GEO 113W - World Regional Geography

Credits: 4
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

1. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles of the regional geographic approach to analyzing the physical and human charcteristics that define diverse wrold regions. 

A. Explain the meanings of the terms REALM and REGION, and distinguish their differences.

B. Define and apply the concepts of SPATIAL INTERACTION and AREAL DIFFERENTIATION.

C. Analyze and synthesize information from diverse sources and formats to answer geographic questions through evaluation, comparison, and categorization.

D. Interpret and apply statistical measures - including GDP, infant mortality rate, and population doubling time—to assess geographic and socio-economic trends.

E. Explore the potential impact of real or hypothetical events on cultural features within and between geographic regions.

F. Evaluate cause-and-effect relationships within and between different geographic places and predict possible outcomes.

2. Develop an appreciation and understanding of global spatial patterns and their evolution through the interaction of human and physical factors over time.

A. Identify and locate the world's twelve geographic realms on a map.

B. Name at least two important characteristics that define each of the world’s twelve realms.

C. Draw and label the demographic transition model.

D. Identify the main conditions, causes, and effects shown in the demographic transition model.

E. Draw, label, and explain the core-periphery world system model.

F. Identify key conditions, causes, and effects in the core-periphery model, and examine processes that could influence its future relevance.

G. Name key characteristics of the groups and subgroups of countries in the core-periphery model, and generalize about the development and potential changes of these characteristics.

3. Enhance understanding of the geographic approach and foster global awareness through the examination of relevant aspects of selected world realms.

A. Identify and locate the political units that make up each selected realm.

B. Identify selected major physical features of each selected realm on a map.

C. List at least four significant cultural characteristics of each selected realm.

D. List at least four significant economic characteristics of each selected realm.

E. List at least four significant demographic characteristics of each selected realm.

F. List at least four significant environmental conditions of each selected realm.

G. Identify at least two current or emerging challenges that may impact each selected realm, either internally or externally.

H. Identify at least two current or potential advantages associated with each selected realm.

I. Analyze past, present, and potential interrelationships among items 1–8 within the context of the realm, applying regionally appropriate concepts such as centripetal and centrifugal forces.

J. Examine interrelationships among items 1–9 from a global, between-realms perspective using appropriate concepts such as functional specialization, intervening opportunity, supranationalism, and culture hearths.

4.  Improve student skills in communicating findings, evaluations and conclusions.

A. Compose clear, evidence-based analyses of spatial patterns and regional processes.
B. Communicate geographic information effectively to diverse audiences, situating it within relevant regional or spatial contexts.
C. Interpret and present geographic data accurately through written and visual formats.