World Geography Online - Summer 2021
GEOG G-130 - World Geography Online (13858)
Lecturer: Andy Baker
Email: bakeran@iu.edu
Office: Cavanaugh Hall, 207G
Online Office Hours: TBA
There is no required textbook or e-book to purchase.
All course content is available here in our Canvas site for free.
This course is an Asynchronous Online (AO) course.
We have no required on-campus, off-campus, or online meetings.
For this semester, GEOG G-130 course material begins May 11 and ends June 22.
There is no Final Exam.
G-130 is in the General Education Core - Social Sciences.
Please carefully & completely read the following course guidelines.
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FYI: Any text in blue font like THIS is a link to specific course content.
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Instructor
My name is Andy Baker. I can be reached via the Canvas Inbox or bakeran@iu.edu
Technology Requirement
In order to participate in G130 Online, you must understand that the ability to use the technology enabled in this course is your responsibility. I will be of limited help with problems not directly related to course content. Technology problems, whether hardware or software related, are your responsibility. If you use the internet and email on a regular basis without any issues, you should not have a problem in G130 Online.
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Course Overview
You will be learning exclusively from our Canvas website which contains readings and video lectures in 12 different chapters. Most of the readings and videos were created by your instructor (Andy). The chapters are found in "Modules" on the left-hand side of our Canvas site. Each Tuesday morning at 12:01am, two new chapters are opened and then both are closed a week later on Monday evening at 11:59pm.
Each chapter is the basis for how the course content is delivered from instructor to student. Contacting me within hours of a quiz or assessment deadline, or well after the fact, about your failure to complete assigned work is not acceptable.
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Grading and Assessments of Learning
There are 220 total points in this course.
Final Course Grades (Grading Scale)
217 – 220 = A+
206 – 216 = A
198 – 205 = A-
193 – 197 = B+
184 – 192 = B
176 – 183 = B-
166 – 175 = C+
157 – 165 = C
149 – 156 = C-
140 – 148 = D
0 – 139 = F
The 220 total points are based on the following assessments:
12 Chapter Quizzes, 10 points each = 120 total points (54% of total points)
6 Chapter Discussions, 5 points each = 30 total points (14% of total points)
3 Activities, 10 points each = 30 total points (14% of total points)
1 Country Profile Assignment = 40 total points (18% of total points)
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Chapter Quizzes (10 points each, 120 total points):
There are 12 chapters. Each chapter concludes with a 10 point quiz that focuses on the material only from that chapter, so there are a total of 12 quizzes in the course worth 120 total points.
The 12 quizzes will be taken and submitted online via “Quizzes” on our Canvas page. Each Chapter Quiz will open at 12:01am on a Tuesday and then close at 11:59pm the following Monday. Once they close, they close for the rest of the semester. If you are in the middle of taking a quiz when it closes after the due date, you will receive a zero, so plan accordingly. Also, you only get one attempt for each chapter quiz.
Quizzes include only multiple-choice questions. Once you start a quiz, you will have 20 minutes to complete 10 questions. Most quizzes are automatically scored once completed and will be added to your Canvas Grades. However, the correct answers for the quizzes will be revealed and available to you after all students have completed each quiz. You are allowed two attempts per quiz. The higher of your two quiz scores will be recorded in your Canvas Grades.
Computer Problems During Quiz: In World Geography Online, you only have a limited amount of time to take and submit a quiz (20 minutes). Any problem that causes your quiz to close, submit with an error, or shut-off/disappear must be immediately reported to me. Otherwise, your actions can constitute academic dishonesty.
Since the Chapter Quizzes are an important part of your final grade, click HERE to read some tips I gathered from previous G-130 Online students who earned (nearly) perfect scores on all of the quizzes. I hope this helps you!
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Discussions (5 points each, 30 total points):
There are six Discussions spread throughout the semester (see open/close dates for each Discussion below). All of these Discussions can be found by clicking "Discussions" on the left-side of this page. Each of the six Discussions are worth 5 points and are discussed in greater detail in the instructions for each Discussion. The Discussion topics relate to two chapters and often connect with current events.
Similar to the chapters and quizzes, each Discussion becomes available on a Tuesday at 12:01am and then closes the following Monday at 11:59pm.
