Courses : Syllabi : 312
Geography 312 Culture Worlds
Tentative Syllabus (Subject to Change)
Instructor
Giorgio H. Curti, Ph.D. Candidate
Course Description
Geographical characteristics and development of major cultural realms of the world. Analysis of spatial components of contemporary conflict within and between these “regions.” Critical discussion of “culture,” its conceptual and material components - e.g. religion, race, space/place, gender, language, etc. - and how it serves as a political tool and arena of power, domination and struggle
Prerequisites
None
Grading
Your grade in this course will be based on the following elements:
- Exam 1: 15%
- Exam 2: 15%
- Exam 3: 15%
- Blackboard assignments: 10%
- Term Paper: 20%
- Attendance/Participation: 25%
There will be absolutely no make-ups unless approved prior to due date.
Books and Materials
Required Texts
- The Myth of Continents, Lewis and Wigen 1997
- Other assigned readings
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week One | Introduction What is geography? or, what does geography do? What is culture? What is Globalization? |
| Week Two | What is globalization? (The Caribbean) Life + Debt - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Three | Darwin’s Nightmare - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Four | Development/Colonialism (Sub-Saharan Africa) Exam One |
| Week Five | South Africa and Colonialism - A Case Study through music Amandla - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Six | Ethnomusicology and Resistance, South Africa - A Case Study Cont. ‘Race’ and Segregation |
| Week Seven | ‘Race’ and Segregation (Redlining) Flag Wars - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Eight | ‘Race’ and Segregation (Sudan) Darfur Now - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Nine | What is religion? (North Africa & Southwest Asia) Palestinian–Israeli Conflict Exam Two |
| Week Ten | The Wall - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Eleven | East Asia - Language and Culture |
| Week Twelve | China Manufactured Landscapes - FILM & Discussion |
| Week Thirteen | Constructing Regions (Southeast Asia) |
| Week Fourteen | Constructing Regions (Europe & “Latin America”) |
| Week Fifteen | Australia-Oceania Rabbit Proof Fence - FILM & Discussion |