Fall 2011
GEOG 106
CSU Chico
The American West
Syllabus
Instructor:
Calli-Jane Burch
626 Butte Hall, phone 898-4774, email cburch@csuchico.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 3:30-4:00 PM and 5:20-6:05PM or by appointment
Times and Locations:
Monday and Wednesday 4:00-5:15 PM, Langdon 107
Course Format:
75 minute lecture and discussion
Required Reading:
Frontiers, A Short History of The American West, by Robert Hine & John Mack Faracher.
Course Description:
This course reviews the physical and historical cultural geography of the American West with a focus on humanenvironmental relationships and the concepts of place within this region. Particular emphasis is placed in how various
cultural groups have each made a unique imprint on the western landscape through sustainable and non-sustainable
utilization of resources. The course also examines the current and future issues facing resource management and
conservation within this region. The general subtopics discussed in this class fit into the following five general thematic
areas: location, place, movement, region and human/environment interaction.
Course Objectives:
1. Develop a geographic understanding of the American West, including;
 How various cultures manage and modify the physical environment
 The patterns of human migration and settlement throughout the region
 The physical processes that shape the patterns on the earth’s surface
 How these physical processes affect human cultures
2. Explore sense of community and sense of place in the west.
3. Learn with a variety of mediums: literature, film, audio, field observations and interviews.
4. Develop the ability to think, speak, and write critically.
Learning Outcomes Addressed:
 Critical thinking skills are developed via the assessment and review of materials presented and questioning the
position and validity of the ideas discussed.
 Personal and Social Responsibility by building a sense of identity with respect to the region and the
environment. Via the materials presented students will be challenged to become informed citizens and active
participants in the shaping of this region for future generations.
 Sustainability via the development of a synthesis understanding of how individual, social, and institutional roles
have influenced social and economic capacity and environmental relationships and utilization patterns
representing the past, present, and future of the American West.
 Diversity is addressed via the presentation of both physical and cultural diversity of the region. Students will
gain a synthesis understanding of the relationships between features including linguistic and climatic diversity.
 Global Engagement through the evaluation of the region as a key contributor to global economies, resource
utilization and innovation, and social and institutional diplomacy.
Assignments:
 Chapter readings
 Quizzes on chapter readings
 In class writing/map exercises
 Two group power point assignments
 Exam Comprehensive Final
Grading:
Grades will be assigned on a straight scale based on the points earned for each assignment (See grade ranges below).
This system will enable each student to earn a fair grade based upon the percent of points earned on assignments rather
than competing with others in the class for the top grade.
 Students will be evaluated on attendance, participation, written work and group work. Punctual attendance of all
class meetings and full participation in activities (including those that involve peer feedback) are required.
 One make-up quiz will be given for excused absences only, and must be completed within a week of returning to
class.
 Late assignments will have 10 % deducted for each day they are late, and no assignments will be accepted more
than one week (two class days) after the due date.
 Spelling, grammar, and composition will be considered part of the grading of major writing assignments.
 Incompletes will only be considered if most of the course requirements have been fulfilled.
 Written assignments should be based on primary sources, not the internet.
Grade
Points
Grade
Points
A+
210-225
0.935
C+
173-179
0.77
A-
202-209
0.9
C
165-172
0.735
B+
195-201
0.87
C-
158-164
0.7
B
187-194
0.835
D+
151-157
0.67
B-
180-186
0.8
D-
142-150
0.635
Percent
Activity
Points
Percent
% of Grade
Participation and attendance
40
18%
Quizzes on chapter readings
50
22%
In class writing/map exercises
25
11%
Group power point assignments
60
27%
Final exam
Total
50
22%
225
100%
(Note: these values are an approximation of point allocation. Additional points for other assignments may be
assigned at instructor’s discretion)
Class Rules:
Aside from University policies, respect the learning environment and the opinions/contributions of others, learn (and
share what you have learned), have fun (laugh a little).
Equipment: With possible exceptions, no laptops or hand-held devices should be on during the class. Please turn off cell
phones when coming to class. The advantage of having a student occasionally provide information from his or her laptop
for the class does not outweigh the distraction of having people using these devices.
Academic Honesty: Students are to practice academic integrity and honesty. If there is any evidence of academic
dishonesty on the part of a student, I will follow the university’s guidelines for dealing with academic integrity issues.
Please become familiar with these guidelines. http://www.csuchico.edu/prs/EMs/EM04/em04_36.htm and pay close
attention to class discussions on this topic.
Disability Support Services: Please let me know if you have any special needs. Information for Disability Support
Services can be attained at 898-5959 or http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/index.shtml.
Student Learning Center (SLC): The SLC prepares and supports students in their college course work by offering a
variety of programs and resources to meet student needs. You can call them at 898-6839 or go to their website:
http://www.csuchico.edu/slc/index.shtml
2
Tentative Activity Schedule:
Approximate
Time frame
Course Topic/Theme/Material
22 & 24
August
Course Overview and Introduction
Defining the American West
Five themes of Geography
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
Hinth’el Gaahnula-Talking Indian - Film
Assignment: Read Introduction & Chapter 1
Exercise: Geographic Resume & Mental Map
Group Formation
Quiz Introduction & Chapter 1
Assignment: Read Chapter 4
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
CSU Chico Arboretum tour
Quiz Chapter 4
Assignment: Read Chapter 5
Group Assignment: Geography of W. States
Quiz Chapter 5
29 & 31
August
September
5 no class
7 class
12 & 14
September
19 & 21
September
26 & 28
September
Assignments
& Quizzes
Theme: Place
Ishi The Ending People – Film
Special Collections and Map Floor tour
Theme: Location
Assignment: Read Chapter 6
Due: Geography of W. States
3&5
October
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
The Mercy of Nature – Film
Neal Road Landfill Field Trip
Theme: Movement
Lewis & Clark - Film
10 & 12
October
Theme: Region
Lewis & Clark - Film
Quiz: Chapter 9 & 10
Assignment: Read Chapter 12
17 & 19
October
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
Mulholland’s Dream – Film
Sierra Nevada Brewery – Field Trip
Quiz: Chapter 12
Assignment: Read Chapter 13
24 & 26
October
Theme: Region
Western Art and Entertainment
October 31 &
November 2
Theme: Place
Wildfire Guest Presenter
7&9
November
Theme: Region
Nobody’s Girls - Film
14 & 16
November
Theme: Place
CSU Chico Career Center
Guest Presenter
Thanksgiving
21 & 23
November
28 & 30
November
5&7
December
Quiz: Chapter 6
Assignment: Read Chapter 8
Quiz: Chapter 8
Assignment: Read Chapter 9 & 10
Quiz: Chapter 13
Assignment: Read Chapter 14
Group Assignment: Geography of a N. Ca Town
Quiz: Chapter 14
Assignment: Read Chapter 15
Due: Geography of a N. California Town
Quiz: Chapter 15
Assignment: Read Chapter 16
No Class
Theme: Region
Climate & Soils
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
Agriculture Guest Presenter
Quiz: Chapter 16
Exam Week
12
December
3