Geography of East Asia

Geography 315I | Spring 2009

The Geography of East Asia is an upper-division survey course that should help students, regardless of their major, to better understand the complexities of the modern world and appreciate the role of geography in its description and analysis. The course objectives are:

To allow students to become more geographically literate; to be able to locate major geographical places and features on maps; and to formulate informed ideas about important interconnections between places and between places and their natural environment.

To enable students to identify, discuss and understand the cultural and historical antecedents to modern Asian societies and their (inter)relationships.

To acquire a 'geographic perspective' on current world problems through the study of ancient and modern China as the culture hearth of this region and how these themes relate to the neighboring countries of East Asia.

To develop an Interdisciplinary Approach to Regional Analysis -- with special emphasis on Geography, History and Economics.

To give each student an opportunity to research and develop specific knowledge of an approved topic in the Geography of East Asia.

To provide experience in the written and oral communication of results of individual research.

TOPICAL OUTLINE
(in approximate order of presentation)
Reading Assignments in the Text and on the WWWeb -- Posted in the READINGS Section / Main Page

What and Where is East Asia?

A Mental Map of East Asia
Areas and Countries Potentially Included
Focus on China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan (and some Vietnam)
Language: Unity and Diversity
Geography -- Systematic and Regional Approaches

The Physical Environment

Mountains, Rivers and Valleys -- Why do we need to know?
Agricultural Potential -- Climates and Topographies
Water -- Too much or too little
Population and Environments
Landscape Oddities

The Historical Geography of China

China's Changing Map -- Ancient Times to Present
Herders and Farmers, the Longest War
Dynasties -- their Inventions, Contributions, and notable moments
Agricultural Patterns and Practices
The Middle Kingdom and the rest of the world

China's Neighbors

Regional Hegemony and the Sphere of Chinese Influence
Core Cultural Exports -- Confucian and Buddhist Ideas
Japanese Historical Development
Korea in the Middle
Vietnam and Vassal States

First Exam Here

EAST meets WEST

Gun Boats, Treaty Ports and Colonialism
Opium and the Triangular Trade
You can't beat a Bureaucracy!
Japan and other neighbors' reactions to the West

Mapping Chaos: 1900 - 1950

The fate of monarchies
Two World Wars
"Party Politics"
Japanese Conquests and Defeat
East Asian Communism

East Asia Today

Post WWII Economic Development
Population Issues
Politics and Pragmatism
Enviromental Issues

Pollution
Health and Disease
Landscape Modification

Quality of Life
Human Rights

Second Exam Here

Term Project Presentation Here

GRADING

There will be TWO(2) Exams -- each count 30 percent of the final grade. Exam Format will be short answer and essay. One or more of the exams may be "take-home."

There will be a "Final Project" consisting of two parts -- (a) A 15+ Page Paper on a topic chosen by yourself, with approval of the instructor [20%]; and (b) A short, 10 minute presentation of your research [20%]-- Question, Research, Analysis and Results -- to the entire class during the last week of the semester.

Updated: February 4, 2009