World Geography: Building a Global Perspective by Prentice Hall

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World Geography: Building a Global PerspectiveThe fourth year is a geography course designed to allow the students to explore and discover the processes that shape the earth, the relationships between people and environments, and the links between people and places. Through the study of geography, students will learn to see their world through many different perspectives. Whether they are looking at global patterns or the finer details of neighborhood patterns they will develop valuable insights about the Earth, its people, and the many different kinds of relationships between them.

Prentice Hall’s World Geography: Building a Global Perspective program has been designed to help students meet the standards established in the Geography for life: National Geography Standards (1994). This publication was produced by the Geography Education Standards Project on behalf of the American Geographical Society, Association of American Geographers, National Council for Geographic Education, and National Geographic Society. The Standards present a detailed composite of what students in grades 9-12 should know and be able to do in the area of geography.

The National Geography Standards

The geographically informed person knows and understands:

1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.

2. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context.

3. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth’s surface.

4. The physical and human characteristics of places.5. That people create regions to interpret Earth’s complexity.6. How culture and experience influence people’s perceptions of places and regions.7. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth’s surface.8. The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth’s surface.9. The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s

surface.10. The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaics.11. The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth’s surface.12. The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.13. How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and

control of Earth’s surface.14. How human actions modify the physical environment.

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15. How physical systems affect human systems.16. The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of

resources.17. How to apply geography to interpret the past.18. How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future.

Each of the eighteen standards listed above has been fully correlated to each section and special feature in the student text.

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Unit One

Physical and Human Geography Chapter 1: Exploring Geography1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the changes within the Earth and on the Earth’s surface.

2. Chapter In Brief

Through the study of geography the student will learn to see the world from many different perspectives. Whether looking at global patterns or the finer details of neighborhood patterns, the student will develop valuable insights about the Earth, its people, and the many different kinds of relationships between them.

Earth is a changing planet, affected by geologic process. One of geographers’ biggest tasks is to understand the Earth’s constant changes. Earth is not a quiet planet. Forces inside the Earth create and change landforms on the surface. Earthquakes topple buildings and open up great cracks in the ground. Volcanoes erupt with red-hot lava and dangerous gases. While these are some of the more spectacular ways in which the Earth is changing, they are not the only ways. Many processes—some dramatic like these, others less noticeable—are always at work shaping the Earth on which we live.

Mechanical and chemical weatherings are also forces that change landforms. Mechanical weathering breaks large rocks into smaller ones. Chemical weathering caused mainly by water and carbon dioxide, turns rock into other substances. Erosion is another external process that alters the surface of the Earth. Erosion, caused by water, wind, and glaciers, moves materials such as soil and sand across the Earth’s surface. These forces which can act over thousands or even millions of years, are usually grouped into two broad categories: weathering and erosion.

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Chapter 2: Climate and Vegetation

1. Chapter Objectivesa. Comprehend the factors that influence the weather and climate.b. Comprehend the climate and characteristics of major vegetation regions of the

world.

2. Chapter In BriefClimate is the weather that prevails in an area over a long period of time. Climate is influenced by latitude, elevation, landforms, and other factors. The climates at different latitudes are greatly influenced by the amount and intensity of sunlight the areas receive and by the way wind and water redistribute the Sun’s heat throughout the world by the process of convection.

Weather is defined as the condition of the bottom layer of the Earth’s atmosphere in one place over a short period of time. Weather is in an almost constant state of change, sometimes shifting erratically from warm to cool and back again in a short period of time. Weather seems so important because it affects everyday life, planting, harvests, and sometimes survival.

In similar environments, similar groups of plants grow together to form a plant community. A plant community is the mix of interdependent plants that naturally grows in one place. Such a natural grouping consists of plants that can easily survive in a particular environment. Climate, sunlight, temperature, precipitation, elevation, soil, and landforms are all part of the plant environment.

Geographers also classify regions by their natural vegetation, or the typical plant life in areas where humans have not altered the landscape significantly. There are four different kinds of vegetation regions: forests, grasslands, desert plants, and tundra.

Plants are among the oldest and most basic forms of life on Earth. Green plants are especially important because they supply food for humans and animals and help recycle the Earth’s water supply. Plants in every region adapt to the conditions in their environment.

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Chapter 3: Population and Culture

1. Chapter Objectivesa. Comprehend the importance of studying human geography.b. Comprehend the political and economic systems of a culture.

2. Chapter In BriefGeographers are interested in human activities as well as the physical environment. Human geography includes a wide range of topics, such as the study of languages, religions, customs, and economic and political systems.

A special focus of human geography is demography, the study of populations, including such topics as birth, marriage, migration, and death. Population is unevenly distributed throughout the world. World population has increased more rapidly during the twentieth century than at any other time. Every group of people develops a set of customs, beliefs, and actions that make up its culture. Human geographers also study culture, the beliefs and actions that define a group of people’s way of life. Cultures change slowly, mainly through the exchange of ideas with other cultures.

Two important traits of any culture are its political and economic systems. Governments usually reflect beliefs about authority, independence, and human rights. Economic systems reflect people’s ideas about the use of resources and the distribution of wealth. Any country’s economic system must answer three questions: What and how much shall be produced, by whom, and for whom? Major modern economic systems are communism (government control), capitalism (private control), and socialism (a mixture of government and private control). All countries share four common characteristics: territory, population, sovereignty, and government. Government can be classified by the relationship between the central government and smaller governments and by the ultimate source of political authority.

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Chapter 4: Resources and Land Use

1. Chapter ObjectiveComprehend the way people use land and resources to meet their needs and earn a living.

2. Chapter In Brief

People use natural resources they found in their environment in order to survive and meet other needs. They breathed the air, drank the water, and caught fish to eat. Gaining skills, they made tools to shape the Earth’s materials into useful goods. They hammered copper into weapons and ornaments and hollowed out trees to make canoes. People today are just as dependent on the Earth’s resources. The ways that people use Earth’s resources, where the resources are located, how resources are distributed among people, and how the use of resources affects the Earth are all subjects that geographers study.

Resources come in different kinds. Capital resources are the money and machines used to produce goods or services. Human resources are the people who perform various tasks. Natural resources are materials that people take from the natural environment to survive and to satisfy their needs. Renewable resources are those that can be replenished, such as water, forests, and wildlife. Nonrenewable resources include fossil fuels, metals, and other minerals. Alternative renewable energy sources include nuclear energy and solar energy.

The ways in which people use land and resources to earn their living is referred to as economic activities. Economic activities vary greatly throughout the world. The activities depend on the land and resources available in a given area. Different countries are at different stages of economic development. Modern industrial societies, such as France, the United States, and Japan, are said to be developed countries. Countries that lack industries and modern technology and depend on developed countries for many of their manufactured goods are said to be developing countries. All of this and more will be discussed in Chapter 4.

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Unit Two

The United States and CanadaChapter 5: Regional Atlas: The United States and Canada

1. Chapter ObjectiveDemonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of the United States and Canada’s physical and cultural geography.

