University of Languages and International Studies, VNU – Hanoi
FACULTY OF LINGUISTICS AND CULTURES OF ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES
Division of International Studies
GENERAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE UK & THE US
ENG1001B
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/internationalstudiesulis/
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Human geography refers to understanding, interpreting, and representing the human world in
ways that emphasize spatial relations, spatial processes, and relationships to the non-human
world. In line with the discipline, this course invites you to look at popular cultural maps of the
UK and the US. As you follow the course, be prepared to
● understand how regions and places in the UK and the US are recognized as well as
differentiated based on natural conditions, population growth and distribution, cultural
codes and practices.
● understand how maps are created.
● develop a critical distance towards what is recognized as the UK, the US, their regions and
places.
● broaden your view on how people engage with and construct their environments.
● approach problem-solving from a geography perspective by understanding the roles
location and architecture play.
● appreciate that the diversity of cultural backgrounds and personal experiences influence
the way people perceive places.
● appreciate the places and landscapes encountered in everyday life.
● initiate and join conversations about the above-mentioned issues.
ASSESSMENT
Quizzes (10%)
This component of assessment provides a frame of practice that supports students’ regular
reading of course materials and acquisition of basic vocabulary about the geography of the UK
and the US. The course instructor may deliver a lecture, receive and answer questions before
giving the quizzes, but you are supposed to be able to answer the questions in the quizzes due to
your studying the relevant prescribed texts before coming to class.
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Group Presentation (30%):
General Geographical Profile and Curated Art Exhibition
This task asks your group to identify a place of interest (a city, an area of a city, a county, a town),
create a general geographical profile of the place, and curate an exhibition of cultural artifacts
about the place.
During the course, there are 03-04 GeoFest days. Based on the place that your group wants to
explore, your group presentation is scheduled on a specific GeoFest day. A detailed outline of the
presentation should be sent to your course instructor at least four days before the presentation.
The presentation, to last around 35 minutes, should include the following elements:
● An introduction, which briefly states why and how you have become interested in the
place
● A general geographical profile of the place, which addresses all the questions below (in
the order that you think would make the best flow and with a balance of elaborateness
that fits into about 20 minutes):
○ Where is the place located?
○ Describe its topography, weather and climate.
○ Describe the current situation of its population.
○ What are key historical events and stages in its development?
○ What are some distinctive cultural and economic activities of the place? How are
these activities related to its location and history?
○ What are some icons and symbols of the place? How are they related to its history?
● A curated multi-modal exhibition of cultural artifacts of the place, which could be from
one of these art areas: music, literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, photography,
cinema, fashion, and culinary art.1
○ A curator is a person who selects and interprets works of art/cultural artifacts for
an exhibition.
○ Your exhibition should have a title appropriate to its contents and interesting to
the audience.
○ The curated artifacts should display a problem of the place, a prominent cultural
phenomenon of the place, or the variety of how local resources are made use of. As
you introduce your exhibition, explain its theme(s) and tell stories about the place
with the artifacts.
○ This task does not assume a clear distinction between high art and low art. Both
common objects and famous works of art are eligible.
○ Curated works can be by anonymous authors, different authors or the same
author. If you want to focus on one author, make sure that the author is an
important figure of the place.
1 If you are interested in specific works and figures in other art areas or from a variety of art areas, contact your
course instructor for advice and approval.
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○ Real-life objects would attract the audience; however, visual representations of the
artifacts (in any form) are totally fine. Select, interpret and arrange these visual
representations thoughtfully. If you curate musical pieces, pay attention to the
quality of the records and the technical features of the speakers you will use to
bring the music to the audience.
○ Examples: Songs about London that tell stories about multiculturalism, various
artifacts about how jazz has been developed and practiced in New Orleans, etc.
Your performance is graded individually. Make a detailed report of each member’s contributions
if you want your course instructor to see beyond what is observable in class.
Grading Criteria
1. General profile Thoughtful organization 1
Sufficient, well-balanced information 1
Relevant and interesting details 1
2. Exhibition Thoughtful organization 1
Sufficient, well-balanced information 1
Relevant and interesting details 1
3. Oral Presentation Intelligible, effective, and beautiful language 2
4. Collaboration Positive contribution to the group’s performance 1
as a whole
5. Attendance and Attendance, thoughtful questions, answers, and 1
Participation comments
Total 10
Final Exam (60%):
The sitting exam consists of short questions that test your knowledge of key facts about the
geography of the UK and the US as introduced in the course. Near the end of the course, you will
be given a sample test.
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EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT (Optional)
This assignment offers the opportunity to earn up to 02 bonus points, which will be added to
either the presentation score (30%) OR the total weekly quiz score (10%), based on each
student’s preference. Students who opt for extra credit are encouraged to submit their personal
reflections and participate in the GENGEO contest in Week 10. Further details about the contest
will be announced in class.
