GEOG 2041B – Geography of China Winter 2024R

Java Python GEOG 2041B - Geography of China

Course Outline: Section 650 Winter 2024

2.  Calendar Description

This course adopts a geographic approach to understanding contemporary China. It examines how transformations of China's land, people, economy, and society are recasting internal regional divisions andrepositioning China in a rapidly changing world.

2 lecture hours.

Course Weight: 0.5

Antirequisite(s): None

Prerequisite(s): None

Prerequisite checking is the student’s responsibility

Senate Regulations state, “unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you will be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.”

3.  Textbook

All resources will be posted on OWL

 Required textbook:

Veeck,Gregory. et al. 2021. (4th   ed.) China’s Geography: Globalization and the Dynamics of Political, Economic, and Social Change. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

ISBN 9781538140802

Available for purchase at the Book Store at Western:

https://bookstore.uwo.ca/textbook-

search?campus=UWO&term=W2023B&courses%5B0%5D=001_UW/GEO2041B

An e-text version is available, but not through the Book Store’s online platform. If they prefer to purchase ane-text version, students can goto the link:

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538140796/China's-Geography-Globalization-and-the- Dynamics-of-Political-Economic-and-Social-Change-Fourth-Edition

Please be advised that the Book Store does not provide any supports for external sites.

4.  Course Objectives and Format

This course provides students with a comprehensive view on a rapidly changing China, its geographic conditions and realities. Lectures will present essential information for a virtual tour of the regions and peoples of the “many Chinas” in the reformera. We trace dramatic changes over space and time while this vast ancient civilization emerges on the world stage as contemporary China. We explore diverse values, practices, and landscapes. We see continuing development in the face of daunting challenges, but also exciting possibilities for the future of its own citizens, regional roles, and global presence.

The course uses the theories and methodologies of geography to help students understand these dynamic changes in context. Employing various scales of analysis to identify regional features, students will explore the conditions, events, problems, and trends of contemporary China and their implications for people inside and outside China.

All course material will be posted to OWL: http://owl.uwo.ca. Any changes will be indicated on the OWL site and discussed with the class.

Google ChromeorMozilla Firefoxare the preferred browsers to optimally use OWL; update your browsers frequently. Students interested in evaluating their internet speed, please click here. [Using the right browser is important, especially when using different features integrated with OWL]

If students need assistance, they can seek support on theOWL Help page. Alternatively, they can contact theWestern Technology Services Helpdesk. They can be contacted by phone at 519- 661-3800 or ext. 83800.

5.  Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will have

.     knowledge of the geography of China: population, environmental, cultural, political, and economic characteristics;

.     use of geographical concepts and techniques: reading and working with map data and satellite images of China;

.     understanding of the regions of China: natural (physical) settings, socio-economic regions, and recasting regions;

.     critical reasoning and presentation skills: research project and teamwork; communication.

6.  Course Content and Schedule

Reading Week

7.  Communication

 Students should check the OWL site every 24 – 48 hours.

 A weekly update will be provided on the OWL Announcements.

  For  any  other  communication,  the  centrally  administered  e-mail  account  provided  to students  will  be  considered  the  individual’s  official  university  e-mail  address.  It  is  the responsibility of the account holder to ensure that e-mail received from the University at his/her official university address is attended to in a timely manner. You can read about the privacy and security of the UWO email accountshere.

 Q&A will be monitored regularly; students will receive a response within 48 hours.  This course will use the OWL Forums for discussions.

 Students should post all course-related content on the discussion forums so that everyone can access answers to questions.

 The discussion forums will be monitored regularly by the instructor or teaching assistants.

8.  Evaluation

Below is the evaluation breakdown for the course. Any deviations will be communicated.

The evaluation methods described in the course outline are essential requirements for the course. Everyone is expected to complete the evaluations.

Students are responsible for material covered in the lectures as well as the assigned chapters/sections in the text.

 All assignments are due at 11:55 pm EST unless otherwise specified.

 Virtual proctoring will be used.

 Rubrics will be used to evaluate assessments and will be posted with the instructions.

 After an assessment is returned, students should wait 24 hours to digest feedback before

contacting their evaluator; to ensure a timely response, reach out within 7 days.

Click here for  a  detailed  and  comprehensive  set  of  policies  and  regulations  concerning examinations and grading. The table below outlines the University-wide grade descriptors