2. Chapter In BriefThis chapter relies exclusively on photographs, maps, and graphs to teach the links between the U.S. and Canada, similar human characteristics, similar physical features, differences in climate, and the changes to the environment. The United States and Canada share a continent and are bound by economic, cultural, historic, and geographic ties. Many physical features in the United States are found in Canada, such as mountains, plateaus, deserts, and rivers. They have many cultural similarities, but the United States has a much larger population. More than 263 million people live in the United States and fewer than 30 million live in Canada. Canada’s climate is colder than that of the United States and much of the environment has been changed as a result of human activity. In most places, people have changed the environment so dramatically that little natural vegetation remains.

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Chapter 6: A Profile of the United States

1. Chapter Objectivesa. Comprehend the factors that contributing to the United States becoming a wealthy

country.

b. Comprehend the factors contributing to the growth rate of cities in the United States.

2. Chapter In BriefCompared with most countries of the world, the United States is enormous. It is the world’s fourth-largest country in area and is third most populous. The United States is also wealthy. The nation’s gross national product (GNP) is the highest in the world. The gross national product is a measure of the total value of all the goods and services produced by a country in a year.

How did the United States become such a wealthy country? At least four factors help answer this question: its abundance of natural resources, the development of new transportation and communication technology, the hard work of its people, and its political system.

As the economy of the United States grew, it also changed. It began as an economy based primarily on local agriculture. As the nation began to develop its other resources and make improvements in transportation and communication, its economic base shifted to industry and manufacturing.

Service industries have begun to make up a larger share of the nation’s economy. Health care, education, entertainment, banking, transportation, and government are all service industries.

As these changes in the economy took place, life for men, women, and children living in American villages and towns transformed. By 1890, many rural places were all but abandoned by people who had left for new jobs and homes in the country’s growing cities. Cities became the centers of transportation and production in the new industrial economy. Four factors affected the growth rate of the United States cities: location, transportation, economy, and popular preferences.

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Chapter 7: Regions of the United States

1. Chapter ObjectiveComprehend the historical, cultural, and political orientation of the four regions of the United States.

2. Chapter In Brief

People define regions in order to identify places that have similar characteristics or close connections. There are many ways to define the regions of the United States: historically; by the ways people live, work, and play in them; or by their political orientation. As the maps in Chapter 5 show, landforms, climate, and vegetation all suggest different boundaries for North America’s physical regions.

The government divides the country into four major regions: the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West. The government’s definition of these regions is based on a combination of physical, economic, cultural, and historical factors. The Northeast distinctive features are its magnificent forests, its cities, and its water bodies. Every year millions of tourists flock to the Northeast just to explore its world-famous cities. The Northeast’s many rivers, including the Connecticut and the Hudson have been valuable resources throughout the region’s history.

As a region, the South stands out from the rest of the country because of its humid, subtropical climate and the lush, mixed forests that are common to most of its areas. The South makes up a region rich in resources and culture that has become an increasingly popular place in which to live and work. Farming is the major economic activity, but recently the region, part of the Sunbelt, has seen growth in business, industry, and population. The South has a diverse population and many large cities.

The Midwest is the lush wooded hills of the Ozarks in Missouri, the barren, eroded Badlands of South Dakota, the vast, blue-green Great Lakes, and the acres of steel mills in the industrialized area around Gary, Indiana. Agriculture is one distinctive characteristic of the Midwest. Because of variations in climate and soil, the Midwest produces a variety of crops and livestock. Mile upon mile of fields and pastures stretch as far as the eye can see, interrupted only by scattered farmhouses and silos.

The West’s breathtaking natural landscape is its most outstanding feature. Breathtaking natural landscape – this is the most memorable feature of much of the West. Towering snow-capped peaks rise throughout the Rocky Mountains. Rivers have carved spectacular canyons. Broad plains sweep on for hundreds of miles. Massive glaciers loom over icy Alaskan waters, while smoking volcanoes frequently spill red-hot lava over the Hawaiian land. The landscape of the West is varied and magnificent, but the physical characteristic that most affects the region is water.

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Chapter 8: Canada

1. Chapter ObjectiveComprehend the unique character, opportunities, and challenges of Canada.

2. Chapter In BriefCanada is a vast land that covers most of the northern half of North America. Canada shares many physical characteristics with the United States, yet it is a distinct nation with its own unique character, opportunities, and challenges.

Canada’s ten provinces, or political divisions, and two territories can be divided into five regions based on physical features, culture, and economy. The regions of Canada, however, are more distinct than those of the United States. Two reasons for this clear separation are the country’s relatively small population and the structure of its government, which gives a great deal of power to the provinces. Rugged landscapes and a cold climate have limited human interaction with the environment in many parts of Canada.

Like Canada’s landscapes, the nation’s population is extremely varied. Canada has come to define itself as a multicultural country – a mosaic of many pieces with varying colors. Unity is difficult to achieve because the country is so vast and there are such great differences among the provinces and territories as well as among the people. This lack of unity is partly explained by Canada’s history.

The history of Canada has centered on the struggle to overcome a harsh environment. Canada has emerged from that struggle to become a prosperous nation. Its gross national product is among the top twenty in the world. Its stable government and high standard of living attracted millions of immigrants in recent decades. Canada has developed a blend of cultures while becoming a leader in worldwide organizations.

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Unit Three

Latin America Chapter 9: Regional Atlas: Latin America1. Chapter Objective

Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of Latin America’s physical and cultural geography.

2. Chapter In Brief

This chapter relies exclusively on photographs, maps, and graphs to teach Latin America’s physical and cultural geography. Discussed in this chapter will be Latin America’s urban and rural settlement patterns, mountains and rivers, historic influences, climate and vegetation, and economic possibilities.

More than half of all Latin Americans live in cities. In Mexico and Central America, many people live in the interior highlands. In South America, people tend to live in dense clusters near the coast. Two important physical features, mountain ranges and river systems, help define regions throughout Latin America. The impact of European colonization on Latin America is evident in the unique blending of cultures, European and Native American, throughout the region. A variety of climate and vegetation regions make Latin America a region of stark contrasts. Hot, dry, lowland deserts, steamy rain forests, and cold, high mountain regions can all be found in Latin America.

The rich mineral, agricultural, and energy resources of Latin America offer many of the regions countries the opportunity to improve their economies.

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Chapter 10: Mexico

1. Chapter ObjectiveKnow the physical setting, physical characteristics, and culture of Mexico.

2. Chapter In Brief

Mexico is a land defined by mountains. Mountains dominate Mexico’s physical setting. The largest mountain range, the Sierra Madre Occidental, extends along the western coast. Mexico’s second great mountain range, the Sierra Madre Oriental, runs parallel to the eastern coast, along the Gulf of Mexico. Between the Sierra Madres -- which means “mother ranges” – lies Mexico’s largest region, the central plateau. Mexico’s central plateau region is the largest and most populous region, where the country’s major cities are located. The region has a generally moderate, pleasant climate, although earthquakes are a threat.

Between the mountains and the ocean are Mexico’s different coastal plains regions. Mexico’s coastal regions are very different in landforms and other physical characteristics. The northern Pacific coast includes Baja California, a peninsula, or strip of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. In spite of its name, which means “Lower California,” it is part of Mexico. The southern Pacific coast, south of the central plateau, is a narrow strip of tropical coastline. The resort city of Acapulco is located at the midpoint of the southern Pacific coast. On the east, the Gulf coastal plain curves around the Gulf of Mexico into the Yucatan Peninsula. The Yucatan, set apart from the rest of Mexico, sticks out into the Gulf like a thumb.

