Course Description:

World Regional Geography examines the spatial distribution of environmental and societal phenomena in the world’s regions; environmental phenomena may include topography, climate, and location of natural resources; societal phenomena may include patterns of population and settlement, religion, ethnicity, language, and economic development. Analyzes the characteristics that define world regions and distinguishes them from each other. Examines the relationships between physical environments and human societies. Examines globalization with emphasis on the geopolitical and economic relationships between more developed and less developed regions.

Through taking this course, students will:

1. Locate and describe the physical geographic features of the world’s regions

2. Explain how physical geography influences human society

3. Explain how human societies affect physical environments

4. Describe and explain patterns of population and settlement in the world’s regions

5. Explain principles of demography and dynamics of population change

6. Explain the key factors shaping regional cultural identity

7. Describe the cultural coherence and diversity found within the world’s regions

8. Define nationalism and explain the differences between state and nation

9. Define geopolitics and describe geopolitical relationships within and between the world’s regions

10. Explain methods and tools for measuring economic and social development

11. Describe variations in economic and social development both within and between the world’s regions

12. Describe globalization

13. Explain how global economic and political processes shape the spatial distribution of wealth and poverty

14. Apply the geographic approach to societal questions by examining relationships between environmental, cultural, political, and economic phenomena

15. Write clearly and logically about topics related to world regional geography