Spring 2012

Texts: (1) Illinois Atlas & Gazetteer (latest edition).  Because we will frequently refer to the atlas, you should have it with you in class. We do have locked storage available so you can leave it between classes. (2) PIP packet #9, which is Appendix A of Illinois: A Geographical Survey.

Supplies: (1) millimeter ruler of at least 300 mm (12 inches is okay, but longer is better), (2) package of 4" x 6" cards (white, lined on one side), (3) three-ring binder at least 1.5" for ring diameter, and (4) 8.5" x 11" spiral notebook (avoid perforated pages; choose light color for cover). Every student should have his/her own atlas, packet, and supplies.  Make sure your ruler has millimeters on it.

Course Goals: (1) To develop in you a sense of appreciation for and concern about The Prairie State and (2) to improve your communication skills.

Grades: Plan on 450 points in the course. I use an overall scale of approximately 90/80/70/60.

            200 from logbook
            150 from exams (open packet, notes, maps, atlas, etc.)
            100 from daily class activities

Attendance: I expect you to attend class regularly. Poor attendance could impact your course grade in several ways: class cards, testable material, logbook entries, and logbook collections. Please be prompt. We will start on time, with important announcements first.

Logbooks: Commit yourself immediately to filling your logbook with handwritten prose (perhaps also maps, drawings, photos) pertinent to GEO 220. I will ask you to make several directed entries--either in or out of class. You will also make many (at least two per week) independent entries as you reflect on Geography 220. Here are just a few ideas for independent entries: "I am curious about . . . .;" "You said in class today . . . .;" "I am sitting here at home looking at . . . .;" "When I was about 12 years old . . . .;" "On the front page of the newspaper today I read . . . .;" "My favorite Illinois Website has an interesting item about . . . ."  Most important, and in every entry, I expect to read your thoughts about that subject. I will collect logs irregularly on an announced and unannounced basis. ALWAYS BRING LOG TO CLASS.  If I collect logbooks, you must have yours ready to submit at that time. At my discretion, for half credit, I may allow you to turn in a forgotten logbook later that day.  If you know you will be absent, hand me your logbook ahead of time, ready for me to grade. I base logbook points on number of entries, entry quality, format, timeliness, and an end-of-semester index and evaluative essay. The standard format includes day, date, and title. For your first entry use "Tuesday, 17 January 2012: My Goals for this Course." Begin each subsequent entry at the top of the next blank page. Use fronts and backs of all sheets. Entries may occupy more than one successive page. Place your name on the outside of the log in the upper right-hand corner of the front cover. Use your logbook only for logbook entries. Do not tear pages out of the logbook. Limit the number of routine weather entries to one per semester.

Daily Class Activities: Class cards will help you learn to take responsibility for becoming an active learner. I will challenge you nearly every class period to think and react on a card. We will do brief writing exercises, one-on-one discussions with classmates, quick quizzes, and other activities at various times during our class meetings. Many activities will involve the day's topic, and each activity is worth up to five points.  I plan on 20 scored daily activities, for a total of 100 points. In order to receive the five points, you must (1) be in class, (2) perform the class activity to my satisfaction, and (3) turn in at that time a 4" x 6" card, properly completed.  I accept no substitutes for the white, lined card. Proper completion means (on the lined side) your last name printed on the left side on second line, followed by first name; card number in the middle of same line; and date on the far right.  I will not accept cards before an activity or at a later time (unless later is part of the assignment). Do not leave cards with a classmate, mail me cards, slide cards under my door, or drop off cards in my department's office. For daily activities there will be no excused absences.  You are either in class and actively learning, or you are elsewhere not receiving credit. Each student will receive an automatic activity bonus of 5 points. In other words, I am giving you a personal day during the semester, which should take care of the occasional illness, religious holiday, athletic event, auto breakdown, alarm failure, and so forth. I do not need to know when you will be absent or why you were absent in order for you to receive these personal points. In case of a catastrophic event in your life, I will, of course, modify the policy. Otherwise, please do not request exceptions. If you arrive during a class card activity, I will ask you to wait in the hallway until we are through. If you leave class during or before a card activity, you receive no credit. 

Academic Dishonesty: This department will not tolerate academic dishonesty. I expect you to do your own work in my course, except when I specifically call for a group effort. If you suspect academic dishonesty, please inform me immediately.

Food/Drink/Phones: Do not bring food or drink (soda, coffee, hot chocolate, etc.) into the classroom. Consuming water is fine, but keep containers off the tables. Turn off cell phones before class; do not use cell phones during class.

Special Accommodation: If you need a special accommodation to participate fully in this class, please contact Disability Concerns at 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD).

Contact me via email at mdsuble@ilstu.edu

Go to Geography 220 Welcome Page.

Go to Geography 220 Course Outline.

Learn more about me at my homepage.

Created 29 December 1997. Last revision occurred 29 December 2011.