INSTRUCTOR:          Cece Hudelson Putnam
OFFICE:                     Pirates Village 103 C
PHONE:                     (209) 575-6104
E-MAIL:                      hudelsonputnamc@mjc.edu
WEBSITE:                   http://virtual.yosemite.cc.ca.us/chudelson
OFFICE HOURS:      Monday/Wednesday 11:00 am – 12:45 pm,
                                   Tuesday/Thursday 12:45- 2:00 pm , or by appointment.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Geography is the study of the spatial relationships. Economic Geography examines the environmental factors (such as transport, market demand or business regulation) which determine the location of economic activities.  This course will provide the student with the ability to describe and demonstrate major areas of economic development, examine linkages between such locations, predict future regions of economic growth and evaluate how changes in the global economy may affect cultures, political systems, and social relationships.

 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:

I am passionate about my job and my discipline.  I believe that ALL students can become outstanding college students if they apply themselves.  I value what YOU think, and will provide you with strategies that you can utilize throughout your education.  I try to maintain high academic standards that you will find at the university level so that you will be successful when you transfer.  MJC is an institution which can create opportunities beyond your dreams!  Ask me or read

my biography on my website! 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

 

* Stutz/Warf, The World Economy, 5th edition, 2007.
 

* Stanley, The Millionaire Mind, 2001.


CLASS POLICIES:

*  It is the student's responsibility to drop this course. Last day to drop: 4 April 2011

* The Instructor will drop any students who have not completed class work by 1^st essay  exam.

*  All reading assignments should be completed prior to class.  This will help you  identify my 
   focus.

*  Make-up exams must be discussed with instructor prior to the scheduled date of exam. No
   assignments may be turned in late.

*  Attendance will be taken daily.  Students will be allowed to miss 4 classes (two weeks)
   without penalty.  The following absences will result in points deducted from the student’s total  
   course points;

                     5-6 absences---lose 20 points
                   7-8 absences—lose 40 points


Appropriate academic behavior is expected in class. Including;
* Come to class ready to learn; energetic and interested!!
* No cell phones in class (change to silent mode and put away)
* Do not come to class more than 10 minutes late (instead talk to the instructor after class)
* Let instructor know if you need to leave early (give time and reason)
* Do not sit by friends and talk during lecture
* Be courteous to others!

GRADING POLICY:
Students must complete a total of three exams, and three assignments. As noted below, the final is 40% of the course grade. Students who improve on the final exam will receive the improved grade for the course (given good attendance). For example, if a student earns B grades on the first two exams and the paper, yet obtains an A on the final, he/she will receive an A for the course!  ALL EXAMS and ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED to enjoy this opportunity.  If a student performs poorly on the final, the course grade will be based on the total points earned in the course.  Excessive student absences will be deducted from a student’s total course points.

             1st exam  = 100 pts          A = 100-90 %           Your score: 1st exam  _____________
            2nd exam  = 100 pts          B =   89-80 %                                         2^nd exam  ____________
       Assignments  = 100 pts          C =   79-70 %                                    Assignments ____________
  Corporate Paper = 100 pts          D =   69-60%                     Corporate Paper ____________
               FINAL    = 200 pts         F =    59% and below                                    Final _____________
                TOTAL = 500 pts                                                             Total  ______________


*Plagiarism,
1. Incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts of another person's  
    writings, without giving  appropriate credit, and representing the product as your own    
    work (you must quote and cite all words not your own).
2. Copying another student’s work (cheating), or working together on assignments without instructor’s
    permission.
3. Submitting a paper purchased from a research or term paper service.

is not permitted! On the 1st offense, the student will receive an F on the exam. If a student plagiarizes a second time or on the final exam, he/she will receive an F in the course (due to the weight given to the final).  Further action may be taken by the instructor, if warranted.
                                                              

EXAMS:
All exams will use an essay format. Exam questions will be given in advance of the exam. Students will be allowed to use self-generated outlines of test questions during the in-class exams. No texts will be allowed. Outlines may not be pre-written essays, only 2-3 word phrases focusing your ideas.  All essays must refer to two class articles or videos, or be docked 10 points for each source not addressed.

