GEA 3600 (Section 8561) -- Fall 2008
  Geography of Africa: A Development Perspective

Professor:  Dr. Barbara McDade-Gordon
Class Time:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday    @   Period 9 (4:05-4:55pm)
Classroom:  Weimer Hall - Room 1064 (Gannett Auditorium)
Dr. McDade-Gordon’s Office:  Turlington Hall 3133   Phone: 352-392-0494   ext. 222 email:  bmcdade@ufl.edu
Office Hours:  Monday 2-3pm….and…Wednesday 10:30am-Noon & 2-3pm

Graduate Teaching Assistant:   Ms. Ying Wang
Ms. Wang’s Office:  Turlington Hall 3128      email:  happywy17@ufl.edu
Office Hours:   Tuesday 2-4pm….Thursday 1:30-2:30pm

Undergraduate Teacher Assistant:  TBA email:  TBA

GEA 3600 Course Description

This course presents Geography of Africa from an economic development perspective. We discuss dynamic issues facing contemporary African societies and the challenges that people and nations of this vast Continent are working to resolve.  Through lectures, readings, and interactive exercises we will study environmental and resource issues, the impact of historical events on development, education and culture, population issues, social organization, rural and urban form, industrialization, business and trade, and prospects for the future.

GEA 3600 satisfies 3 Credit Hours of General Education Requirements (GER):

S=Social Science, I=International/Diversity, Gordon Rule (6 CC)

Required Textbook
Survey of Subsaharan Africa. 2007.by Roy Cole and Harm de Blij. Oxford University Press.

All maps and graphs in this textbook may be downloaded at: www4.gvsu.edu/coler/ssa

Other Resources: Videos, guest lectures, assigned readings, internet, etc. scheduled during the semester.

E-Learning System.  When you register for this course, your name is entered in the GEA 3600 E-Learning System class roster.  ELS features online grades/scores for quizzes, exams, assignments; course calendar; announcements; internal class email; instructions, references.  Login to GEA 3600 E-Learning System using your Gatorlink username and password at:  http://lss.at.ufl.edu/

Accommodations for students with disabilities. Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to Dr. McDade-Gordon with accommodation request.

UF Honor Code: http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/students.html

Grades Legend
A:    90 - 100 points	B+: 85-89 points    B: 80 - 84 points
C+: 75-79 points    C: 70 - 74 points	D+: 65-69 points    D: 60-64 points E: <60 points

Basis for Grading	100 Points	Due Dates
In-Class Interview & Write-Up	10 points	In-Class Interview: September 3 Written Report Due: September 5
Monday News Notes	5 points	Brief summaries of current news from Africa. Due on Mondays: Sept. 8, 22 Oct. 13, 27 Nov. 10, 24 Dec. 1, 8
2 Map Quizzes @ 5 points each In-Class	10 points	Map Quiz 1: September 15 Map Quiz 2: September 22
Problem Solving Project And Written Resolution:	10 points	October 3: Class Discussion of Economic Development Issues October 6: Written Report Due
2 Multiple Choice Exams: In-Class Exam 1 = 20 points Exam 2 = 25 points	45 points	Exam 1: October 22 Exam 2: December - TBA.
Africa Impressions Essay	15 points	November 21
Class Attendance: You must be present for 8 of 10 attendance days to receive 5 points. Partial points will NOT be given.	5 points	Attendance will be taken on 10 class days randomly selected during the semester

GEA 3600 is a Gordon Rule course.  One of its principal objectives is to provide students with assignments that allow them to demonstrate and to improve writing skills.

• In-Class Interview & Report:  Each student will interview one other student in the class and will write a mini-biography of the ‘interviewee’. Instructions for Interview and Written Report are posted online in GEA 3600 ELS. Written report is a 3-5-page paper, typed, double-spaced.
• Monday News Notes: You will receive sources of current news about Africa. Turn in a written one-paragraph summary of the news item on the Mondays indicated. There are 8 briefs due throughout the semester. You will receive 5 points if you turn in 7 of them and on time.
• Map Quizzes 1 & 2 are taken at the regular class period on the dates indicated.  Bring pencils to write on scantrons. Quiz and map must be returned with the scantron.
• Problem-Solving Project:  Several economic development issues will be presented and discussed in class. Students will choose an issue to explore, research information about it, and submit a written solution/report.  The written report is 3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced. Cite the references and sources used.
• Exams 1 & 2 are multiple-choice. Each exam is taken in classroom on the date indicated. Exam will cover the material presented and discussed in the course during the period prior to the exam.
• African Impressions Essay. Each student will write her/his impressions of Africa using a set of subjects that will be provided. Written report should be at least 10 pages, typed, double-spaced. References may be used.

GEA 3600 Fall 2008 COURSE SCHEDULE

AUGUST: Topical Chapters 1 & 2.

25. First Class Day.

Review of Course Requirements & Assignments, Features of E-Learning System.

Overview of Geography of Africa.

SEPTEMBER: Topical Chapters 3, 4, 5

1: NO CLASS: Labor Day Holiday.

3: In-Class Interview.

5: Write-up of Interview/Mini-Biography Due.

8: Monday News Notes Due

15: Map Quiz 1: North & West Africa. In class.

22: Map Quiz 2: East, Central, & Southern Africa. In class.

Monday News Notes Due

OCTOBER: Topical Chapters 7, 8, 9

3: Problem Discussion in Class.

6: Written Report of Problem Resolution Due.

13: Monday News Notes Due

22: Exam 1: Multiple-choice exam will cover content up to this point. In-class exam.

24: NO CLASS. UF Homecoming Events.

27: Monday News Notes Due

NOVEMBER: Chapters. Regions. 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20

10: Monday News Notes Due

21: African Impressions Essay Due.

24: Monday News Notes Due

28: NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Holiday.

DECEMBER: Chapters. Regions. 21, 23, 24, 25. 26

1: Monday News Notes Due

8: Monday News Notes Due

10: Final Class Day.

*Exam Week: Exam 2 Date TBA.

Have a Happy Inter-Session/Holiday Season