- UCG: Chapter 2
- CGR:
- Intro to Part 2 (ppl 79-82)
- Editors' intros and entries for:
- Ratzel
- Vidal
- Sauer
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Week Two Readings
Seems that Google docs doesn't like the format of my Readings & Activities spreadsheet. I've got a couple of possible solutions which I'll try out tonight. In the interim, I know a lot of you want to get ahead with your reading ;) so here is the assignment for Week Two:
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Readings and Activities Week-by-Week Schedule
This is a very important document. It details the readings you are responsible for, what activities will take place in the classroom, and important assignment and exam dates.
Access the Readings and Activities Week-by-Week Schedule by clicking here.
Please note: all contents and dates are subject to change in the event of a major unforeseen event (e.g., closure of the University).
Access the Readings and Activities Week-by-Week Schedule by clicking here.
Please note: all contents and dates are subject to change in the event of a major unforeseen event (e.g., closure of the University).
The Original Video of Lilly: The World Map Master
Sooooo.... Lilly may have a bright future at Concordia ... as a Geography Teacher!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Reply To This Post For Extra Credit
Dear students: by replying correctly to this post, bringing a printed copy of the syllabus to class on Friday, and signing up to the blog as a "follower," all by August 27, you will receive one extra credit point.
Use the following text EXACTLY in your reply: "I have read and understood the syllabus and classroom policies posted here." Sign it with your real name so I can grant your credit.
Use the following text EXACTLY in your reply: "I have read and understood the syllabus and classroom policies posted here." Sign it with your real name so I can grant your credit.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Week One Readings
Week One assigned readings are:
- CGR (Cultural Geography Reader) Introduction (pp. 1-8)
- UCG (Understanding Cultural Geography) Chapter 1
A complete readings and activities schedule will be posted on the blog by Monday, Aug. 30.
- CGR (Cultural Geography Reader) Introduction (pp. 1-8)
- UCG (Understanding Cultural Geography) Chapter 1
A complete readings and activities schedule will be posted on the blog by Monday, Aug. 30.
Study Skills
Study skills ... you can't survive college without developing good ones that work for you!As I scroll down my first day class roster, I see that you are all college Juniors and Seniors. If you've gotten this far, you must be doing something right!
However, you'll see that once you get into the Upper Division, expectations and workloads shift gears upward. If you are having trouble concentrating, managing your time, reading the textbook, taking notes, or any other study-related area, be proactive and take the time to study up on studying! The sooner you do this the more these skills can help you out across your college years, and whatever you learn can be applied in all of your classes.
The Internet has a lot of fantastic resources. Here is a link to "The 10 study habits of successful students," here is a link to "10 tips for getting good grades," if test anxiety bedevils you conquer it here, and Virginia Tech has a great resource library of study skills available here (see especially the SQ3R method for textbook reading).
I have done a lot of undergraduate student advising, and you may find discussing your specific study-related concerns with me to be helpful. Come see me during office hours for a consult. Or, see your TA ... studying is a full-time job for them; they are pros.
Recent research reveals that, despite the variety of technological devices designed to "make your life simpler," the #1 best way to retain information is still the age-old "read book (or notes), close book (or notes), and repeat key ideas" strategy. Taking notes on your reading also helps (versus just highlighting the textbook), particularly if you type these notes up afterward. Finally, group study sessions can be helpful, but make sure they don't devolve into chat-sessions, and make sure to study with people who will pull you up rather than bring you down learning-wise.
The Internet has a lot of fantastic resources. Here is a link to "The 10 study habits of successful students," here is a link to "10 tips for getting good grades," if test anxiety bedevils you conquer it here, and Virginia Tech has a great resource library of study skills available here (see especially the SQ3R method for textbook reading).
I have done a lot of undergraduate student advising, and you may find discussing your specific study-related concerns with me to be helpful. Come see me during office hours for a consult. Or, see your TA ... studying is a full-time job for them; they are pros.
Recent research reveals that, despite the variety of technological devices designed to "make your life simpler," the #1 best way to retain information is still the age-old "read book (or notes), close book (or notes), and repeat key ideas" strategy. Taking notes on your reading also helps (versus just highlighting the textbook), particularly if you type these notes up afterward. Finally, group study sessions can be helpful, but make sure they don't devolve into chat-sessions, and make sure to study with people who will pull you up rather than bring you down learning-wise.
Netiquette (Internet + etiquette)
About the only real online interaction we'll have is posting comments to the blog. My advice here is what you've probably already heard, but it bears repeating: Don't do /say / post anything online that you wouldn't want your momma to see.
For a fuller discussion of the "10 Core Rules of Netiquette" see the useful link here.
For a fuller discussion of the "10 Core Rules of Netiquette" see the useful link here.
Late Work & Coursework Make-Up Policy
This will be determined by consensus on Friday September 10. I will update this posting during Week Three.
Final Exam: Scheduling & Rescheduling
Final Exams are held during what FIU terms "The Final Week of the Semester." This year, that week begins on Monday, December 6th. FIU publishes final exam schedules around the middle of the semester. I will alert you and post here the final exam date once FIU lets instructors know what that is.
