Geography Faculty

 

Name:

Dr. James C. Saku

Rank:

Associate Professor

Degrees:

B.A, Dip Ed. Cape Coast, Ghana
M.A., Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan

Office Location:

Gunter 229

Office Phone Number:

(301) 687-4724

Fax:

(301) 687-4495

Mailing Address:

Department of Geography
101 Braddock Road
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, Maryland 21532

E-mail Address:

jsaku@frostburg.edu

 

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

TEACHING APPOINTMENT

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

ON-GOING RESEARCH

PUBLICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

ACADEMIC AWARDS

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

COURSE SYLLABI


UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Ph.D: (1995) Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

M.A.: (1990) Department of Geography, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

B.A. (Hons): (1985) Department of Geography, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Diploma in Education: (1985) Faculty of Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

TEACHING APPOINTMENT

September 1996-present: Assistant to Associate Professor, Introductory Human Geography, Geographic Research Methods, Geography of North America, Economic Geography, Regional Development and Planning, Locational Analysis, Geography of Transportation, Geography of Maryland, Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa, Introduction to Higher Education.

1995-1996: Lecturer, Urban Systems, Urban Planning, Geography of the Polar Regions. Department of Geography, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

1990-1995: Sessional Lecturer and Graduate Teaching Assistant, World Regional Geography, Introductory Human Geography, Introductory Physical Geography, Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

1985-87: Instructor, Introductory Human Geography, Economic and Social Geography, Population and Geography of Africa. Department of Geography, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

 RESEARCH EXPERENCE

January 1993-September 1996: Research Associate: Impact of Global Warming on Settlements and Natural Resources in the Mackenzie Basin of Canada. Funded by Environment Canada.

May 1992-April 1995: Research Associate: Dr. R. M. Bone, University of Saskatchewan. Worked on a three year Social Sciences and Humanities of Canada Research Grant.

August 1991: Research Associate, Shopping Patterns in Saskatoon, Dr. R. M. Bone, University of Saskatchewan. The project was funded by Saskatoon City Council.

July-August 1990: Research Assistant, Dr. Kenneth Hewitt, Hazards in Africa.

September 1989-April 1990: Research Assistant, Dr. Jerry Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo. Crop Insurance and Agricultural Risks in Southern Ontario, Computer Analyst Using GIMMS Graphics.

ON-GOING RESEARCH

  1. Comprehensive land claims in the Canadian North  
  2. Population characteristics of Aboriginal Canadians
  3. Transportation in Ghana

PUBLICATIONS

(2006) A comparative analysis of the Alaskan Native Claim Settlement Act and the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. Australasian Canadian Studies. 24:1, 105-125

 

(2005). The changing nature of religion in Africa. The Pennsylvania Geographer. 43:1, 50-64.

 

(2004). Promoting Development in the Canadian North. In: WorldMinds: Geographical Perspectives on 100 Problems. Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Association of American Geographers 1904-2004. Janelle, D.G., Warf, B. and Hansen K. (eds). Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 455-460.

 

(2004) with Bone R. M. Looking for solutions in the Canadian north: modern treaties as a new strategy. In: Seeing ourselves: Classic, contemporary, and cross-cultural readings in Sociology. Macionis, J. J., Benokraitis, N.V. and Ravelli, B. (eds.). Toronto: Pearson. Pp. 489-503.

 

(2002) Modern land claim agreement and environmental review process in the Western Arctic of Canada. The Pennsylvania Geographer 40:2, 36-55.

 

(2002) Modern land claim agreements and northern Canadian Aboriginal communities. World Development 30:1, 141-151.

 

(2000) with Bone R. M. Modern treaties in Canada: The case of Northern Quebec Agreements and the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. The Canadian Journal of Native Studies 20:2, 283-307.

 

(2000) with Bone R. M  Looking for solutions in the Canadian North: modern treaties as a new strategy. The Canadian Geographer 44:3, 259-270.

 

(1999) Aboriginal census data in Canada: a research note. The Canadian Journal of Native Studies 19:2, 365-379. 

