CQUniversity Unit Profile
GEOH11001 Introduction to Human Geography
Introduction to Human Geography
All details in this unit profile for GEOH11001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The unit provides insights into geographic patterns associated with the Earth's societies and cultures and the human use of the Earth. Topics include: religious beliefs and practices, population characteristics and mobility, race and ethnicity, the geography of nutrition, health and disease, urban systems and rural land use patterns. Students will take a geographical approach and apply relevant concepts and theories to examine significant issues in the contemporary world.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2017

Distance
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from feedbacks and self evaluations

Feedback

Assessment tasks

Recommendation

Explain the tasks clearly, including how assessments will be marked.

Action

Instructions for 3 pieces of assessment were rewritten.

Feedback from feedbacks and self evaluations

Feedback

Assessment feedbacks

Recommendation

Improve the marking criteria sheets.

Action

Marking criteria sheets for both written assessments were re-designed.

Feedback from feedbacks and self evaluations

Feedback

Course's organisation

Recommendation

Continue improvement of the course's organisation and learning resources.

Action

All weekly lecture notes were updated, including detailed study activities of each week.

Feedback from self evaluations

Feedback

Update online quiz questions

Recommendation

Refresh and reproduce the online quiz questions.

Action

All quiz questions were refreshed.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate significant knowledge and skills in developing a geographical approach to studying societies and cultures
  2. Apply geographic analysis to a broad range of issues
  3. Enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  4. Commit themselves to ethical action and social responsibility
  5. Demonstrate effective communication skills
  6. Develop self-motivation, and be thoughtful and capable learners able to work independently or collaboratively
  7. Have the ability to find, retrieve, sort, test and use information
  8. Have the ability to explain geographic patterns
  9. Apply geographic models and concepts
  10. Enhance their generic skills in information literacy and other technical skills and competencies relating to the unit.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 50%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 50%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Human Geography: People, Place, and Culture

11th Edition (2014)
Authors: Erin H. Fouberg et al
john wiley & sons
USA
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

This textbook comes with a Student Companion Site which contains useful learning resources.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Word Processing
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Jiaping Wu Unit Coordinator
j.wu@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Geography of What: An Introduction to Human Geography

Chapter

Ch.1 "Introduction to Human Geography" (pp. 1-28)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Note: Weekly Online Quizzes are available from the first day of the term; but each quiz is due in different weeks from Week 4.

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Population and Geography of Health

Chapter

Ch.2 "Population and Health" (pp. 29-59)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Population Mobility and Migration

Chapter

Ch.3 "Migration" (pp. 60-89)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Cultural Geographies

Chapter

Ch.4 "Local Culture, Popular Culture, and Cultural Landscapes" (pp. 90-116)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz 1 due

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Identity and Place

Chapter

Ch.5 "Identity: Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality" (pp. 117-142)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz 2 due

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Geographies of Language and Religion

Chapter

Ch.6 "Language" (pp. 143-170)

Ch.7 "Religion" (pp, 171-210)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz 3 due

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Political Geographies

Chapter

Ch.8 "Political Geography" (pp. 211-244)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz 4 due


Map report Due: Week 7 Friday (28 Apr 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2017

Module/Topic

Urbanisation and the Urbanised World

Chapter

Ch.9 "Urban Geography" (pp. 245-287)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quizzes 5 & 6 due

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2017

Module/Topic

Geographies of Development

Chapter

Ch.10 "Development" (pp.288-310)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quizzes 7 & 8 due

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2017

Module/Topic

Geographies of Agriculture and Regional Development

Chapter

Ch.11 "Agriculture and the Rural Landscape" (pp.311-345)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quizzes 9 & 10 due

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2017

Module/Topic

Geographies of Industry and Services

Chapter

Ch.12 "Industry and Services" (pp. 346-378)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz 11 due

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2017

Module/Topic

Environmental Change & Globalization

Chapter

Ch.13 "The Humanised Environment" (pp. 378-406.)

Ch.14 "Globalisation and the Geography of Networks" (pp. 407-420.)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz 12 due


Term Research Paper Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 11:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Map report

Task Description

The assignment consists of two components: a map report and forum postings.

