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Dr.
Scott Zibell
Email:zibell@cmsu1.cmsu.edu
Office: Wood 6B
Office Hours: M-W-F 9:00 – 10:00, T-R 10:00 – 11:00,
And by appointment
Phone: 543-4827 (office) 543-4048 (Dept. Office)
Course
Description:
This 2-credit course uses the regional approach to study the geography
of Subsaharan Africa. Presented in seminar format, the course has
three general portions: a regional overview, country studies from
each region, and readings / discussion on various geographic aspects
of the realm.
Course
Objectives:
1. To increase familiarity with, and appreciation of, this realm
of the world
2. To provide an opportunity to develop presentation skills
3. To help prepare students for graduate studies or professional
service
Education
Competencies:
This course addresses the following items from the CMSU General Education
Matrix:
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General
Education competency: Communicating
Item 7. “Communicate effectively in groups by listening,
reflecting, and responding appropriately and in context.” |
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General
Education competency: Valuing
Item 1. “Compare and contrast historical and cultural
ethical perspectives and belief systems.” |
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General
Education knowledge area (Social and Behavioral Sciences):
Item 4. “Describe and analytically compare social, cultural,
and historical settings and processes other than one’s
own.” |
Class
Schedule:
Meeting Time: 12:30 to 1:20 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
Place: Wood Building, room 3b
Dates: Tuesday, 13 January through Thursday, 29 April 2004
Final Exam: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, 6 May
Attendance:
Be here. If circumstances arise that are beyond your control, or
if you have special scheduling considerations, please see the instructor
to make arrangements. A 5-point deduction will be made for every
unexcused absence starting with the fourth.
Country
Study Presentations:
Each student will provide four, brief presentations on countries
in this realm, one from each of the four regions. These presentations
entail providing the class with geographic information in a “country
study” manner. Country studies entail a brief description
of a state, covering a broad range of geographic characteristics
such as landforms, climate, economy, culture, religion, transportation,
etc. Further information will be provided in class.
Testing:
There will be three exams worth 40 points each. As a general policy,
make-up exams will not be given. If circumstances beyond your control
cause you to miss an test, please see the instructor.
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Exam
1 will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions selected from
the lecture material |
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Exam 2
will consist of short-answer / essay questions derived from
the material presented by students in the country studies (10
pts from each region) |
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Exam 3
will consist of short-answer / essay questions derived from
the textbook material discussed in class |
Grading:
Grading criteria for the country studies:
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Each
presentation is worth 10 points |
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Points
will be assessed for completeness (4), clarity (3), & length
(3) |
Grading criteria
for discussion participation:
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Ten
discussion days are worth four points each |
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To
receive maximum points I will be looking for the following: |
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- Submission of questions on time (instructions follow) |
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- Correct grammar and spelling |
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-
Ask not only factual questions, but also insightful ones |
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- Show
some depth of thought |
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- Explain the nature of your question to the class |
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- Verbally
demonstrate a definite familiarity with the material |
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- Be
able to relate / connect this material to other knowledge, and
place the material within a geographic / historical
context |
Grading
will be based on the accumulation of points earned in the following
activities:
Activity
|
Points |
| Country-study
presentations |
40 |
| Exam 1 |
40 |
| Exam 2 |
40 |
| Exam 3 |
40 |
| Discussion
participation |
40 |
Total
|
200 |
Letter
Grade |
Percentage
of Points |
Total
Points |
A |
90.0-100% |
180
& above |
B |
80.0-89.99% |
160.00
- 179.99 |
C |
70.00 - 79.99% |
140.00
- 159.99 |
D |
60.00
- 69.99% |
120.00
- 139.99 |
F |
0
- 59.99% |
0
- 119.99 |
Discussion
Questions:
Students should come to class prepared to discuss the chapter at
hand. To foster this value, prior to each chapter discussion, each
student will submit to the instructor (via email) a question for
the group to discuss. The instructor will then lead the day’s
discussion incorporating the questions submitted. Questions must
be received by the instructor no later than 7:30 a.m. the morning
of the discussion.
For
a Third Credit:
Those students wishing to earn an additional credit can do so by
enrolling in GEOG 4251, Special Projects in Geography. This one-credit
option will entail the student completing a research project and
presenting it according to the criteria specified on a separate
handout.
Notes:
Class schedule and content are subject to change at the discretion
of the instructor. Revised course information will be provided should
circumstances warrant.
Conduct in accordance
with the CMSU Student Handbook is expected.
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