GEOG 1303:
This course is an introduction to the world’s major regions seen through their defining physical, social, cultural, political, and economic features. These regions are examined in terms of their physical and human characteristics and their interactions. The course emphasizes relations among regions on issues such as trade, economic development, conflict, and the role of regions in the globalization process.
Prerequisites
TSI Reading complete
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
Use of generated AI Permitted under some classroom circumstances with permission.
There are situations throughout the course where you may be asked to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to explore how they can be used. Outside of those circumstances, you should not use AI tools to generate content that will end up in any student work (assignments, activities, discussion responses, etc.). In such cases for Option #2, no more than 25% of the student work should be generated by AI. Use of any AI-generated content in this course without the instructor’s consent qualifies as academic dishonesty and violates Panola College’s standards of academic integrity.
To provide students with the appropriate course content that applies to teacher preparation, an associate degree, or that transfers to a senior institution that offers baccalaureate degrees. This course follows the guidelines of the National Geography standards.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the modifications humans make to the environment through interactions with Earth’s physical systems.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of scientific investigation as they apply to Earth’s physical systems and processes.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among the Earth’s physical systems.
- Describe and explain the processes of Earth’s physical systems: weather and climate, water, ecosystems, geologic processes and landform development.
This course will examine:
- An overview of the physical processes of the Earth, such as physical features and climate patterns
- Map information
- Population distribution and trends
- Language and religion patterns
- Economies of the world and effects of globalization
- World regions and specific countries within them, applying this information.
For online classes, instruction will consist of the student completing the readings and assignments for each chapter.
Throughout the semester, you will complete a series of assignments designed as formative assessment check-ins to support your learning and mastery of course content. These assignments allow both you and the instructor to assess your understanding of key physical geography concepts as they develop across the term.
The format, length, and submission method of each assignment will be determined by the instructor to best align with course materials, learning objectives, and instructional goals. Assignments may vary in structure and may include discussion-based activities, short written responses, applied exercises, data interpretation, map or visual analysis, or other activities appropriate for the topic being studied.
You should expect regular assignments intended to review course material, reinforce key concepts, and prepare you for successful performance on exams and major assessments. These activities are designed to promote learning mastery by helping you:
- Demonstrate an understanding of how humans modify and interact with Earth’s physical systems
- Apply principles of scientific investigation to Earth’s physical processes
- Explain interactions among Earth’s physical systems
- Describe and analyze weather and climate, water systems, ecosystems, geologic processes, and landform development
Assignments emphasize the application of concepts to real-world environmental systems and contemporary geographic issues.
Grades for assignments will be based on:
- Accuracy in understanding and applying physical geography concepts
- Quality and clarity of responses
- Depth of explanation, analysis, and reflection (as appropriate to the assignment)
These assignments are intended to support your overall learning, provide meaningful feedback throughout the course, and help you progress toward successful completion of the GEOG 1303 learning outcomes.
Tests: There are usually between 2 – 4 tests during the semester covering content from the chapters. Online testing will require students to be proctored. Students may not use course materials, notes, online resources, cell phones or any other additional/outside resources during the tests.
Final Exam: A comprehensive exam will be given at the end of the semester. During this exam, Students may not use course materials, notes, online resources, cell phones or any other additional/outside resources.
Testing Conditions:
Testing will be proctored online.
**Please know that the following behaviors/conditions must be met during a test. Any deviation from these or any indication of academic dishonesty by the student could result in a zero for that test.
- Students must present a valid ID before testing in order to verify student identification.
- FULL face must be seen in the camera screen during the entire test.
- Student must be at a desk/table with the desk/table in view to ensure the surface is clear of information.
- NO use of notes, quiz banks, phones, webpages or access to outside information is permitted during the exams.
- Eye contact must be kept on screen during test. If it is noted that the student is looking down, or outside of the camera’s view for a significant amount of time, this will result in a zero for the test.
Grade percentage breakdown for the course will be as follows:
- Assignments: 30%
- Exams: 30%
- Projects: 30%
- Final Exam: 10%
Textbook materials and course supplies are Open Education Resources (OER), which means it is free. An electronic version is provided with the class and is embedded in your Canvas shell.
Texts, Materials, and Supplies: Harm J. de Blij, Jan Nijman, and Peter Muller. Geography: Reams, Regions, and Concepts, 16 th Edition, (Wiley) 2014. ISBN: 9781118673959
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- The Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office at Panola College provides and facilitates support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. The A&DS office works under the federal guidelines included in Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/disabilitysupport for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)