Academic Catalogs

GEOG A101: Regional Field Studies in Latin America

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 09/07/2022
Top Code 220600 - Geography
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 81 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 40.5; Lab Hours 40.5)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Field studies of the geography of Latin America. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region. Class will meet on campus prior to departure and following return. Students will spend three weeks in the Latin American country. Students will be responsible for all travel costs. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Student will identify, analyze and interpret spatial information for the field study area in Latin America.
  2. Student will understand the spatial distributions, processes, and controls of the features for the field study area in Latin America from the global to local scale.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Read topographic, thematic and reference maps of the Latin America region
  • 2. Use GPS units for data collection and use GIS to map field data
  • 3. Collect and document physical and cultural field data
  • 4. Relate observations to cultural and /or physical processes
  • 5. Identify cultural and physical geographic landscapes
  • 6. Apply skills in observation and analysis to other landscapes on future individual field trips.

Lecture Content

I. Orientation A. Transportation B. Lodging C. General introduction to the region II. Map Reading and Interpretation A. Identify locations using the geographic grid B. Identify physical and cultural features using map symbols C. Identify landforms using contour lines on a topographic quadrangle D. Plot locations using GPS data and GIS applications III. Data Collection A. Physical Data 1. Collecting temperature using Fahrenheit or Celsius 2. Identifying flora and fauna B. Cultural Data 1. Research historical human settlement patterns ; 2. Identify regional architecture and its influences 3. Identify ethnic influences in the landscape architecture, language, religion, food, and clothing 4. Identify primary, secondary, and tertiary land uses and economic activities C. Field Observations and Documentation 1. Bibliographic information 2. Notation 3. Photographs 4. Mapping 5. Journals IV. The Physical Environment A. Regional Weather and Climate 1. Latitude and Seasons 2. Coastal vs. Continental location p; 3. Altitude windward vs. leeward 4. Prevailing wind systems 5. Precipitation processes 6. Climate types and controls B. Regional Vegetation and Soils 1. Adaptation of vegetation to regional climate/s and soil types 2. Influence of parent material and weathering in soil C. Regional Geomorphology 1. Classification of landform types 2. Processes of landform development including tectonics, diastrophism, weathering, fluvial, aeolian, and glacial D. Current Environmental Issues in the Region V. The Cultural Environment A. Historical Settlement in the Region 1. Migration 2. Indigenous groups 3. Rural and urban settlement patterns and growth B. Ethnicity in the Region 1. Origin of migrants 2. Push and pull factors 3. Cultural characteristics including language, religion, food, architecture and other customs C. Land Use and Economic Activity in the Region 1. Role of physical environment in agriculture and extraction 2. Relative location and economic development D. Current Cultural Issues in the Region VI. Evaluation and Analysis A. Integration of environmental and cultural characteristics B. Analysis of data collected

Lab Content

I. Orientation A. Transportation B. Lodging C. General introduction to the region II. Map Reading and Interpretation A. Identify locations using the geographic grid B. Identify physical and cultural features using map symbols C. Identify landforms using contour lines on a topographic quadrangle D. Plot locations using GPS data and GIS applications III. Data Collection A. Physical Data 1. Collecting temperature using Fahrenheit or Celsius 2. Identifying flora and fauna B. Cultural Data 1. Research historical human settlement patterns ; 2. Identify regional architecture and its influences 3. Identify ethnic influences in the landscape architecture, language, religion, food, and clothing 4. Identify primary, secondary, and tertiary land uses and economic activities C. Field Observations and Documentation 1. Bibliographic information 2. Notation 3. Photographs 4. Mapping 5. Journals IV. The Physical Environment A. Regional Weather and Climate 1. Latitude and Seasons 2. Coastal vs. Continental location p; 3. Altitude windward vs. leeward 4. Prevailing wind systems 5. Precipitation processes 6. Climate types and controls B. Regional Vegetation and Soils 1. Adaptation of vegetation to regional climate/s and soil types 2. Influence of parent material and weathering in soil C. Regional Geomorphology 1. Classification of landform types 2. Processes of landform development including tectonics, diastrophism, weathering, fluvial, aeolian, and glacial D. Current Environmental Issues in the Region V. The Cultural Environment A. Historical Settlement in the Region 1. Migration 2. Indigenous groups 3. Rural and urban settlement patterns and growth B. Ethnicity in the Region 1. Origin of migrants 2. Push and pull factors 3. Cultural characteristics including language, religion, food, architecture and other customs C. Land Use and Economic Activity in the Region 1. Role of physical environment in agriculture and extraction 2. Relative location and economic development D. Current Cultural Issues in the Region VI. Evaluation and Analysis A. Integration of environmental and cultural characteristics B. Analysis of data collected

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)
  • Field Experience (90)

Instructional Techniques

Reading college level textbook, books, journal articles, and maps that are relevant to the Latin America region Class discussions that relate to the Latin America region Student research presentations Field observations and collection of physical and cultural data Field analysis of physical and cultural processes

Reading Assignments

1. Read assigned texts, journals, manuals, and other resources (16 hours)

Writing Assignments

1. Student research paper on assigned topic related to geographic region (16 hours) 2. Field observations and collection of physical and cultural data (16 hours) 3. Student journal of field observations and analysis (13 hours)

Out-of-class Assignments

1. Student research presentations (20 hours)

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1.         Student participation in collection and analysis of field data and observations 2.         Student presentations 3.         Student field journals documenting their observations and experiences 4.         Student research papers on one aspect of the region visited

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

1.         Student participation in collection and analysis of field data and observations 2.         Student presentations 3.         Student field journals documenting their observations and experiences 4.         Student research papers on one aspect of the region visited

Eligible Disciplines

Geography: Master's degree in geography OR bachelor's degree in geography AND master's degree in geology, history, meteorology, or oceanography OR the equivalent OR see interdisciplinary studies. Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Jackiewicz, E.L. Bosco, F.. Placing Latin America: Contemporary Themes in Geography , 4 ed. Rowman Littlefield Publishers , 2020 2. Required Skidmore, T.E. . Modern Latin America, 9 ed. Oxford University Press, 2018 Rationale: still used

Other Resources

1. Journal of Latin American Geography. Journal published by the University of Texas Press.