GEOG A198: Regional Field Studies in Geography
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/08/2021 |
| Top Code | 220600 - Geography |
| Units | 2 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 27) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
Course Description
Field studies of the geography of selected regions. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region. Transfer Credit: CSU. C-ID: GEOG 160. C-ID: GEOG 160.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Interpret real-life physical and cultural environments.
- Document and analyze field observations.
- Combine knowledge of various physical and cultural elements into and integrated view of the region visited.
Course Objectives
- 1. Read topographic, thematic and reference maps of the region
- 2. Use GPS units for navigation and data collection
- 3. Collect and document physical and cultural field data Humidity, temperature, soil, vegetation, geology Ethnicity, land use, settlement patterns
- 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. MapReadingand 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 III. Data Collection A. Physical Data 1. Collecting temperature using Fahrenheit or Celsius 2. Calculating humidity with the sling psychomotor 3. Collecting soil samples 4. 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, dress 4. Identify primary, secondary and tertiary land uses C. Documentation 1. Bibliographic information 2. Notation 3. Photographs 4. Mapping IV. The Physical Environment A. Regional Weather and Climate 1. Latitude and Seasons 2. Coastal vs. Continental location 3. Altitude – windward vs. leeward 4. Prevailing winds and frontal systems 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 b 1. Migration 2. Rural and urban settlement patterns and growth B. Ethnicity in the Region 1. Origin of migrants 2. Cultural characteristics including language, religion, food, architecture and other customs C. Land Use 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 III. Data Collection A. Physical Data man,serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 1. Collecting temperature using Fahrenheit or Celsius 2. Calculating humidity with the sling psychomotor 3. Collecting soil samples 4. 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, dress 4. Identify primary, secondary and tertiary land uses
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- Lab (04)
- Field Experience (90)
Instructional Techniques
Reading college level textbook, books and journal articles relevant to the geographic region Class discussions Student research presentations Field observations and collection of data Field analysis
Reading Assignments
1. Student journal of field observations and analysis 2. Student research paper on assigned topic related to geographic region
Writing Assignments
1. Student journal of field observations and analysis 2. Student research paper on assigned topic related to geographic region
Out-of-class Assignments
1. Student journal of field observations and analysis 2. Student research paper on assigned topic related to geographic region
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
Textbooks Resources
1. Required McKnight, T.L. . Physical Geography, A Landscape Appreciation, ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2010 2. Required Rubenstein, J.M. . An Introduction to Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape, ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2009
Other Resources
1. California Geographer journal published by the California Geographical Society