Course Syllabus
Course Syllabus: Geography of Africa, Summer B 2022
University of Florida, Department of Geography
Instructor: Audrey C. Smith
GEA3600, Summer B 2022
Sections GAUF & GADL
3 credit hours
GEA 3600 provides 3 Credit Hours of General Education Requirements (GER): S=Social Science, N=International
UF Writing Requirement: 6,000 words
Instructors, Course Communication, & Office Hours:
Lead Instructor: Audrey C. Smith
Email: audreyculver@ufl.edu*
*Please use the Canvas Inbox system to contact Audrey for all email communication for this course.
Phone: (352) 392-0494
Online Office Hours: TDB; email Audrey in Canvas to schedule an online meeting via Zoom
Teaching Assistants (TAs): Maram F. Alrehaili (maram.alrehaili@ufl.edu), Vincent Vitale (vincentvitale@ufl.edu), & Mashouk Rahaman (m.rahaman@ufl.edu)
Course Communication: All email communication should be conducted through Canvas email so a record is kept. If you have a question about the course that isn't personal, please post it to the Course Questions Board. This way everyone can benefit from the answers provided to your question(s). There's a good chance your classmates either have the same questions or have an answer! Feel free to communicate with your classmates via the Course Discussion Board; we will also be checking the Discussion Board to answer questions. Please contact Audrey for all email communication including questions about assignments graded by course TAs. You may copy the TAs on your Canvas email if you wish.
Required Textbook:
*There is no required textbook for this course. However, weekly required readings will be assigned by the instructor and available to students in Canvas.
Recommended Textbook:
Africa South of the Sahara: A Geographical Interpretation. Third Edition, 2013. Author: Robert Stock. ISBN-13: 978-1606239926; ISBN-10: 1606239929.
Note: The above textbook is NOT required but may serve to supplement the material provided in Canvas and enhance your learning. It is available through Amazon, with both paperback and hardback versions of the book as well as new and used copies, and an eTextbook version for purchase.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the Geography of Africa. It provides an overview of major environmental and human features of the region and examine the dynamic issues facing African societies. Students will learn about environmental and resource issues, historical impacts on development, cultural characteristics, social organization, politics and conflict, and prospects for the future.
Purpose of Course
This course presents the Geography of Africa from an environmental and economic development perspective. We start by understanding how Africa formed, its landscape, its climates, and how people evolved to interact with the environment. The course also discusses dynamic issues facing contemporary African societies and the challenges that people and nations of this vast continent are working to resolve, introducing ideas about economic development, politics, and governance. Issues of health, demography, gender, and culture are also covered. Through lectures, reading assignments, videos, and reflective writing exercises we will study the climate, environment, and natural resources of Africa; the influence of geography on human evolution in African and the impact of historical events on development; the tremendous diversity of African landscapes, peoples, and cultures; demographics, health, and disease; and prospects for the future.
Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
1. Identify and describe the physical features, climates, and biomes of Africa.
2. Understand how climate shaped human evolution in Africa and the development of civilizations in Africa.
3. Explain how external influences and the legacy of colonialism shaped African development (and underdevelopment) and identify development challenges in Africa.
4. Describe and analyze human-environment interactions in Africa according to different geographical concepts, and define and identify causes land degradation, including causes & outcomes.
5. Describe wildlife policies and concerns, conservation and environmental degradation in Africa
6. Research, outline, and write effective essays conveying complex ideas and arguments clearly and precisely, supporting claims with adequate evidence.
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills: A good attitude, an open mind, and the desire to learn.
Disclaimer: This page and the syllabus represents the current plans and objectives of the source. As we go through the semester, those plans may need to change to enhance the class learning opportunity. Such changes, are likely and will be announced; the most up-to-date requirements will always be posted in the individual module pages.
Lectures/Reading Material:
Students are required to view PowerPoint audio lectures and topic videos provided for each of the course modules. Additionally, there will be required readings provided by the instructor including the textbook research articles and other materials (See Modules pages for reading assignments).
Assignments
- Take the Syllabus Quiz by Thursday, June 30th!
There are four categories of assignments for the course: 1) Quizzes (3); 2) Reflection Essays (2); 3) Discussion Posts (5); and 4) Critical Analysis Essays (3).
1) Module Quizzes: There will be three (3) module quizzes throughout the semester. The quizzes will consist of map identification activities and or 10-20 questions derived from module content including assigned readings, power point lectures, videos, and other material provided.
- Quiz 1: Modules 1-2
- Quiz 2: Modules 3-4
- Quiz 3: Module 5-6
What to expect: Multiple choice, T/F, or fill-in-the-blank questions. Quizzes are timed and closed-book. You will have 2 attempts with the highest score recorded.
Note: There is no Final Exam for this course Summer B semester.
2) Reflection Essays (2):
Reflection Essay 1- Preconceptions of Africa: Students will write one 500-WORD essay on any previous knowledge or preconceptions you may have about Africa or topics related to Africa.
Reflection Essay 2-Final Reflections: Students will write one 750-WORD essay reflecting on what they learned in the course; what previous misconceptions and stereotypes of Africa they reassessed after learning more about the continent; what topics they found most interesting and or what they would like to learn more about (related to the geography of Africa or Africa more generally). No outside sources required.
3) Discussion Posts (5):
Discussion Posts 1- 5: Students will be required to complete five 300-WORD Discussion Posts on topics provided and related to the course modules. The Discussion Posts may be responses to assigned readings, research articles, videos or other materials, or general questions/issues that you will be asked to reflect on. These discussion activities should demonstrate critical thinking and analysis as you briefly reflect on topics/issues in the African context, and how the issues are relatable on a larger scale. They will be submitted as text entries and should be written in proper essay format but submitted as will not require citing sources, etc.
Please Note: Late Discussion Posts WILL NOT be accepted! Posts must be submitted by 11:59pm of the DUE DATE
4) Critical Analysis Essays (3):
Students will be required to write three 1000-word ‘Critical Analysis Essays’ that will be based on assigned reading(s) or other material provided by the instruction, including published research articles, movies, or other sources. These essays should be written as formal academic papers and will require citing outside sources such as qualifying ‘scholarly sources’ (i.e., peer-reviewed journal articles) in APA citation format. (More information will be provided in assignment instructions.) The first two Critical Reflection Essays will be due on the second and fourth Fridays of the semester, respectively, and the third due on Wednesday of the six and final week of the semester.
- Scholarly Sources: Scholarly sources include research articles are written by scholars, scientists, or professionals who are experts in their fields and are published in peer-reviewed academic journals (Please note: Online encyclopedias DO NOT qualify as scholarly sources.)
- Google Scholar is a useful internet search tool, and online digital libraries such as JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org (Links to an external site.)). You can also access scholarly sources from the UF Library Off Campus Access.
- Non-scholarly Sources: Students may also use and cite non-scholarly sources (e.g., news articles, blogs, etc.) but only in addition to the required minimum scholarly sources as indicated in assignment instructions and requirements.
- In-text Citations: In-text citations are required for any information that is derived from outside sources (not just for direct quotes). You should generally avoid using direct quotes unless the phrase will not retain the same meaning or have the same effect if re-worded. For this course, you are expected to avoid using direct quotes- the written words should be your own words!
Writing Requirements & Tips: All writing assignments should be written in formal academic style, meaning avoiding informal language (including contractions, colloquialisms, slang, etc.). You should also generally avoid using first person "I" (except when specified otherwise- such as for the Preconceptions of Africa & Final Reflections Essays), second person "we", and avoid using "filler language", which includes phrases such as "This essay will discuss" and "This essay will cover the topics of...." All essays should have good organization, including concise introduction and conclusion paragraphs that introduce and conclude/summarize the topics discussed in the essay, respectively, and body paragraphs of the essay that go into more detail and provide supporting evidence derived from credible sources.
Discussion Posts are an exception to citing sources and do not necessitate intro & conclusion paragraphs, although in some cases you may wish to include these. Likewise, the two Reflection Essays do not require citing scholarly sources; however, they do require good essay organization (with intro & conclusion paragraphs) and the use of formal language (and avoidance of informal language including contractions & slang).
Important: Written assignments requiring citing of scholarly sources in APA citation style (see above for an explanation of what qualifies as a scholarly source) and use of in-text citations in addition to a 'References' page. Please note that in-text citations are necessary for any information derived from an external source (i.e. not common or personal knowledge) and they are not only necessary for direct quotes. For this course, you should avoid the use of direct quotations; the written word requirements means the words should be your own words. You should paraphrase information derived from sources (published journal articles, etc.) in your own words. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. It is your responsibility to check your Turnitin score upon submission of your essays. Turnitin scores of 25% or greater are unacceptable.
See Writing Resources & Tips under Student Resources for guidelines on APA citation format, scholarly sources, and general tips on academic writing.
Grading by Assignment Type:
|
Assignment Type |
Total Words |
Total Points |
|
Syllabus Quiz |
N/A |
20 |
|
Introduce Yourself |
250 |
30 |
|
Module Quizzes (3 @ 50 pts. each) |
N/A |
150 |
|
Reflection Essay 1- Preconceptions of Africa |
500 |
50 |
| Reflection Essay 2- Final Reflections |
750 |
75 |
|
Discussion Posts (5 @ 75 pts., 300 words) |
1500 |
375 |
|
Critical Analysis Essays (3 @ 100 pts., 1000 words) |
3000 |
300 |
|
Total Points |
N/A |
1000 |
|
Total Words |
6000 |
N/A |
Late Work Policy
We recognize that this class is not the only thing in your life, and sometimes other things happen that get in the way of submitting work on time. Late work is accepted, and will be lose 5 points per day after the assignment due date*. This allows the most flexibility and fairness across the whole class, so if you need an hour or two extra to finish work, you'll be penalized, but not so much that it wrecks your grade. Make-up work is not allowed beyond this policy without documentation of a university-approved absence. Quizzes, exams, and discussion posts are exempt from this policy and will not be accepted late.
*Please Note: Late Discussion Posts WILL NOT be accepted! Posts must be made by the DUE DATE.
Grading Scale: *You must earn a C or higher to receive credit for this course!
| A | 92-100 |
| A- | 90-91.99 |
| B+ | 88-89.99 |
| B | 82-87.99 |
| B- | 80-81.99 |
| C+ | 78-79.99 |
| C | 72-77.99 |
| C- | 70-71.99 |
| D+ | 68-69.99 |
| D | 62-67.99 |
| D- | 60-61.99 |
| E | <60 |
Academic Integrity
You should read the University’s Guide to academic honesty, which is available online at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/procedures/academicguide.php. Plagiarism and other violations of academic honesty are unacceptable. If you are found to have cheated, you will be penalized by the reduction of your course grade, and may be subject to further penalties. You should expect the minimum penalty to be a failing grade for the course.
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 the instructor when requesting accommodations.
Statement on Intellectual Property Rights
Course materials prepared by the instructor, together with the content of all lectures and review sessions presented by the instructor are the property of the instructor. Video and audio recording of lectures and review sessions without the consent of the instructor is prohibited. On request, the instructor will usually grant permission for students to audio tape lectures, on the condition that these audio tapes are only used as a study aid by the individual making the recording. Unless explicit permission is obtained from the instructor, recordings of lectures and review sessions may not be modified and must not be transferred or transmitted to any other person, whether or not that individual is enrolled in the course.
Course Attendance, Make-Up Work, etc.
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx
UF Grading Policies
University policy on grade point averages for courses is available at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
Online Course Evaluations
Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/ (Links to an external site.). Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/ (Links to an external site.). Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/ (Links to an external site.).