Geography 122   Geography of Hawai‘i

03

MWF: 10:30–11:20 am (CRN: 62199)

 

INSTRUCTOR:                 Toshi Ikagawa, Ph.D.

OFFICE:                           Na’auao 116

OFFICE HOURS:              MTWR 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

TELEPHONE:                   236-9216; ikagawa@hawaii.edu

EFFECTIVE DATE:           Fall 2009

 

 
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT

 

Windward Community College is committed to excellence in the liberal arts and career development; we support and challenge individuals to develop skills, fulfill their potential, enrich their lives, and become contributing, culturally aware members of our community.

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

 

The course is designed to acquaint the student with basic geographic principles and aid in understanding and appreciating the Hawaiian environment. Fundamental concepts of physical and cultural geography are presented with emphasis on Hawai‘i’s volcanic landforms, coastal features, climate, and vegetation. Geographic aspects of population, settlement, agriculture, economics, and land use are also investigated.

 

 

Activities Required at Scheduled Times Other Than Class Times

 

None

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

At the completion of the course, the student should learn to:

 

          1.  Describe the physical, biological and cultural elements and processes responsible for Hawai‘i’s current environment applying theories and concepts of geography. (Understand facts; assessed by surveys, exams, in-class writings and/or course projects)

 

          2.  Compare and contrast the Hawaiian environment with that of a middle latitude region, such as the US mainland, Europe and East Asia. (Analysis; assessed by surveys, exams, in-class writings and/or course projects)

 

          3.  Evaluate the Hawaiian environment in terms of how the student would survive on a pre-human Hawaiian island. (Appraisal; assessed by surveys, exams, in-class writings and/or course projects)

 

REQUIREMENTS COURSE SATISFIES

 

          At WCC:                Social Science AA requirements

                                        Hawaiian Studies Certificate

 

          At UH Manoa:        Meets Social Science general education requirements (DS).

 

RECOMMENDED BASIC SKILLS LEVEL

 

Ability to read and write at a college level

 

LEARNING RESOURCES

 

Required Textbook: Atlas of Hawai‘i (3rd edition) by J.O. Juvik, UH Press

 

COURSE TASKS

 

Dear Geography Students:

 

Welcome to the Geography 122 course, Geography of Hawai‘i. This class examines the physical and cultural geography of Hawai‘i. Fundamental concepts of geography are presented in the context of Hawai‘i’s situations.

 

Pre/post surveys:

 

To assess the student learning outcomes, this class uses pre/post surveys. Participation is mandatory; however, those who complete both surveys will be given 5 extra points (5%) for the final achievement.

 

Assignments:

 

It is assumed that you read and understand all the assigned part of the textbook and obtain answers to reading objectives which will be counted toward your final grade before each class period (see the class schedule attached). During and after each class you will write a learning log which will be counted toward your final grade. There may also be non-prescheduled pop-quizzes and/or assignments in any classes, which will be counted toward your final grade.

 

Attendance/participation:

 

Attendance is mandatory, and presence/absence will be evaluated by roll call (signup sheet) and participation is evaluated by class participation and learning logs. It is assumed that you know and understand all the materials covered in all lectures (part of which may not be covered in the textbook).

 

Also, any changes in the content/material/schedule/procedure related to the class, announced during any class period will stand, even if you are not there. It is your responsibility to obtain such information from your classmate or any other sources, if you miss any lectures.

 

ASSESSMENT TASKS AND GRADING

 

Student Evaluation:

 

There will be one midterm exam (30% of the total grades), one final exam (30% of the total grades), one term paper (final product & class presentation) (30% of the total grades), and attendance/participation (10% of the total grades) in this course.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 

(1) The term paper is the capstone project for this course. Thus, students who do not complete this assignment (term paper or presentation, or both) will not be given a passing grade for the course.

 

(2) Participation (via reading objectives and learning logs) will be used to evaluate each student’s achievement of course objectives listed above especially #3. Reading objectives are due on Friday of each assigned week. Because the learning logs are record of class participation and will be done in class, students missing class regularly (i.e. more than 10% of classes), thus missing learning logs, cannot be assessed for these objectives and therefore will not be able to pass the course.

 

Please mark your calendar now.

 

Item

Material Covered

Date

Midterm exam:

Physical environments

Multiple choice (online)

8th – 9th week

Essay in class

10th week: 10/28/09 (W)

Final exam:

Biological & Cultural environments

Multiple choice (online)

15th – 16th week

Essay in class

Finals week: 12/16/09 (W)

Term Paper

 

Presentation

TBA

Term paper

Last day: 12/9/09

 

NOTE: Exams cover both lectures and the textbook. It is mandatory to attend all the lectures. Each exam may include (1) multiple-choice, (2) true/false, (3) map, (4) fill-in-the-blank and (5) any possible essay type questions. Review sheet for each exam may (or may not) be distributed in the class (or via the Intranet/Internet) prior to the exams. There is NO extra credit exams.

 

Academic dishonesty: (SERIOUS WARNING!!) Academic dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism that may occur in this class will be severely punished. It most likely results in immediate discharge from the class, or worse. In other words, “DON’T DO IT” even if you have any noble reasons to do so. It is NOT worth to try it in this class.

 

Grading uses the standard scale:

A: 90.0–100.0%, B: 80.0–89.9%, C: 70.0–79.9%, D: 60–69.9%, F: 0–59.9%

 

For Cr/NC options, Incomplete (“I” grade), and “W” grade, see the WCC College Catalog.

There is no “N” grade in this class.

 

NOTE:

        1.       Extra credits are given for pre/post survey (see above).

        2.       Make-up exams will be all essay type.

 

 

COURSE CONTENT

 

Geography of Hawai’i (GEOG 122) Schedule

 

Week                 Subjects

 

1.       Introduction: How to write a paper, library

 

PART 1: Physical environment

 

2.       Location: Maps, GPS, geodesy

3.       Lithosphere: Geology, plate tectonics, volcanoes

4.       Atmosphere: Climate, hurricane, trades

5.       Hydrosphere: Oceans, tsunami

6.       Natural hazards:

 

PART 2: Biological environment

 

7.       Biosphere: Ecosystem, evolution

8.       Native flora

9.       Native fauna

10.     Introduced species

11.     Ethnobotany

 

PART 3: Socio-cultural environment

 

12.     History: Voyaging, plantation, diseases

13.     Population: Economy, tourism

14.     Culture: Language, religion, society

15.     Politics: Military/Environmental quality

16.     (Class presentation)

17.     Final Exam

 

NOTE: Schedule/subjects may change without prior notice.

 

Disabilities Accommodation Statement

 

If you have a physical, sensory, health, cognitive, or mental health disability that could limit your ability to fully participate in this class, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Specialist Counselor to discuss reasonable accommodations that will help you succeed in this class. Ann Lemke can be reached at 235-7448, lemke@hawaii.edu, or you may stop by Hale ‘Akoakoa 213 for more information.

 

Additional Information

 

Legal assumptions:

 

It is hereby assumed that you will strictly follow all and any reasonable procedures/ethics, etc. that are enforced in this academic institution.

 

Last revised: August 4, 2009