Courses : Syllabi : 321
Geography 321 United States Geography
Instructor
Course Description
United States Geography incorporates a systematic and regional analysis of physical and cultural landscapes of the United States. It includes an examination of land uses considering the economic, environmental, and physical influences of a region over time (historical - current perspective). All regions are examined, from the northeastern U.S., to Alaska and Hawaii. Current land uses, land surveys, and functions are discussed in order to gain perspective on what makes each region unique. Students are required to map the U.S. using atlases in order to also learn locations. The purpose of the course is to engage students in learning about and analyzing the complex and unique comprehensive geography of the U.S.
Course is a lecture course with supplemental visuals such as slides, films. Students expected to take lecture notes in order to gather important and relevant course information from lecture. Recorders are allowed if student desires. Lecture notes are not included on Blackboard. Lecture material complemented by text material. Students expected to read text as suggested in the Course Schedule.
Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the physical geography of the U.S. (major topographic/landscape regions, vegetation, climate, some soils), cultural geography (urban vs rural, history and trends, religion, population growth, etc.), regional environmental issues, regional economies, agricultural regions, and locations: states, cities, mountains, water bodies, national parks. Students expected to interpret maps and other geographic representations, analyze the spatial organization of people, places and environments in the U.S., interpret the human use of physical resources and the impact of resource utilization on nature and society, comprehend the relations between global processes and the U.S., and demonstrate critical thinking by presenting opposing viewpoints, questions, and alternative hypotheses on spatial issues.
Prerequisites
Geography 101 or 102 recommended
Grading
Your grade in this course will be based on the following elements:
- Atlas Exercises (6): 60 points
- Topic Paper: 60 points
- Exams (3): 300-330 points total
- Attendance: 20 points
Grade Breakdown:
- A 90% and above;
- A- 89%;
- B+ 88%;
- B 80-87%;
- B- 79%;
- C+ 78%;
- C 70-77%;
- C- 69%;
- D+ 68%;
- D 60-67%;
- D- 59%;
- F 58% and below
Six Atlas Exercises are required during the semester. Each will be worth 10 points, for a total of 60 points. Point value will be determined by accuracy, legibility, completeness. Atlases will be due on the Monday of the week shown on the syllabus, and atlas assignments will be available on Blackboard. (Late atlases without approval will be worth no more than 5 points.)
Topic paper on water resources in the Western United States. Length of paper: 5-6 pages, text. Additional pages for sources (cite all sources used), and any supplementary materials, such as figures, photos, etc. Double space, 11-12 pt. font, normal margins.
Exams will include information from lectures (approximately 33%), text (approximately 33%) and atlases (approximately 33%). Each exam covers the material prior to the exam, and subsequent exams are not comprehensive. No make-up exams are scheduled (exception-individual make up is allowed under extreme emergencies).
Attendance will be taken randomly throughout the semester. Arriving late or leaving early will be counted as an absence. First absence minus 1 pt., second absence minus additional 2 pts., third absence minus additional 3 pts., etc. Example: 3 absences would result in the deduction of 6 points from the total of 20 points available for attendance points. (Student may be excused from class without point penalty, or leave early or arrive late, if instructor is informed ahead of time, or under emergencies).
Books and Materials
Hardwick, The Geography of North America (2008)
Goode’s World Atlas, 21st Edition
7 maps: U.S. Map (both sides), Eastern, Western, North Central, South Central, Alaska, Hawaii
Articles: To be distributed in class.
All materials available in Aztec Shops.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week One | Intro to class Physical/Environmental |
| Week Two | Physical (cont) Atlas One due |
| Week Three | Settlement, Culture |
| Week Four | Urban, Political Atlas Two due |
| Week Five | Atlantic Northeast |
| Week Six | Megalopolis Exam One |
| Week Seven | Great Lakes region Atlas Three due |
| Week Eight | South |
| Week Nine | Great Plains Atlas Four due |
| Week Ten | Rocky Mtns/West |
| Week Eleven | California Atlas Five due |
| Week Twelve Part IV |
Pacific Northwest Atlas Six due |
| Week Thirteen | Alaska Term Paper due |
| Week Fourteen | Hawaii |
| Week Fifteen | Conclusion |