Geography (GEOG) 201
Introductory Human Geography (Revision 3)
Revision 3 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online with video component*.
(For international students, please ensure you can access the video on-line before you register for this course as we will be unable to send you the library copies of the materials).
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: None
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Human Geography Studies home page
GEOG 201 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
Geography 201: Introductory Human Geography is a junior-level, three-credit course. It is a foundation course for students enrolled in geography, global studies, and environmental studies programs, and is also suitable for those who wish simply to further their understanding of the fundamentals of human geography.
Human geographers investigate the location of people and activities throughout the world and seek to understand the reasons for their distribution. They ask questions about where things are, why they are there, and what the geographic significance of their distribution is. In this course you will examine a number of subject areas, including: population, migration, social customs, language, religion, ethnicity, political geography, development, agriculture, industry, settlement and urban patterns, globalization, resource problems, and human impacts on the natural environment.
The course is designed for students with little or no previous university experience.
Outline
Unit 1: The Geographical Imagination: Concepts and Tools
Unit 2: Population
Unit 3: Migration
Unit 4: Traditional Cultures and Globalization
Unit 5: Language and Religion
Unit 6: Ethnicity and Political Frontiers
Unit 7: Development, Underdevelopment, and Tourism
Unit 8: Agriculture
Unit 9: Industry
Unit 10: Services
Unit 11: Cities
Unit 12: The Use and Abuse of Nature
Evaluation
Evaluation of students in GEOG 201 is based on three written assignments and a final exam weighted as indicated below. You must achieve a grade of at least “50” per cent on the final examination and a course composite grade of at least “D”(50 percent) to receive credit for this course.
| Assign 1 Short Essay | Assign 2 Mapping, Data Analysis and Short Answer | Assign 3 Research Essay | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 20% | 30% | 35% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Rubenstein, James M. The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography, 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2008.
Study Guides
Nunley, Robert E. and Bernard O. Williams. Study Guide - The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography, 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2008.
Bell, Thomas L. Human Geography: People, Places, and Change Study Guide. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1997.
Videos
This course uses a video series, made for the Annenberg/CPB project by the BBC, People, Places, and Change. Students can also access the videos online or access them from Athabasca University Library.
Other Materials
All other materials are available online.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the GEOG 201 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall course grade of “D” (50 percent) or greater to pass.
| Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 25% | 60% | 100% |
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 3, August 11, 2008.
View previous syllabus