A. Geographical Significance (20 pts): This section must be two paragraphs, one describing the process the item identifies, and another to explain how it is important to geographical study, and list other examples of the same process.

B. Mapping (10 pts): I will list two groups of maps. You will select one map group, and describe the patterns that you see. You should select specific locations from the map, picking areas which show the highest and lowest regions of which the map illustrates. Then describe the process the map discusses. This section should be no more than two paragraphs in length.

C. Essay (70 pts): This section is the bulk of your exam, and should be at least three to four pages in length, hand-written. If you do not have this length, then re-read the question. Typically people need to define geographical concepts and explain processes more thoroughly and use maps and examples (as well as web sites) to demonstrate the validity of their ideas. Make sure you put down your ideas. I want to know what YOU think about the material, so please do not use materials which are not your own. If you do use quotations, make sure you explain what the quote means to you. Most people use quotes to substitute for areas of information they do not understand. This is not good practice.  Please see syllabus regarding plagiarism.

If you are having difficulty reaching length requirements -- try to answer the 
following questions:
* did you define all key concepts and processes as you understand them?
* did you include specific examples from readings, class, videos and explain how they relate 
   to geographical concepts and processes?
* did you include description of maps which illustrate where these processes occur or why 
   they are there?
* did you include your evaluation of these materials as they address geographical concepts?  
   do you agree with authors?  yes/no/why or why not?

 

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: 100 pts (30, 30, 40 pts respectively) 
Students will complete three class assignments.  Each assignment should fully address the topic you select.  Be sure to include reference to appropriate reading material (Stutz and Warf and Stanley) to clarify concepts, theories and support your ideas. If unclear about the assignment, just ask me.  And, feel free to bring me a rough draft that I will go over with you!


CORPORATE PAPER: 100 pts
Each student will select one corporation to examine from a geographical perspective.  The corporate paper must be 4-5 pages in length (single-spaced, and typed) addressing the cause for the corporation’s global location and product life cycle.  Students will present their findings to the class.  

TOPIC
Select a corporation of your choice. Identify the product created by this corporation which you are analyzing. Describe and demonstrate the dominant locational factors affecting your corporation.  Describe Weber’s Industrial Location Theory as it applies to your corporation. What business strategies has this company utilized to obtain greater success (horizontal integration, vertical integration, conglomeration, rationalization)?  Assess which stage of the product life cycle your firm is facing, and propose strategies to prolong the life of your corporation.

ADVICE:
Select a corporation of your choice.  Good examples are Hershey's Chocolate, Weyerhaeuser, Ford, Standard Oil, Budweiser.  Go online to examine what information is located on the corporate website. Usually the company is proud of its heritage and writes an elaborate paper regarding the founder, the company's primary location, market area, and business policies.  Use your imagination, one of the students in the past did an outstanding job on Ski-boards, knowing the top corporations in this area of his interest, he found amazing resources.  See me if you need help!!

GEOGRAPHY CRITIQUE:
The following items are the criteria I use to grade your exams.  If you have any questions, please ask! Each essay should include material from course readings, class discussion, and your original ideas. 

1. Did I answer the question, all of the question, and all that was implied by the question?
2. Did I present a solid thesis, logical progression of ideas and an appropriate conclusion?
3. Did I allocate my time and presentation appropriately, developing all parts of my exam in 
    balance?
4. Did I include the best examples and illustrations to demonstrate the validity of my ideas?
5. Did I use the most effective presentation techniques, especially graphic and cartographic 
    ones?
6. Did I include specific examples from all of the appropriate reading materials?
7. Did I include the most significant and appropriate ideas/concepts from the class session?
8. Did I include my own, original ideas?
9. Are there any factual inaccuracies in my presentation?
10. Could or should my essay be used to teach others?