GEO 124 - Reg Geog of the NonWest World

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Core

This course systematically surveys the peoples, cultures, resources and problems of the cultural realms commonly designated as the Third World (Latin America, Black Africa, the Islamic World, India and China).
Competencies

Examine the rationale for the origins of a “third world” in a geographical, economic, and societal context
1. List the characteristics of regions or countries labeled “third world”.
2. Examine the continued utility of the term “third world”.
3. Describe and analyze the developments in recent years questioning the identification “third world”.
4. Compare and contrast the terms “developing,” “underdeveloped,” and “third world”.
Compare and contrast the developmental problems existing in Latin America, Subsaharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.
1. Explain the reasons, economic, political, etc. for the varying degree of development in these regions
2. List the third world countries or regions that have advanced rapidly in economic development in recent years
3. Analyze the reasons for the rapid economic development of some third world countries or regions in recent years
4. List those third world countries engaged in significant global trade in either raw materials, manufactures or both
Analyze the basic political and economic philosophies of third world countries and regions since 1945
1. Analyze the connections between political-economic traditions and strong material development and progress.
2. Analyze the connections between political-economic traditions and weak material development and progress
3. Discuss the characteristics of the natural resource base in Latin America.
4. Identify the varieties of agriculture and its importance in Latin America
5. Discuss the degree of industrial development in Latin America and those countries which have important industrial economies
6. Discuss the nature of the ” geography of cocaine” in the context of development, politics, trade, and violence
Define the term Latin America as it is used in a cultural and regional context
1. Discuss the accuracy of the term Latin America.
2. Establish other inclusive regional terms as substitutes for the term Latin America.
Analyze the principal physical elements of Latin America’s geography (Middle and South America).
1. Describe the differing physiographic and climatic regions including principal mountain, terrain, and river systems
2. Analyze the impact of the physical geography on economy (agriculture, industry, transportation,) and culture
Discuss the historical, cultural, and economic factors that have led to current achievements, problems, and promises in Latin America
1. Describe the importance of native American or Indian peoples in past and current Latin America
2. Describe the importance of Europeans in past and current Latin America
3. Describe the importance of Africans in past and current Latin America
Analyze the varieties of economy and economic development in Latin America
1. Differentiate between traditional and modern economies in a Latin American context
2. Describe the degree of economic differences in a regional and racial/ethnic context.
3. Analyze the reasons for the growing modernization of the economy in selected regions and countries.
4. Analyze the reasons for the failure of modernization in the economy in selected regions and countries
Assess the current demographic situation in Latin America.
1. Explain the relationship between the factors of physical terrain and climate and population density
2. Discuss the reasons for high population growth in some countries of Latin America
3. Discuss the reasons for declining or stable population growth in some countries of Latin America
Assess the importance of urbanization in Latin America
1. Describe the evolution of the Latin American city
2. Explain the factors promoting rapid urbanization
Demonstrate map knowledge as assigned in “Map Information” handout
Explain ecotourism and its importance in Latin America
Identify the five most essential characteristics in conceptualizing Latin America.
Analyze the principal physical elements of the Middle East’s geography (North Africa and Southwest Asia).
1. Describe the differing physiographic and climatic regions including principal mountain, terrain, and river systems
2. Analyze the impact of the physical geography on economy (agriculture, industry, transportation) and culture
Analyze the historical and cultural evolution of the Middle East.
1. Discuss Islam in this context
2. Explain the nature of Islam and its relationship to modernization.
3. Discuss the relationship of the Middle East with the West (Europe and the U.S.).
4. Analyze the Arab-Israeli conflict
5. Analyze the nature of Arab nationalism
Discuss the resource base of the Middle East.
1. Explain the origins of the oil industry and its importance in the Middle East in respect to economic development
2. Discuss the over-all economic development of the Middle East in respect to agriculture, industry, and trade internally and externally
Assess the current demographic situation in the Middle East
1. Evaluate the impact of religion on gender roles, birth rates, and individual freedom
Discuss the factors that explain the chronic political instability associated with this region
1. Discuss positive developments in alleviating this instability
Demonstrate map knowledge as assigned in “Map Information” handout.
Identify in conclusion five essential characteristics in conceptualizing the Middle East
Assess the principal physical elements of Subsaharan Africa’s geography.
1. Describe the differing physiographic and climatic regions including principal mountain, terrain, and river systems
2. Analyze the impact of the physical geography on economy (agriculture, industry, transportation) and culture.
