GEOGRAPHY means, literally, to describe the Earth. One can do so with respect to Earth's physical (i.e. natural) features (mountains, oceans, atmosphere, landforms, rivers, etc.) or with respect to its human, socially induced (i.e. cultural) features. Regional geography broadly employs these criteria to divide the world into distinctive, internally related areas, or regions, and then explores these regions more thoroughly in terms of their natural and cultural characteristics. In other words, World Regional Geography provides an overview of the world's cultures and
physical features with emphasis on cohesive portions of the earth known as regions. These major divisions (and their internal sub-regions) are Europe (including the British Isles and Northern, Continental Core, Eastern, and Mediterranean Europe); Russia; North America (Canada and USA), North Africa & Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa,
Latin America (Middle and South America), and Australia/New Zealand.

Activities and Evaluation:
The course begins with an overview of geography and the Five Themes of Geography, world physical processes, demography, and economic development. Students are divided into groups for research, preparation and presentation of the culture and natural environment of one of the world regions or subregions listed above. Specifically, each group will prepare a regional meal and three slideshows: 1) general culture (to be presented with food), 2) native animals and natural environments, and 3) art. Field trips to the Louisville Zoo and the Speed Art Museum are planned to facilitate the latter.  In addition, each student will consult and post additional materials on Oncourse and will complete a Country ID test. Students will work in groups to complete regional atlas exercises.

Course work and evaluation:
                                            

Oncourse postings                                                                    25  pts
Atlas and Exercises                                                                 200 pts

Meal and Culture presentation                                                   75  pts

Zoo slideshow                                                                           50 pts

Art Slideshow                                                                            50 pts

Country ID Exam                                                                 100 pts
Total points possible                                                            500 pts

Grading Scale:
                Final % Range        Total Final Points      Final Grade
                        99+                          495-500+                A+
                    93-98                          465-494                   A
                    90-92                          450-464                   A-
                    87-89                          435-449                   B+
                    83-86                          415-434                   B
                    80-82                          400-414                   B-
                    77-79                          385-399                   C+
                    70-76                          350-384                   C
                    67-69                          335-349                   D+
                    63-66                          315-334                   D
                    60-62                          300-314                   D-
                    0-59                                0-299                   F