Mexico is composed of three cultures – Indian, Spanish, and modern Mexican. The result is a nation aware of the traditions of the past and the possibilities of the future.

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Chapter 11: Central America and the Caribbean

1. Chapter ObjectiveComprehend the physical landscapes, climate regions, and ethnic groups of Central America.

2. Chapter In Brief

The small region of Central America curves between the giant land masses of North America and South America. Central America is an isthmus, a narrow strip of land with water on both sides that connects two larger bodies of land. Central America thus forms a land bridge between the two continents.

Until 1914, Central America greatly hindered movement of people and goods between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In that year, the opening of the Panama Canal made it possible for ships to cross the isthmus and sail between the two oceans.

Seven countries occupy this narrow, curving strip of land between Mexico and Colombia. Beginning in the north, they are Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. However, packed into this small region is a diverse physical and human landscape as complex as the designs in traditional Indian clothing. This great complexity explains many of the challenges that Central America faces today.

Central America is an area with diverse physical landscapes and climates. Three major landform regions make up Central America – mountainous core, the Caribbean lowlands, and the Pacific coastal plain.

The Caribbean is a beautiful region of forest-covered mountains, warm temperatures, and clear, blue waters. However, many Caribbean nations are struggling to develop their economies. That is one reason why some of its people have left the islands to find opportunities their homelands cannot yet offer. The people of the Caribbean are descendants of African, European, Native American, and Asian peoples. They have a tradition of migration, both within the islands and outside the region.

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Chapter 12: Brazil

1. Chapter ObjectiveComprehend Brazil’s quest for economic growth, the land, and its regions.

2. Chapter In Brief

Brazil is the giant of South America. Nearly half the continent’s people and land lie within its borders. Despite its huge land area, Brazil has just two major types of landforms—plains and plateaus. A fertile ribbon of lowlands, 10 to 30 miles wide, winds along the curving Atlantic coastline. The immense Amazon River basin is also a plains region. Behind the coastal plains is a huge interior plateau. As it drops sharply to the plains, it forms an escarpment.

Brazil is also a country of extremes. It is a huge country rich in natural resources, but it is also a country with much poverty. In the past few decades, Brazil has begun to realize its potential. The government has taken steps to modernize the economy and improve the lives of its people.

Brazil today, like much of Latin America, is no longer a society of only rich and poor. The growth of industry and manufacturing has helped to create a middle class, as people have been needed to manage and work in factories and offices. Likewise as cities have grown, doctors, teachers, government workers, and others have moved in to fill the needs of a growing urban population.

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Chapter 13: Countries of South America

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the ethnic, economic, and physical diversity of the countries of South America.

2. Chapter In BriefGrouped around Brazil, like smaller paintings around a larger canvas, are the twelve other countries of South America. These countries are separated into three regions – the Northern Tropics, the Andean Countries, and the Southern Grassland countries. The northern tropics, the countries on the northern coast of South America, share some characteristics, but they differ in their ethnic makeup, their economies, and their physical geography.

The Andes form the backbone of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. It is the longest unbroken mountain chain in the world soaring higher than any range except the Himalayas in South Asia. Some of the Andes snow-capped peaks tower more than 20,000 feet above sea level. The Andes have shaped not only the physical geography of the Andean nations, but also the economies and lifestyles of the people who make their homes in this region.

The three nations of southern South America -- Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina – contrast sharply with the rest of the continent. Although they face economic problems, they are among the most prosperous South American nations. Uruguay and Argentina are two of the wealthiest and most urbanized nations of South America. Ethnically, they have more in common with Europe than with their neighbors.

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Unit Four

Western EuropeChapter 14: Regional Atlas: Western Europe1. Chapter Objective

Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of Western Europe’s physical and cultural geography.

2. Chapter In Brief

This chapter relies exclusively on photographs, maps, and graphs to teach the physical and cultural geography of Western Europe. Discussed in this chapter are the peninsulas, multilingual region, warm currents and warm climate, and the industrial society of Western Europe.

Western Europe is surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. A number of smaller peninsulas protrude out from the main region. The people of Western Europe speak a number of different languages. Most of these languages fall into two major groups – Romance languages (like Spanish and French), and Germanic languages (like English and German). As a peninsula, Western Europe’s climate is influenced by its location near water. Powerful ocean currents moving up from the tropics warm winds that blow across Europe creating a moderate climate. Rich resources and new ideas helped transform Western Europe from an agricultural to an industrial society. Today industry, manufacturing, and trade make Western Europe one of the strongest economic regions in the world.

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Chapter 15: The British Isles and Nordic Nations1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend specific historical, geographical, cultural, religious, and political facts about the British Isles and Nordic Nations.

2. Chapter In Brief

The many islands clustered off the northwest coast of Europe are called the British Isles. The largest island in the British Isles and in all Europe is Great Britain. The island of Great Britain comprises three formerly independent countries: England, Scotland, and Wales. Together with Northern Ireland, they form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or simply the United Kingdom. Scotland occupies nearly one third of the land area in the United Kingdom, but less than 10 percent of the nation’s population live there. The divisions in Ireland are not visible immediately. The island itself looks like a huge bowl. Ireland’s moist marine west coast climate keeps vegetation a brilliant green for most of the year. The poverty of Ireland’s early years still troubles it today. The Republic of Ireland ranks low in national wealth. The people of Northern Europe call their land Norden, from an ancient word meaning “Northlands.” Norden includes five independent nations: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Ireland.

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Chapter 16: Central Western Europe1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend specific historical, economical, geographical, cultural, and ethnic facts about Central Western Europe.

2. Chapter In BriefCentral Western Europe includes France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria. The map of France shows why the French sometimes call their country “the Hexagon.” If you smooth out the zigs and zags of France’s borders, you will see that the country is roughly six-sided. Water borders three of the sides. Mountains form forbidden barriers on two other sides. When the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created in 1949 to defend Western Europe against possible Soviet expansion, West Germany became the main base for its troops, a significant number of which were Americans. Today, with the breakup of the Soviet Union, fewer Americans are stationed in Germany but the American presence is still alive. In 1991 NATO made its peacekeeping assistance to non-NATO European countries.

Crowded together in northwestern Europe are three small countries – Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. From the first letters of their names, together these countries are known as the Benelux countries. Their combined land area is small, but their combined population of 26.1 million people is almost as large as Canada’s population. Switzerland and Austria are both politically neutral. Neither country is a member of NATO. Switzerland has three official languages – French, German, and Italian – some of its people speak a dialect called Romansch. Austria is a country of German speakers and its roots reach back more than 1,000 years. Iron ore is an important natural resource and Austria has used this resource to build its steel industry, which is a mainstay of the nation’s economy.

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Chapter 17: Mediterranean Europe1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the history, geography, and economy of Mediterranean Europe.

