GEOGRAPHY OF ASIAGEOG 3820:01 Fall, 2010
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Instructor: Dr. Satish K. Davgun
241 HS (If you do not find me in my office, look for me in the GISCenter [HS 246])
Tel. 755-3350 email: sdavgun@bemidjistate.edu
Office Hours: M W F 11:00 - 1:00; and T Th 11:30 - 2:00.
NO CELL-PHONES, TEXTING, AND HEADPHONES DURING THE CLASS TIME.
-Weightman, Dragons and Tigers, Geography of Asia, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2006 {This book focuses on Monsoon Asia only} A few copies of reading-material about SW Asia will be on RESERVE in the Map Lib.
-Other reading materials will be provided in the class.
Geographic analysis of cultural, economical and environmental patterns of Asia with comparison to other major world regions. Emphasis is on the contemporary situation. This semester our focus will be on Monsoon Asia. During our discussions we will compare and contrast this part of Asia with SW Asia and other regions of the world.
The main objective of this course is to make ourselves familiar with the environmental, socio-cultural, and political diversities within Asia. A seminar format will be followed. We will use various media aids to examine different cultural and economical aspects of the region. Students will be able to: 1. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of nations and societies in Asia in their historical and contemporary dimensions. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious, and linguistic differences within Asia. 3. Analyze specific international problems in Asia, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.4. Understand their role as world citizens and the responsibility they share to appreciate the cultural diversity in Asia. And use their values to understand the issues and problems facing people in Asia.
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Mid-term Test (Oct. 15) |
30% |
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Final Test (Dec. 9 at 3:30) |
30% |
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Map Quizzes {Dates will be announced} |
10% |
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Term Paper (only ecopy) (Due on Dec. 6 by 1:00 PM sharp) submit in D2L |
20% |
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Video report, news discussions, and D2L assignments |
10% |
The exams will have essay questions only. Each exam. will be based on the required text and other assigned readings, and classroom discussions.
If you miss the class 3+ times, the final letter grade will be lowered.
The 'term paper' can be on any topic of your interest in the region. It can focus on the whole region, any country within the region, or any subregion within Asia. The paper should be well researched, and complete. Other details and requirement will be discussed in the class. Late assignments and paper will not be graded.
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Date |
Topic(s) |
Reading Assignment |
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Aug. 23, 25 |
Introduction; Importance, Place-Names |
Chapter 1 , and D2L |
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Aug. 27, 30 Sept. 1, |
Wealth of Natural Resources: Landforms, Climate, Role of Monsoons and desert-environment on the Way of Life |
Chapter 2 , and D2L |
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Sept. 3, 8, 10 |
Human and Cultural Landscape: Agrarian Landscape, Human Population, Development |
Chapters 3, 4 , and D2L |
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Sept. 13, 15, 17 |
South Asia: Major Historical events' Impacts on Cultural Diversity; Why Nuclear weapons? |
Chapter 5 |
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Sept. 20, 22, 24 |
South Asia: India Can it emerge as a major economic Power? Pakistan Patterns of Cultural Diversity: |
Chapters 6, 7 |
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Sept. 27, 29, and Oct. 1 |
South Asia: Bangladesh and other countries |
Chapter 8 |
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Oct. 4, and 6 |
East Asia: Economic Development, and Cultural Patterns |
Chapter 9 |
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Oct. 11, and 13 |
East Asia: China Emerging Power |
Chapter 10 |
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Oct. 15 |
MID-TERM |
Chapters 1-10, and D2L |
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Oct. 18, 20, and 22 |
East Asia: Japan and Little Japans Economic Miracle |
Chapters 11, 12 |
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Oct. 25, 27, and 29
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South-East Asia: Introduction; Cultural Mosaic |
Chapter 13 |
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Nov. 1, 3, and 5 |
South-East Asia: Mainland |
Chapter 14 |
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Nov. 8, 10, and 12 |
South-East Asia: Island/Insular |
Chapter 15 |
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Nov. 15, 17, and 19 |
Southwest Asia: Theater of Conflicts |
D2L |
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Nov. 22, and 29 |
Southwest Asia: Islamic World |
D2L
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Dec 1, and 3 |
Southwest Asia: Future prospects |
D2L |
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Dec. 6 |
Paper Presentations |
paper submission; and presentation |
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Dec. 9, Thursday (3:30 - 5:30) |
FINAL EXAM. (8:00 - 10:30) |
Chapters 11-15 , and the reading materials at D2L |
You are encouraged to discuss with the instructor, any problem you face in this course.
Last modified Aug. 02, 2010.
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