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Modern Geopolitics 1: Read & Discuss "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall

In this 12-week, homeschool-friendly course, students will learn about the role that geography plays in modern geopolitics using the award winning book, "Prisoners of Geography."
Darby Kennedy, MA
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(163)
Popular
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Class
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What's included

12 live meetings
11 in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Homework will include reading a chapter of the book, plus several additional articles and/or short videos. Students can access the materials through print, ebook, audiobook, text-to-voice reader, or having someone read aloud to them. Book chapters range between 25-35 pages long. Additionally, students are expected to answer assigned comprehension and opinion questions to prepare for class discussion.
Assessment
included
Letter Grade
A student can be assigned a grade if desired. Grades will be based on the quality and depth of class discussion and written answers to comprehension and opinion questions.
Certificate of Completion
All students will be provided with a summary of topics covered and skills practiced at the end of the course.
Grading
Students will receive written feedback to their weekly journal entries.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate Level
In this homeschool-friendly class, students will engage in reading and discussion about the impact of geography on the modern world. This is a great opportunity to see how geography, politics, economics, history, and current events connect! Is this class the right one for you?

Are you interested in understanding how the world works (or sometimes doesn't)? Would you like to know more about how nations interact, and why it seems that some are always more successful than others? Would you like to know what impact a nation's geography may have on its political, economic, and military standing in the world? Come join this class and let's read one author's take on geopolitical relationships around the globe.

New York Time's bestselling author Tim Marshall suggests that geography shapes war, power, politics, economics, and social development within every state on the globe. Marshall has written "Prisoners of Geography" to examine these connections. Specifically, geopolitics looks at the ways in which international affairs can be understood through geography - the physical landscape, the climate, demographics, culture, natural resources. 

Homeschooling families may find that this class meets state requirements for Geography, or for Modern World History (the book is frequently used in AP Human Geography classes).  If you need help determining how this may fit onto a homeschool transcript, please ask!

What to expect:
Before each class:  Students are expected to read the assigned chapter and additional supporting information, completing the comprehension questions provided. These questions will serve as the basis for our class discussion. Students should plan on 2 hours of homework per week.
In class:  After a brief overview of the subject of the week, students will engage in a group discussion based on the reading done before class and the assigned comprehension questions. 

Students must purchase their own copy of the book "Prisoners of Geography." They may access the book in print, as an ebook, or as an audiobook. All forms of reading are acceptable reading! Additional assigned reading can be accessed using a text to voice reader. Simply put, however the student accesses the information is fine. If accomodations are needed for learning differences, please talk to me!

As in all of my social studies classes, I strive to help students find the answer to the "so what" question. Why does all of this matter? How does this puzzle piece fit with all of the other pieces I can already see and understand? I work to help students develop critical thinking skills including how to find the links between ideas and events, and how to identify errors or inconsistencies in thinking. I encourage learners to apply what we are learning to what they already know.

As a mom to two "twice exceptional" kids, I'm also well-versed in accommodating learning differences and guiding students to develop their passions. Because I appreciate that all learners are coming to a classroom with personal strengths and preferences, I work hard to make all students feel comfortable. While I ask that all students follow Outschool policy and have their camera on long enough for me to verify they are a student, I do not require that cameras stay on for the complete class. Additionally, I do not call on students without notice, though I encourage students to contribute in any way possible.
Learning Goals
Students will develop historical interpretation skills, refine critical thinking skills, and gain a deeper understanding of why it is important to study the way the world works.
Guided reading of non-fiction encourages study skills that can lead to greater reading comprehension.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
12 Lessons
over 12 Weeks
Lesson 1:
What is Geopolitics?
 Students are exposed to basic terms used in geopolitics, and the group will discuss the Introduction to the required text, "Prisoners of Geography." 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Russia
 Students discuss chapter 1 of the text, considering the history of Russia's two main geopolitical goals and how those impact Russia's current geopolitical goals, including the war in Ukraine. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
China
 The class will cover China's modern geopolitical goals, how modern history informs those goals, and how the country's physical geography both helps and hinders its place in the world. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The United States
 After reading chapter 3 in the text, students will consider how the physical location, and geographic features of the US inpact the country's geopolitical power. 
55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
Students may choose to read the required text in any format that works for them - traditional book, ebook, audiobook, text to voice, etc. Written assignment parameters can be tailored to meet a student's preferred method of communication.
Parental Guidance
The study of geopolitics is full of potential controversy. In my classes, I welcome civil, informed discussion based on credible, non-biased sources.
Pre-Requisites
A basic knowledge of world history, and familiarity with a world map are helpful but not required for success in the class.
Supply List
Students must have their own copy of "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall, widely available in multiple formats online for $3-$20.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Some of the sources used to inform this class include: Al Jazeera, www.aljazeera.com/. BBC, www.bbc.com/. Council on Foreign Relations, world101.cfr.org/. Haass, Richard. The World: A Brief Introduction, Penguin Books, New York, 2021. Marshall, Tim, et al. Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps. The Experiment, 2021. Marshall, Tim. The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the Future of Our World. Scribner, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2022. “News- Latest International News.” Euronews, www.euronews.com/news. “Our World, Explained.” Vox, www.vox.com/. “The Associated Press.” Associated Press, www.ap.org/. “World News | Latest Top Stories.” Reuters, www.reuters.com/world/.
Joined April, 2020
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163reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in American Studies from The University of Alabama
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from Birmingham-Southern College
Bachelor's Degree in History from Birmingham-Southern College
I have a BA in Political Science, History, and Secondary Education and a MA in American Studies. I have over 10 years of experience teaching high school and college students social studies and critical thinking skills, and have been developing curriculum for homeschooled students for the last 7 years. I am currently serving as a Teacher Ambassador for Retro Report. and served as an Education Ambassador for the Council on Foreign Relations for 3 years. My expertise in teaching is in helping students see the many ways that history, geography, politics, and economics intersect. 

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Live Group Course
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$240

for 12 classes
1x per week, 12 weeks
55 min

Completed by 32 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-13 learners per class

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