IREb1109 Human geography

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Petr Marek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Petr Marek, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
Ability to read and understand study materials in English.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course examines contemporary macroregions of the world and teaches the IR students empirical knowledge of them, which is necessary for understanding world politics and its quality analysis. The core of the course is based on macroregions as defined by contemporary geography.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to describe the physical geographical and human geographical regionalisation of the Earth, describe the basic human geographical characteristics of each macroregion, compare the macroregions in their main parameters, and use the knowledge acquired to analyse the contemporary world politics.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the subject, geography and macroregions of the Earth as a basis for understanding the contemporary world
  • 2. Physical geographical regionalisation of the Earth
  • 3. European macroregion
  • 4. Anglo-American macroregion
  • 5. Latin-American macroregion
  • 6. Russian macroregion
  • 7. Sino-Japanese macroregion
  • 8. Australian-Oceanic macroregion
  • 9. Indonesian macroregion
  • 10. Indian macroregion
  • 11. Islamic macroregion
  • 12. African macroregion
Literature
    required literature
  • Anděl, J., Bičík, I., Bláha, J. D. (2018). Macro-regional differentiation of the world: Authors’ concept and its application. Miscellanea Geographica – Regional Studies on Development, 22, 3, 117–122.
  • Anděl, J., Bičík, I., Bláha, J. D. (2018). Concepts and delimitation of the worldʼs macro-regions. Miscellanea Geographica – Regional Studies on Development, 22, 1, 16–21.
  • HOBBS, Joseph J. World regional geography. Seventh edition. Boston, MA: Cengage, 2022, xix, 584. ISBN 9780357034071. info
Teaching methods
Teaching takes the form of lectures in which students are introduced to the macroregions of the world. Each lecture about a particular macroregion will be supplemented by students' very short presentations on a previously agreed-upon topic (each student will present during the semester once).
Assessment methods
The final grade will be based on the sum of the points from a mid-term written test (max. 80 points) and a final written test (max. 80 points). Based on the sum of the points, the final grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = 146 points and more
B = 130–145 points
C = 114–129 points
D = 98–113 points
E = 82–97 points
If either the mid-term written test or the final written test is graded as unsatisfactory (X/F), the final grade will be automatically unsatisfactory (X/F).
The mid-term written test takes place in the middle of the semester, in the form of ROPOT from the FSS computer room. Students will be familiar with the questions in this ROPOT in advance, as they will practice answering them at home. The minimum score for successfully passing this mid-term written test is 41 points.
The final written test takes place in the exam period, in the form of ROPOT from the FSS computer room. The test will examine the knowledge of the required literature and the subject matter discussed in the lectures. The minimum score for successfully passing this final written test is 41 points.
Each student will very briefly present a previously agreed-upon topic during the semester. If this condition is not fulfilled, or if the presentation is of bad quality, the student is not allowed to attend the final written test.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
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