Cultural Geography of Latin America

Spring 2003

ANTH 4950-01 (CRN 22983)

GEOG 4950-04 (CRN 22981)

Dr. Jeffrey P. Blick

MWF Class Meeting Time & Place: MWF 11-11:50 AM, A&S 2-72

Office & Office Hours: A&S 2-14; MWF 8-9 & 10-11 AM or by appt.

E-mail: jblick@mail.gcsu.edu , jblick@bellsouth.net

Website: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~jblick/

Required Textbook:

Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic and Regional Survey (4th ed.) by Brain W. Blouet and Olwyn M. Blouet (Wiley, 2002) (paperback, 504 pp.). ISBN 0-471-39016-X.

Other Required Readings:

Handout 1: Chapter 4, Middle America, from Geography: Realms, Regions and Concepts 2000 by H.J. de Blij and P.O. Muller (Wiley, 2000), pp. 200-237.

Handout 2: Chapter 5, South America, from Geography: Realms, Regions and Concepts 2000 by H.J. de Blij and P.O. Muller (Wiley, 2000), pp. 238-279.

Course Description:

This course will introduce students to geography, cultural geography, and anthropogeography as they relate specifically to issues and concerns in Latin America and the Caribbean. Topics to be considered include systematic and regional geography, general map skills, the environment, historical geography, globalization, population issues, urbanization, the economy and poverty, etc. Regions of Latin America to be covered include Middle America and the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Andes, Brazil, the Amazon, and the Southern Cone. Students will present the results of original research (Student Projects) to the class in oral/AV presentations and will lead the class on two occasions per student in lecture or seminar fashion. This technique will foster interactive and collaborative learning, will help students overcome fear of public speaking, and will put students in the role of becoming “mini-experts” in areas of their personal interest as it relates to anthropogeographical subject matter within Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objectives:

A. To acquire a basic understanding of geography, cultural geography, and anthropogeography as they relate to issues within Latin America and the Caribbean.

B. To understand the difference between systematic and regional geography.

C. To acquire a working knowledge of the geography of Latin America through map assignments.

D. To come to understand and appreciate some of the major issues within the systematic geography of Latin America.

E. To come to know the major geographical regions of Latin America and the issues that affect those regions.

F. To present the results of original student research through Student Projects in oral, written, and/or graphical form and to become knowledgeable in areas of personal interest within Latin America and the Caribbean.

Course Requirements and Grading Procedure:

Your grade in this course is determined in the following manner:

10% of your grade is based on attendance (taken every day)

5% of your grade is based on the Middle America map assignment

5% of your grade is based on the South America map assignment

40% of your grade is based on Student Project #1

40% of your grade is based on Student Project #2

100% TOTAL POSSIBLE PERCENTAGE POINTS.

This class has no quizzes, midterm, or final exam. Therefore it is necessary for each student to complete each assignment to the best of his or her ability. Notice that Student Projects compose a significant portion of a student’s grade. Student Projects are described on the last page of this syllabus. This class uses the 10 Point Grading Scale (90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F). Absences will affect your performance in this class as 10% of your grade is based on attendance. Missed assignments due to unexcused absences cannot be made up. Excuses must be signed by a doctor or other official giving a valid explanation for the absence. There will be no make up opportunities in this class except for excused absences nor is there extra credit.

Class Schedule:

Students are expected to have read the assigned material BEFORE coming to class so that they are well informed and up to date on the subject matter to be covered in that day's and week’s lectures.

F Jan 3: No class. Dr. Blick out of town. Who starts a semester on a Friday, anyway???

M Jan 6: Introduction to Geography, Cultural Geography, & Anthropogeography.

W Jan 8: More Introduction to Geography, Cultural Geography, & Anthropogeography.

F Jan 10: Systematic and Regional Geography.

M Jan 13: Read Latin America & The Caribbean (LAC), Ch 1. Read Handout 1, Middle America by de Blij and Muller.

W Jan 15: Middle America and the Caribbean.

F Jan 17: Middle America and the Caribbean. Middle America map assignment.

M Jan 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday. No class.

W Jan 22: Read Handout 2, South America by de Blij and Muller.

F Jan 24: South America. South America map assignment.

M Jan 27: Read LAC, Ch. 2. The Environment.

W Jan 29: The Physical Environment of Latin America.

F Jan 31: The Physical Environment of Latin America. Student Project Day 1.

M Feb 3: Read LAC, Ch. 3. Historical Geography of Latin America.

W Feb 5: Historical Geography of Latin America & Sequent Occupance.

F Feb 7: Historical Geography of Latin America & Sequent Occupance. Student Project Day 2.

M Feb 10: Read LAC, Ch. 4. Latin America & Globalization.

W Feb 12: Latin America & Globalization.

F Feb 14: Latin America & Globalization. Student Project Day 3.

M Feb 17: Read LAC, Ch. 5. Population: Growth, Distribution & Migration.

W Feb 19: Population: Growth, Distribution & Migration.

F Feb 21: Population: Growth, Distribution & Migration. Student Project Day 4.

M Feb 24: Read LAC, Ch. 6. The Latin American City.

W Feb 26: The Latin American City. Squatter Settlements.

F Feb 28: The Latin American City. Student Project Day 5.

M-F Mar 3-7: Spring Break. No class.

M Mar 10: Read LAC, Ch. 7. The Economy: Growth, Diversification & Globalization.

W Mar 12: The Economy: Growth, Diversification & Globalization.

