2030A Africa South of the Sahara (Summer 2012) - Geography ...

2030A Africa South of the Sahara (Summer 2012)
Course Outline
Location: SSC 3014
Time: Monday & Tuesday, 9 AM - 11 AM
Instructor Information
Name and title: Liam Riley, ABD (Geography)
Contact information: lriley3@uwo.ca
Office hours: Tuesday 11 AM-12 PM (SSC 2310)
Course Objectives and Format
• By the end of this course, students will have specific knowledge of people and
places in sub-Saharan Africa and a broad knowledge of key concepts needed to
understand the geography of sub-Saharan Africa.
• Attention will be given to the proper introduction of selected key concepts
including poverty, development, colonialism, globalization, sustainability, and
culture at the beginning of the course to be used as conceptual tools in
subsequent sections.
• The lectures will be organized according to the five broad themes outlined
below; each lecture will draw on history, environment, politics, and culture in
order to present the geography of sub-Saharan Africa from different
perspectives and scales.
• The three in-class quizzes will be factually based and test the student’s
knowledge of places (human and physical), events, spatial processes, groups
and notable individuals in the region. The contents will be drawn from the
textbook, the lecture materials, and other sources as indicated in class. The
format will be a mix of map-based questions, multiple choice, and short
answer questions.
• The final exam will test the student’s ability to apply the knowledge gained in
class lectures and readings to real world problems in the region. The final
exam format will be a mix of short answer and essay questions.
• A participation mark will be allocated to each student. High marks will be given
for class attendance and participation. Students are encouraged to read news
from Africa and bring questions and information to class based on these
current events.
• There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Materials
Aryeetey Attoh, S. (2010). Geography of sub-Saharan Africa (third edition). New
York: Prentice Hall.
Other materials will be made available during class when appropriate.
http://afripod.aodl.org/links/ provides a good starting point for accessing news
sources with African content.
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Assessment
Students will be assessed according to the following formula:
• Participation 10%
• In-class quizzes 15% X 3 = 45%
• Final exam 45%
Lecture schedule
Dates Assessments Lecture title Topics addressed in
class
July 9 & 10 No quiz Course overview
and introduction
of key concepts
July 16 & 17
July 23 & 24
July 30 & 31
Quiz 1: Tues.
July 17
10:15 AM-11
AM*
Quiz 2: Tues.
July 24
10:15 AM-
11AM*
Quiz 3: Tues.
July 31
10:15 AM-
11AM*
People and space
Daily lives in sub-
Saharan Africa
Rural and urban
development
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Political borders,
migration, conservation
and resources
Gender, childhoods,
health, culture change
Land grabs (current and
historical), urbanization,
agriculture, globalization
August 7 (no
class August 6)
No quiz Political violence Case studies of political
violence in the region
August 13 & 14 No quiz Poverty & hunger
(conclusion)
Exploring explanations
for poverty and food
insecurity in the region
Final exams will be held August 20 and 21 (time and date to be determined).
They will be administered according to university regulations.
*The quizzes will be testing factual knowledge and therefore no
written materials or electronic devices will be permitted while quizzes
are in progress. Washroom breaks will not be permitted during the
quizzes unless prior notice is given of a medical reason. The discovery
of cheating will result in immediate 0 on the quiz and the student will
be reported to the Department Chair for further reprimand if
applicable.
If the instructor receives notification from Academic Counselling that
there was a justifiable reason to miss a quiz, it may be rewritten
during the instructor’s office hours or another mutually agreed upon
time. The university policy states: “Students seeking academic
accommodation on medical grounds for any missed tests, exams,
participation components and/or assignments worth 10% or more of
their final grade must apply to the Academic Counselling office of their
home Faculty and provide documentation. Academic accommodation
cannot be granted by the instructor or department.”

Statement on Use of Electronic Devices
No electronic devices will be allowed during tests and examinations.
Statement on Academic Offences
Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the
appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic
Offence, at the following Web site:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholoff.pdf .
Western's commitment to accessibility
The University of Western Ontario is committed to achieving barrier free
accessibility for persons studying, visiting and working at Western.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format
or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to
you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at
661-2111 x 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.
Support Services
Registrarial Services: http://www3.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfm
Student Development Services: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/
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