2. Chapter In BriefThe Iberian Peninsula dangles off the southwestern edge of Europe, separating the waters of the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Two countries dominate the peninsula, Spain and Portugal. Spain covers most of the peninsula; Portugal occupies about one sixth of the land. The physical characteristics of the Iberian Peninsula isolate it from the rest of Europe. Spain’s economy depends on both agriculture and industry. Portugal is a small country with a history of overseas trade.

Italy has perhaps the best-known outline of any country in the world. Most people suggest that Italy looks like a giant boot ready to kick the triangular “rock” of Sicily across the Mediterranean Sea. Italy has a mountainous terrain, but agriculture is still important to the economy. Many Italians have migrated to the industrial north to find employment in factories. Italy’s three larger regions are made up of many smaller distinctive regions.

Greece does not fit neatly into any single regional group. There are several reasons to consider Greece to be part of Mediterranean Europe. First, Greece has strong geographical and historical ties to the Mediterranean. Second, Greece is now a member of both the EU and NATO. Third, Greece is the birthplace of a culture that reached full expression in Western Europe. Greece has felt the influence of both Western and Eastern cultures.

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Unit FiveEastern Europe

Chapter 18: Regional Atlas: Eastern Europe

1. Chapter Objectivesa. Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional

Atlas to gain a better understanding of Eastern Europe’s physical and cultural geography.

b. Comprehend political, historical, geographical, and ethnical facts about Eastern Europe.

2. Chapter In Brief

In 1989, Eastern Europe included eight nations: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia. The nations of the region today are: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Albania. Political changes have dramatically altered boundaries in Eastern Europe. For example, what was once East Germany has merged with West Germany to form Germany. Rivers are valuable shipping routes in Eastern Europe. Major rivers pass through the following Eastern European countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Macedonia.

Eastern Europe has four broad bands of distinct landforms. The North European Plain forms the northernmost landform region. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east. Poland covers most of the North European Plain in Eastern Europe.

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Chapter 19: The Countries of Eastern Europe1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend specific facts about the history, geography, economy, and ethnicity of the countries of Eastern Europe.

2. Chapter In BriefOne factor that has helped the Poles and many other nationalities retain their identity as a people are their attachment to the land. Most of Poland is covered by the North European Plain. Thick forests once covered the flat lands, but most of the trees were cut down long ago to create farmland. Today more than three quarters of Poland is open field. Although the Czech Republic has done well in shifting to a free-market economy, it still faces problems such as severe pollution. More than 10 million people live in the Czech Republic, a land about the size of South Carolina.

Slovakia has been struggling with a repressive government and a difficult transition to a free market. Slovakia, also called the Slovak Republic, became an independent nation in 1993 when Czechoslovakia was peacefully divided.

Hungary has a new stable government that is using privatization to make the economy grow. Like Poland, Hungary’s population is dominated by one ethnic group. About ninety-five percent of Hungarians are descended from the Magyars who settled the area in the late 1800s.

Today the Balkan Peninsula is divided into many small nations. Nations in the Balkan Peninsula share histories of internal division and foreign domination. Many different ethnic groups live in the Balkan Peninsula. Great turmoil has characterized Balkan nations since the end of communist rule there, but most economies seem to be recovering.

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Unit Six

Northern EurasiaChapter 20: Regional Atlas: Northern Eurasia

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of the Western Europe’s physical and cultural geography.

b. Comprehend specific historical, cultural, and geographical facts about northern Eurasia.

2. Chapter In Brief

Urbanization varies greatly from country to country in Northern Eurasia. In the European-influenced countries such as Estoria, Belarus, and Ukraine, two-thirds or more of the population live in cities. Even though Northern Eurasia is huge, its basic landforms follow one overall pattern. The land is flat in the west and becomes increasingly mountainous toward the east and south. Although Northern Eurasia has a population of nearly 300 million, the average population density is low. Almost three-fourths of the people of Northern Eurasia live in the European Plain. Three large historic cities are population centers: Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia, and Kiev in Ukraine. Northern Eurasia has four broad east-west bands of vegetation: tundra, forest, steppe, and desert.

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Chapter 21: Russia and the Independent Republics

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend specific historical, environmental, ethnic, and political facts about Russia and the independent republics.

2. Chapter In Brief

Russia is the largest country on earth with mainly cool climates and huge areas of forest and grassland. Russia possesses rich natural resources, but its climate and size present challenges to developing them. Under the Soviet Union, heavy industry was developed and agriculture was reorganized. Sweeping political and economic changes in the 1990s improved life for many Russians, but left others insecure.

The Baltic Nations have close historic ties to Europe, as does Moldova. Europe and Russia have both influenced Ukraine and Belarus, whose people are mainly Slavic. The Caucasus region is home to a variety of peoples who speak unrelated languages and have different cultures. Most of the people of Azerbaijan and the central Asian nations are Muslims who belong to Turkic ethnic groups.

The small nations of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are tucked along the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Their combined populations total about 7.7 million. Historically, the Baltic states have been closer in culture to Europe than to Russia. All three nations have benefited from their location along major trade routes. But they have also been subject to frequent conquests by other powers. Over the years, they have been ruled by larger neighboring states such as Poland, Denmark, and Russia.

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Chapter 22: Regional Atlas: Southwest Asia

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of Southwest Asia’s physical and cultural geography.

b. Comprehend specific geographical, historical, and religious facts about Southwest Asia.

2. Chapter In Brief

Southwest Asia, often referred to as the Middle East, is located at the far western and southern edge of the Asian continent. Turkey is the country in the region that lies farthest to the north. The first letters of the four countries that lie on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea are in alphabetical order from south to north and they are: Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey. Tehran, the capital of Iran, is the second largest city in the region. Some of the oldest cities in the world are located in Southwest Asia. Because farmland is scarce, urban populations are growing rapidly. The three largest cities in the region are Istanbul, Turkey; Tehran, Iran; and Baghdad, Iraq.

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Chapter 23: The Countries of Southwest Asia

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend historical, economical, political, and geographical facts and features about the countries of Southwest Asia.

2. Chapter In Brief

The Middle East has a long and turbulent history. More than 300 years ago, the region’s great wealth and location at the center of trading routes between Europe, Africa, and Asia made it an important source of power. World War I greatly influenced the modern history of the Middle East.

Israel has turned swamps and desert into productive land. In the 1880s, settlers began the long, slow process of reclaiming their land. Acre by acre, they drained the swamps. Patiently, they coaxed water into the desert. Many different cultural, ethnic, and religious groups give Israel diversity. Israel’s citizens come from a great variety of backgrounds. About eighty percent are Jewish. Israel is a leader in high technology. Israel has taken steps to achieve peace with its Arab neighbors. Along with building a strong economy and maintaining harmony among its diverse population, Israel faces another major challenge. It must build a lasting peace with the Palestinians and its other Arab neighbors. In the past 50 years, Israel and the Arab nations have gone to war four times.

