GEOG-221: Geography of the Middle East

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Social Sciences
Department
Geography
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Geography
Course Number
221
Course Title
Geography of the Middle East
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
Eligible to take ENG courses at HFC
Catalog Course Description

Examines the cultural geography of Middle Eastern peoples, and the social, historical, economic and political geographies of the region. Includes an overview of the physical environment, and an examination of common stereotypes, perception of people and place, Arab immigration and settlement in the United States, and current Arab American issues.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Overview of Geography, Geographic Perspective, and Spatial Analysis
  2. Global Perspective
    • Interaction between local, national, regional, and global scales.
  3. Perception of People and Place with Focus on United States and Midde East - Common Stereotypes and Misinformation
  4. Overview of Middle East Region
    • Human Geography: cultural, political, social, economic and historical geographies.
    • Physical Geography: environmental geography with focus on water and vulnerability to climate change.
  5. Cultural Geography of the Middle East
  6. Physical Geography of the Middle East
  7. Monotheism: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
  8. Colonialism, the Ottoman Legacy and Western Domination
  9. Settlement Patterns and Human Use of the Environment
  10. Political Instability and Challenges
  11. Population Patterns, Migration and Immigration in the United States
  12. Overview of Arab Americans
    • Immigration
    • Patterns of diversity: cultural, social, economic, political, country of origin
    • Current issues
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
  1. Explain spatial analysis and describe the geographic approach and holistic, global perspective.
  2. Explain the spatial organization of people and places in this region.
  3. Describe human and physical characteristics in this region.
  4. Explain how to use maps to interpret the past, understand the present, and plan for the future.
  5. Identify common stereotypes and misconceptions in the United States about the people and places of this region.
  6. Explain how culture and experience influence people’s perceptions of places, regions and peoples.
  7. Discuss ethnocentrism from a spatial perspective.
  8. Describe the spatial variation of culture in this region.
  9. Describe the spatial variation of the physical environment in this region.
  10. Explain major processes leading to the current political instability and challenges in this region.
  11. Explain several regional issues (cultural, political, social, economic, environmental) from a geographic perspective.
  12. Discuss Arab Immigration in the United States and the cultural, political, social, and economic factors impacting settlement patterns.
  13. Provide an overview of Arab Americans and discuss key issues related to Arab Americans.
  14. Analyze an issue or challenge impacting this region utilizing a geographic perspective by describing the nature of the challenge, assessing the present and long term impacts on people and environment, and determining the best possible decisions and actions needed to solve or mitigate the challenge.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Each instructor will identify and implement appropriate methods to assess the achievement of the learning objectives for this course.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Social Sciences
MTA Categories
  • Category 4: Social Sciences
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Effective Term
Winter 2022