SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
IMPERIAL VALLEY CAMPUS
Geography 321: United States
Instructor: Ph.D. Pablo Gonzalez-Reyes
Schedule #: 60017
Email:pglez57@hotmail.com
Room A-3, Monday 19:25-22:05
SYLLABUS
Purpose of course
This course uses a regional perspective to provide students with a broad
overview of the United States. In addition to focusing on particular regions of the
country, we will touch on issues related to physical environments and resource
conservation, economic organization of territory, demographics, and geographic
patterns of cultural characteristics and social practices. The semester's goal is to
familiarize students with the many landscapes of the United States and to develop
critical insights into the past, present, and future of the country.
Required text
Hardwick, S.W., F.M. Shelley, and D.G. Holtgrieve 2013. The Geography of
North America: environment, political economy, and culture, 2nd ed. Pearson:
Boston, Mass. ISBN: 978-0-321-76967-1 (U.S. portions only). Other readings will be
assigned and made available through blackboard.
Grading system
Students will receive a course grade based on the accumulation of points
throughout the semester. There are a total of 400 points available.
Points
384-400
364-383
344-363
Grade
A
AB+
324-343
304-323
284-303
264-283
244-263
Three examinations (70 pts. each)
Class attendance
Take home assignments
Term paper
TOTAL
B
BC+
C
C210 points
90 points
40 points
60 points
400 points
Attendance and class participation
All students, regardless of their standing in the course, are expected to keep
pace with assigned readings, attend class, and contribute to group discussions. In
addition to maximizing class participation points, regular attendance will reduce the
amount of time you need to spend preparing for exams. During the semester, there
will be two examinations and a final exam (short answers, multiple choice, and essay
questions).
 Any student who misses more than three class sessions will forfeit their
50 points.
 Pop questions will be given in class.
 Make-up exams will only be given in dire circumstances and must be
arranged prior to the scheduled exam time.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Date
Topic
1 / 27
Introduction
(Hardwick, 1) (Getis, 1)
2/3
Physical Features of the United
States
(Hardwick, 2) (Getis, 2)
2 / 10
Historical Settlement of the
United States
(Hardwick, 3) (Getis, 3)
2 / 17
The United
Economy
2 / 24
Cities and Megalopolis
3/3
First exam / Neighborhoods
3 / 10
The Atlantic Periphery / The
Great Lakes and Corn Belt
(Hardwick, 5 & 8)
3 / 17
The Great Plains / The Rocky
Mountains
(Hardwick, 11 & 12)
States
Readings & chapters
Political
(Hardwick, 4)
(Hardwick, 7) (Getis, 9)
(Getis, ch. 10)
3 / 24
The Intermontane West / The
Pacific Northwest
3 / 31 - 4 / 4
Spring recess
South
/
4/7
The Inland
Southeast
4 / 14
Second exam / Alaska /
Hawaii
(Hardwick, 17 & 18)
4 / 21
Mexamerica / California
(Hardwick, 14 & 15)
on
The
(Hardwick, 13 & 16)
4 / 28
Human
Impact
Environment
the
5/5
The Future of the United States.
Term paper due
5 / 12
Final exam
(Hardwick, 9 & 10)
(Getis, 12)
(Hardwick, 19)