(1998) with Bone R. M. and Duhaime G. Towards an Institutional Understanding of Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements in Canada Inuit/Etudes/Studies

(1997) with Akkerman A. and Bone R. M. Qualitative Indicators of Multiregional Demographic Change: Potential for Developing Countries. In: Demographic Transition: The Third World Scenario. Ahmad A.; Noin D. and Sharma H.N. (ed). New Delhi: Rawat Publications, pp 345-363

(1994) with Bone R. M. and McPherson P. D. Settlement Study. In: Mackenzie Basin Impact Study (MBIS) Interim Report # 2. Cohen Stewart (ed). Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, Downsview, Ontario.

(1994) with Bone R. M. Transportation Bibliography for the Mackenzie Basin. Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

(1992). Map Use Teaching and Experience. Cartographica 29:3&4, 38-45.

(1992) with Bone R. M. and Johnson T. Economic Growth, Community Development and Income Distribution: Northwest Territories, Canada. Ontario Geography 38:1-11.

Books Reviewed

(2000) Regional Geography of Canada. The American Review of Canadian Studies. 30:3, 401-403

(2000) Aboriginal Rights and Self-Government. The American Review of Canadian Studies. 30:4, 570-572.

(2002) Greenbelt, Maryland: A Living Legacy of the New Deal. The Professional Geographer. 54:4, 265-263.

(2003) Across this land: a regional geography of the United States and Canada. The American Review of Canadian Studies. 33:3, 423-427.

(2005) Angus Cameron and Ronen Palan. 2004. The Imagined Economies of Globalization Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications and Tony Scirato and Jen Webb.

2003. Understanding globalization. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. The Professional Geographer. 57:4, 622.

Non-Refereed Publications

(August, 2006) Understanding the population dynamics of Aboriginal Canadians. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of Pennsylvania Geographical Society. Volume XIII. Four Points Sheraton, Greensburg, PA October 28th and 29th, 2005.

(2005) Environmental Review Process in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. In: RHIZOME, Newsletter of the Environmental Studies Association of Canada.

15:1, p. 13-14.

(2002) The boom and bust economy in Allegany County of Maryland. In The Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the 10th Biennial Conference on Appalachian Geography and Geography Education and the West Virginia Council for the Social Studies, Pipestem Resort, March 1-2, 2002.

(1995) with Bone R. M. and Long S. Settlement Study: Final Report. Mackenzie Basin Impact Study. Saskatoon: Signe Research Associates Ltd. 119pp.

(1995) with Bone R. M. and Long S. Non-Renewable Resource Study: Final Report. Mackenzie Basin Impact Study. Saskatoon: Signe Research Associates Ltd. 113 pp.

(1994) with Bone R. M. and McPherson P. D. Settlement Study. In: Mackenzie Basin Impact Study (MBIS) Interim Report # 2. Cohen Stewart (ed). Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, Downsview, Ontario.

(1994) with Bone R. M. Transportation Bibliography for the Mackenzie Basin. Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Aboriginal Development Corporations of the Canadian North: The Case Example of the Inuvialuit of Western Arctic. Paper presented at the 2006 Joint Meeting of Mid Atlantic and the Southeastern Divisions of the Association of American Geographers, November 20, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia.

 

The endemic problem of ethnic conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. Presented to MDFL 111 "Intercultural Understanding” Class. Frostburg State University, October 25, 2006.

 

The population characteristics of Aboriginal Canadians: issues and trends. Paper presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers. March 7-11, 2006.

Public Radio Interview, WFWM FM 91.9 Ethnic conflict in sub-Saharan Africa: causes and solutions. November 2005.

Understanding the population dynamics of Aboriginal Canadians. Paper presented at the 2005 Pennsylvania Geographical Society Annual Meeting, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, October 28th-29th, 2005.

Ethnic conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. Hadra Forum Presentation, Frostburg State University, September 19, 2005.

A demographic reflection on Aboriginal Canadians. Hadra Forum Presentation, Frostburg State University, April 25, 2005.

Modern treaties and regional development in Western Canadian Arctic. Paper presented at the 2005 Southern Regional Science Association 44th Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA, April 9 2005.

Change in participation: the new environmental review process in the Canadian Western Arctic. Paper presented at the 2004 Pennsylvania Geographical Society Annual Meeting, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, November 5-6, 2004.

