KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Geography & Anthropology
Fall Semester 2009

 
I.          COURSE NUMBER:            Geography 3312/01
             COURSE TITLE:                  Geography of Europe

 

II.        INSTRUCTOR:                    Dr. H. R. Trendell  (Dr. T)
            OFFICE:                                   Social Science Bldg.  SO – 4046 (inside SO 4042)
            OFFICE PHONE:                    (770) 423 -6240
            OFFICE HOURS:                    TTh 11:00AM-12:00 Noon;  TTh 3:30-4:30 PM;
                                                                  (Other times by appointment)
            E-MAIL ADDRESS:               htrendel@kennesaw.edu  & VISTA e-mail      
            WEB PAGE:                             http://ksuweb.kennesaw.edu/~htrendel/
            DEPARTMENT:                     Geography & Anthropology Office:  SO 4042
                                                                        Phone (678) 797-2373
 
III.       CLASS MEETING:               Time:   Tue/Thur  5:00 PM – 6:15 PM 
                                                             Room:  Social Science 2030  (SO 2030)
 
 
IV.       TEXT:                                      The EU and Neighbors: A Geography of Europe in the Modern World
                                                              B.W. Blouet (New York: John Wiley & Sons  -  2008)
 
                                                             Web Atlas: Perry-Castañeda Map Collection, Univ. Texas – Austin
                                                             http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe.html

  
V. CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:  A global and contextual approach to the study of the geographic factors affecting the modern development of Europe, since World War II, with emphasis on post-Cold War changes.  The influence of  geography overtime will be reviewed for selected historical, social, cultural, economic, and political phenomena which influenced the evolution of Europe. 

VI. PURPOSE/RATIONALE: European Geography acquaints the student with the spatial aspects of human/environment interaction in Europe, broadly defined, through the application of geographic concepts and cartographic principles.
KNOWLEDGE BASE:  The content of this course is based on an analysis of social, economic, cultural and political events as developed in the text, through the examination of maps, and through individual and group research efforts.  The use of internet research activity will be integral to this course.
 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION:  A contextual approach to the geography of Europe will infuse a multicultural understanding of human and ethnic interactions focusing on the European landscape.

VII. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to:
 1. Assist the student in the use of geographic concepts to analyze how geography has shaped Europe  events in a global.
 2. Stimulate student interest in world affairs through knowledge of human interaction with the European landscape.
 3. Familiarize the student with the role of geography in the shaping of the European cultural landscape.
 4. Facilitate understanding of the interplay of political, economic, social, cultural and historical phenomenon on the geography of
     Europe
 5. Present a specific body of knowledge regarding the human occupance of the European continent.

 Page 2
VIII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS: <> 

1
. Essay and identification questions will be found on the examinations.

2 Failure to take required exams or complete the projects will result in a failing or an incomplete grade being submitted depending upon circumstances.

3. Students will submit an 8-10 page research paper on any topic of their choosing which is related to European Geography and of particular interest to them.  (Group Projects will be considered: 2 persons, 12-14 pages; 3 persons 16-18 pages) The major emphasis will be presenting a cohesive, well-written statement of the status of your chosen topic without turning it into just a review of the literature.  You should be able to communicate your opinions and perceptions of your topic which have been changed or developed as a result of your research. Also offer a critical evaluation of the phenomenon you studied.  Include a bibliography with your paper of at "least"12 sources (18 for two person or 24 for three person projects).  Each project must have one or more maps included.   SEE the “How to Write a Term Paper” supplement on the instructors’ webpage or the WebCT Home Page for this course.

4. Students will present their research findings to the class for analysis and discussion.

5. Late projects will be downgraded 10% per class meeting.

6. Consult with the instructor if you have questions or any problems with your research.

7. Students are expected to be prepared to discuss, interpret and be tested on geographic data with reference to textbook information. Lectures will not specifically follow the layout of the text, but reading the text will serve to provide the student with a basis for class discussion and participation.  Tests will include questions from lectures and readings.  Internet sites will be posted on the bulletin board as supplemental readings.

 

IX. EVALUATION AND GRADING: (See Attendance Policy)
                                           
                                           
                                      Hour Exam #1                                                             =  15%
                                      Hour Exam #2                                                             =  15%
                                      Map Quizzes (three)                                                    =  10%
                                      Internet Research Project                                             =   5%
                                      Attendance                                                                  =   5%
                                      Term Paper (includes 5% for presentation)                   =  30%
                                      Final Exam                                                                  =  20%
                                      TOTAL GRADE                                                          100%

   

X. ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
 Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.  Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards.   Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an "informal" resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment,  or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement.
 


