The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lectures, individual and/or team projects, small group discussions, field assignments, videos and animations, practical in-class exercises and quizzes, and map analysis.
- Introduction: What and where is Asia?
- The myth of Asia: imagined geographies
- Human and physical geographies of the Monsoon
- Placing Monsoon Asia in global context
- Understanding globalization and development trends in the region
- Colonialism and globalization
- Economic and social change since WWII
- Globalization and shifts in cultural and national identities
- A survey overview of South Asia
- Physical and human contexts
- Understanding regional dynamics in South Asia
- South Asia in regional and global context
- A survey overview of East Asia
- Physical and human contexts
- Understanding regional dynamics in East Asia
- East Asia in regional and global context
- A survey overview of Southeast Asia
- Physical and human contexts
- Understanding regional dynamics in Southeast Asia
- Southeast Asia in regional and global context
- Emerging dragons, tigers, and cubs: Economic models and shifts
- Territory and politics: Border wars, geopolitics, and national identities
- The politics of population control: Demographic shifts and consequences
- Megacities: Urbanization and growth challenges
- International migrations and Asian diasporas
- Cultural shifts and identity: Fast versus slow worlds and social change
- Environmental issues: Managing resources and pollution
- Food security: Localizing and globalizing agriculture
- Conclusion
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
- Communicate effectively orally, graphically, and in writing about the geographies of Monsoon Asia.
- Explain the spatial distribution of human phenomena (e.g. population, cities, economic activities, agriculture, ethnocultural groups, borders, etc.) across the region.
- Interpret and utilize relevant maps, graphs, and charts, in assessing regional geographic patterns and phenomena.
- Describe and explain geographic similarities and differences among the countries of Monsoon Asia as well as the regions’ shifting place in the world over the past 50-100 years.
- Discuss the different economic, geopolitical, and development policies pursued in the region over the past 50-100 years.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of culture, nationalism, and ideology in shaping national and regional identities and policies.
- Explain the impacts of globalization on the patterns of human activities and landscapes in the area, with reference to a majority of key course content areas.
- Using geographic methodologies, concepts, and techniques, evaluate and make informed decisions about contemporary challenges facing people and places in Monsoon Asia.
Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
Participation 5% Assignments 40%, Map exercises 5%, Mid-term exam 25%, Final exam 25%
Textbooks and/or materials to be purchased by students will be listed in the course outline and distributed during the first week of classes.
Texts will be updated periodically. A typical example is:
Weightman, B.A. (2011). Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast Asia, 3rd ed. New York: Wiley.
Alternatively, a custom course text with key related chapters from the following textbooks may be used along with additional readings selected by the instructor:
Johnson, D.L., Harmann, V., and Johnson, M. (2015). World Regional Geography: A Development Approach, 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Rowntree, L., Lewis, M., Price, M, and Wyckoff, W. (2018). Diversity Amid Globalization: World Regions, Environment, Development, 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.
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