A demographic characterization of Aboriginal Canadians. Paper presented at the 2004 Conference on Race, Ethnicity and Place, Howard University, Washington, D.C., September 16-18, 2004.

A demographic interpretation of Native Canadians. Presented to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland, May 2, 2004.

The environmental review process under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.  Paper presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers. March 14-19, 2004.

Modern treaties and economic development in the Western Arctic of Canada. Paper presented at the 2002 Joint Meeting of Mid Atlantic and the Southeastern Divisions of the Association of American Geographers, Richmond, Virginia, November 23-26, 2002.

Aboriginal Regional Development Corporations and economic development in northern Canada.” Paper presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographers Meeting Toronto May 28th - June 1st, 2002.

Liberating Africa from colonialism. Presented to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland, February 24, 2002.

The boom and bust economy of Allegany County of Maryland. Paper presented at the 10th Biennial Conference on Appalachian Geography and Geography Education and The Annual Meeting of the West Virginia Council for The Social Studies. Pipestem State Park, Athens, West Virginia, March 1st -2nd , 2002.

Traditional African religion: misconception or mislabeling. Paper presented at the 2001 Annual Meeting of The Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers, The Frostburg State University, Frostburg, October 6, 2001.

Towards an understanding of Aboriginal economic institutions in Canada: the case of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Paper presented at the 97th Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, March 2, 2001.

The landscape of religion in Africa. Presented to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland, February 11, 2001.

Towards a demographic characterization of Aboriginal Canadians. Paper Presented at the 2000 Annual Meeting of The Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers, The George Washington University, Washington D.C., October 6, 2000.

A quantitative analysis of the socio-economic status in the northern Canadian Aboriginal communities. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of The Association of American Geographers, Pittsburgh, April 2000

Panelist "The Geography of Canada" by Dr. R. M. Bone. Annual Meeting of The Association of American Geographers, Pittsburgh, April 2000

Modern Land Claim Agreements: An Approach To Aboriginal Socio-Economic Development in Canada. Paper presented at the 15th Biennial Meeting of The Association for Canadian Studies in the United States, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1999.

The development dilemma of sub-Sahara Africa: issues and challenges. Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of The Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers, Reston, Virginia, October 15, 1999.

World Food Crises: Past and Present. Presented to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland, September 1999

Health care management in Western Maryland: the path to consolidation. Paper Presented at the Nineth Biennial Conference on Appalachian Geography and Geography Education, Pipestem State Park, Athens, West Virginia, March 12-13, 1999.

The Inuvialuit Final Agreement: a new perspective towards change in the Western Arctic of Canada. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of East Lakes Division of the Association of American Geographers, Columbus, Ohio October 30-31, 1998.

Modern treaties and socio-economic change in the Canadian north. Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of The Association of American Geographers, Boston, March 1998

With Bone R.M. and Duhaime G. Different past, different future: notes for a comparison between the Inuvialuit and the James Bay Land Claim Agreements. Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of The Association of American Geographers, Boston, March 1998

with Konadu-Agyemang K. Transportation in Ghana revisited. Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of The Association of American Geographers, Boston, March 1998 

The socio-economic dilemma of sub-saharan Africa. 1997/98 African American Studies Lecture Series. Frostburg State University, February 18, 1998 

Panelist, African Culture, Challenges of Modernity and African American People. Frostburg State University, October 1997 

A Third World Perspective on Development. Presented to students and faculty of War and Peace Learning Community. September 19, 1997 

Sub-Saharan Africa: Problems and Prospects. Paper Presented at Gamma Theta Upsilon/Geography Club Spring Banquet. Maplehurst Country Club, Frostburg, April 15, 1997. 

A Decade of Change: Multivariate Analysis of Socio-Economic Transformation in the Western Arctic of Canada, 1981-1991. Paper presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, Saskatoon, May 1996. 

with Bone R.M. Looking for solutions: the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Paper Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, Montreal, May 1995.

