Regional Geography of temperate zone 1900-3-GOU-GL

Lectures: The course focuses on contemporary social, economic, political, and environmental issues in selected regions of the temperate and subtropical zones. Topics discussed include economic transformation and the role of large corporations (including chaebols in South Korea and the semiconductor sector in Taiwan), the significance of strategic raw materials in the modern economy (rare earth elements, lithium), as well as the functioning of global supply chains. An important part of the course concerns geopolitical and social problems of conflict and peripheral regions, such as the division of Cyprus and the situation in Lebanon. The lectures also examine the relationships between religion, politics, and the economy, and their influence on urban spatial organization, state functioning, and social life. Additional topics include demographic and social transformations, such as rural depopulation, population changes in post-Soviet states, and the integration of ethnic minorities in Europe. Contemporary environmental and energy-related challenges are also addressed, including ecological disasters (e.g. Lake Urmia), the development of wind energy, the consequences of industrialization and deindustrialization (“Rust Belt”, Detroit), and human–environment relations in selected areas. The course topics may be modified depending on the dynamics of current social, economic, political, and environmental changes worldwide, as well as the relevance and significance of particular regional issues.

Classes: Students conduct a mini-workshop for the other members of the class group. The workshop consists of an introductory part (a presentation supported by multimedia materials) and a workshop component (at least one group-engaging activity, such as thematic map analysis, analysis of short source texts, problem-oriented discussion, statistical data analysis, or a case study). The mini-workshops concern selected regional issues related to the countries of the former Soviet Union (e.g. regions undergoing complex transformation processes; geographical determinants of disease outbreak areas), Anglo-America (e.g. human–environment relations), or Europe (e.g. human–environment relations in lowland depression areas using the Netherlands as an example; old and new wine landscapes in the era of climate change). The aim of the mini-workshops is to develop critical thinking skills through analyzing problems from different perspectives, working with source materials, interpreting data, and conducting substantive discussions. An important element of the classes is also the development of argumentation skills, teamwork, and the ability to draw independent conclusions. The topics of the mini-workshops may be modified depending on students’ preferences. In the case of a small class group, the instructor reserves the right to introduce additional tasks to fill the class time.

Teaching materials provided during classes, including presentations, are protected by copyright law. The instructor may make selected materials available to students in electronic form; however, they is not obliged to do so. Any materials that are shared are intended solely for students’ personal use and may not be further distributed without the author’s consent. To facilitate students’ preparation for the exam, the instructor may prepare and provide a list of key topics covering the content discussed during the classes.

Estimated number of hours a student must devote to achieving the intended learning outcomes for the course.

Student workload: 4 ECTS = 4 × 25h = 100h

(N) – work in direct contact with the instructor
(S) – independent student work

Lectures = 30h (N)
Classes = 15h (N)

Preparation for the lecture exam = 30h (S)

Preparation for conducting the mini-workshop during classes, including preparation of the presentation supported by multimedia materials and preparation of a group-engaging activity = 25h (S)

Main fields of studies for MISMaP

geography

Course coordinators

Maciej Kałaska

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

The course is based on the assumptions of the so-called “new regional geography.” Unlike classical approaches to regional geography, which focused mainly on the description of the natural environment and the delimitation of regions, contemporary regional geography treats the region as a dynamic product of social, economic, and cultural processes. The course incorporates three complementary research perspectives: socio-geographical, geo-economic, and geo-cultural, which enable the analysis of contemporary regional transformations.

Learning outcomes

Directional effects: K_W02, K_W04, K_W12 / K_U04, K_U08 / K_K05
Special effects: S2_W02, S2_W04 / S2_U04, S2_U08 / S2_K05

KNOWLEDGE :: The graduate knows and understands:
- complex processes of the lithosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere and biosphere;
- complex social, economic, political and cultural processes in territorial communities;
- the role and importance of natural resources for human functioning and the interrelations between nature and society;
- knows the geographical concepts explaining the diversity of phenomena and processes on the Earth's surface.

