Geography 10: Cultural Geography of North America

Section 61511Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00 AM -

12:20 PM

What is Geography?

• The study of the earth and its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity.

Fields of Geography

• Human or Cultural Geography– Deals with social, economic, and behavioral

processes

• Physical Geography– Examines the natural processes occurring at

Earth’s surface that provide the physical setting for human activities

Branches of Physical Geography

• Biogeography• Climatology• Coastal Geography• Environmental Geography• Geomorphology• Glaciology• Hydrology• Oceanography• Paleogeography

Branches of Human Geography

• Cultural Geography• Developmental Geography• Economic Geography• Medical Geography• Historical Geography• Political Geography• Population Geography• Demography• Transportation Geography• Urban Geography

Tools Geographers Use• Maps

– Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data• Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions

• Remote Sensing– Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of earth’s surface

• GIS or Geographic Information Systems– Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases

• Mathematical Modeling and Statistics– Used to understand natural and human phenomenon

Course Description

• This course is about cultural geography of North America through time and space.

• The dynamics and ethnicity of North American culture will be traced through discovery, exploration, settlement patterns, aboriginal patterns, national interests, economic exploitation, agriculture, commerce, ethnicity, demography, and changing attitudes. – Emphasis is on the origin and diffusion of North

American cultural traditions.

Course Objectives• Once you have completed this course you should be

able to:– Define the cultural influences which make up North America.– Identify settlement patterns, economic systems, transportation

patterns, the structure of American cities and demographics for the continent.

– Distinguish the aboriginal cultural which make up the American character in time and space.

– Recognize North American ethnicity in time and as a part of national character.

– Define the American cultural landscape in relationship to the biophysical world.

– Identify important cultural sites, political, economic, and commercial sites on the continent.

– Analyze the structural elements of cities and other cultural features in time and ethnic influences.

– Recognize ethnic and national purpose in relationship to land values and historical happening.

Required Text and Readings

• Regional Landscapes of the US and Canada 7th Edition– Birdsall, Palka, Malinowski,

and Price

– ISBN 978-0470098264 • The Cultural Geography

of the United States– Wilbur Zelinsky– ISBN 0-13-194424-X

Materials Required• Pens• Pencils• Paper• Internet Access

• Recommended:– Colored Pens/Pencils

Grading Assignments Grading Scale

NOTE: To pass this class you must earn at least 60%. I reserve the right to drop you from the class if at any time you fall below 60% of the total points possible.

Class Schedule

Class Schedule

Chapter Quizzes

There will be 16 chapter quizzes. These will be given using Blackboard. You will have one week to complete quizzes. Quizzes will close at 10:30 AM on their due

dates. Quizzes will be multiple choice, true and

false, matching, and/or short paragraphs.

Map Quizzes and Tests

There will be a total of 16 map quizzes and tests. There will be 2 big map tests. There will be 14 small map quizzes.

These will be based on map studies we do in class.

Map Tests/Quizzes will be given using blackboard. You will have one week to complete these

assignments, they will close at 10:30 AM on their due dates.

Tests

There will be 6 tests. These tests will be based on chapter quizzes.

Tests will be given using Blackboard. You will have one week to complete tests. They will close at 10:30 AM on their due dates.

Final Exam

There will be a cumulative final exam. That means it will cover all the chapters and

maps we have studied through the semester.

Please note the time for the final exam, which is different from our regular meeting time. 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM December 14, 2010.

Discussions

There will be five discussions based on the book “The Cultural Geography of the United States” by Wilbur Zelinsky.

Discussions will be done using Blackboard. Discussions are due on their stated dates

(see schedule) and will close out at 10:30 AM.

Family History Paper

One paper is required for this course. It must be five pages long and will be about

how you and your family fit into the cultural-historical geography of the United States.

You may write a physical paper or write a webpage.

You may receive extra credit for seeking help at the writing center.

Late Work and Missed Exams Late work will not be accepted. There will be no make-ups of missed

exams.

Absences and Tardiness I reserve the right to drop students who miss class

twice. If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact

with me if you do not wish to be dropped. I also reserve the right to drop students for excessive

tardiness. Excessive tardiness is being late more than three

times. If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take

a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.

Academic Honesty Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will

be reported to the dean’s office. Please refer to Chaffey College’s policy on

academic honesty

Cell Phones and Texting

Use of cell phones for talking or texting during class is inappropriate.

You may be asked to leave the classroom if you are talking or texting on your phone during lecture. Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.

Extra Credit

Extra credit may be offered throughout the course.

You need to be present to take advantage of this because it will not be posted on Blackboard.

E-mailing Assignments/My Mailbox Assignments will NOT be accepted by e-

mail. I have a mailbox on the campus. You may

leave assignments at my mailbox, ask at information.

Graded Work

It is your responsibility to pick up your graded work.

Graded work will be held for 30 days after the last day of class and then recycled.

It is highly recommended that you keep your graded work until final grades have been posted.Not just for this class, for all of your classes!

Dropping

If you wish to drop this course, you must do so formally. Not dropping the course may result in an F.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used during this course.

You will find PowerPoint lectures, course documents, links to extra credit, quizzes, tests and grades.

You can access Blackboard at: http://blackboard.chaffey.edu.

Disabilities

If you have, or think you have a disability which may interfere with your ability to perform in this class, please speak with me immediately and please contact the Disability Service Programs office at (909) 652-6398.

If you need accommodations, you must contact them immediately.

Contacting Me

The best way to reach me is by e-mail at Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com.

I do not have an office or office hours. If you need to speak to me, it can be done

before class, after class, or by appointment. My telephone number is (909) 652-7090 but I

check the e-mail address much more frequently.