Requirements
For this challenge, you are invited to write and submit a visual essay. It can be either a photo
essay of 05–10 photographs or a video essay of 05–10 minutes that describes how you relate
to a place that evokes a sense of intimacy. This place can be in any country in the world. You can
interpret “intimacy” in your own way. Give your essay a title. The character of the place and the
sense of intimacy should be clearly conveyed. In portraying the place, your essay should address
at least three of the following points:
● How you move and pause in the place.
● How you hear, smell, and feel in the place.
● How things in the place are organized to make possible your activities.
● How the place reflects the culture of communities that you identify/are identified with.
Photo essay (05–10 photographs): Include a short introductory text (100-200 words) for the
whole essay and a caption (01-02 sentences) for each photo. You are requested to take the
photos by yourself. The photos can be retouched to create the aesthetics you want. As you write
the introduction, demonstrate that you are the photographer by briefly mentioning some of your
considerations (about timing, framing, lighting, focus, etc.) as a photographer. Your texts (the
introduction + captions) must be in English and should add up to 500–800 words. Use Canva or
PowerPoint to present your essay.
Video essay (05–10 minutes): Include a short introductory text (100-200 words) for the whole
essay. Use English for both the introductory text and the video. Original footage is encouraged
but found footage is also acceptable given that the video is your original creative work. Your
video file should be in a popular HD format.
Assessment
If your essay is assessed as qualified by the judges, you will receive a certificate of appreciation
and up to 02 bonus points for the quiz or presentation component of the course’s assessment
scheme. Only the authors of the qualified submissions will receive the results from the
organizing committee.
Grading criteria:
● Successful address of the task requirements (7): relevant and interesting details;
sufficient, well-balanced information; thoughtful organization
● Beautiful and effective presentation (3)
Levels of achievement:
● From 7.0 to 7.9: 01 bonus point
● From 8.0 to 8.9: 1.5 bonus points
● From 9.0 to 10: 02 bonus points
Resources for reference
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To have some inspiration for your writing, you may want to read “Chapter 2: Experiential
perspective” and “Chapter 10: Intimate experiences of place” in Yi-Fu Tuan’s ([1977], 2001)
Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience, University of Minnesota Press (link). Tuan’s
writing is meant to provoke thought rather than providing standard definitions.
An example of a visual essay: link
SCHEDULE
Week Contents Materials
Introduction to Geography, the UK, and Main Texts
the Course Why all world maps are wrong (VOX
1 ● The UK and the US in world maps Video)
● Cartography as a cultural practice: The United Kingdom's geographic
How maps are made and challenge (STRATFOR video)
representation problems Why is the UK's population growing so
● Physical and human geography fast? - Number Hub (Ep 15) - Head
○ Topography and climate Squeeze
○ Population, languages, and
other cultural practices Other Resources
● Brief information about UK TWL #3: Paper Towns- Fake Places Made
physical and human geography to Catch Copyright Thieves (Wendover
● Cultural icons and symbols as Productions Video)
defining geographical features This map of Earth is the most accurate
● UK cultural icons and symbols ever produced, and it looks completely
different
● Course introduction
Vietnam's Geographic Challenge
Why do Brits talk about the weather so
much?