Along with Israel, the land that is now the modern countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq made up the center of the ancient Middle East. These countries remain at the center of Southwest Asia today, and are often the focus of political, economic, and social challenges that affect the entire region. Syria is a rich agricultural land. It’s location on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean between Europe, Africa, and Asia has made cities like Damascus, the capital, and Aleppo busy centers of trade. Iraq is located in a fortunate place and oil is important to its economy. A large part of the country lies on the well-watered plain between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Oil has brought great wealth to many countries on the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Peninsula is a land of superlatives – of largest and least. Among the features that fall under the largest category is its desert, an enormous stretch of sand called the Rub’al-Khali, or the Empty Quarter. At 250,000 square miles (647,500 sq. km), the desert is about the size of Texas. Among the least positively features in the Arabian Peninsula is water. The peninsula, without one single body of fresh water, has the least amount of water of any large landmass. Instead, it has the world’s largest known petroleum reserves. Oman and Yemen are the least developed countries in the region.

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Chapter 24: Regional Atlas: Africa

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of Africa’s physical and cultural geography.

b. Comprehend the historical and geographical facts about Africa.

2. Chapter In Brief

South of the Sahara, the majority of Africans live in rural areas. Although the southern Africa region is much larger than North Africa, only five of the ten largest cities are located there. North Africa is separated from the plateaus and basins of southern Africa by the Sahara. Thousands of ethnic groups with diverse customs and language live in Africa. Together, these groups make up the fastest-growing population in the world. Moving out from the equator, Africa’s climate regions mirror one another to the north and south. Although a large portion of land in Africa is used for subsistence farming, African farmers struggle to raise enough food to feed themselves.

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Chapter 25: North Africa

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend specific geographical, industrial, historical, and cultural facts about Egypt and North Africa.

2. Chapter In Brief

Egypt is a land of wide, forbidding deserts divided by a single large river, the Nile. Most Egyptians live in the Nile River Valley, the Nile Delta, or the Suez Canal Zone. Urbanization and rapid population growth are major challenges in modern Egypt. Egypt’s overall population is growing at an annual rate of 2.3 percent. One of the major problems of Egypt’s population growth is that it is outstripping the country’s food supply. The Egyptian economy is still dependent upon the export of raw materials such as oil and petroleum products rather than manufactured goods.

The North African countries west of Egypt are Libya and the Maghreb nations – Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The most important cultural divisions in North Africa today are between rural and urban ways of life. Farmers living in Libya and the Maghreb still live in small rural villages, in mud or stone houses that may have only one room. Oil has significantly helped the economies of Libya and Algeria, while Tunisia and Morocco have been slowly increasing their manufacturing capacity.

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Chapter 26: West and Central Africa

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the historical, geographical, industrial, political, and cultural facts about West and Central Africa.

2. Chapter In Brief

The Sahel, which extends across Africa, separates the Sahara to the north from the tropical rain forests to the south. Many empires have flourished in the Sahel, a region defined by location, climate, and vegetation. The interaction between people and the environment in the Sahel has had negative consequences. It is mostly savanna with a semi-arid climate. People have changed the environment through overgrazing and deforestation, and the region is in danger of desertification. But the Sahel nations are still making use of their natural resources in a continuing effort to be self-sufficient.

The coastal nations of west Africa have long taken advantage of their location to trade with foreign nations. Because of their location, the coastal countries of west Africa have two advantages over those of the Sahel. First, they have a wetter climate. Adequate rainfall allows successful farming and the growth of valuable trees. Second, they have access to the sea. Power has shifted frequently in west African nations, with a trend toward democracy. West Africans are acting to improve their economies on the local level.

Nigeria has the potential to become an economic powerhouse in Africa. Nigeria’s varied physical regions have each attracted different ethnic groups, leading to a lack of unity in the country. Though Nigeria’s economic potential is great, its political problems have prevented it from becoming a regional powerhouse. A repressive military government has brought difficult times to Nigeria.

Movement of people has affected this region possibly more than any other in Africa. The regions physical characteristics have, in turn, affected the ways in which that movement has taken place. The movement is affected by the region’s rivers, forests, and grasslands. Environmental damage results from the misuse of river and forest resources. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has tremendous resources, but is troubled by economic and political turmoil.

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Chapter 27: East and Southern Africa

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the historical, geographical, political, and economical factors about East and Southern Africa.

2. Chapter In Brief

Kenya is a vibrant country with a population of more than 28 million. Kenya’s most fertile land is in the highland regions; it has been the focus of movement through the area for centuries. After gaining independence, Kenyans built a healthy economy by working together. Kenya today is struggling to maintain its strong economy and sense of unity.

The Horn of Africa is a strategic location because of its closeness to oil routes on the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Regional issues have caused lasting and bitter conflicts in several east African nations. Tanzania has changed its ideology to promote economic growth.

For most of the 20th century, a white minority controlled the South African government and economy. Whites created a system of laws known as apartheid, which means “apartness.” The apartheid system denied black South Africans equal rights. Apartheid was dismantled in the 1990s, and the black majority is gaining true political and economic power. In 1996, South Africa adopted a new democratic constitution.

The Republic of South Africa is so powerful that it overshadows other nations in the region. The countries of southern Africa are affected by the wealth and policies of the Republic of South Africa. Angola and Mozambique share a background of conflict and a potential for future prosperity. After independence, Zambia chose a risky dependence on its copper resources to find its development, while Zimbabwe has been able to make its agricultural economy among the most productive in the world.

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Chapter 28: Regional Atlas: South Asia

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of South Asia’s physical and cultural geography.

b. Comprehend historical and geographical facts about South Asia.

2. Chapter In Brief

South Asia is a group of seven countries situated on a giant subcontinent, or large landmass, in the southern part of Asia. South Asia is a region with a great variety of physical features that include the highest mountain in the world, major rivers, alluvial plains, a central plateau, and rain forests. South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Religious differences and overcrowding pose problems in the region. Monsoons, seasonal shifts in prevailing winds, bring rainy or dry weather with them. This lack or abundance of water has a profound effect on life in South Asia. Most people in South Asia are farmers, but the region is also growing a strong industrial base.

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Chapter 29: The Countries of South Asia

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the historical, geographical, and cultural facts about the countries of South Asia.

2. Chapter In Brief

Since the mid 1700s Britain had controlled India. During the late 1800s, Mohandas Gandhi used nonviolent resistance to help India gain independence from Britain. Nonviolent resistance means opposing an enemy or oppressor by any means other than violence. When India became independent on August 15, 1947, it was divided into two countries, India and Pakistan. Pakistan consisted of two regions – West Pakistan and East Pakistan. On December 16, 1971, East Pakistan split off from Pakistan to become the independent country of Bangladesh.

Most Indians live in rural villages, where traditional ways of life remain. The growth of cities and the rise of a middle class are major trends in modern India. India’s government has tried to raise the standard of living for its people, whether they live in remote villages or cities. It has been partially successful, but enormous challenges remain.

Water has a major influence on the lives of people in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Indus River is the lifeline for Pakistan because they receive less than ten inches of rain each year. Whereas Bangladesh is an enormous delta formed by three powerful rivers – the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Megzhna. As a result of the rivers, the soil is very fertile. However, because the country is so close to sea level, flooding occurs regularly. Afghanistan has served as a crossroad between India and Russia. The Himalayas isolated Nepal and Bhutan from much of the rest of the world. Division between the Sinhalase and the Tamils has brought violence to Sir Lanka.

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Chapter 30: Regional Atlas: East Asia and the Pacific World

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Demonstrate the correct usage of a map, graph, and photo studies in the Regional Atlas to gain a better understanding of East Asia and the Pacific World’s physical and cultural geography.

b. Comprehend the historical, cultural, geographical, and economical facts about East Asia and the Pacific World.

