3308: GEO LATIN AMERICA Fall 2006 Instructor: Dr. Osvaldo Muniz Office: 366 Evans Liberal Arts Building (ELA) Office Hours: 2:00 to 4:30 Monday & Wednesday, or by appointment Contact: 512-245-0375 [e-mail] Lectures: 312 Evans Liberal Arts Building (ELA) 9:30 10:45 Tuesday & Thursday. Course Description: This course serves as a broad introduction to Latin America, with an emphasis on specific geographic and economic issues. The general objective is to help students to develop the faculty to think critically about Latin America as an important region within the Americas. Specific objectives are related to basic understanding of physical features and dynamics, the comprehension of the level of natural resource exploitation and its primary impacts, the stage of population dynamics, and the effects of economic global interactions. Topics covered include main geologic and geomorphologic changes, nonrenewable and renewable natural resources, major environmental impacts, population change and labor movement, international corporations, investments and regional transformations within the region. General Course Outline: 1) Physical characteristics and dynamic: Geology and geomorphology 2) Physical geography: Climatology and hydrology 3) Non-renewable and renewable natural resources 4) Sustainable development and environmental impact 5) Population and labor force migration 6) Cities: Hierarchies and global city development 7) Transnational corporations and foreign direct investments 8) Regional penetration: transportation and communication 9) Innovation and scientific development: networking Course Expectations: By the end of the class you should be able to understand how the Latin American region evolves from both physical and economic perspectives. You should recognize the physical features and the location of both human and economic places. Much of this information is included in the first four weeks of the course, but each student must keep in mind the importance of recognizing physical features and places in the entire region. The course consists of two closely related components: lectures and discussion sessions. In lectures, the conceptual elements of the above topics are examined. The discussion
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sessions are designed to facilitate students in gaining experience through both exchange and defense ideas of related to various topics. Course Requirements: You should expect to attend lectures and discussion sessions at all times. Along with attendance I also expect students to arrive on time. Because of the layout of the classroom and a frequent use of electronic devises, opening and closing the classrooms door create a major distraction. Be present and be punctual! Students having special needs/disabilities which require accommodations for the successful completion of this course should talk to the instructor and must notify the Office of Disability Services no later than the fourth class period to discuss specific arrangements and logistics. Texas State is dedicated to providing these students with necessary academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to facilitate participation and performance in the classroom. Grading Criteria: Weight Description Date(s) 30% Midterm October 3, (ELA 312) 9:30 am 40% Final Exam December 6, (ELA 312) 8:00 am (cumulative) In-class quizzes 5% 10-minutes Five random dates throughout the quizzes given at semester. the start of class on previous lecture materials Final Project (+) 25% Individual Due November 30 (5:00 pm) country study (*) Exams questions come from class lectures, discussions, assigned readings, maps, and handouts. Exams consist of a combination of multiple choice and short essay questions. Texas State University Academic Honesty Learnin...