SKILLS: The graduate is able to:
- use critically scientific literature and other sources, also in a foreign language in the field of a selected specialization;
- correctly interpret and explain the mutual relations between social and natural phenomena and processes in various areas;
- lead and participate in discussions on significant problems in temperate areas;
- prepare written works based on the literature;
- use geographical terminology in Polish and in a foreign language at the B2 + level.

SOCIAL COMPETENCES: The graduate is ready to:
- expanding professional competences and updating geographic knowledge, enriched with an interdisciplinary dimension;
- cooperating and working in a group, fulfilling various roles in it and anticipating the effects of its activities;
- taking responsibility for the fulfillment of undertaken obligations and the safety of one's own work and that of others;
- disseminating geographic knowledge (scientific achievements) in the society and spreading the value of the geosphere and cultural diversity of the world;
- dealing with the sense of responsibility for the condition of the Earth's ecosystems and resources;
- compliance with the rules of behavior resulting from respect and kindness towards representatives of other cultures.

Assessment criteria

Lectures: the assessment is based on an oral exam consisting of two problem-based questions. Upon request of all Students, the exam may be conducted in written form. A minimum of 50% of the points is required to pass the exam. The exam covers only the topics discussed during the lectures. Attendance at lectures is not mandatory (attendance is not checked).

Classes: one unexcused absence is permitted (all additional absences must be justified on an ongoing basis). In the case of a large number of excused absences, the instructor reserves the right to assign one additional written assignment to be completed at home (2 pages A4, Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, 2.5 cm margins on each side).

The final grade for the classes consists of the following elements:

1. Conducting a 45-minute mini-workshop during class on a selected topic from the provided list (it is also possible to propose an individual topic after consultation with the class instructor) – 70%.
2. Class participation: participation in mini-workshops, discussion following the workshops, and possible additional tasks – 30%.

The class grade constitutes 45% of the final course grade, while the lecture grade constitutes 55% of the final course grade. Failure to pass the classes makes it impossible to take the lecture exam.

Bibliography

1. Babiński G. , 1998, Europa państw- Europa narodów.
2. Fouberg E.H., Moseley W.G., 2015, Understanding World Regional Geography, Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey.
3. Hobbs J.J., 2016, Fundamentals of world regional geography, Brooks Cole, b.d.
4. Kostrowicki A.S., 1999, Geografia biosfery : biogeografia dynamiczna lądów, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
5. Makowski J., 2004, Geografia fizyczna świata, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa
6. Makowski J., Wites T. (red.), 2020, Geografia świata. Regiony, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
7. Mollat du Jourdin M., 1995, Europa i morze, Oficyna Wydawnicza VOLUMEN, Warszawa.
8. Ostergren R.C., Le Bossé M., 2011, The Europeans: a geography of people, culture and environment, The Guilford , New York/London.
9. Podbielkowski Z., 2002, Fitogeografia części świata - tom 1. Europa, Azja, Afryka, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
10. Podbielkowski Z., 2002, Fitogeografia części świata - tom 2. Ameryka, Australia i Oceania, Antarktyda, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
11. De Blij H.J., Muller P.O., 1994, Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts, 7th ed. Wiley&Sons, Inc. New York
12. Hudson J.C., 2002, Across this land: a regional geography of United States and Canada, JHU Press.

Literatura uzupełniająca:
Boesch H., 1961, USA. Opanowanie kontynentu. PWN
McCarthy, T. & Rubidge, B. 2005. The Story of Earth & Life. A Southern African Perspective on a 4.6-Billion-Year Journey.: 334 pp. Cape Town: Struik Publishers/Johnnic Publishing Group).
R. Cosi, R. Whitaker, 2010, Republika Południowej Afryki. National Geographic. Przewodnik. Wyd. G+J RBA

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

geography