2. Chapter In Brief

East Asia is located at the junction of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. East Asia forms part of the “Ring of Fire,” a circle of volcanic and seismic activity that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. The Great Dividing Range prevents moisture from reaching most of the Australian interior. This means that much of Australia is a land of arid plains and plateaus. Many parts of East Asia are densely populated, particularly lowland areas that have mild and wet climates.

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Chapter 31: China

1. Chapter ObjectiveComprehend the historical, economical, geographical, religious, and cultural facts about China.

2. Chapter In BriefMao Zedong introduced many programs to construct a communist state in China. He wanted to increase agricultural productivity. The four modernizations changed the focus of China’s economy. The goals of the program were to improve agriculture, industry, science and technology, and defense as quickly as possible. When the Chinese people called for greater economic and political freedoms, the government cracked down. After the crackdown, leaders in China indicated their belief that economic growth can succeed only if the people are kept “in line” politically.

China can be divided into four basic geographic regions—the Northeast, the Southeast, the Northwest, and the Southwest. The two eastern regions are the most densely populated and account for much of China’s farming and manufacturing. The Northeast region serves as China’s center of population, industry, and government. The Yangzi River in the southeast is China’s major trade route. The two western regions are dominated by mountains and have arid climates. They are home to most of China’s ethnic minorities. The northwest region has a stark, rugged landscape. Isolated by huge, natural barriers, Tibet developed a distinct traditional society.

The Communist government has sought to control China’s rapid population growth. With about 1.2 billion people, China ranks as the world’s most populated nation. Population growth has become such a problem that the government tries to limit the number of children couples may have. Occupying a vast area and possessing a huge population, China is a land of great ethnic diversity. At the same time, the majority of the Chinese people share a common cultural background. An ancient method of writing provides a vital means of unifying the Chinese nation. Written Chinese is unusual in that it is non-phonetic.

Taiwan and Hong Kong are among Asia’s leading economic powers. Taiwan and Hong Kong are reassessing their relations with China. Recessions in other Asian countries lowered Hong Kong’s exports and raised the cost of doing business in Hong Kong. China and Hong Kong have tried to avoid any actions that might shake confidence in Hong Kong’s fragile economy. During the 1990’s, Mongolia democratized its government and began to modernize its economy. Mongolia is gradually modernizing.

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Chapter 32: Japan and the Koreas

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the historical, economical, geographical, and cultural facts about Japan and the Koreas.

2. Chapter In Brief

Japan consists of an archipelago, or chain of islands, that lies about 100 miles off the coast of east Asia. The islands of Japan are part of the Ring of Fire, a region of tectonic activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Japan’s high population density affects housing and family patterns. Japan’s population is both culturally and ethnically uniform. The Japanese people are united by a common ethnic heritage, a common language, and shared religious beliefs.

Japan was isolated from the west for centuries. In the late 1800’s, Japan modernized and became a major industrial power. During the early twentieth century, lack of natural resources caused Japan to adopt imperialist policies. Its aggression in Asia led to war with the United States during World War II. Since 1945, Japan has enjoyed rapid economic growth. Several factors contributed to Japan’s economic boom.

The Korean Peninsula extends off the east coast of Asia between China and Japan. Since 1945, the Korean Peninsula has been divided into two countries: North Korea and South Korea. The people of both North and South Korea share an ancient history and culture. South Korea’s economy has boomed under its capitalist system, while North Korea’s economy has stagnated under communism.

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Chapter 33: Southeast Asia

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the historical, political, religious, economical, and cultural facts about Southeast Asia.

2. Chapter In Brief

Early in its history, many different ethnic groups settled in Southeast Asia. Because of its location at the center of an important trade route and its rich resources, the region was influenced by the cultures of India, China, Southwest Asia, and the West. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam also influenced the region’s culture. European control greatly affected the physical and human geography of Southeast Asia.

Ethnic differences within countries in the region greatly complicated attempts to achieve national unity. Some nations have hundreds of different ethnic groups and languages. Political repression continues in nations such as Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia. Many of the nations of the region, including formerly Communist nations, are sharing in the Pacific Rim economic boom.

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Chapter 34: The Pacific World and Antarctica

1. Chapter Objective

Comprehend the historical, political, economical, and cultural facts about Pacific world and Antarctica.

2. Chapter In Brief

The population of Australia is small, because the continent was considered remote in the past, and much of the climate is harsh. Australia’s population clusters in and around the eight largest cities. These cities include the capitals of Australia’s seven states, plus Canberra, the national capital. Each city derives its own distinct flavor from its location, its landscape, and its varied people. Australians have used the country’s interior for mining resources and for raising sheep and cattle.

New Zealanders are mainly European in origin, but the indigenous Maori people form a large minority. New Zealand’s economy is based primarily on agriculture. The Pacific Islands consist of two types—high islands and low islands—each with its own distinctive landscape. Tourism is a vital part of many island economies, since most islands have few mineral resources.

Antarctica is a continent covered and surrounded by several different forms of ice. Icebergs and pack ice around the continent made early exploration difficult. Nations have agreed not to make claims to Antarctica but to share scientific data instead. Antarctica has coal and other mineral resources, but it is not practical to exploit them.

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Survive ● Returnby AFJROTC Curriculum Section

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Survival: Survive ReturnThe Survival text is a synthesis of the basic survival information found in Air Force Regulation 64-4 Survival Training. The survival instruction will provide training in skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to successfully perform fundamental tasks needed for survival. Survival also presents “good to know” information that would be useful in any situation. The information is just as useful to an individual lost hunting or stranded in a snowstorm.

The course objectives are:

1. Know the elements of surviving.

2. Know how medicine procedures, clothing, and shelter can provide personal protection for a survivor in a survival situation.

3. Know the necessities for maintaining life in a survival situation.

4. Know how to travel and prepare for recovery in a survival situation.

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Unit One

The Elements of SurvivingChapter 1-1: Survival Preparedness

Chapter Objective

Know how to survive in situations where your safety and life depends on your decisions.

Chapter 1-2: Conditions Affecting Survival

Chapter Objective

Know the three basic conditions affecting survival.

Chapter 1-3: The Survivor's Needs

Chapter Objective

Know the two fundamental goals of a survivor are maintaining life and returning.

Chapter 1-4: Psychological Aspects of Survival

Chapter Objective

Know that coping with the psychological aspects of survival is a key ingredient in any survival situation.

Chapter 1-5: The Will to Survive

Chapter Objective

Know the importance of having the will to survive in hopeless situations.

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Unit Two

Personal ProtectionChapter 2-1: Basic Survival Medicine

Chapter Objective

Know basic survival medicine procedures, treatments, and prevention measures when faced with medical encounters.

Chapter 2-2: Plants for Medicine

Chapter Objective

Know how to use plants for medicine.

Chapter 2-3: Proper Body Temperature

Chapter Objective

Know the proper body temperature.

Chapter 2-4: Clothing

Chapter Objective

Know that clothing is an important asset to survivors.

Chapter 2-5: Shelters

Chapter Objective

Know how the environment influences shelter sites and factors to consider beforeconstructing the shelter.