Where did English come from? - Claire
Bowern
[Language] Differences in English words
(UK, US, AU, MY)
30 Dialects of the English language in the
UK
Languages of the British Isles
My Fair Lady (1964)
2 Review Main Texts
UK Cultural Icons and Symbols: Meanings Unit 1, General Geography of the UK & US,
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and History Division of Country Studies
● Union Jack, British national History of Tea - Shunan Teng
anthem, British monarch, royal
coat of arms Other Resources
● Britannia, John Bull British Anthem, God Save the Queen (with
● Bowler hat lyrics)
● Tea The Origin of “Soccer”
● Football (soccer) 400 Years of Hats in 3 Minutes | Style
Guide | GQ
3 Review Main Texts
England Unit 3, General Geography of the UK & US,
● Physical geography Division of Country Studies
● Cultural icons and symbols: River
Thames, Big Ben, Westminster London: Historic and Dynamic RICK
Abbey, Houses of Parliament, STEVES' EUROPE S7 • E8
bobbies, double-decker buses,
rose, cricket Other Resources
● Lake District, Stonehenge American Cops vs British Cops (Bobbies)
● London How to Play Cricket
The Spread of Cricket
Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (illustrated by
Florence Graham)
Miss Potter (2006) IMDb
Miss Potter (2006) Full movie on YouTube
North England's Lake District and Durham
RICK STEVES' EUROPE S7 • E9
Southeast England RICK STEVES' EUROPE
S9 • E9
West England RICK STEVES' EUROPE S9 •
E8
100 best London songs
12 Songs You Need To Listen To When In
London
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Top ten songs about London
Top 7 Revolutionary Cultural Movements
that Started in London
4 Review Main Texts
Scotland Unit 4, General Geography of the UK & US,
● Topography, weather and climate Division of Country Studies
● Population and languages
Edinburgh RICK STEVES' EUROPE S4 • E3
● Major cities: Glasgow, Edinburgh
● Scottish identity vs. British Scotland's Islands and Highlands
identity Other Resources
● Scottish cultural icons, symbols British (Scottish) Accents: Glasgow/
and practices: Glaswegian
○ Flowers of Scotland: The
thistle and the bluebell
○ Marriage and family: Clans
in rural areas
○ Food and drink: Haggis and
whiskey
○ Recreation: Highland
games
○ Holidays and celebrations:
New Year’s Eve
(Hogmanay)
5 Review Main Texts
Wales Unit 5 and Unit 6, General Geography of
● Topography, weather and climate the UK & US, Division of Country Studies
● Population and languages
North Wales: Feisty and Poetic RICK
● Major cities: Swansea, Newport, STEVES' EUROPE S4 • E2
Cardiff Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland
● Welsh identity vs. British identity RICK STEVES' EUROPE S3 • E4
● Welsh cultural icons, symbols and
practices: Other Resources
Why Ireland split into the Republic of
● The daffodil and the leek Ireland & Northern Ireland
● Eisteddfod Accents of the British Isles: Northern Irish
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Giant's Causeway | National Geographic
Northern Ireland [Week 6] 'My love isn't second-class': the struggle
● Topography, weather and climate for marriage equality in Northern Ireland
Belfast and Causeway coast named
● Population and languages
world’s best region for tourism
● Belfast
● The Giant’s Causeway
● Northern Irish identity vs. British
identity
6 Review || Quiz 1 Main Texts
Cities: British Cities and Cities Around the Buildings That Shaped Britain -
World [Optional - for those who wish to Modernism - Simon Thurley
join the Visual Essay Challenge] Why Build Higher? (Real Engineering
● Urban architecture: Tradition vs. Video)
modernity Why is everyone leaving the city? (US)
● Urban sprawl World’s Most Livable Cities
Smart City
● Livable cities, smart cities, happy
cities The happy city experiment | Charles
Montgomery | TEDxVancouver
Reflection: How to live in the City (Hanoi)
How do I live in the City? What does the
city do to me? What do I do to it? Where Other Resources
do I feel at home? On which part of the Hà Nội vào top 4 thành phố hạnh phúc
city did I last dream/ kiss/ cry/ yell? Who A Complete Introduction to Gothic
are my neighbours? Where do I go when I Architecture (Spencer's Painting of the
want to be alone? Which ways could I go Week, 2013)
blindly? Where do I never go? What do I
Names and terms of a medieval CASTLE's
think about the other inhabitants of the
parts
city? What do I think, they think about
me? How do I want to live amongst them?
How do I want to live?
7 GeoFest: Group Presentations
8 GeoFest: Group Presentations
9 US National Icons and Symbols: Meanings Main Texts
and History Unit 8, General Geography of the UK & US,
● National flag, national anthem Division of Country Studies
& the Pledge of Allegiance History of the U.S. Flag, in Paper
10 Reimaginations of the American Flag in
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● National coat of arms Art
● National mottos Other Resources
Pledge of Allegiance Fast Facts
● Goddess of Liberty, Columbia,
Uncle Sam
● Liberty Bell
10 Review Main Texts
US Geography: An Overview Unit 9, General Geography of the UK & US,
● Topography, weather and climate Division of Country Studies
The United States' Geographic Challenge
● Population, ethnic groups
(STRATFORvideo, 2015)
● Languages How Geography Gave the US Power
● National celebrations (Wendover Productions Video, 2017)
● Regional identities
Other Resources
Why America still uses Fahrenheit (VOX
Video)
Every State in the US (Wendover
Productions Video)
Weird Borders: State Borders of the
United States of America (VanDeGraph
Video)
Best and Worst States to Raise your
Family (Business Insider Video)
11 Review Main Texts
Northeast US Unit 10, General Geography of the UK & US,
● The Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Division of Country Studies
Coast
● The Appalachian Mountains 10 Interesting Facts About The
Appalachian Mountains
● Megalopolis
Appalachian Dulcimer - Amy Fabbri - The
Mountain Traditions Project
Other Resources:
History of the United States Capitol
New York City vs London - City
Comparison
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Houston’s Vietnamese Community Stays
Strong with Language, Culture
Appalachian Settlers and Their Dwellings
The Entire Appalachian Trail in 5 Minutes
I'll Fly Away, played on mountain
dulcimer by David Durrence
12 Review Main Texts
Central US Unit 11, General Geography of the UK & US,
● Central Lowlands Division of Country Studies
● Great Plains Mount Rushmore National Memorial ~
720
● The Midwest
Other Resources
Westward Expansion: Crash Course US
History #24
The Louisiana Purchase Explained
[Turning Point in U.S. History]
How To See The Aurora Borealis Northern
Lights From Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Extracts from “Gone with the Wind”
13 Review || Quiz 2 Main Texts
Western US Unit 12 and Unit 13, General Geography of
● The Rocky Mountains the UK & US, Division of Country Studies
● The Intermontane Region
● The Pacific Mountain System Other Resources
● Alaska & Hawaii What Makes Great Salt Lake So Great?