Discussion 1 (5 points): Relates to Chapters 1 & 2; Opens May 11 - Closes May 17
Discussion 2 (5 points): Relates to Chapters 3 & 4; Opens May 18 - Closes May 24
Discussion 3 (5 points): Relates to Chapters 5 & 6; Opens May 25 - Closes May 31
Discussion 4 (5 points): Relates to Chapters 7 & 8; Opens June 1 - Closes June 7
Discussion 5 (5 points): Relates to Chapters 9 & 10; Opens June 8 - Closes June 14
Discussion 6 (5 points): Relates to Chapters 11 & 12; Opens June 15 - Closes June 21
Key to earning full-credit for each Chapter Discussion is submitting a well-reasoned, thoughtful, and original post. Let me be clear: Copying and pasting another student’s (or person’s) thoughts and claiming them as your own is plagiarism and will result in an automatic zero (0). This also includes copying, pasting, and re-wording. I want to learn about YOUR thoughts… I want to know what YOU think about a topic, so simply speak your mind! You will not be graded on grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, but try to add as much depth/breadth to your writing. I actually read your posts, so make sure you fully and clearly explain yourself.
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Activities (10 points each, 30 total points):
There are three batches of “Activities” spread throughout the course, of which you will complete all three. You can find the Activities in “Assignments” in our Canvas site. More specific information regarding each of the three Activities is found below but also in the instructions for each activity in Canvas.
I have designed the Activities as another way for you to showcase to me your understanding of G-130 Online concepts besides taking quizzes. In other words, if you do the work, you should earn all 10 points for each activity and boost your grade even higher. These are supposed to be somewhat fun and will hopefully show-off some of your skills, creativity, and of course, understanding of World Geography.
You have two weeks to complete each activity.
Activity #1 (10 points): Becomes available Tuesday, May 11 and is due Monday, May 24 before 11:59pm.
Activity #2 (10 points): Becomes available Tuesday, May 25 and is due Monday, June 7 before 11:59pm.
Activity #3 (10 points): Becomes available Tuesday, June 8 and is due Monday, June 21 before 11:59pm.
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Country Profile Assignment (40 total points):
The purpose of the Country Profile Assignment ("The CPA") is to showcase to me your understanding and application of key concepts discussed in this course. It is essential that you realize the purpose of the Country Profile Assignment is not a recitation of encyclopedic facts about some countries.
The Country Profile Assignment instructions will be available in Canvas via “Assignments”. This assignment will open on June 1 and is due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 22. That means you will have about 22 days to complete The CPA.
Finally, no plagiarizing. It is easy to identify and will result in a 0 for the assignment and submission of an Academic Misconduct Report to the School and the Dean of your academic department. You cannot copy and paste text from internet sources in my courses. As mentioned above, you have to apply concepts discussed in this course for this assessment.
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Course Schedule
There are a couple of different places to find the course schedule. First, below is a simple, week-by-week list. Also, your “Calendar” in Canvas should have the same information.
Week 1:
Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 opens Tuesday, May 11 at 12:01am and closes Monday, May 17 at 11:59pm.
Chapter 1: Introduction to World Geography and Our Earth
Chapter 2: Human Geography of Our World
Assessments due before Monday, May 17 at 11:59pm: Chapter 1 Quiz, Chapter 2 Quiz, Discussion 1
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Week 2:
Chapter 3 & Chapter 4 opens Tuesday, May 18 at 12:01am and closes Monday, May 24 at 11:59pm.
Chapter 3: North America
Chapter 4: Sub-Saharan Africa
Assessments due before Monday, May 24 at 11:59pm: Chapter 3 Quiz, Chapter 4 Quiz, Discussion 2, Activity #1
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Week 3:
Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 opens Tuesday, May 25 at 12:01am and closes Monday, May 31 at 11:59pm.
Chapter 5: North Africa & Middle East
Chapter 6: Central Asia
Assessments due before Monday, May 31 at 11:59pm: Chapter 5 Quiz, Chapter 6 Quiz, Discussion 3
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Week 4:
Chapter 7 & Chapter 8 opens Tuesday, June 1 at 12:01am and closes Monday, June 7 at 11:59pm.
Chapter 7: South Asia
Chapter 8: Southeast Asia
Assessments due before Monday, June 7 at 11:59pm: Chapter 7 Quiz, Chapter 8 Quiz, Discussion 4, Activity #2
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Week 5:
Chapter 9 & Chapter 10 opens Tuesday, June 8 at 12:01am and closes Monday, June 14 at 11:59pm.
Chapter 9: East Asia
Chapter 10: Oceania
Assessments due before Monday, June 14 at 11:59pm: Chapter 9 Quiz, Chapter 10 Quiz, Discussion 5
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Week 6:
Chapter 11 & Chapter 12 opens Tuesday, June 15 at 12:01am and closes Monday, June 21 at 11:59pm.
