Chabot College
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Geography 12
GEOGRAPHY OF CALIFORNIA
Catalog Description
12 - Geography of California
3 units
California’s physical, cultural, and regional elements. The physical geographic base includes:
location, geological evolution; geomorphic provinces, natural hazards, and resources; climate,
water resources, vegetation, and soils. Historically developed cultural themes include: Native
American and Hispanic origins; migration patterns and settlements; population growth and ethnic
diversity; land use and economic activities; and Pacific Rim connections. Human-environment
interactions and issues are considered throughout the course. Field trips may be included.
3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. utilize maps, charts, graphs to understand, appreciate, and analyze the physical,
cultural, economic aspects of California;
2. apply geographic concepts to analyze California’s present, past, and future challenges both
physical and cultural;
3. identify changing dynamics of socio-economic aspects of California’s landscape, i.e., urban
growth vs. agricultural needs; housing pressure vs. open-space needs; northern
environmental concerns vs. southern water needs;
4. identify California’s geomorphic regions and specific needs of each in terms of socioeconomic dynamics as delineated on maps and charts available;
5. demonstrate place-name recognition and basic geographic skills and ability to interpret and
analyze map information;
6. identify, analyze, and understand California’s diverse population through analysis of historic
sequence occupancy of Native American and subsequent immigrant groups, especially in
terms of California’s economic development;
7. analyze the tourism potential of locations in California, using geographic skills;
8. analyze future dynamics of population influx, both legal and illegal.
Course Content:
1. Introduction to California
a. Geography defined
b. Concepts of location, i.e., absolute vs. relative; geographic grid
c. California overview, i.e., quick scan of historic, economic, and social development
2. California Comparisons
a. Comparisons of physical size, populations, and economic data with selected regions,
countries, and states
b. Effects of long narrow state vs. small more compact states
3. Geomorphologic regions
a. The 11 regions that make up California
b. Landscape differentiations
c. Population distribution through the regions and reasons underlying that distribution
d. Anticipated future changes based on influx of population shifts
4. Physical Geography of California
a. Plate tectonics with emphasis on earthquakes but also with discussion of the role of
volcanic activity in shaping the landscape of the state
b. Earthquakes and you (specifics on preparing for and surviving an earthquake)
Chabot College
Course Outline for Geography 12, Page 2
Fall 2006
c.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Brief overview of the geology of the state specifically focusing on landforms created by
tectonic processes, i.e., types of faulting, horsts, grabens, tilt block mountains
d. Landform classifications, i.e., mass wasting, plains, hills, mountains, riverine types,
interfluvial glacial moraines
Climate
a. Distribution of climate in California and the influence of landforms thereon
b. Mediterranean climate and placement of the Pacific High
c. Definition of desert climate and distribution of high and low deserts in the state
d. Maps of rainfall distribution
e. Effects of climate on house types, population distribution, tourism, and use of climate in
historic boosterism
California’s water systems and issues
a. Map study showing very high and low precipitation areas
b. Historic problem of flood control needs vs. irrigation needs
c. Federal and state water projects
d. Historic debate on 160-acre limitation
e. Peripheral canal debates
California agriculture
a. Statistics from current annual report from California State Department of Food and
Agriculture
b. History of agriculture in California from wheat to specialty crops to large landholders to
agribusiness
c. Agricultural regions in California and reasons for similarities and differences
d. Principal farming types
e. Farm production and agricultural water use
f. Regional studies comparing Northern vs. Southern California; Central Valley vs. Salinas
and Imperial Valley
g. Farm labor issues
Historic development of state
a. 15,000 years of Native Americans with emphasis on adaptations to environment
b. Spanish mission period emphasizing land use and impact on later growth
c. Mexican period emphasizing land grants and their impact on future land distribution
patterns
d. Mexican period emphasizing land grants and their impact on future land distribution
patterns.
e. Gold rush and statehood and permanent changes surviving to the present day
f. Change from mineral exploitation to industrial development
g. Transport systems
h. Black gold and growth of oil industry in the state
i. Tinseltown: California entertainment industry
j. War and peace, from the Spanish American War to Iraq and California’s role,
including the aerospace industry
k. The Chip: Santa Clara Valley’s growth from agricultural valley to Silicon Valley
Ethnic diversity and cultural patterns
a. The good, the bad, and the ugly: California’s newcomers, their trials, tribulations, and
successes
b. Sequence occupance of selected immigrant groups, i.e., Hispanics, African Americans,
Asians
c. California’s changing population dynamics
Future prospects and problems
Methods of Presentation:
1. Lectures and discussions
2. Videos, i.e., California and the Dreamseekers, California Gold Rush
3. Small group problem-solving
Chabot College
Course Outline for Geography 12, Page 3
Fall 2006
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments may include, but are not limited to:
a. Chapter questionnaire (typically 10-12 based on text of about 100 questions):
Find the reference in your text and provide a short answer to each question or
provide solution to problem posed.
b. Map exercise (15): Use your map or atlas in library, locate the following
places. The upper section refers to cities, towns, or urban centers, the lower
section refers to landscape features, i.e., mountains, rivers, lakes, national
or state parks.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
a. 10-12 chapter quizzes
b. 15 map exercises
c. Final examination
d. In-class projects, i.e., reading topographic maps, specialized regional maps, interpreting
data from maps
Textbook(s) (Typical):
California: The Geography of Diversity, Crane S. Miller and Richard S. Hyslop,
Mayfield Publishing Company, 2000.
California, Gary L. Peters, et al. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2004.
California, Louise Bostock Lang, ed., Duncan Baird Publishing Company, 2003.
Insight Guides to California, Brian Bell, ed., APA Publishing Company, 2003.
Special Student Materials:
1. 6” or 12” ruler
2. Marking pens, crayons, or colored pencils (any coloring device) in six colors
3. An up-to-date map of California (typical “road” map)
tf:/Word/Geog 12.doc
Revised 11/01/05