Herfindahl Index: An Approach to Classifying Communities in the Mackenzie Basin. Paper Presented at the Mid Study Workshop of the Mackenzie Basin Impact Study, Yellowknife, April 10-14, 1994.

with Bone R.M. Power Shifts in the Canadian North: Aboriginal Control Over Environmental Assessment. Paper Presented at the Association of American Geographers Meeting, San Francisco, April 2, 1994.

with Bone R.M. Population Change Among the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic of the Western Arctic, Canada. Paper Presented at the Association of American Geographers Meeting, San Francisco, March 29, 1994.

with Akkerman A. and Bone R. M. Qualitative Indicators of Multi-regional Demographic Change: Potential for Developing Countries. Paper Presented at the International Geographic Union on Population Growth in Developing Countries, New Delhi, December 20-24, 1993.

with Akkerman A. and Bone R. M. Indicators of Mul-tiregional Demographic Change for Sparsely Populated Areas: The Yukon and Northwest Territories. Paper Accepted for Presentation at the 22nd General Meeting of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, Montreal, August 24- September 1, 1993.

Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements and Northern Development. Paper Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, Ottawa, May 1993.

Comprehensive Land Claim Settlements: Implications for Northern Development. Seminar Presentation, University of Saskatchewan, Department of Geography Colloquia, October 9, 1992.

Comprehensive Land Claim Settlements: A Bottom-up Approach to Development?. Paper Presented at the Prairie Division of th Association of Geographers, Sage Hill, Saskatchewan, September 1992.

Drought and Famine in Africa: Humanistic or Natural? Paper Presented at the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, April 1990.

Deforestation in Ghana: The need to Arrest Present Trend. Paper Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers (Ontario Division ) Annual Meeting, Guelph, Ontario, October 1989.

OTHER ACADEMIC WORK

Paper Discussant: Securing Boundaries, Securing Children and Sustaining Networks: Gated Communities in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. By Robert Kinlocke, University of the West Indies. The 2006 Joint Meeting of Mid Atlantic and the Southeastern Divisions of the Association of American Geographers, November 20, 2006, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Reviewer, Publisher’s Manuscript. Geography of US and Canada by Mayda and Kieffer, May 2006.

Reviewer, Teachers Guide to Modern Geography. The Association of American Geographers, March 2006.

Session Chair: Indigenous Issues in the United States and Canada. Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers. Chicago. March 11, 2006.

Book Review “Human Geography,” by Fellmann-Getis-Getis 9th Edition, November 2005.

Reviewer of Research Proposal: “Analysis of home ownership patterns of foreign and native-born populations in Paterson, New Jersey”. The College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, New Jersey. January 2005.

Reviewer: Human Geography Text Development Proposal. Human Geography in the Global Era by Jon Malinowski, McGraw-Hill, April 2005.

Book Review “Human Geography,” by Fellmann-Getis-Getis 8th Edition, October 2004.

Human Geography Text Development Proposal, John Wiley and Sons, August 2004.

Publisher Manuscript Reviewer, The Ultimate Economic Geography, First Edition Text, John Wiley and Sons, June 2004.

2004 Wiley Human Geography Focus Group:  The Association of American Geographer’s Meeting, Philadelphia, March 2004.

Manuscript Review: Journal of Canadian Population Studies, March 2004.

Grant Proposal Reviewer: National Science Foundation, March 2004

Grant Proposal Reviewer: National Science Foundation, October 2003.

Book Review “Human Geography,” by deBlij/ Murphy 7th Edition, 2003.

Book Review “Human Geography,” by Fellmann-Getis-Getis 7th Edition, 2002.

Book Review “Introduction to Geographic Information Systems” by Karl Chang. Chapters 1 and 2. September 2001.

Session Chair: Annual Meeting of The Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers, Department of Geography, Frostburg State University, Frostburg,  October 6, 2001.

Manuscript Reviewer: Canadian Journal of Native Studies. November 2000.

Session Chair: “Geographic Philosophy, Tools and Outreach” at the 2000 Annual Meeting of The Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers, The George Washington University, Washington D.C., October 6, 2000.

Reviewed Power-web: A web site for McGraw-Hill, October 2000.

Book Review “Human Geography,” by Fellmann-Getis-Getis 6th Edition, June 2000.

Session Organizer: Association of American Geographers Meeting, Boston: Modern Land Claim Agreements and the Canadian North, 1998.

