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GEO 101 World Human Geography
Spring 2008
Online Discussion Manual

Geography
Matters!
Table of Contents
Why Geography?
"When you point out that, yes, things happen over time, and so have a history, but that they also happen in space at particular places, so they must also have a geography, people either do a "Huh?," or sit back and say, "Hm, yes, I never thought about it like that before." -Peter Gould

On Doing Geography
"All a geographer needs to do research is a fast car, a clean windshield, and a cavalier attitude."
--Professor Gary Gaile

Geography is More than Facts
"There are no facts as such. We must always begin by introducing a meaning in order for there to be a fact"
-- Friederich Nietzsche


Doing Good in the World
"The noblest question in the world is What Good may I do in it?"
-- Benjamin Franklin

Some of our readings are in Adobe PDF Format. If you do not have the reader you can get it free from Adobe.

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Discussion Guides
(with discussion questions and links to readings)

Discussion 1: The Geography of Breakfast

Discussion 2: The Geography of McGlobalization

Discussion 3: The Political Geography of Population

Discussion 4: The Geography of Environmental Justice

Discussion 5: The Geography of Midterm Exams
Discussion 6: The Geography of Culture and Landscape

Discussion 7: The Geography of Segregation

Discussion 8: The Geography of Gender

Discussion 9: The Geography of Development

Discussion 10: The Geography of Commercial Agriculture

Discussion 11: The Geography of Voting

Discussion 12: The Geography of Post 9/11 Politics

Discussion 13: The Geography of Urbanization

Discussion 14: The Geography of Vocation

 

Guides and Resources for Success in GEO 101

Glossary

Writing an “A” Essay

Grading Guide for Short Essays
Guide to Citing Sources for Geography 101

General Advice for Studying for Exams

Sample Exam Questions

 

Note on Printing Question Sheets
Two ways of printing out discussion questions are possible. First Each discussion page includes the questions at the end (see example). Some browsers (Internet Explorer) will automatically print the questions on a separate page. If your browser does not do this, a link to discussion questions formatted for printing can be found in the upper right hand corner of each discussion page (see example). You may cut and paste the questions into a word processor and type your answers if you wish. This also allows you to save a copy for future reference and review.

 

Credits and Acknowledgments

Edited by Michael Longan 
Department of Geography and Meteorology
Valparaiso University

Contributors to the material within include:  Bruce D’Arcus, Jennifer Foster, Scott Kirsch, Michael Longan, Don Mitchell, Caroline Nagel, Gabe Preston, Lynn Staeheli, Kerstin Switala, Paul Talbot, Dana Triplett

Thanks to Jon Kilpinen, Ron Janke, Craig Clark, Becky Byrum, Bharath Ganesh Babu, and Rusta Ault at Valparaiso University who have provided encouragement and advice useful in getting this manual produced. Though most of it has changed significantly over the years this discussion manual was originally developed at the University of Colorado at Boulder.  The material that remains is used here with permission. The input of those TAs who taught from 1994 to 2000 has been invaluable.  In no particular order, thanks to: “Jacques,” Belinda, Gabe, Donna, Kerstin, Anna, Sarah, Mark, Waleed, Gabrielle, Brian, Christina, Gary, Alice, Hannah, Daanish, Lisa, Kristina, Barbara, Mike, Luiza, Bruce, Jennifer, Scott, Pam, Tammi, Mark, and David.  Thank you also to faculty members Lynn Staeheli, Don Mitchell, Jim Huff, Simon Batterbury, and Rachel Silvey who have all taught this course and who have provided invaluable advice and guidance. Thank you also to the geography faculty at Gustavus, Adolphus College including Bob Douglas, Mark Bjelland, and Colleen Keen who have provided inspiration and advice. 

 

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