Smithsonian Channel Published on Oct 2,
2014
The Best of Yellowstone | America's
National Parks National Geographic
Published on May 6, 2016
Death Valley National Park GoTraveler
Published on Nov 28, 2012
14 GeoFest: Group Presentations
15 GeoFest: Group Presentations
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Course revision Revision: Units, 7, & 13
GENERAL CLASS POLICIES
Discussion: Contribute to discussion each class and participate in all small group activities.
Readings: Complete readings by the day assigned. Bring the textbook to class.
Class Time: Being significantly tardy or leaving early will result in you being marked absent.
Absences: Keep your course instructor informed about your absence if possible. You are allowed 03
unexcused absences, and this doesn’t mean that you should use up all these opportunities and then try
to make excuses for other absences. Absences may be excused only for very limited reasons.
Late/Missed Assignments: The schedule of the quizzes and group presentations is fixed. If your
missing one or some of them affects your final grade severely, please discuss the problem with your
course instructor. If the teacher does not manage to propose any alternative measure of assessment or
deadline, please accept the fact that your grade does not meet your expectation.
Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty is not tolerated. Penalties are an F on the assignment and an
F in the course.
Always communicate with your instructor first if you encounter any problem with the course. If you
run into problems that call for a third party, contact the course coordinator.
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APPENDICES
FORM 1
The Presentation outline can be formatted as follows:
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Course: General Geography of the UK & the US
Presentation date: …………………
Group:
Team members:
▪ 1.
▪ 2.
▪ 3.
▪ 4.
Theme: … ……………………………………………………………………………………………
Topic:……………….. ……………………………………………..………………………………..
Contents:
I. Introduction:
II. Development
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
III. Conclusion
IV. Activities for the audience (at least 5 comprehension check questions + 1 discussion
question)
V. References
Note: In the detailed outline, make it clear who is going to present what so that the teacher in charge can
give fair assessment of individual performance.
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FORM 2
Team Collaboration Report (For students’ reference)
(To be included in your package for submission)
Class: __________________ Team: _______________ Date of presentation:_______________
Presentation Title:_______________________________________________________________
Names of members Contribution Other comments on each member
/100
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Student Signatures
1. 4.
2. 5.
3. 6.
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FORM 3
Individual In-class Performance Evaluation Sheet (For Teacher Use Only)
(Number of copies = number of team members)
(To be included in your package for submission)
Presenter’s Name: ___________________Class_______________ Date: _________________
Seminar topic: ________________________________________________________________
Presentation title: ______________________________________________________________
Grading Criteria
1. General profile Thoughtful organization 1
Sufficient, well-balanced information 1
Relevant and interesting details 1
2. Exhibition Thoughtful organization 1
Sufficient, well-balanced information 1
Relevant and interesting details 1
3. Oral Presentation Intelligible, effective, and beautiful language 2
4. Collaboration Positive contribution to the group’s performance 1
as a whole
5. Attendance and Attendance, thoughtful questions, answers, and 1
Participation comments
Total 10
Other comment:
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PRESENTATION REPORT AND ASSESSMENT (For participants)
Presentation topic: …………………………………………………………………………...……
FORM 4
Leading group: ……………………………….…………………………………………………..
1. Things I've learned from the presentation:
a. Subject knowledge: .....................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
b. Presentation skills & group discussion
management: .........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
c. Language: ...................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
2. My suggestions for the improvements of the presentation:
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
3. My suggested scores for the presenters:
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a. Presenter 1: ............................................................. ............../10
b. Presenter 2: ............................................................. ............../10
c. Presenter 3: ............................................................. ............../10
d. Presenter 4: ............................................................. ............../10
e. Presenter 5: ............................................................. ............../10
Name of reporter: ....................................................... Class: .............................
Signature: ................................................................... Date: ................................
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