Instructor: David J. Keeling Office EST 431, Phone x 5986
Office Hours: TR(F) 0800-0900, 1300-1400, TR 1530-1700, or by appointment. EMAIL: david.keeling@wku.edu
** In this course, we conduct a systematic topical and regional survey of the European cultural region. Combining textbook readings, journal articles, videos, slides, and discussions, students gain an appreciation of regional cultural diversity, an understanding of the dynamics of European regional integration, and the role of Europe in the emerging global economy.
** Required textbook available at the College Bookstores: Berentsen (ed.) Contemporary Europe: A Geographic Analysis (1997), 7th edn. John Wiley & Sons.
** Student Assessment: 2 midterm reviews (20% each), A Research Paper and Presentation (25%), A Final Review (25%), Attendance, Quizzes, and Participation (10%).
** Graduate students, in addition to the above requirements, are required to do EITHER a book review OR a detailed analysis of an assigned research article.
** This course satisfies part of the International Studies track in Geography and also counts as a Geography elective.
** Students are strongly encouraged to use the research material generated in this course as part of their Senior Assessment Portfolio. Part of the University's Academic Improve-ment strategy requires that Seniors be assessed before graduation on the general principles gained from their major program of study. The Department REQUIRES that you develop a portfolio containing your research papers, skill course outputs, and other material relevant to your program of study. See your advisor for more information about Senior Assessment.
** All students must have an email account on campus and must be prepared to access and "surf" the Information Superhighway.
** NOTE: The Department of Geography & Geology strictly adheres to the course drop policy found in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. It is the sole responsibility of individual students to meet the cited deadlines for dropping a course. In exceptional cases the deadline for schedule changes (dropping a course) may be waived. The successful waiver will require a ritten description of extenuating circumstances and relevant documentation. Poor academic performance, general malaise, or undocumented general stress factors are NOT considered legitimate extenuating circumstances. Since the granting of such waivers is rare, we urge you to follow the established guidelines.
** This course requires a commitment of 5 hours class time plus 10 hours of outside reading and research every two weeks.
** Please make every effort to come to class on time. The class ends at 11:30 am, so do not begin packing up materials until the appropriate time as it disturbs other students. Those students who attend regularly generally get more from the course than students who miss class. Unexcused absences will affect the final grade negatively. For example, if you miss more than ten percent of the scheduled lectures unexcused, then you are penalized one full letter grade. More than eight unexcused absences will warrant an "F" for the course. Only official University activities count as excused absences. Attendance on scheduled Fridays is MANDATORY. All papers, assignments, and other materials must be completed ON TIME in order to pass the course.
Course Outline and Reading Assignments -- GEOG 464 (G) Europe
Week 2 (TRF) - The Physical Framework. Climate Patterns and Physiography. Human Alteration of the Environment READ: Chapter Two.
Week 3 (TR) - Population Patterns that Shape Modern Europe. READ: Chapter Three.
Week 4 (TRF) - Geopolitical Patterns. READ: Chapter Four.
Week 5 (TR) - Economic Patterns. READ: Chapter Five.
Week 6 (TRF) - Urban Geography of Europe. READ: Chapter 6.
Week 8 (TRF) - Western Europe. READ: Chapter 8.
Week 9 (TR) - Northern Europe. READ: Chapter 9.
Week 10 *** SPRING BREAK 3/15/99 - 3/19/99 ***
Week 11 (TRF) - Southwestern Europe. READ: Chapter 10.
Week 12 (TR) - West Central Europe. READ: Chapter 11.
Week 13 (TRF) - Eastern Europe. READ: Chapter 12.
Week 14 (TR) - Russia and the NIS. READ: Chapter 13.
Week 15 (TRF) - Russia and the NIS. READ: Chapter 13.
Week 16 (TR) - Future Europe. READ: Chapter 14.
Week 17: FINAL REVIEW: Monday May 3, 1999 : 0800 - 1000 am.