Fall 2010
GEOG 106
CSU Chico
The American West
Syllabus
Instructor:
Calli-Jane Burch
626 Butte Hall, phone 898-4774, email cburch@csuchico.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-4:10 PM or by appointment
Times and Locations:
Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-3:15 PM, 103 Butte
Course Format:
75 minute lecture and discussion
Required Reading:
The American West, A new Interpretive History by Robert Hine & John Mack Faracher.
Course Description:
This course reviews the physical and cultural geography of the American West, emphasizing how various cultural
groups have each made a unique imprint on the western landscape. The course also examines the current and future
issues facing resource management within this region. The general subtopics discussed in this class fit into the
following five themes of geography: location, place, movement, region and human/environment interaction.
Course Objectives:
1. Develop a geographic understanding of the American West, including;
a. The physical processes that shape the patterns on the earth’s surface
b. How these physical processes affect human cultures
c. How various cultures manage and modify the physical environment
d. The patterns of human migration and settlement throughout the region
2. Develop the ability to think, speak, and write critically
Assignments:
 Weekly chapter readings
 Quizzes on chapter readings
 Homework and brief writing assignments
 Cumulative geographic western book project
 Final Exam
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, and written 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.
 All written and other research assignments will be due one week from the date assigned unless otherwise
advised.
 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
A+
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D-
Points
210-225
202-209
195-201
187-194
180-186
173-179
165-172
158-164
151-157
142-150
Percent
0.935
0.9
0.87
0.835
0.8
0.77
0.735
0.7
0.67
0.635
Activity
Participation and attendance
Quizzes on chapter readings
Cumulative geographic western book project
Homework/assignments
Final exam
Total
Points
25
75
50
25
50
225
% of Grade
11%
33%
22%
11%
22%
(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.
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
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.
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Tentative Activity Schedule/Learning Objectives:
Approximate
Time frame
24 & 26
August
31 August &
2 September
7&9
September
14 & 16
September
21 & 23
September
28 & 30
September
5&7
October
12 & 14
October
19 & 21
October
26 & 28
October
Course Topic/Theme/Material
Course Overview and Introduction
Defining the American West and Big Picture
Five themes of Geography
Geography, History and Stories of the West
No Buddies Girls-Film
Theme: Movement
Geography of western community resources
California State Parks
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
Conservation & Resource Utilization
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
& U.S. Forest Service
Theme: Region
Vegetation Communities (Biomes)
CSU Chico Arboretum Tour
Theme: Place
Fundamental Map Elements
CSU Chico Special Collections
& Maps Tour
Theme: Location
Western Settlement
Settler Cultures
Lewis & Clark – Film
Theme: Movement
Western Agriculture
Film The Mercy of Nature – Cadillac
Desert
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
Western Settlement
Settler Cultures
Lewis & Clark - Film II
Theme: Movement
Western Water
Mulholland’s Dream – Cadillac Desert
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
2&4
November
Western Art and Entertainment
Theme: Region
9 & 11
November
Planning for Community in the West
Communities on the Move- Film
Career Center, CSU Chico
Theme: Place
Native American Cultures
Salt Song Project Film
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
11th - Holiday
16 & 18
November
Assignments
& Quizzes
Assignment: Flash Card About Me
Assignment: Read Chapter 1
Exercise: Mental Map
Quiz Chapter 1
Assignment: Read Chapter 2
Assignment: A western story writing exercise
Quiz Chapter 2
Due: A western story writing exercise
Assignment: Read Chapter 3
Assignment: Chico Public Library western book
Quiz Chapter 3
Due: Chico Public Library western book
Assignment: Read Chapter 4
23 & 25
November
30 November
& 2 December
Climate & Soils
Theme: Region
7&9
December
Wildfire in the West
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
14 & 16
December
Sustainability in the West
Theme: Human Environment Interaction
Quiz: Chapter 4
Assignment: Read Chapter 5
Assignment: Western plant page
Quiz: Chapter 5
Due: Western plant page
Assignment: Read Chapter 6
Assignment: Location Map
Quiz: Chapter 6
Due: Location Map
Assignment: Read Chapter 7
Assignment: Second draft of western story
Quiz: Chapter 7
Due: Second draft of western story
Assignment: Read Chapter 8
Assignment: Western recipe & location
Quiz: Chapter 8
Due: Western recipe & location
Assignment: Read Chapter 9
Assignment: Region Map
Quiz: Chapter 9
Due: Region Map
Assignment: Read Chapter 10
Assignment: Western Song/ Poetry
Quiz: Chapter 10
Due: Western Song/ Poetry
Assignment: Read Chapter 11
Assignment: Illustration
Quiz: Chapter 11
Due: Illustration
Assignment: Read Chapter 12
Assignment: Resume
Quiz: Chapter 12
Due: Resume
Assignment: Read Chapter 13
Assignment: Draft Cumulative geographic western
No Class
Thanksgiving
book
Quiz: Chapter 13
Due: Draft Cumulative geographic western book
Assignment: Read Chapter 14
Assignment: Final Cumulative geographic western book
Quiz: Chapter 14
Due: Final Cumulative geographic western book
Assignment: Read Chapter 15
Quiz: Chapter 15
Final Exam December 23rd 12:00-1:50pm
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