This course provides an introduction to political geography and how broad political patterns play out over space and place.  In this course, you will learn the key concepts and themes in political geography; you will develop the relationships between space, place, and politics at a variety of scales; and you will gain an understanding of the processes behind major contemporary issues and apply political geograpic analytical methods to those processes.

While there are no specific prerequisites for this course, an understanding of Physical Geography and Cultural Geography along with some basic Political Science knowledge would be beneficial.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• understand and explain the key concepts and themes in political geography;
• explain relationships between space, place, and politics at a variety of scales
• understand the processes behind major contemporary issues and apply political geographic analytical methods to those processes
• identify the characteristics of and differences between a State, Nation, and Nation-State
• identify the internal administrative organization of the State
• define and discuss imperialism, colonialism and decolonization
• discuss the nature of Geopolitics in the context of global spatial phenomena to understand both the bases of State power and the nature of States' interactions with one another
• discuss the political geography of everyday life as it relates to religion, language, ethnic diversity, transportation, communications, population, migration, food, ecology energy, and land us

Your course grade will be determined by the surveys, quizzes, projects, forums, and exams, according to the following points:

There are two (2) online proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail: bsteinberg@nvcc.edu
Telephone: 509-607-9539

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.