Assess the historical and cultural evolution of Subsaharan Africa
1. Assess the impact of European colonialism on African peoples and cultures.
2. Assess the impact of European colonialism on African economic development
3. Assess the impact of European colonialism in the creation of the African state system, particularly in respect to boundaries.
Analyze the situation of the natural resource base and resource development.
1. Relate the importance of Subsaharan Africa in international trade
2. Define neocolonialism in economic, political, and cultural terms
3. Discuss the varieties of agriculture and its importance in the economy
4. Discuss the development of industry and degree of industrialization
5. Account for Subsaharan Africa’s poor economic development since independence
Discuss the political development of Subsaharan countries since independence.
1. Account for the lack of democracy in these countries
Assess the current demographic situation of Subsaharan Africa
1. Evaluate the stage of demographic transition in this region
2. Explain the impact of AIDS and its relationship to gender, age, and behavior.
3. Discuss the gender roles of Subsaharan Africans and their relationships to development and democracy
4. Evaluate the impact of population growth on the natural environment and the famed animal herds of Africa
Discuss the future of Subsaharan Africa
Demonstrate map knowledge as assigned in “Map Information” handout
Identify in conclusion the five most essential characteristics in conceptualizing Subsaharan Africa
Discuss the principal physical elements of South Asia’s geography
1. Describe the differing physiographic and climatic regions including principal mountain, terrain, and river systems
2. Analyze the impact of the physical geography on economy (agriculture, industry, transportation ) and culture
Assess the four major states of South Asia and relate important historical and cultural information and development
1. Discuss similarities in race, ethnicity, language, and religion among the peoples of South Asia
2. Discuss differences in the above among the peoples of South Asia.
Discuss the economic development of these countries from colonial times to the present
1. Discuss the guiding economic ideas for development in post-independent India.
Discuss the resource base of South Asia and its relationship to development, trade, and material well-being
Assess the current demographic situation of South Asia
1. Analyze the factors influencing high birth rates
2. Explain the factors influencing the success of family planning programs in South Asia, particularly India
Analyze the current political-religious problems of India
1. Explain the concept of a secular India as developed by Ghandi and founders of modern India
Identify in conclusion the five most essential characteristics in conceptualizing South Asia.
Discuss the principal physical elements of East Asia’s geography (China, Mongolia, Korea, Taiwan).
1. Describe the differing physiographic and climatic regions including principal mountain, terrain, and river systems
2. Analyze the impact of the physical geography on economy (agriculture, industry, transportation) and culture
Discuss the historical, cultural, and economic evolution of China.
1. Analyze the developments that led to near colonial rule of China in the 19th and early 20th centuries
2. Describe the factors that led to communist revolution and rule, and the success of communism in China 1949 to the present
3. Discuss the reasons for economic reorientation in China in recent years.
Discuss the resource base of China and its relation to agriculture and industry.
1. Describe basis characteristics of Chinese agriculture and its ability to feed China’s population
2. Discuss the importance of industry in satisfying national markets and international trade
Assess the current demographic situation in China
1. Discuss the official policy of China in respect to family planning.
2. Discuss the impact of this policy on family-centered Chinese culture, gender-relations, society, and economy
Demonstrate map knowledge as assigned in “Map Information” handout
Identify the five most essential characteristics of modern China.
Compare and contrast the economic, political, and social development of the two Koreas since 1953
Discuss the rapid economic development and changing sociopolitical nature of Taiwan since 1950
Assess the principal physical elements of Southeast Asian geography.
1. Describe the differing physiographic and climatic regions including principal mountain, terrain, and river systems
2. Analyze the impact of the physical geography on economy (agriculture, industry, transportation) and culture
Discuss the differing historical, cultural, and economic development of Southeast Asian nations
1. Discuss the use of the term “shatter belt” in reference to the countries and peoples of Southeast Asia
2. Discuss economic and political developments of recent decades
3. Discuss the role of the U.S. in relationship to the nations of Southeast Asia.
Discuss the resource base of Southeast Asia as it relates to agriculture, industry, and trade
1. Discuss the varieties of agriculture and its importance in the overall economy
2. Discuss the development of industry in recent time and its relationship to socio-economic improvement and international trade
3. Discuss the model of development in Southeast Asia and East Asia as the world’s model for development
Assess the current demographic situation in Southeast Asia
1. Compare and contrast differing strategies and policies in respect to family planning
2. Discuss the nature of multi-racial and multi-cultural societies as it relates to politics and political stability
Demonstrate map knowledge as assigned in “Map Information” handout.
Identify the five most essential characteristics in conceptualizing Southeast Asia