World Geography

Social Studies Department

Fall 2008

Mr. Jeremy M. Allen

Room # 331

Email: JAllen9@houstonisd.org

Office Phone: (713) 741-2410

Conference Period: 4B; 1:50 pm – 3:15 pm

About World Geography

The purpose of this course is to help you develop geographical skills that will enable you to

better understand and appreciate the place where you live as well as places around the world.

You will also learn about how your life is interconnected with the lives of people around the

world and will discover that geography is about much more than knowing where places are. It is

about understanding the fundamental importance of space and place for all aspects of our lives.

We explore the major topics of human geography through detailed case studies that show how

demographic, environmental, cultural, social, political, and economic processes shape the

geography of the world. Moreover, the topics we explore in this class lead directly into topics

studied in numerous other classes including sociology, economics, political science, history, civil

engineering, ethnic studies, and gender studies among others.

Required materials: Textbook, thin binder or folder with brackets, ruler, pen, compass, colored

pencils, highlighter, Loose-leaf paper (lined and unlined), one black and white composition

book;

Course Goals

By the end of this course students will…

• Understand major concepts in human geography including place, space, scale, landscape,

etc.

• Understand the geography of population, the environment, culture, identity, the economy,

politics, agriculture, and of cities.

• Understand that human landscapes are not simply an inevitable product of nature but are

planned, constructed, and contested by identifiable people working within historically

and geographically specific social, cultural, political, and economic situations.

• Be able to interpret everyday landscapes and understand some of the spatial processes

that help to structure them.

• Be able to participate knowledgeably in discussions with other people about world events

and about the importance of geography for these events.

• Be able to identify what is geographical about a given issue discussed in the media.

• Be able to integrate knowledge about population, the environment, culture, economics,

politics, and agriculture to understand specific places or types of places (cities for

example).

• Develop a greater awareness of how their lives are interrelated with the lives of people in

other places.

• Develop an improved appreciation for the places and landscapes encountered in everyday

life.

• Understand the relevance of geography to their chosen vocation in life (whether they

ultimately decide to major in geography or not.)

• Be able to write an essay in which they effectively support an argument with evidence.

• Develop strategies for studying and good study habits that will benefit them throughout

the rest of their school career.

• Be able to read and critically interpret a wider range of writing on current events and

world affairs than when they started the class.

GRADING

• Cycle Common Assessments = 20%

• Test and research paper/projects = 40%

• Quizzes/Essays = 30%

• Daily Activities/Participation/ = 10%

Maps/Homework

Course Schedule

Grading Period Units Chapters Titles

1st Six Weeks

8/25/08–10/3/08

1/2 The Basics of Geography

ML Unit 1/2

Geography Skills

Physical Geography

Looking at Earth

A Living Planet

Climate and Vegetation

2nd

Six Weeks

10/6/08–11/7/08

2/3 Human Geography

ML Unit 2

People and Places

United States and Canada

ML Unit 3

Physical Geography of US

The Land of Contrasts

Human Geography of US

Shaping an Abundant Land

Physical/Human Geography of

Canada

Developing a Vast Wilderness

Today’s Issues: The War on

Terrorism/Urban development

3rd Six Weeks

11/10/08–12/19/08

4/5 Latin America

ML Unit 4

Physical Geography of Latin America

From the Andes to the Amazon

Human Geography of Latin America

A Blinding of Cultures

Today’s Issues: Deforestation, gap

between the rich and the poor

Europe

ML Unit 5

Physical Geography

The Peninsula of Peninsulas

Human Geography

Diversity, Conflict, Union

Today’s Issues: Unification of

Europe, Breakup of Yugoslavia

4th Six Weeks

1/6/09–2/20/09

6/7 Russia/Ex-Soviet Reps.

ML Unit 6

Physical Geography

A Land of Extremes

Human Geography

Today’s Issues: Transformation of the

economy, ethnic conflict and

environmental disaster

Africa

ML Unit 7

Physical/Human Geography

Today’s Issues: Impact of

colonialism, Apartheid,

Underdevelopment, famine, Aids and

civil strife

5th Six Weeks

2/23/09–4/9/09

8/9 Southwest Asia (Middle East)

ML Unit 8

Physical/Human Geography

Today’s Issues: War, Terrorism,

scarcity of water and abundance of

oil.

South Asia

ML Unit 9

Physical/Human Geography

Today’s Issues: Overpopulation,

Extreme weather, terrorism, War and

nuclear arms race.

6th Six Weeks

4/13/09–5/28/09

10/11 East/South East Asia

ML Unit 10

Physical/Human Geography

Today’s Issues: Overpopulation, rapid

economic expansion, environmental

hazards

Australia and New Zealand

ML Unit 11

Physical/Human Geography

Today’s Issues: Environment,

Aboriginal land claims

Students and parents:

Students: Remember that you are responsible for your own actions and that you will be held

accountable for the information in this document. Failure to comply may result in a conduct cut

and/or disciplinary action.

Parents: Please read this document carefully. This document must be signed by both student and

parents and returned to me. I am available to discuss any of the above rules and procedures. You

may contact me at school at (713) 741-2410.

We have read and understand the requirements for this course (World Geography/Allen). Should

you need to contact me about my child’s performance I can be reached by:

Phone: _________________________

E-mail: _________________________

Student Name Printed: _________________________ Period: ____________

SIGNATURE: ________________________________ Date: _____________

Parent Name Printed: ___________________________

SIGNATURE: ________________________________ Date: ______________