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Unit Three

Necessities to Maintain LifeChapter 3-1: Firecraft

Chapter Objective

Know how to build, design, and light a fire when in a survival situation.

Chapter 3-2: Equipment

Chapter Objective

Know how to care and use issued equipment, and improvise when the needed equipment is not available.

Chapter 3-3: Food

Chapter Objective

Know that a survivor must meet his body needs through the intake of food.

Chapter 3-4: Survival Use of Plants

Chapter Objective

Know the types of plants you can eat in a survival situation.

Chapter 3-5: Water

Chapter Objective

Know how to locate, procure, purify, and store water.

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Unit Four

Orientation and TravelingChapter 4-1: Land Navigation

Chapter Objective

Know how to use a map and compass.

Chapter 4-2: Navigation Using the Sun and the Stars

Chapter Objective

Know how to use the Sun and the stars to determine direction.

Chapter 4-3: Land Travel

Chapter Objective

Know if land travel is or is not a necessity in a survival situation.

Chapter 4-4: Signaling Techniques

Chapter Objective

Know how survivors can assist in their own recovery with signaling techniques.

Chapter 4-5: Recovery Principles

Chapter Objective

Know recovery principles.

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Aerospace Science: Policy and Organization by AFJROTC Curriculum Section

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Aerospace Science: Policy and Organization

Policy and Organization establishes the foundation for understanding the United States Air Force and delves into the purpose of the Department of Defense and the Air Force. The text describes the functions of the four branches of service. It discusses and describes the United States’ National Security Strategy and gives a brief history of the military. The Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and the current George W. Bush administrations are discussed. It discusses the defense structure of the United States to include descriptions of the objectives, mission, and organization of the Army, Navy, Marines, and the Coast Guard. Also covered are the organization, mission, and operations of the United States Air Force. Lastly, the text focuses on current operational and personnel Air Force issues.

The course objectives are:

1. Know the importance of the United States National Security Strategy.

2. Know the major historical milestones, military policies, structures, missions, aircraft, organization, and capabilities of each branch of the military.

3. Know the Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and the current George W. Bush administrations.

4. Know current Air Force Issues.

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Chapter 1: National Security Strategy

1. Chapter Objective

Know the national security strategy of the United States.

2. Chapter Overview

This chapter establishes the foundation for understanding the United States Air Force. To grasp the policies and organization of the Air Force, you must know “why” it exists. This existence supplies tools to carry out our national security strategies. These strategies, applied in various regions of the world, allow the United States to meet national objectives that achieve and protect our national interests.

Chapter 2: Military Historical Perspective

1. Chapter Objective

Know the historical perspective of the United States military.

2. Chapter Overview

Chapter two gives a brief history of the military and how armies have evolved over the course of history. The present military organization is discussed in depth. Also discussed are the Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton years. The challenges of the new millennium are discussed in detail. The current George W. Bush administration is also covered.

Chapter 3: Defense Structure of the United States

1. Chapter Objective

Know the defense structure of the United States.

2. Chapter Overview

The defense structure of the United States is covered in this chapter. The basic objectives of the United States military forces are given and discussed. Joint Vision 2020 is defined and briefly discussed. It is emphasized that if our Armed Forces are to be faster, more lethal, and more precise in 2020 than they are today, we must continue to invest in and develop new military capabilities. Joint Vision 2020 describes the ongoing transformation to those new capabilities. Defense reform, the organization of the military services, the Department of Defense (DOD) as well as the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard are discussed also.

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Chapter 4: United States Air Force

1. Chapter Objective

Know the organization of the United States Air Force.

2. Chapter Overview

The organization, structure, and mission of the United States Air Force are discussed as well as the duties of the secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff. Other members of the Air Staff are listed. The 9 major commands, 33 field operating agencies, 4 direct reporting units and their subordinate elements along with the Air National Guard are covered in detail.

Chapter 5: Air Force Issues

1. Chapter Objective

Know the issues currently facing the Air Force.

2. Chapter Overview

Chapter five discusses personnel and operational issues that currently face the United States Air Force to include the latest information on the anthrax vaccine immunization program. The importance of the Air Force to maintain strong global readiness and warfighting capabilities to support the national security strategy is emphasized.

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NOTES

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LEADERSHIPEDUCATION

Leadership education is an integral part of each year’s instruction. We break down each year’s activities into Academics and Leadership. In practice, however, the overlap is considerable. The development of writing and speaking skills are categorized as “Leadership Hours,” yet when used to present subject matter related to what is being taught in the “academic” area, the results are twofold. Additionally, many after-school activities provide the proving ground for newly learned leadership skills. Activities such as drill teams, model rocketry clubs, and the formal cadet corps’ operation all require offices with considerable responsibilities. To describe the leadership portion of the curriculum as being 288 hours (72 hours per year) is technically true, in practice it is highly understated.

The course objectives for Leadership Education are:

1. Know the AFJROTC mission and organization, customs and courtesies, and the meaning and purpose of standards, discipline, and conduct.

2. Comprehend why the elements of effective communication skills are important to the dynamics of individual and group behavior, and a key to effective leadership.

3. Comprehend why obtaining a degree or skill after high school is important to having a civilian or military career.

4. Know the historical roots of management, the importance of managers and management, and the characteristics of a good leader.

Leadership

Recommended Outline Recommended Hours

Leadership Education I: Citizenship, Character and Air Force Tradition 72

Leadership Education II: Communication, Awareness, and Leadership 72

Leadership Education III: Life Skills and Career Opportunities 72

Leadership Education IV: Principles of Management 72

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Leadership Education I: Citizenship, Character & Air Force Traditionby the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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Leadership Education 100: Citizen, Character & Air Force Tradition

Many of the 72 hours dedicated to leadership studies relate directly to the academic subject matter. The LE-100 textbook introduces cadets to the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program providing a basis for progression through the rest of the AFJROTC program while instilling elements of good citizenship. It contains sections on cadet and Air Force organizational structure; uniform wear; customs, courtesies, and other military traditions; health and wellness; fitness; individual self-control; and citizenship.

The course objectives are:

After successfully completing the Leadership Education I: Citizenship, Character & Air Force Tradition textbook the student will:

1.   Know the importance of AFJROTC history, mission, purpose, goals, and objectives. 2.   Know military traditions and the importance of maintaining a high standard of dress and personal appearance. 3.   Know the importance of attitude, discipline, and respect, and why values and ethics

are so important. 4.      Know the importance of individual self-control, common courtesies and etiquette. 5.      Know that an effective stress management program improves the quality of life. 6.   Know why courtesies are rendered to the United States flag and the National Anthem. 7.   Know why it is important to be a good democratic citizen and to be familiar with the different forms of governments. 9.   Know the importance of keeping yourself well and helping others stay well.

