Summer I, 2025
Class hours: Online asynchronous
Professor: Hongmian Gong
Email: gong@hunter.cuny.edu
Phone: 347-778-0426
Office hours: Tuesday 12-1 pm, or by appointment.
(Please use phone or text during office hour and use discussion board or email off office hour)
Web page: http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~hgong
Department office and phone: HN1006, 212-772-5265
Course
Description
A broad overview of subjects and ideas
in geography, possibly the most internally diverse of the social
sciences. Covers the geographical aspects of topics including weather and
climate, landforms, population, culture, spatial interaction, politics,
economics, cities, and much more. While
students will be expected to understand the basics of each of the topics
covered, the overarching emphasis will be on understanding the relationships
among them. As such, the course builds from one topic to the next, ultimately
stressing the sheer geographical complexity and wonder of modern life
interacting with it.
This course fulfills the CUNY Common
Core requirement on Individual and Society (Social Science) and Stage 2 (Broad
Exposure) Group B (Social Science) of the General Education Requirement.
Learning
Outcomes
By the end of the course you should be able to:
1. define and describe the subfields and core concepts of geography.
2. know how to read maps and become familiar with geospatial technologies such as remote sensing and GIS.
3. have basic knowledge of plate tectonics, landforms, weather, and climates.
4. discuss the role of distance as an effect on human interaction.
5. understand the global patterns of population, cultural, political, urban, and economic processes.
Required
Textbook
M. Bjelland, D. Kaplan, and J. Malinowski, Introduction to Geography. McGraw Hill, 16th edition, 2022. ISBN 978-1260364132 (Paperback) or ISBN 978-1264408160 (E-Book).
Course
Evaluation
Grade will be based on the following Criteria:
|
Quiz, any 10 minutes from May 27 to May 30 |
1% |
|
Exam 1, Tuesday, June 10 (any one hour between 7 am and midnight) |
33% |
|
Exam 2, Tuesday, June 24 (any one hour between 7 am and midnight) |
33% |
|
Exam 3, Tuesday, July 8 (any one hour between 7 am and midnight) |
33% |
1. Students are strongly advised not to miss any exam. If a student has to miss one of the first two exams, a
make-up exam will be available at the end of the semester: July 8, any one hour between 7 am and midnight. The make-up exam will cover all chapters tested in the first two exams and will be the same to those who either misses Exam 1 or Exam 2. No student is allowed more than one make-up exam.
2.
The only students who will be eligible for P/NC at the end of the semester are
those who have completed all three exams. Please consult https://hunter.cuny.edu/students/registration/register-for-classes/credit-no-credit/#instructions.
3. No incomplete (IN) is given as a grade unless it is under the most extraordinary, and documented, circumstances. To request IN as a grade, please complete a Contract to Resolve Incomplete Grades form at http://www.geo.hunter.cuny.edu/forms/Contract%20to%20Resolve%20Incomplete.pdf and email it to the instructor before Exam 3.
Schedule
Outline
|
Topics |
Reading Assignments |
|
What is geography? |
Chapter 1 |
|
Techniques of Geographic Analysis |
Chapter 2 |
|
Landforms |
Chapter 3 |
|
Weather and Climate |
Chapter 4 |
|
------------ Exam 1 ------------ |
|
|
|
|
|
Population geography |
Chapter 5 |
|
Cultural geography |
Chapter 6 |
|
Human Interaction |
Chapter 7 |
|
------------ Exam 2 ------------ |
|
|
|
|
|
Political Geography |
Chapter 8 |
|
Agriculture and Primary Activities |
Chapter 9 |
|
Manufacturing and Services |
Chapter 10 |
|
An Urban World |
Chapter 11 |
|
------------ Exam 3 ------------ |
|
Email
Policy
Students should check the Announcements and Discussions in Brightspace as well as the course syllabus before emailing the instructor. Content of the emails is limited to what cannot be covered during office hour. Emails are generally replied to within one business day and no later than two business days. Remember to include the course title and class time in the subject line and sign your full name as it appears in CUNYFirst.
Hunter College Policy on Academic Integrity
Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g.,
plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and
falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against
the values of intellectual honesty. The
College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and
will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College
Academic Integrity Procedures.
ADA Policy
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990
(ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is
committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students
with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that
all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical, and/or
Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY,
located in Room E1214B, to secure necessary academic accommodations. For
further information and assistance, please call: (212) 772- 4857 or (212)
650-3230.
Hunter College Policy on Sexual Misconduct
“In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter
College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes
sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation
against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate
relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or
off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the
rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College.
a. Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to
immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims
Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting
the College's Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
b. All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also
encouraged to contact the College's Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose
(jtrose@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry
(colleen.barry@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services
through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123.
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct Link: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Policy-on-SexualMisconduct-12-1-14-with-links.pdf
Syllabus
Change Policy
Except for changes that substantially affect
implementation of the evaluation (grading) criteria, this syllabus is a
guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice. Any changes made to the syllabus will be
posted in Brightspace under Announcements.