 

XI.       ATTENDANCE POLICY:

            The instructor expects promptness and regular class attendance as a courtesy to himself and the other students.  The sharing of “geographic” experiences and viewing the several visual aids presented is critical to the totality of the educational experience in this class.  Attendance will be taken periodically throughout the semester and is a part of your overall grade for the course.  Only valid medical excuses accepted. 

<
XII.     CLASS DISRUPTIONS:    <>Please TURN OFF all laptop computers, cell phones (this includes text messaging), beepers, video games, blue tooth and blackberry paraphernalia and I-pods, I-phones,  before class starts.  The use of laptop computers has proven to be a disturbance to students (keyboard  noise) and a distraction (surfing the web during class while other students watched).  Continuous violation of this request will result in the student being barred from attending class.

If you have to leave class for any reason take all your belongings with you and do not return as a courtesy to the class and the instructor. Going and coming while class is in session is unacceptable.

XIII.    SPECIAL NEEDS
Please contact the instructor immediately if you have or think you may have a disability or medical condition which may affect your performance, attendance, or grades in this class Accommodations are arranged on an individualized, as-needed basis through the KSU disAbled Student Support Services.


Page 3
                        
 
XIV. COURSE OUTLINE:
 
Dates                               Topics                                                                  Readings
 
08/18         Introduction to the European Union                                              Introduction
08/20         Physical Geography of Europe                                                      Chapter  1
08/25         Human Environmental Impacts                                                           
08/27         Cultural Geography                                                                      Chapter  2
09/01         European Religious Geography                                                          
09/03         Population Geography                                                                  Chapter  3
09/08         Internet Project Due; Urban Geography                                    Chapter  4      
09/10         European Settlement Patterns                                                             
09/15         Hour Exam #1 (Introduction & Chapters 1-4)                             -------------                                           
09/17         Economic Geography                                                                   Chapter  5                                     
09/22         Political Geography;  (Map Quiz #1)                                           Chapter  6
09/24         No classes:  Library Research Day                                               -------------
09/29         Bibliography and Outline Due, Political Landscape                   Chapter  6
10/01         France and the Benelux Countries                                                 Chapter  7                  
10/06         Germany                                                                                      Chapter  8
10/08         Italy                                                                                                                                          
10/13         Hour Exam #2 (Chapters 5-8)                                                     -------------
10/15         UK and Ireland                                                                             Chapter 9
10/20         Overview of Southern Europe; (Map Quiz #2)                             Chapter 10     
10/22         Southern Europe continued…                                                            
10/27         Central and Northern Europe                                                        Chapter 11
10/29         Eastern Europe                                                                             Chapter 12                                         
11/03         Eastern Europe continued…                                                         Chapter 13
11/05         Russia and its Neighbors                                                               Chapter 14     
11/10         The Mediterranean Fringe                                                             Chapter 15                                         
11/12         The Future of Europe;  (Map Quiz #3)                                         Chapter 16                 
11/17         Presentation of Research;                                                             ------------
11/19         Presentation of Research                                                              --------------
11/24         Presentation of Research                                                              -------------
11/26         Fall Break – No Class                                                                -------------
12/01         Term Papers Due;  Presentation of Research                             -------------
12/03         Presentation of Research                                                              -------------
 
12/10         FINAL EXAM  - Thursday at 5:00 PM (two hours)    (Chapters 9-16)
 
Note:   The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus and outline (except for the final exam) as circumstances of the course and weather dictate.

           
                      Page 4
 
XV.      REFERENCES:

Journal of Common Market Studies
Europe
The Economist
Europe Today
London Times
Financial Times
U.S. News and World Report
Time
Newsweek

Anderson, Malcolm. Frontiers : territory and state formation in the modern world.
         Cambridge : Polity Press in association with Blackwell Publishers, 1996.

Atlas of Europe (Hammond Publishers - 1997)

Europe Union WebSite for individual country links
          http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/adressen/eu.html

Gottmann, Jean.  A Geography of Europe. New York, Holt [1950]

Gowland, David & O'Neill, Basil.  The European Mosaic, 2/e  Prentice Hall Publishers, 1999.

The Geographical Journal. v. 1- Jan. 1893-  London, Royal Geographical Society.
           Notes:      FULL TEXT ONLINE. 1994- . Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International. AVAILABLE ONLINE through the GALILEO database Periodical abstracts.

Jordan, Terry G. The European Culture Area  (Third Edition).  New York: Harper Collins 
           Publishers, 1996.

McDonald, James R.  The European Scene: A Geographic Perspective, 2/e, Prentice Hall
           Publishers, 1997