Discipline: Geography Degree Credit  [ ]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Geography 6


COURSE DESCRIPTION
6 Geography of US and Canada Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
An overview of the regions of the United States and Canada. Topics include including regional interactions and current political, economic, demographic, and cultural issues. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A physical and human regional geographic study of the United States and Canada.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
  1. Identify physical and cultural features of the United States and Canada on maps.
  2. Describe the main physical and cultural characteristics of each region.
  3. Identify important dimensions of interactions between regions.
  4. Discuss current environmental issues for each region, e.g, air and water quality.
  5. Present an overview of current economic issues for each region, e.g, industry, agriculture, NAFTA.
  6. Demonstrate basic knowledge of current political issue within each region.
  7. Evaluate core/periphery issues.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Northeast
    1.  Forest industries
    2.  Fishing industry
    3.  Population Growth and Decline
  2.  French Canada
    1.  Separatism
    2.  Multiculturalism
    3.  Tourism
  3.  Megalopolis
    1.  Globalization
    2.  Economic transformation
    3.  Immigration and urban growth
  4.  Appalachian and Ozark Mountains
    1.  Forest Industries
    2.  Cultural identities
    3.  Tourism and the Environment
  5.  Southeast
    1.  Southern identity and national politics
    2.  Global linkages
    3.  African American return migration
  6.  Midwest
    1.  Manufacturing transformations
    2.  Agricultural productivity
    3.  Urban growth and decline
  7.  Great Plains
    1.  Population change and decline
    2.  The industrialization of farming
    3.  Resource extraction and environmental sustainability
  8.  Rocky Mountains
    1.  Mining and environmental sustainability
    2.  Conflicts over water
    3.  Tourism and economic development
  9.  Intermontane Basins and Mountains
    1.  Population growth
    2.  Tourism and economic development
    3.  Conflicts over water
  10. . Southwest
    1.  Multiculturalism
    2.  Urbanization and suburbanization
    3.  Linkages and tensions with Mexico
  11.  Northwest
    1.  Forest protection and utilization
    2.  Commercial fishing industry
    3.  The service economy
  12.  California
    1.  Urban expansion
    2.  Globalization and economic integration
    3.  Agricultural productivity
  13.  Hawaii
    1.  Racial and ethnic politics
    2.  Economic specialization
    3.  Endangered species

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class lectures/discussions/demonstrations that model a geographic perspective on human and physical characteristics of regions; 
  • Videos/films/PowerPoint presentations that provide additional content in addition to the textbook on regional issues, such as cultural transformations, economic systems, health issues, environmental issues, and natural disast
  • Pair and small group activities/discussions that require students to articulate connections and differences between regions and to analyze trends toward integration or diversification;
  • Class exercises that develop and enhance mapping skills by identifying places and features on maps;
  • Handouts which inform students about environmental issues;
  • Individual conferences which communicate the strengths and weaknesses of students’ mapping and analytical skills;
  • Guest lecturers which provide personalized geographic perspectives on political, environmental, and cultural issues;
  • Internet based activities which enhance research skills on California issues and computer skills which promote general geographic literacy.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Oral reports and presentations that demonstrate basic understandings of regional geographic approaches to social issues;
  • Written reports/formal presentations that demonstrate complex, geographical perspectives on social issues;
  • Quizzes/examinations that test geographical knowledge, familiarity with regional issues, and analytical perspectives on specific regional issue;
  • Class and individual projects that require students to research and synthesize information on contemporary environmental issues.
  • Class discussions in order to assess levels of learning and demonstrate the ability to articulate commonalities and unique dimensions of specific California regions; 
  • A final examination that tests basic knowledge about California regions and that tests the grasp of transnational dimensions of issues facing regions.

 
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Birdsall, Stephen, et al.. Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada. 6 ed. any: Wiley, 2005.
  • Hudson, John C.. Across This Land: A Regional Geography of the United States and Canada. 1 ed. any: Johns Hopkins, 2002.
  • McKnight, Tom. Regional Geography of the United States and Canada. 4 ed. any: Prentice Hall, 2003.
  • White, C. Langdon, et al. Regional Geography of Anglo-America . 7 ed. any: Prentice-Hall, 2000.
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