Geography of the United States

Geography of the United States

GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES

Geography 3410

Dr. Mike Garrett Office: Hagg Sauer 238

Professor of Geography Hours: as posted on HS 238

Fall Term, 2005 Phone: 2804 or 2880 (message)

Required Texts: Regional Geography of the United States and Canada (3rd ed) byTom McKnight

Baseball, Barns and Bluegrass: Geography of American Folklife

George Carney, editor (1998)

Additional Reserve Readings: TBA; also recommended: Goode’s World Atlas,

Refer to Sections on North America

The purpose of this course is to address and become better informed on the changing cultural geography of the U.S. and Canada. Physical and historical perspectives are incorporated to gain an informed understanding of the landscape, its regional variations, and the human response, forms of adaptation, and their manifestations. The course is designed for majors in geography, social studies, political science, environmental studies, education, history, and related fields having a need for more background or special concentration on these two countries.

The following general objectives/outcomes are intended to provide priorities and guidance in meeting the purpose of this course. Requirements, lecture-discussion, learning activities, and evaluations will be specifically structured to reflect and measure progress achieved in these outcomes.

1. Add to your basic knowledge and mental map of selected places, their names and relative locations, and their relevance within a regional-historical context.

2. Analyze the spatial distributions of both natural and cultural phenomena to explain or identify regional variations and similarities.

3. Examine processes and interactions which contribute to variations and changes in cultural landscape over time and space.

4. Utilize basic geographical concepts to explain some of the causes and effects of regional diversity, cultural integration and identity, and interdependency.

5. Improve upon your ability to identify problems of a regional scale and their impact at both the local and national scale.

6. Examine some characteristics at a local scale, which provide insights into basic geographical concepts such as site and situation, spatial organization, diffusion, migration, sequent occupance, and morphology of the cultural landscape.

Course Organization: Basic format of class sessions will be lecture-discussions in conjunction with assigned readings. Special written assignments, mapping exercises, and group activities will be included as integral parts of the course. Some class sessions will include extensive use of maps, slides and other visuals. Copies of maps and written materials will be distributed where relevant as supplements for learning course content.

In general, lectures will address foundation topics related to the broader regional patterns, their components and to provide context; but special, selective topics will also be addressed to provide balance in perspective and depth – and to gain a better appreciation of “our lands and our peoples”-how and why we are who we are and what the landscape has to do with any of that.

Readings: The required texts have been selected to provide more in-depth understanding and knowledge regarding the cultural geography of the U.S., and importantly, but to a lesser extent, Canada. The relevant chapters and sections are identified in the course schedule and/or announced as the course progresses.

Student Requirements: Geography of the United States

Attendance and Participation – It is imperative that each student maintain prompt and regular attendance, and to participate where and when asked to do so. This is expected as a class requirement. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out from another student the material you missed, including copies of any handouts. Any conflicts in schedules are to be worked out in advance with the instructor. Students missing more than four (4) class sessions will not be eligible for a grade higher than C, and even that is not guaranteed. As a special incentive, several group discussion activities will be announced as the course progresses. The activities will relate directly to readings and lecture topics and will have a value of a few points each – all of which accumulate toward your total in the course.

Field Study Lab: One required field lab is scheduled for the class as a whole. This will include visits to a variety of special sites in the local area that are representative examples of our cultural landscape. This will be scheduled for a Friday in October; see schedule. We will utilize school vans for transportation, which will be charged to your student activity fees.

Family Migration Study: This is an opportunity to combine academic study with personal and private interests. Details TBA (See schedule). Completed studies will be shared with the class next to last week of class.

Written assignments: Any written assignments submitted for evaluation are to be typed (double spaced) and carefully edited for spelling punctuation, grammar, syntax, style, organization and documentation – where appropriate. Any graphics should be neat, accurate and in ink unless instructed otherwise. Late, incomplete, or substandard work will result in penalties.

Exams: The exams will include material covered in class lecture-discussions, assigned readings, and any additional class or group activities. Format will include both objective type questions and short answer-short essay questions. There will usually be a map association or matching section as well. Any approved make up exam will receive an automatic five-point reduction in possible point value.

Final Course Evaluation: There will be approximately 250 points possible in this course. The final letter grade will be derived from a curve for the class as a whole. All final grades will be determined on an individual basis by the instructor.

1. Exam 1 – 50

2. Exam II – 70

3. Exam III – 70

4. Class attendance/group participation activities- 20

5. Migration Study – 25

6. Field Project – 15

This syllabus and schedule are tentative and subject to change.

*For the record: Cell phones, pagers, beepers, and other such communication or recording devices have caused disturbances to class meetings. Do not let this happen in our class. It is rude and inconsiderate of others and their reasons for being in the course. Thank you!

Upon request this document can be made available in alternate formats. Please contact the instructor,

Dr. Mike Garrett in Hagg-Sauer Hall 238, telephone 755-2804/2880 or Ms Kathi Hagen In the Office For Students with Disabilities at 755-3883