F Mar 14: The Economy: Growth, Diversification & Globalization. Student Project Day 6.

M Mar 17: Read LAC, Ch. 8. Mexico.

W Mar 19: Mexico.

F Mar 21: Mexico. Student Project Day 7.

M Mar 24: Read LAC, Ch. 9. Central America.

W Mar 26: Central America.

F Mar 28: Central America. Student Project Day 8.

M Mar 31: Read LAC, Ch. 10. The Caribbean.

W Apr 2: The Caribbean.

F Apr 4: The Caribbean. Student Project Day 9.

M Apr 7: Read LAC, Ch. 11. Andean America.

W Apr 9: The Andes.

F Apr 11: The Andes. Student Project Day 10.

M Apr 14: Read LAC, Ch. 12 & 13. Brazil & Brazilian Amazonia.

W Apr 16: Brazil & Brazilian Amazonia.

F Apr 18: Brazil & Brazilian Amazonia. Student Project  Day 11.

M Apr 21: Read LAC, Ch. 14. The Southern Cone.

W Apr 23: The Southern Cone.

F Apr 25: The Southern Cone. Student Project Day 12.

Final Exam Date: M April 28, 11:00 AM-1:45 PM (for Student Projects if needed).

Disclaimer:

This schedule is an outline of planned course readings and activities that may be modified to allow for addition or deletion of certain classroom materials, discussions, guest speakers, etc. Movies or videos will be scheduled based on availability and relevance. I will try to stick to the schedule as closely as possible, but the student must realize that there must be some flexibility to the schedule. Don’t freak out if we get a little behind or ahead of schedule!!!

Cellular Phones, Beepers, Pagers, and Other Disruptions in Class:

Disruption of class due to cellular phones, beepers, pagers, etc. will NOT be tolerated. Students are required to turn OFF all cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. prior to the beginning of class. Students disrupting the class with such devices will be asked to leave the classroom and will not be readmitted for the remainder of the class. It is also requested that students NOT carry on private conversations during lectures or during videos, as it is extremely rude and distracting to your classmates and to your professor.

Honor Code:

Students attending GC&SU and attending this class are expected to adhere to the GC&SU Honor Code. All incoming freshmen should receive information about the Honor Code during orientation. All students should familiarize themselves with the GC&SU Honor Code (this includes plagiarism, cheating, and other acts as described in the code). The Honor Code is located in the 2002-2004 Undergraduate Catalog on pp. 61-63 and online at: http://www.gcsu.edu/student_affairs/Student_Handbook/honor/honor.html

Attendance and Tardiness Policy:

Tardiness will not be accepted, as it is very disruptive to your professor and to the class. It is therefore necessary that you show up on time for class every day. You will be required to sign a class roster to indicate your attendance for the day, thus it is crucial for you to arrive on time in order to sign the roster and receive your attendance credit. 10% of your grade is based on attendance. Failure to show up on time forfeits your attendance credit for the day. Students missing 25% or more of all class meetings (that’s more than 10 days for a MWF class) will automatically receive a failing grade (F) in the course. If you’re not in class, you’re likely not learning the subject matter! By the way, this does not mean you can just blow off those days – every absence will require a legitimate excuse or you lose the attendance credit for the day(s) missed.

Requests for Modifications:

Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a documented disability should make an appointment to meet with the professor as soon as possible. An official letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be expected in order to receive accommodations.

In Case of Fire:

In the event of a fire alarm signal, students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire and/or smoke. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the building. In case of fire, do not use elevators. Do not reenter the building under any circumstances. Assemble for a head count in front of the building away from fire apparatus and report your presence to your instructor.

Drop Date:

The last day to withdraw from this class without academic penalty is F Feb 28, 2003.

Student Projects:

Student Projects shall consist of two (2) oral/AV (i.e., PowerPoint) presentations over the course of the semester on topics of choice so long as the topic corresponds to some degree to the subject matter of that week’s lecture (either systematic or regional topics – Note: it is preferred that the student present one systematic topic and one regional topic). Students MUST schedule their presentation with the professor at least one week before the date of the presentation. Student Project presentations begin on Friday, January 31 and continue throughout the semester on each Friday unless the number of students in the class is small enough to allow us to skip a week or weeks. The great amount of freedom within this assignment should allow the student free rein of choice of subject matter and creative expression in its presentation (for example, a student choosing the Andes might wish to dress in traditional costume, demonstrate the manufacture of maté tea, and make some for the class to drink). Students presenting a project are expected to lead the class in either lecture or seminar fashion (or some other agreed upon format) and present the results of his/her original research findings. PowerPoint or other presentations must run about 50 minutes (that would be the equivalent of about 10 information- and graphic-packed PowerPoint slides). (Note: Large class size may reduce the length of the presentation, but count on 50 minutes unless otherwise notified.) Students must provide the presentation on a diskette to the professor in a software format compatible with university systems (i.e., PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, etc.). Student Projects must be adequately documented with in-text citations and a bibliography or references cited section at the end of the presentation or paper in a standard bibliographic format (APA, MLA, etc.). All text presented by students will be analyzed with plagiarism detection software. All work presented MUST be the original work of the student and MUST conform to the GC&SU Honor Code (see above). Any work found NOT to be the original work of the student and/or to have been plagiarized, copied, etc. will result in a failing grade (F) for the course and the case shall be brought before the GC&SU honors board. The professor can address any other concerns the student may have about the presentation in person. Competence, confidence, and preparedness are expected in the presentation.