Corey Johnson, 208 Condon Hall, x6-4970, cjohns11@uoregon.edu

Discussion sections: Thurs. 1:00-1:50; 2:00-2:50

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 11:00-12:00

Course description: Examination of basic physical and human patterns in contemporary Europe. Analysis and explanation of regional variations through a problem-oriented approach. Emphasis on the physical and human-created landscape, cultural variations and their implications, settlement patterns, political divisions, and regional economic differences.

Text: Jordan, Terry G. The European Culture Area: A Systematic Geography, 4th ed. Boulder, Colo.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the text).

Course Requirements and Grading: Three exercises (each worth 15% of the course grade), a place name quiz (worth 5% of the course grade), two midterms (worth 20% of the course grade), and participation in discussion sections (worth 10% of the course grade). All exercises must be turned in and all exams must be taken in order to pass the course. Regular class attendance and the completion of readings before the lecture to which they are assigned are expected.

Learning Environment: Everyone should respect the class as a place for learning, both for us individually and for everyone else. Violations of academic integrity such as plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated (see http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students/ and http://studentlife.uoregon.edu/programs/student_judi_affairs/). Suspected violations will be reported to the Director of Student Judicial Affairs and may result in a grade of F for the course. Personal computers may be used during lecture and discussion for note taking. Internet usage in class is distracting to other students and should be avoided.

Course Outline and Reading Assignments:

Jan. 7 Introduction to the course

What is Europe?

Reading: New version of chapter 1 in the text that is posted on Blackboard (refer to the book for figures)

Jan. 9, 11 & 14 Climate, physiography, and vegetation

Human alteration of the physical environment

Reading: Text, chapter 2

EXERCISE # 1 HANDED OUT IN CLASS – JAN. 11

Jan. 16 & 18 The peopling of Europe

Basic demographic characteristics of Europe

Reading: Text, chapter 6

Jan. 21 NO CLASS – MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

Jan. 23 (last 15 minutes of class) - PLACE NAME QUIZ

Jan. 23, 25 & 28 The cultural diversity of Europe I

The geography of European languages

The ethnic diversity of Europe

Reading: Text, chapter 4

EXERCISE # 1 DUE IN CLASS – JAN. 28

EXERCISE # 2 HANDED OUT IN CLASS – JAN. 28

Jan. 30, Feb. 1 & 4 The cultural diversity of Europe II

The geography of European religions

Reading: Text, chapter 3

Feb. 6 The rise of the European state system

Reading: Text, chapter 7, pp. 185 – 218

Feb. 8 FIRST MIDTERM EXAMINATION (DURING REGULAR CLASS PERIOD)

Feb. 11 & 13 Land use and landscapes of the rural sector

European agriculture in transition

Reading: Text, chapter 11

Feb. 15, 18 & 20 Economic foundations of modern Europe

The Industrial Revolution and its consequences

Deindustrialization and its political/social consequences

Reading: Text, chapters 9 and 10

EXERCISE # 2 DUE IN CLASS – FEB. 18

EXERCISE # 3 HANDED OUT IN CLASS - FEB. 18

Feb. 22, 25 & 27 The rise of the European City

Land use and landscapes of the urban sector

Reading: Text, chapter 8, pp. 233-262 (top)

Feb. 29 The changing character of the European city

Reading: Text, chapter 8, pp. 262 (bottom) -278

Mar. 3 & 5 Contemporary social and ethnic issues

Reading: Manuscript posted on Blackboard

EXERCISE # 3 DUE IN CLASS – MAR. 5

Mar. 7 Life in contemporary Europe: Sweden

Guest Lecturer: Minna Pavulans, Ph.D., Geography

Mar. 10 & 12 The European Unification Project

Reading: Manuscript posted on Blackboard

Mar. 14 SECOND MIDTERM EXAMINATION (DURING REGULAR CLASS PERIOD)

SUMMARY SCHEDULE FOR ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS

1/11 EXERCISE # 1 HANDED OUT IN CLASS

1/23 PLACE NAME QUIZ

1/28 EXERCISE # 1 DUE IN CLASS

1/28 EXERCISE # 2 HANDED OUT IN CLASS

2/8 FIRST MIDTERM EXAMINATION (DURING REGULAR CLASS PERIOD)

2/18 EXERCISE # 2 DUE IN CLASS

2/18 EXERCISE # 3 HANDED OUT IN CLASS

3/5 EXERCISE # 3 DUE IN CLASS

3/14 SECOND MIDTERM EXAMINATION (DURING REGULAR CLASS PERIOD)