Chapter 11: Europe
Chapter 12: Middle and South America
Assessments due before Monday, June 21 at 11:59pm: Chapter 11 Quiz, Chapter 12 Quiz, Discussion 6, Activity #3
Don't forget, The Country Profile Assignment is due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 22
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Student Resources Available on Campus & Other Course Information
University Information Technology Support:
Please contact the UITS Support Center (317-274-HELP) if you have a computer, network, or technical problem. They are very helpful. I have called them many times and in every instance, they provided information to correct my problem. You will have to provide your user-id to speak with one of the consultants employed there. This is a free service to IUPUI students, faculty, and staff.
Adaptive Education Services (AES):
Students needing accommodations because of a disability will need to register with Adaptive Educational Services (AES) and complete the appropriate forms issued by AES before accommodations will be given. The AES office is located in Taylor Hall, UC 100. You can also reach the office by calling 274-3241. Visit http://aes.iupui.edu/ for more information.
Dean of Students/Student Advocate:
You should be aware that the campus Student Advocate Office can help you overcome obstacles towards your academic goals. The Advocate will answer your questions, direct you to the appropriate departments and people, familiarize you with university policies and procedures, and give you guidance as you look at ways to solve problems and make choices. The Student Advocate Office is located in UC002 and can be contacted by phone at 278-7594 or email at stuadvoc@iupui.edu .
Withdrawals and incompletes:
You may withdraw with an automatic “W” through the stated date in the Academic Calendar. Withdrawals after that date will be assigned a grade of “F”. Incompletes will not be given except in cases of documented medical emergencies or illness.
IUPUI Withdraw Deadlines
Thursday, June 3: Last day to withdraw with automatic grade of W.
Friday, June 4 to Thursday, June 17: Withdrawal with grade of W or F begins. Beginning on this date, drops will be approved only in serious, extenuating circumstances.
Administrative Withdrawal:
A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in all class activities and assessments and conscientiously complete all required course activities and/or assignments. Keep in touch with me if you q1are unable to attend, participate, or complete an assignment on time. If you miss more than half of the required activities within the first 25% of the course without contacting me, you may be administratively withdrawn from this course. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.
Academic Integrity and Misconduct:
Please read Sections 1 through 6 of Part G in the Academic Responsibilities & Misconduct of the IUPUI Student Code of Conduct carefully by clicking HERE . I assume that you have read and agree with all terms of the Code and will grade your submitted assessments & evaluate your communications accordingly. The consequences of academic dishonesty range from a warning, penalty, or removal from university, depending on the severity of your fraud.
What is cheating? Any of the following situations involves cheating:
- copying the answers from a quiz obtained from another person in the class or from a previous term
- having the aid of another person, electronically or physically, to assist you in selecting an answer on a quiz
- having another person take a quiz or for you
- altering the quiz time length or submission techniques
- attempting or completing any method that bypasses the security features of the course or Canvas
- printing or copying any question on a quiz
If I detect suspicious activity concerning submission times I will contact you via Canvas Inbox or email. You might have to come into my office to take a substitute quiz that might include essay questions.
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Course Description
“GEOG-G130 World Geography (3 cr.) Analysis of population, culture, environment, and economies of major world regions. Examination of issues of global importance, including development, demographic change, urbanization and migration, and international conflict.” –from the Indiana University Bulletin
Student Learning Outcomes
Below are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) achieved upon completion of this course. These are the foundation upon which all course material and assessments of student learning are based. Each of these three outcomes also specifically connect to both the Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success (IUPUI+) and Indiana Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC). G-130 students demonstrate the IUPUI+ Profiles of being a Communicator and Community Contributor. The specific STGEC outcomes relate to the “Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing” (5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6) and are also included below each SLO.
1) Recognize the diversity of people and places across our world and distinguish specific geographic patterns of religion, language, and other cultural markers. (5.1)
2) Apply specific geographic principles, concepts, and methods via interpretation and analysis of population, demographic, economic, and environment data from across the world. (5.1)
3) Examine the ways globalism and localism are interwoven in our interconnected world, particularly as it relates to the modern global economy and globalization. (5.5)
4) Explain the interaction between people and their environment and evaluate the benefits and consequences of human actions on our environment. (5.4)
5) Examine contemporary world problems in order to make informed decisions regarding complex issues and to use acquired knowledge to explore new questions. (5.1, 5.6)