World Geography

Course Syllabus

Updated July 24, 2001

Available [online]: www.fvlhs.org/fvlnet (Click on Social Studies then Geography.)

Instructor Information:

Mr. Tom Guenterberg

Telephone Number: School (920) 739-4441

Office Room #: 2109

Free Periods: Semesters One and Two: Sets 1-4 and 6

E-mail: tguenterberg@fvlhs.org

Catalog Description:An elective two-semester course for students in grades 9-12. Emphasis is on the political and economic geography of the world in its physical setting.

Statement of Purpose: The student will grow in appreciation for God’s created world and understanding of human activity within it.

Objectives:

1. To develop the student’s appreciation of God’s creation by fostering a more complete understanding of the location and spatial arrangements of the world’s physical features.

2. To develop the ability to read and use geographic material of many kinds (globes, maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, etc.) as tools to understand countries and cultures.

3. To develop the ability to analyze geographic information (physical features, climate, resources, agriculture, industry, knowledge of people and culture, etc.) of a given area and to discern its challenges.

4. To become aware of and understand the interdependent nature of people and countries brought about by geographic problems in today’s world.

5. To increase the student’s awareness and usage of the Internet and the many resources it makes available.

Course Materials:

Textbook: Boehm, Richard B. & Swanson, James L. (1992). World Geography: A Physical and Cultural Approach. (3rd ed.) New York: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.

Internet

Worksheets and discussion guides

Outside readings

A/V materials

Student Materials:

Textbook, pen/pencil, and pad of paper/notebook (have in class everyday)

Fine black felt-tip marker and colored pencils (have available in locker)

World Atlas (optional)

Instructional Methods:

Readings, discussions, mapwork, reaction papers

Study sheets/written assignments

Individual and group projects/experiments

Reports (oral and written)

Audio-visual materials

Internet research

Internet Use:

Use the Internet according to school policy guidelines.Internet searches provide information well beyond that which you will find useful. Your challenge is to streamline searches to maximize your allotted Internet access time. If new to the Internet, I would suggest checking out www.learnthenet.com and clicking on “Internet Basics” and “Searching the Web”. They will provide helpful information about using the Internet. Use a search with your command in “quotation marks” or connect terms with an underscore ( _ ). This will narrow your scope and more efficiently identify helpful sources.

Geography Web Sites:

Geography-related web sites relevant to our study this year are provided for you in the FVL Intranet within the Social Studies link. Simply click on Social Studies, then Geography, then Internet Links to find them listed in alphabetical order.From home you may access them at http://fvlnet/. Please understand that the inclusion of a site does not necessarily imply agreement with or endorsement of the sites’ statements or contents. We Christians living in a sinful world must be watchful. Much of what you’ll find on the Internet attempts to replace God’s truth with human “truth.”

How to be Successful in this Class:

Attend all class sessions/activities. This is when and how learning takes place. Assignments simply reinforce what has been learned during class activities/discussions.

Read assigned chapter sections in the text as they are assigned and covered. This will help you to understand the material and participate during discussions.

Study almost every day. Putting in time outside of class is important.It is best to study daily rather than to try to cram at the end.

Participate in discussions and group activities.

Turn in assignments on time.

Plan to make up any missed work immediately. Discuss specifics with me, if necessary.

Be courteous toward your instructor, substitute teachers and your classmates.

Course Evaluation:

Daily Work…..20%           

Projects…..30%           

Tests….. 50%

Alternative Assessments:

Occasionally a grade based on an activity other than a standard chapter or unit exam is available to you (e.g.. take-home essay test, visual display of key chapter concepts, etc.) Ask for additional details to be provided in class.

Reaction Papers (due as announced):

In one double-spaced, typed page, write a reaction to a current newspaper or magazine article, or an Internet resource regarding a topic that pertains to current class studies in the field of geography. You may choose to browse any of the web sites provided earlier.

Include bibliographic information according to style at the top of your page and begin with a 2-3 sentence summary of the article.

Continue with an evaluation which may include your interpretation the author's intent or possibly the potential impact of your resource.

You will Share the highlights of your reaction orally with the class. Discussion dates will be announced.

Final Exam:

At the end of each semester an exam will be given to students as an opportunity for them to demonstrate their learning during the previous semester.

Grading Scale: