Instructor: Val John Halford Contact: E-mail: vhalford@wfrc.org or Work Phone: (801) 363-4230, ext. 1108 (24-hour voice messaging) Location: Building 73 (Former Law College Building) Room 107 Day And Time: Monday, 4:35 PM to 7:35 PM

“BOUNDARY, n: In political geography, an imaginary line between two nations,

separating the imaginary rights of one from the imaginary rights of the other.” Ambrose Bierce

Course Overview: Political geography is a subdivision of human geography and is generally concerned with the relationship between different regions and countries and their political systems. This discipline extends the scope of traditional political science by incorporating elements of social, cultural, and economic geography. In particular, political geography examines how and why modern states are formally organized, their historic connection with each other, the dynamic relationship between a government and its people, international policies, trade, and treaties, political power on a global scale, and the study of election results. Class Expectations: Students enrolled in this course are expected to spend a substantial amount of time outside of the classroom in order to successfully complete the assigned readings, a term research paper and classroom presentation, and in preparation for four examinations. Your most important learning experience will take place when you seek relevant information on your own while applying pertinent material discussed or reviewed in class. To be successful in this course of study, please read the assigned chapter(s) in the textbook and become familiar with the concepts presented. During class, please ask questions concerning any area of confusion or terms which need clarification. You are expected to prepare for class in advance by: (1) reading the chapter(s) assigned in the textbook, along with a number of supplemental readings that will be provided during the course; and (2) come to class willing to participate in discussions. A written summary of the weekly supplement readings is required and tracked for grading purposes. Each class lecture will focus on specific chapter(s) in the textbook, along with overviews of specific countries to illustrate various concepts important to political geography. The lectures and presentations are designed to help explain and enrich the reading material. Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged. I do not take attendance, but please keep in mind that this course moves at a fast pace and missing a single session will put you an entire week behind. As I do not have an on-campus office, nor maintain regular visiting hours, I encourage you to call me with any questions that you might have or remain after class for personal consultation or assistance. The study of political geography invites examination and discussion of potentially charged subject matters and classroom discussions can become emotional as differing viewpoints are expressed. Differences of opinion and strong disagreements may result. Please respect the rights of other students to expressive their views and feelings. Help keep discussions civil and courteous by refraining from any attempts to personalize your argument. I will make every attempt to treat those subject matters that are considered controversial with the sensitivity they deserve. However, at any time during the course if you feel I have misrepresented a particular topic or viewpoint, please extend the courtesy of bringing the matter to my attention either before or after class. I invite you to openly express your concerns and welcome the opportunity to discuss any issue you wish.

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POLITICAL GEOGRAPHYPOLITICAL GEOGRAPHYPOLITICAL GEOGRAPHYPOLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

GEOG 3420-001

Course Goals And Objectives: The overriding course goal is to provide you with the opportunity to expand your awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our multifaceted world - its global political divisions, organization, and systems. This course will attempt to integrate a classroom learning experience with your ability to develop, analyze, and present original work based upon assigned readings, class discussions, individual research, and critical thinking. Upon completion of your studies in Political Geography 3420, you should be able to: Explain the principles, elements, and concepts of political geography.

• Value the historic role that politics have played in the division of the world into governed territories.

• Understand the various historic concepts and theories concerning states and nations.

• Identify the various geopolitical factors that influence our social, economic, and environmental quality.

• Distinguish national voting patterns and how such reveal national political trends and culture.

• Be aware of and appreciate potential “flash points” or world regions where future conflicts might take place.

• Know the political implications caused by different world religions, languages, races, and ethnic diversities.

• Analyze the impacts of increased globalization and international trade on different regions.

• Recognize the importance of international relations within the context of an ever changing world situation.

• Comprehend the general nature of modern warfare and its marked shift toward smaller, more intense conflicts.

Required Text: The majority of the assigned reading for the course will be found in Political Geography (Third Edition), by Martin Glassner and Chuck Fahrer. This textbook, which is

available at the University Book Store or online, is divided into nine sections: (1) Introduction to Political Geography; (2) The State; (3) Political Geography With The State; (4) Imperialism, Colonialism, and Decolonization; (5) Geopolitics; (6) Contemporary International Relations; (7) Our Last Frontiers; (8) The Political Geography of Everyday Life; and (9) Looking Ahead. Periodic handouts will be provided during the semester to augment specific topics found in the textbook. These handouts are required readings and the course examinations will test on their content. Research Paper and Presentation: Students are required to select, research, and write on a modern-day or historic event that has geopolitical implications or controversy, such as a cultural, economic, political, geographic, ethnic, or religious conflict that is currently taking place in a particular region or country. Your paper should identify or propose a plausible solution to the problem. Research papers are due on April 2nd. In addition to a written paper, each student is also required to prepare and deliver an 8-minute oral presentation during scheduled class time that highlights his or her selected research paper topic. Your classroom presentation is due on April 23rd. The required length for the course research paper is 8-10 pages, type-written, double spaced, 11 point font size, with 1-inch margins. Make sure to include proper footnotes and cite all sources used. Feel free to insert any relevant maps, charts, graphs, and figures into your text, however, including such graphic material does not count toward the required length. I will provide to those who need such a list of suggested topics that you may wish to select from. Oral classroom presentations are to be prepared in MS PowerPoint, or similar program, and should be no longer than 8-minutes in length. This time limit will be strictly enforced. Your presentation should be e-mailed to my address no

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later than the date highlighted above. Student names will be drawn randomly on the evenings of April 23rd and April 30th to determine the order of the presentations, so come prepared. I would encourage you to discuss with me possible research paper topics. I am also available and wiling to review research paper and presentations outlines. Your research paper is worth 140 points toward your final grade and your 8-minute classroom presentation is worth 60 points. The 200 possible point total represents 50% of your final grade. Late work will be accepted but penalized in accordance with the length of time beyond the deadline. Examinations: Course examinations, each consisting of a total of 50 questions worth 1 point each, will cover only that textbook material and readings found in the chapters listed next to each of the sections below. For example, the “First Section” examination will test your knowledge and comprehension of Chapters 1 through 11 only. In addition to testing your understanding of assigned textbook readings, exam questions will also be drawn from other assigned readings, handouts, and the lectures. An in-class review session prior to each exam will provide you with an oral study guide. First Section Chapters 1 through 11 February 26 Second Section Chapters 12 through 19 March 26 Third Section Chapters 20 through 30 April 9 Fourth Section Chapters 31 through 39 April 30

If you cannot attend class on any date examinations are scheduled, (See “Course Calendar” on Page 5), it is your responsibility to inform me of such well in advance so other arrangements can be made. Failure to do so may forfeit your opportunity to take a make-up examination. There will be no extra credit work. The combination of the four non-comprehensive examinations, worth 50 points each, or 200 points total, equates to 50% of your final grade. Course Material And Handouts: Class attendance is important, not only for the educational enrichment of yourself and your fellow students, but for the overall success of the course. Printed copies of each MS PowerPoint slide presentation covering the evening’s lecture will be provided at the beginning of each class to those in attendance. Students who elect not to attend will not receive these presentation handouts. Other course materials, such as required readings and periodic handouts

that supplement the assigned reading in the textbook, will be provided to those individuals who miss a lecture. The volume of course material and handouts is such that students are encouraged to purchase a three-ring binder or similar organizer to collect and keep this information in good order. Accommodation Statement: The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services (CDS), 162 Olpin Union Building, 581-5020. The CDS will work with you and me to make arrangements for accommodations. All written information in this course can be made available in alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services. Special arrangements can also be made for taking course exams.

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Academic Misconduct Statement: The Geography Department has requested that the following information from the University of Utah’s Student Code be provided to students enrolled in this course. If you have any questions concerning the following, please see me.

• Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Penalties may include failure of an assignment, the entire course, and/or the filing of formal charges with appropriate University authorities.

• Cheating involves the personal unauthorized possession or use of information in an academic exercise, including

• Misrepresenting one’s work includes, but is not limited to representing material prepared by another as one’s own work or submitting the same work in more than one course without prior permission of all instructors.

• Plagiarism means the intentional unacknowledged use or incorporation of any other person’s work as one’s own work offered for academic consideration or public presentation.

Electronic Devices: Cellular phones, pagers, and other personal electronic devices are to be turned off during class. The exception to this requirement is personal computers or tablets which should be used for note-taking and course-related purposes only. Computers are not to be used during class for working on other tasks, such as answering e-mail, Facebook, etc. Student may not record or publish information from the class without written authorization from the instructor. If used without authorization, you have violated privacy rights.

Course Grading: Final grades will be based on the quality of your research paper and classroom presentation, along with scores from your examinations. As stated previously, the course research paper and presentation are worth a total of 200 points or 50% of your final grade. The four examinations, each with 50 questions worth a single point, equals to an additional 200 points. Thus, a total of 400 points are possible for the semester and course letter grades will be assigned as per the following breakdown:

A 378 – 400 points 95% - 100% A- 358 – 377 points 90% - 94% B+ 338 – 357 points 85% - 89% B 318 – 337 points 80% - 84% B- 298 – 317 points 75% - 79% C+ 278 – 297 points 70% - 74% C 258 – 277 points 65% - 69% C- 238 – 257 points 60% - 64% D+ 218 – 237 points 55% - 59% D 198 – 217 points 50% - 54% D- 178 – 197 points 45% - 49% E 0 – 177 points 0% - 44%

Course Calendar: Class will be held on the dates indicated on the “Course Calendar,” located on the following page, and the chapter(s) listed by each date will be the focus of classroom lectures and discussions. Examination dates and research paper and presentation deadlines are also provided. Although not anticipated, any deviation from the course calendar dates indicated, or any needed changes in the lecture sequence or material to be covered, will be announced during regularly scheduled class time. Please maintain a degree of flexibility as the semester unfolds.

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Course Calendar

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 3420

Date

Section

Assigned Reading And / Or Activity

Presentation And Lecture

Assigned Discussion Topic

January 8

Section 1

Chapters 1 and 2

Introduction to Political Geography

What To Do About Illegal Immigration

January 15

Martin L. King Jr. Day - No Class

January 22

Section 1

Chapters 3 through 5

State, Nation, and Nation-States

Nuclear Proliferation and Rouge States

January 29

Section 1

Chapters 6 through 9

Frontiers and Boundaries

Nation Building And The War in Afghanistan

February 5

Section 1

Chapters 10 through 11

First Section Examination Review

Federal, Regional, and

Anomalous Political States

Nation Building And The War in Afghanistan

February 12

Section 2

Chapters 12 First Section Examination Review

Political Geography

Within the State

How to Deal With The New China

February 19 President’s Day – No Class February 26

Section 2

Exam On Section 1 (Chapters 1 through 11)

NA

The New World Order

March 5

Section 2

Chapters 13 through 16

Civil And Electoral Divisions

The Fate of the World Trade Organization

March 12

Section 2

Chapters 17 through 19 Second Section Examination Review

The Rise And Fall of

Colonial Empires

Women in the Middle East

March 19

Spring Break - No Class

March 26

Section 3

Exam On Section 2 (Chapters 12 through 19) Chapters 20 through 23

History And Theory of

Geopolitics

Emerging Multipolarity

April 2

Section 3

Research Papers Due Chapters 24 through 30 Third Section Examination Review

International Law, Trade, and Economic Integration

The Coming Anarchy

April 9

Section 4

Exam On Section 3 (Chapters 20 through 30) Chapters 31 through 34

Governmental Organizational Land

Locked State, and Terrorism

The Debt Crisis and the Fate of the Euro

April 16

Section 4

Chapters 35 through 36

The Political Geography of the World’s Oceans

The World’s Water Challenge

April 23

Section 4

Classroom Presentations Due Chapters 37 through 39 Course Summarization Fourth Section Examination Review

Politics of Religion, Language Ethnic Diversity, Population,

Migration, and Food. The Future of Political Geography

Climate Countdown – Grappling with

Global Warming

April 30

NA

Exam On Section 4 (Chapters 31 through 39) Student Classroom Presentations

NA

NA

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