GEOG 120: The North American Landscape Fort Lewis College - Winter Semester 2012 Instructor: Scott White, Ph.D. ([email protected]) Class Meeting Time: 9:30-10:50 a.m. T Th Office: BH 300/302 (ph: 247-7475) Class Meeting Location: Berndt Hall 380 Office Hours: M W 11:00-12:00 and 1:30-2:30; T 11:00-1:00 [or by appointment] Required Books 1. Textbook: Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada, ©2009, Stephen S. Birdsall and others, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 978-0-470-09826-4. The hardcover edition of this textbook is available in the FLC bookstore. It is also available in an e-book format. More information about the e-book can be found at http://tinyurl.com/birdsall-7e. 2. Atlas: You will need to find a good world or regional atlas that has been published in the last 10 years. The atlas should contain states/province boundaries, major cities, physical/hydro features, and place names. Many such atlases are available online, in bookstores, or in the Reed Library, including two on reserve. Course Description This course serves as an introduction to the natural and cultural landscapes found in the United States and Canada. Starting with an introduction to the concept of the geographic region, we will travel through the continent with discussions and assignments dealing with both physical and cultural regions of the United States and Canada. Emphasis will be placed on the relationships between the natural and physical environment, land use patterns, resources, economics, geopolitics, populations, and human activities that modify the landscape. Class lectures will be supplemented with readings from the textbook, and both in-class and out out-of-class map assignments using USGS topographic maps, Google Earth, GIS software, and both book and online atlases. GEOG 120 is an approved Social and Behavioral Sciences (SS2) course in the Colorado statewide guaranteed transfer general education program known as gtPathways. Refer to the current FLC Catalog for more information. Course and FLC Policies - You are responsible for all materials presented during the class sessions. I will take attendance during the first class period, but after that you are expected to be in attendance during all lecture sessions. It is in your best interests to come to each class since exam questions will come primarily from the lecture notes. - The last day to withdraw from this class without record is Tuesday, January 24 (census date). After that date, withdrawals will only be allowed if you cannot complete the class because of health or family issues. - Make-up exams or assignments will only be permitted if you have a valid excuse. Whenever possible, inform your instructor ahead of time if you are going to miss class. - Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and may result in a zero score on the assignment in question, a final course grade of F, and/or referral to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. - Students with disabilities have equal access and equal opportunity in this course. If you require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements, you must register with Disability Services, 280 Noble Hall, 247-7459. If you qualify for services, bring your letter of accommodation to me as soon as possible. - Please turn off your cell phone before you come to class. No texting. Laptops are allowed for notes only. Your grade will be based on the following: 1. Exams (40%): There will be 2 exams in this class – a midterm exam and a final exam. These exams are not comprehensive. They will consist of a mix of multiple choice, short answer/essay, and fill-in-the-blank questions. 2. Map quizzes (30%): There will be 3 map quizzes in this class: two for the conterminous United States and one for Canada and Alaska. Maps and the quiz study guides will be available during the first week of the semester. 3. Assignments (30%): There will be several in-class and out-of-class assignments during the semester. These assignments may consist of questions to answer from various types of maps and atlases, questions from videos, and questions using mapping software such as Google Earth and ArcGIS. Grading follows the typical A, B, C, D, and F scheme, with + and – counting towards your final course grade: A = 93-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = < 60 A- = 90-92 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-66 B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-62 Finally, I do not “curve” individual exam or quiz grades, although final course grades may be adjusted at the end of the semester. Extra credit points may appear on the exams and quizzes, but there will be no extra credit assignments. http://faculty.fortlewis.edu/white_s/classes/geog120.htmlGEOG 120 Course Schedule – Winter 2012 (revision #1) [subject to change] Days Topics Readings (chapters) Jan 10 Class introduction; Regions and Themes 1 Jan 12 Regions and Themes 1 Jan 17 Physical Geography 2 Jan 19 Human/Cultural Geography 3 Jan 24 Megalopolis 4 Jan 26 Map Quiz #1: The United States (48 states and cities) Jan 31 The Manufacturing Core 5 Feb 02 Map Quiz #2: The United States (physical and hydro features) Feb 07 Canada’s National Core 6 Feb 09 Map Quiz #3: Canada and Alaska (everything) Feb 14 Canada’s National Core 6 Feb 16 The Bypassed East 7 Feb 21 Appalachia and the Ozarks 8 Feb 23 The Changing South 9 Feb 28 The Changing South 9 Mar 01 Exam #1 Mar 06 “Spring” Break ! Mar 08 “Spring” Break ! Mar 13 The Southern Coastlands 10 Mar 15 The Agricultural Core 11 Mar 20 The Agricultural Core 11 Mar 22 The Great Plains and Prairies 12 Mar 27 The Great Plains and Prairies 12 Mar 29 The Empty Interior 13 Apr 3 The Southwest Border Area 14 Apr 5 The Southwest Border Area 14 Apr 10 California 15 Apr 12 California 15 Apr 17 The North Pacific Coast 16 Apr 19 The Northlands 17 Apr 24 Exam