will influence your grade.  For more details, click here to access the course contract.
  2. Food, drink and tobacco products are not allowed inside the classroom.  These products create extra work for the janitorial staff and I treat transgressions of this simple courtesy a sign of disrespect for me and for those who have to clean up.

Evaluation

Grades will be determined by your performance on the various assignments and tests as well as your attendance/participation where appropriate.

 

Tentative Grading Regime

Percent

Attendance and participation

3

Quizzes (10)

20

Assignments (3)

1+7+7+7

Exam I and Exam II

25 and 30

Total

100

 

Grade Scale

A = (90-100%)
B = (80-89%)
C = (70-79%)
D = (60-69%)
F = (59% or less)

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If you have comments or suggestions, email me at sgraves@latech.edu