GEOGRAPHY REGIONAL FIELD STUDIES
(Geography 426)
Spring 2015, The Colorado Plateau
Schedule # 21502, Wed. 3:30-4:45, COM 206
Instructor: Diana Gauss Richardson
Office: Storm Hall 301B; Office hours: T 11:00 – noon, 3:30 – 4:30; W 1:00 – 3:00; Th
11- noon, and specific appointments. My door is usually open, so please feel free to
drop by anytime even if it is outside of office hours
drichard@mail.sdsu.edu, 619-594-5476
READINGS:
1) Assorted texts, references: available in my office for check out
2) Selected readings; posted to Blackboard, or distributed in class
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to the field course in Geography! The Geography
Regional Field Studies course examines and analyzes the 4 major themes covered in
regional Geography courses - physical, cultural, environmental and economic
geography – for the Colorado Plateau area (Arizona, Utah primarily). Regional
characteristics will be presented in class, however, the heart of the course is the actual
field trip to the Colorado Plateau from March 28 to April 3rd (during Spring Break).
The field trip will include Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand
Staircase – Escalante National Monument, Lake Powell/Glen Canyon Dam, Lee’s Ferry,
Navajo Nation, and the Grand Canyon. The trip logistics are handled by Aztec
Adventures, and include travel, entrance fees to parks, lodging, and breakfast and lunch
(dinners will be on your own). The fee goes directly to Aztec Adventures for this service
– none of it goes to the instructor or the Geography Department. Fee will be $719.00 if
paid by Feb. 10, and goes up to $749.00 after that date. Fee must be collected at the
latest by March 6.
FORMAT: The course includes classroom lecture and discussion, and the field trip.
The class will meet 4 times prior to the trip (Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 4, Mar. 25), and
once following the trip (April 15). Class lectures will cover the 4 geographical
components of physical, cultural, economic and environmental geography for this
region. Students are expected to read assigned material and prepare responses to
questions on the readings, participate in class discussion, prepare a project/term paper,
and, of course, attend the field trip! (The best part!)
ASSIGNMENTS: 1) Term Paper – this paper should be 6 - 8 pages of text, plus
supplements: maps, diagrams, sources used (MLA format), photographs, etc. The first
half of the term paper (3 – 4 pages) will present the geographic principles and attributes
of the region, which will be examined both prior to, and during the field trip: Physical
Geography, Cultural Geography, Environmental Issues, Urban Settlement and
Development, and Economic Geography. The second half of the paper will be your
specific topic studied for this area. You can choose from a list of topics relevant to this
region. I have many books and articles that could be used as references for these
papers, in addition to your own research. I will keep these in my office, and you will be
able to check them out from me. Once you have a topic, see me for further instruction
on the paper, and set up a meeting with me to discuss your topic and presentation on
your topic by Feb. 18. Points: 70
2) Readings/Articles Summaries. Brief 2-3 page summaries of 4 readings topics (15
points each; total possible of 60 points).
Summary of Article 1 due: Feb. 18
Articles 2/3 due: Feb. 25
Article 4/5 due: Mar. 11
Article 6/7 due: Mar. 25
3) Field trip. Attendance and participation during field trip – including presentation
which will cover your specific topic and will be given at a location relevant to that topic.
Presentations should be around 10-15 minutes in length, and demonstrate your
familiarity with your topic, and its relevance to the Colorado Plateau. 90 points. Map
work using topographic maps will be assigned during the trip; completion of assignment
worth 10 points.
4) Reflection Paper: Brief 2-3 page reflection of the experience. Include value of
lectures, written materials and trip – what was most significant to you, what did you
learn, your overall impression of the experience. Points: 15
5) Regional Mapping: Using the handout and list of locations, prepare map. Due on
Feb. 18 (20 points).
In addition to class times, set up time to meet with me regarding your paper and
presentation.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory at all classes and the field trip. Your
participation, demonstrated by attendance, courtesy, discussion and/or questions, will
help you achieve the greatest benefit from the class. Since we only meet 4 times prior to
the field trip, each meeting is critical to your understanding of course material, and
performance. Missing a class will reduce the overall point value by 25 points or one
letter grade (unless missed class is previously cleared with me).
CLASS COURTESY and ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR: It is important that courtesy be
maintained in the class. Basic courtesies include: not speaking while the professor or
another student is, remaining in your seat during the entire class period (i.e., taking care
of personal business before and after class, arriving on time and not leaving early), not
dominating questions/discussion time, and turning off cell phones, all electronics
(generally, civil, mature and respectable behavior). Of course, cheating and plagiarism
are not tolerated – complete course failure or failure of an assignment would ensue if
either occurred. See Academic Integrity below. Your attendance in this class confirms
your commitment to upholding these basic courtesies and behaviors.
GRADES: Grades will be based on points. A total of 270 points are possible in the
course. The standard percentage breakdown will be used: A 92% and above; A- 9091%; B+ 89%; B 82-88%; B- 80-81%; C+ 79%; C 71-78%; C- 69-70%; D+ 68%; D 6067%; D- 59%; F 58% and below.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Through the class paper, presentation, and mapping exercises,
1) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the particular region examined in the course,
specifically pertaining to the physical, cultural, environmental, and/or economic structure
of the area.
2) Students will apply map interpretation, and other relevant geographic
representations.
3) Students will demonstrate knowledge of processes which led to current geographical
aspects, i.e., the historical perspective.
4) Students will gain an understanding of the relationship of the region to a larger
context; its influence on other regions, and how other regions have influenced its
development and condition.
5) Students will practice observation, literature research, and present findings in a term
paper and oral presentation.
6) Students will develop respect and appreciation for diversity - cultural,
socioeconomic, and physical, and will be able to analyze characteristics of sustainability
within this region.
Academic Integrity: The faculty and staff demand the highest levels of academic and
professional integrity in all work at San Diego State University. Plagiarism, cheating on
exams, copying another student’s work, or any other type of academic dishonesty, will
be referred directly to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for disciplinary
action. Plagiarism will also result in zero points on the exam or assignment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (DA) Accommodation: If you are a student with a
disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability
Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive,
and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you have
presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
This syllabus is intended to guide us through the course. However, circumstances can change
and so I reserve the right to change the syllabus/schedule as needed to ensure that we fulfill the
objectives of the course. You will receive full and fair notification regarding any such changes.