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Unit One

Heritage, Organization, and TraditionChapter 1: Introduction to Air Force Junior ROTC

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Know the purpose of the Air Force Junior ROTC program.

b. Know the structure of the Air Force Junior ROTC program.

c. Know the history of the military uniform.

d. Know the Air Force Junior ROTC uniform and standards for dress and personal appearance.

e. Know the Air Force and Air Force Junior ROTC insignia.

f. Know Air Force Junior ROTC and historic customs and courtesies.

g. Know when and how to salute.

h. Know how to address military personnel using the correct title.

i. Know the meaning and purpose of attitude and discipline.

j. Know the roles of respect and integrity in the Air Force Junior ROTC program.

k. Know how values and ethics are formed and how they affect both individuals and society.

l. Know the United States Air Force core values.

m. Know how to make ethical decisions.

2. Chapter In Brief

The purpose of this chapter is to give the students a basic introduction to AFJROTC and the history of AFJROTC. Chapter One includes five lessons entitled: “Organization of the AFJROTC Program”, “The Military Uniform and Appearance Standards”, “Customs and Courtesies for Air Force Junior ROTC”, “Attitude, Discipline, and Respect”, and “Ethics”. The mission of the AFJROTC program is covered. The mission informs the students they are going to learn something that they can use throughout their lifetime. To help students understand the concept of a

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unit's mission, the instructor might relate it to the mission of a local business. It is emphasized that the cadet corps is a structure that will help the students learn the importance of organization and the importance of being able to work together. Students are introduced to the military uniform and appearance standards, as well as customs and courtesies for AFJROTC. Cadets will learn how their dependence on one another and how their attitudes affect the entire unit. Finally, they will learn to understand the importance of ethics and that ethics may be different in different cultures and may also change over time.

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Unit Two

Individual Self-Control

Chapter 2: Personal Behavior

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Know how to behave in social settings.

b. Know how to maintain appropriate personal hygiene and grooming.

c. Know the main causes and effects of stress.

e. Know how to manage stress.

f. Know how to make healthful decisions.

g. Know how to set and achieve personal goals.

h. Know how to communicate effectively.

i. Know the suicide risk factors and signs.

j. Know when and how to seek professional mental health care.

k. Know how to predict and prevent violence.

l. Know how to protect yourself from violence.

2. Chapter In Brief

This chapter consists of five lessons. Lesson One, “Common Courtesies and Etiquette”, discusses such topics as common courtesies and etiquette. In Lesson Two, “Managing Stress”, cadets will learn about stress and how to recognize the causes of stress in their own lives. The lesson offers many practical suggestions for dealing with stress. In Lesson Three, “Behaving Positively”, students will learn how the decisions they make can affect their health for the rest of their lives. Emphasis is placed on the importance of good decision-making skills and goal-setting.

Lesson Four “Mental and Emotional Health Care” stresses that mental and emotional health, like physical health, are important for a person’s well-being; students will learn to better understand their emotions and express them in healthy ways. Lastly, Lesson Five, “Avoiding and Preventing Violence” covers things cadets need to know in order to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of violence.

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Unit Three

Wellness and FitnessChapter 3: Be Health Smart

1. Chapter Objectivesa. Know why and how to seek preventative health care services.

b. Know the roles of various health organizations, including government agencies.

c. Know how to choose and maintain a healthful diet.

d. Know how to use resources to make healthful dietary decisions.

e. Know how to prepare for a medical emergency.

f. Know what to do in a medical emergency.

2. Chapter In BriefThis chapter includes three lessons. Lesson One, “Health care”, stresses that everyone needs and uses health care. Students learn about accessing and paying for health care. Nutrition, choosing and maintaining a healthful diet are discussed. In Lesson Two, “Nutrition”, facts are presented on wise food choices that will improve and protect their health. Finally, in Lesson Three, “First Aid”, there is discussion on knowing that how to help someone who is injured or ill can aid in recovery or even save a life.

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Chapter 4: Physical Activity and Fitness

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Know the importance of physical fitness.

b. Know the measures of physical fitness.

c. Know how to plan and execute a physical fitness plan.

d. Know how to eat healthfully.

e. Know the health risks of eating disorders.

f. Know how to seek help for an eating disorder.

2. Chapter In Brief

In Lesson One of this chapter, “The Benefits of Physical Activity” cadets will study about the importance of physical activity and fitness. The study of this lesson will help students plan a physical fitness program that will work for them. In Lesson Two entitled “Your Body Image”, students will learn that a person who feels good about the way he or she looks is more likely to have a positive self-image. This lesson also informs students about what they can do to reach and maintain their appropriate weight.

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Chapter 5: Making Safe, Drug-Free Decisions

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Know the difference between medicine and drugs.

b. Know the dangers of drug abuse.

c. Know how to avoid drugs.

d. Know when and how to seek help for drug-related issues.

e. Know the dangers of tobacco.

f. Know how to avoid tobacco use.

g. Know how to seek help in quitting tobacco use.

h. Know the dangers of alcohol.

i. Know how to avoid using alcohol.

j. Know when and how to seek help for alcohol-related issues.

2. Chapter In Brief

Study of Lesson One, “Medicines and Drugs” will make students better informed about medicines and drugs and give the information they need to make healthful decisions for themselves. Students will learn in Lesson Two, “Tobacco”, that tobacco is a dangerous and addictive substance; this lesson tells about the dangers of tobacco use and the benefits of being “smoke free”. Lesson Three entitled “Alcohol”, covers the dangers of alcohol use so students can protect their health and achieve their goals.

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Unit Four

Citizenship in the United States Chapter 6: Foundations of United States Citizenship

1. Chapter Objectives

a. Know the history and courtesies rendered to the flag of the United States and the National Anthem.

b. Know about the Great Seal of the United States and the Air Force Seal.

c. Know the Pledge of Allegiance and the American’s Creed.

d. Know the role and functions of government.

e. Know the citizenship and naturalization process.

f. Know the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

g. Know the content of the United States Constitution.

h. Know how the United States Constitution is amended and interpreted.

i. Know the content of the Bill of Rights.

j. Know how citizens can protect their rights and freedoms.

k. Know the structure of the three branches of government.

l. Know the duties and responsibilities of the three branches of government.

m. Know the defining characteristics of authoritarian governments.

n. Know the salient features of current non-democratic governments and nations.

o. Know the defining characteristics of democratic governments.

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2. Chapter In Brief

In Chapter Six, Lesson One, “The American Flag and Other Symbols” contains discussion about the American flag, the National Anthem, and other patriotic symbols reveal a lot about our nation and the ideals that we uphold. Lesson One describes the history of those symbols and the proper way to show them respect. In Lesson Two, “Civics”, cadets learn that as citizens who enjoy the benefits of living in the United States, they need to be aware of the responsibilities that go along with these benefits. In Lesson Three, “The Constitution of the United States”, emphasis is placed on the fact that our country’s Constitution is a symbol of pride and a force for national unity. Students review the Constitution and understand how important it is to our way of life. Students learn in Lesson Four, “The Bill of Rights”, that an important part of being informed citizens is to know the rights and protections we have. Their study about the Bill of Rights will help them become more knowledgeable about these rights. Lesson Five, “US National Government” discusses that being a responsible citizen involves understanding the basic functions of the national government. The U.S. Congress, the presidency, and the judicial system are discussed. In conclusion, Lesson Six, “Comparing Systems of Government”, emphasis is placed on instant communication and how it makes each of us a citizen of the world. Cadets learn that they will need to know how other people in the world live and are governed as they take their places as adults in this new world.

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