Manuscript Review: "Human Geography" by Blij/Murphy Sixth Edition, for John Wiley and Sons, 1998.

Reviewer: General Research Grant Proposal for the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, 1998.

Book Review "Cartography: Thematic Map Design" for WCB/McGraw-Hill, 1997.

HONORS AND EXCELLENCE

 

2005 to Present: Faculty Mentor Undergraduate Research Opportunity Grant: Frostburg State University.

2004-05: Unsung Hero Service Award: Center for Volunteerism and National Service, Frostburg State University

2003-04: Faculty Achievement Award in Teaching: Frostburg State University.

2003-04: Honoree: 2004 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

2003-04: Government of Canada: Canadian Studies Faculty Research Grant.

2002-03: Frostburg State University Sabbatical Leave Award, spring 2003.

2001-02: Honorary Induction, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Frostburg State University Chapter.

2001-02: Governor of Maryland, Mr. Parris Glendening’s visit to Human Geography class, 0/23/2001.

2001-02: Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Science Reassigned Time for Research, spring 2002.

2000-01: Faculty Achievement Award in Academic Accomplishment: Frostburg State University.

1999-02: Faculty Mentor Undergraduate Research Opportunity Grant: Frostburg State University

1999-00: Government of Canada: Canadian Studies Faculty Enrichment Grant Program

1998-99: Frostburg State University, Faculty Development Summer Stipend

1996-97: Nominee: Outstanding Teaching Award, School of Natural and Social Sciences, Frostburg State University.

1992-95: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Grant 803-92-0002)


MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  1. Association of American Geographers
  2. Canadian Association of Geographers
  3. Canadian Arctic Resources Committee
  4. Canadian Population Society
  5. Canadian Regional Science Association
  6. The Arctic Institute of North America
  7. The Association for Canadian Studies in the United States
  8. Pennsylvania Geographical Society
  9. Southern Regional Science Association
  10. Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers
  11. Africa Studies Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers
  12. Canadian Studies Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers

UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

 

1. Judge of Geography Bee, Braddock Middle School, Cumberland, January 6, 2006, January 5, 2007.

2. Volunteer, Medicare Sign Up for Senior Citizens, December 29, 2005.

3. Awards Chair, Mid-Atlantic Division of the Association of American Geographers, 2005-2006, 2006-2007.

4. Financial Secretary, Knights of Columbus, Council 1442, Frostburg, Maryland.

5. Member, Middle State Accreditation Steering Committee, Frostburg State University, 2004 to present.

6. Chair, Standard 10: Faculty Working Group of the Middle State Accreditation Steering Committee, Frostburg State University.

7. Chair, 2004 Geography Program Review Committee.

8.  The 2003 Teller Committee of the Association of American Geographers.

9. Frostburg State University Faculty Senate (2000-2002, 2003-2005)

10. Provost’s Steering Committee on Undergraduate Education Initiative (2002-2004)

11. Member, University Undergraduate Curriculum Review Committee (Fall 2005 to present).

12. Faculty Concerns Committee (2000-2002)

13. Member of Awards Committee, MAD-AAG Student Awards, 2002

14. African-American Studies Steering Committee (1996 to present)

15. Advisor, Gamma Theta Upsilon, Geography Honors Society (1997 to 2002)

16. Advisor, Roots, Multi-Cultural Student Organization (1998 to present)

17. University Council on Retention (1997-99)

18. Graduate Council (2003-2005)

19. University Undergraduate Curriculum Review Committee

20. Faculty Grievances Committee (1997-1999)

21. Faculty Appeal Committee (2001-2003)

22. Task force on Administrative Salaries (1998-1999)

23. Advisor, Summer Planning Conference (2001 to present)

24. Member, Frostburg Food Pantry Advisory Group (2000 to present).

25. Soccer Coach, American Youth Soccer Organization (Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Fall 2007).

26. Member of Parish Council, St. Michael Church, 2000-2002.


COURSE SYLLABI

Geography104: Introduction to Human Geography

Geography 300: Economic Geography

Geography 301: Geography of North America

Geography 302: Geography of Maryland  

Geography 410: Locational Analysis 

Geography 421: Regional Planning

Geography 425: Geography of Transportation

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