For now, please be aware that we will have a final during the week of December 6th, and it could be as late as Friday December 10th. Therefore you should plan to stay in Miami until at least December 10th. Do not purchase plane tickets for before that date until you know your final exam schedule.
I cannot reschedule the final exam nor can I provide alternate exams or work to "make up" for the final. It must be held on the date / time specified by the University. Providing you with alternate work is not fair to other students who will take the exam.
For now, please be aware that we will have a final during the week of December 6th, and it could be as late as Friday December 10th. Therefore you should plan to stay in Miami until at least December 10th. Do not purchase plane tickets for before that date until you know your final exam schedule.
I cannot reschedule the final exam nor can I provide alternate exams or work to "make up" for the final. It must be held on the date / time specified by the University. Providing you with alternate work is not fair to other students who will take the exam.
Extra Credit
Doesn't exist in this class. Too hard to keep track of who, what, and when in a class this size.
Electronic Media in the Classroom
Other electronics - cell phones, iPods, cameras, etc. - should not be used in class. I think you can and should be able to give me your full attention for the 50 minutes you have with me!
Disability Resource Center at FIU
Facing a physical, emotional, or mental challenge? Need a notetaker, or extra time to complete exams because of it?
Please stop by the Disability Resource Center at FIU. Check them out online by clicking here. By registering with DRC you can get the services you need to be successful in your academic pursuits. Their services are confidential.
If you have an issue or condition that doesn't warrant registering with DRC but are still concerned, please stop by my office hours.
Any conversations you have with me or communication I receive from DRC are kept completely confidential.
Please stop by the Disability Resource Center at FIU. Check them out online by clicking here. By registering with DRC you can get the services you need to be successful in your academic pursuits. Their services are confidential.
If you have an issue or condition that doesn't warrant registering with DRC but are still concerned, please stop by my office hours.
Any conversations you have with me or communication I receive from DRC are kept completely confidential.
Attendance Policy
The good news: Attendance doesn't figure directly into your final grade through points.
The not-so-good news: That doesn't matter. In reality, if you don't attend an upper-division course on the regular your grade will certainly suffer. In fact, if you can't attend the class ON TIME ALMOST EVERY TIME you might think about dropping. Yep, it's that serious.
I will call roll during the first weeks of class in order to learn your names. I will also do spot-check roll calls to see who's in class and who's not, on a day-in day-out basis. If you're not there much, I'll know when you come to me at the end of the semester wanting extra credit or whatnot. Enough said.
In Week Two of the semester you will decide amongst yourselves how to handle absences with respect to groupwork. We'll be discussing on Friday Sept. 10.
The not-so-good news: That doesn't matter. In reality, if you don't attend an upper-division course on the regular your grade will certainly suffer. In fact, if you can't attend the class ON TIME ALMOST EVERY TIME you might think about dropping. Yep, it's that serious.
I will call roll during the first weeks of class in order to learn your names. I will also do spot-check roll calls to see who's in class and who's not, on a day-in day-out basis. If you're not there much, I'll know when you come to me at the end of the semester wanting extra credit or whatnot. Enough said.
In Week Two of the semester you will decide amongst yourselves how to handle absences with respect to groupwork. We'll be discussing on Friday Sept. 10.
Accessing the Gradebook
This year, I will use an Excel Spreadsheet to post grades. This will be a pdf snapshot of the gradebook I work with (you cannot edit it). You will be given a user number during Week 4 of the semester. Your grades will be posted in the row that corresponds to your user number. No names or PantherID numbers will be linked to the gradebook. Do not share your user number to anyone else.
The gradebook is accessed by clicking here. This is where you will always come to find your grades.
Mamyrah will be in charge of updating and posting your grades. Please do not pester her about when your grade will be posted. She does the best she can to keep up with this large class.
The gradebook is accessed by clicking here. This is where you will always come to find your grades.
Mamyrah will be in charge of updating and posting your grades. Please do not pester her about when your grade will be posted. She does the best she can to keep up with this large class.
Academic Honesty
FIU publishes a Student Handbook, available by clicking here. In that handbook, the Student Conduct policies & procedures are spelled out. Among these - on page 9 in fact - the Academic Honesty policy is discussed.
We will abide by all FIU rules and regs in this classroom, including and especially those detailed in the Student Conduct section. Please discuss any uncertainties you may have directly with me.
We will abide by all FIU rules and regs in this classroom, including and especially those detailed in the Student Conduct section. Please discuss any uncertainties you may have directly with me.
Basics: Syllabus, Textbooks
The basics for this class are the syllabus, which is available as a pdf by clicking here; and two textbooks, which you can view details about by clicking here and by clicking here. (note: syllabus is now completely accurate ... I think! Let me know if you find any additional errors ...)
You will need to print out or save an electronic copy of the syllabus and consult it frequently - it is your "survivial guide" for this course.
You will need to purchase both textbooks. You can't pass this class without these basic materials! You can't keep up without purchasing, and obviously reading, the textbooks early in the semester. You can purchase them new in the University Bookstore, or purchase them new or used online.Welcome!
Dear students: I am thrilled to be teaching Cultural Geography this Fall 2010. We will use this blog to distribute course information, resources, and materials, as well as to share geography-relevant news. I and my Teaching Associate Mamyrah Prosper are looking forward to a productive and fun semester working with all of you!
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