People and Places of the World - Geography Foundations

All aboard the Geography Express! On this tour, we will be taking a trip across the globe to engage with the people and places of the world to see how they are interconnected. Where do people live in the world? Are we connected? Do math, science, and history have anything to do with each other? Geography is a field of study that seeks to make connections between all aspects of life.

In each unit of this course, we will visit each of the major regions of earth from Russia to Australia, Europe, South America and beyond. We will inquire into the various aspects of life in each region, looking at the physical geography, government, economics, trade, cultures, religion, and history to understand the complexities of the world. We will begin to address a major geographic concept--placemaking and dissect how people make meaning in the world.

This Geography Foundations course will introduce you to the basics of holistic inquiry, viewing the world from many lens’ and perspectives. Through Socratic discussions, weekly readings, and engaging and creative projects you will engage with not only the larger world around you, but also see how you and your own community is connected to the larger world. Ultimately, our goal and desire is to see the true, good, and beautiful in all parts of the world, recognizing areas in which we can be moved to empathy and service of the human and non-human environments.

Course Objectives:

1. To explore and discover the culture and land of the seven continents.
2. To interpret and express the relationship between physical geography, religion, economics, and history.
3. To investigate multiple sides of an argument and worldview.
4. To inspect and assess your own place and relationship in and with the world.

Course Format:

This course is formatted using the 7 syntopical steps of learning. Throughout the year, students will be expected to come to class prepared for discussion of key concepts, research, and projects. Each pedagogic unit will be structured to foster a deeper, more analytical, synthetic and evaluative understanding of class materials and to personalize student learning. Each unit will be guided by and follow these steps in order:

• Pre-Learning Reflection: Open ended discussion questions to prepare the mind
• Syntopical Learning Great Idea: Didactic instruction centered on key topics
• Core Text Readings: Classic Texts of the discipline or modern academic articles
• Personal Research: Online research, labs or application activity
• Project Based Learning: Socratic Discussion or Essay Assignment
• Post-Learning Reflection
• Suggestions for Further Learning

Each unit will comprise of graded Socratics, essay writing, application activities, or student created projects to varying degrees. Along with reading materials, students can expect supplemental audio or videos to accompany class work. The course is a grade-integrated course with students 9th-12th grade allowed to enroll. To accommodate students, course assignments and materials will be appropriately leveled per each individual student's grade level and will be clearly communicated in the course syllabus.

Texts:

• “World Regional Geography, Caitlyn Finlayson” - Free Ebook or used or new (optional): ISBN-10: 1077115032, ISBN-13: 978-1077115033
• Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo Andric; ISBN-10: 9780226020457, ISBN-13: 978-022602045
• Additional electronic PDF readings, weekly articles, materials, and resources will be provided by the instructor during the year.