  1. The map reports require you to find two different web sites from which you can access maps. Download one map from each of the websites, which relates to aspects of Human Geography. The scale of the area represented by each map should be different; for example, one map of a country and one map of a region (or one map of community or cultural groups). The maps can deal with the same or different themes. For each map, explain and evaluate what the map shows and determine how it contributes to your understanding of aspects of Human Geography. Your reports worth 20% of your grade and need to be submitted on time.
  2. Forum postings require you to write on aspects of local geographies or current geographic issues during the term. You should post them in 'Connecting Forum' of the course Moodle site. These include 3 postings and at least 2 responses or comments on other fellow student’s postings. Your postings can be any topic and in any format but they must are relevant to the learning of this subject (see connecting questions in the study guide or any other questions that come from your readings). The postings worth 10% of your grade.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (28 Apr 2017) 11:45 pm AEST

The map report is due Friday of week 7. Forum postings will be due Friday of week 12.


Return Date to Students

The map reports will be marked and returned within two weeks or as soon as practicable after the due date.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • Quality of maps chosen, including illustrations and appropriateness of mapping subjects;
  • Interpretation of map elements (e.g. scales and legends) and mapping information, including applications of relevant human geographic concepts to answer questions of what, where and why;
  • Competency of communications, including structure, English expression and citation.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate significant knowledge and skills in developing a geographical approach to studying societies and cultures
  • Apply geographic analysis to a broad range of issues
  • Enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Commit themselves to ethical action and social responsibility
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills
  • Develop self-motivation, and be thoughtful and capable learners able to work independently or collaboratively
  • Have the ability to find, retrieve, sort, test and use information
  • Have the ability to explain geographic patterns
  • Apply geographic models and concepts
  • Enhance their generic skills in information literacy and other technical skills and competencies relating to the unit.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Term Research Paper

Task Description

Write a term research paper to discuss and evaluate the geographical dimensions of any one or a combination of two or more following topics: population, race, religion, language, politics, land use, farming, urban and industrial space, inequalities in health, network societies etc.

The paper should have a clear focus while the scale of which can range from the local to the national, regional or global.

Detailed instructions, requirements and resources for completing the assessment are provided in the course Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 11:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (16 June 2017)

Research paper will be marked and returned through the course Moodle site.


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

  • Depth and breadth of research on selected topics;
  • Evidence of applying geographical approaches to understanding of the topics, including use of maps and other visual and graphical data;
  • Knowledge and skills demonstrated to identify and explain geographic patterns and/or spatial relations;
  • Effective communications, including organisation, English expression and citation of the research paper;


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate significant knowledge and skills in developing a geographical approach to studying societies and cultures
  • Apply geographic analysis to a broad range of issues
  • Enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Commit themselves to ethical action and social responsibility
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills
  • Develop self-motivation, and be thoughtful and capable learners able to work independently or collaboratively
  • Have the ability to find, retrieve, sort, test and use information
  • Have the ability to explain geographic patterns
  • Apply geographic models and concepts
  • Enhance their generic skills in information literacy and other technical skills and competencies relating to the unit.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes

Task Description

This assessment item consists of 12 weekly online quizzes. Each quiz has 10 multiple-choice questions. The questions are primarily based on learning materials of the week (Study Guide, Textbooks and other Course Resources). You need to select the best response.


Number of Quizzes

12


Frequency of Quizzes

Weekly


Assessment Due Date

Online quizzes are recommended to be complete weekly. Each quiz will be available from Monday of week 1; but cut off differently at certain week by the end of that week (at 11:30pm Rockhampton time, Sunday). For instance, quiz 1 will be cut off at the weekend on week 4. Please note two quizzes will be switched off each week in weeks 8, 9 and 10.


Return Date to Students

Score of each quiz will be automatically counted as it submitted.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Each question has one best answer only. The Question will be automatically marked 'correct if you chose the right answer. Scores are based on the number of correct answers only. There are no marks deducted for incorrect responses.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Make sure that you have entered your answers carefully and that you press the 'submit' button. (You could press ‘save’ to save your choices, which enable you to continue working on it the other times. However, once you press ‘submit’, you will not be able to repeat or change your choices of the quiz.)

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate significant knowledge and skills in developing a geographical approach to studying societies and cultures
  • Apply geographic analysis to a broad range of issues
  • Enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Commit themselves to ethical action and social responsibility
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills
  • Develop self-motivation, and be thoughtful and capable learners able to work independently or collaboratively
  • Have the ability to find, retrieve, sort, test and use information
  • Have the ability to explain geographic patterns
  • Apply geographic models and concepts
  • Enhance their generic skills in information literacy and other technical skills and competencies relating to the unit.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?