COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE:       California Geography, GEOG 150, 3 units (3hrs. Lecture)

 

Pre/Co-requisites: None

 

Course Description: This course provides a study of the natural and cultural environment of California, with special emphasis on the effects of climate, topography, resources, and locations upon the social, political and economic development of the state.  These studies are detailed historically, with special emphasis on the contributions and effects of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and the United States cultures.  California is also viewed as part of the western United States and the Pacific Rim.  Emphasis will also be put on California's changing environment, especially the effects of growing population and increased urbanization.  Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and United States cultures are compared throughout for their impact on the landscape as well as the influence of the natural environment on each groups cultural development.  Furthermore, population patterns are compared between California ethnic groups throughout the history of the state.

 

Instructional Materials:

Textbook: Duvall, James G.  California Growing: A Geography of California

            Richmond: Red Dolphin Publishing. 2004.

 

Instructor:  Dr. James Duvall

  

Office:  LA-205, Hours:  MW 7:30 – 8:00 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. Tues. 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M. Thursday 7:00 – 8:00 A.M. and 9:30 – 10:00 A.M. 510/235-7800 Ext. 4284, Evening Hours: Tuesday 5:30 – 6:30 P.M., (email at jduvall@contracosta.edu)

Website: See department website on college website (http://www.contracosta.edu)

 

General Requirements:

 

Attendance and Tardiness: School Policy sets the following guidelines, which I will follow. After 4 absences you may be dropped from the class. Tardiness is to be discouraged as it interrupts the class and causes the student to miss in­formation.  If you miss a quiz due to absence, it may not be made up unless arranged in advance.

    Cell Phone Usage:          Cell Phones may not be answered or used in class. A drop may be issued for cell phone usage. Headsets must be off and out of sight as well.

   

    Grading Policy:              Tests and Special assignments are assigned point value. Your grade will be based on a percentage of total possible points. A per­centage scale will be used to determine your grade: 90% - A, 80% - B, 70% - C, 60% - D, <60% - F.

 

    Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam. These will be graded on a class curve.

Schedule

 

1st Half (A fairly detailed outline for each chapter must be turned in at the beginning of  each lecture.)

 

1.  Introduction                                                 C – 1

     Water Pollution                                                        C - 15

 

2.  A Brief History of Sequence Occupance                  C - 2

     Population   and Immigration                                    C - 9

 

3.  The Eastern Mountainous Region Crime                   C - 3   

     Crime                                                                      C - 16

 

4.  The Modoc Plateau and the Northeast                     C - 4

      Water Storage and Irrigation                                   C - 10

 

Week of March 9, 2009 - Midterm Test

 

5.   The Great South Eastern Deserts                             C - 5

      Air Pollution                                                            C - 14

 

 

6. The Great Central Valley                                                      C - 6

    Soils                                                                                     C - 13

 

7.  Coastal California                                                    C - 7

     Natural Disasters                                                     C - 12

 

8.  The Western Mountains                                           C - 8

     California’s Changing Role in National Defense        C - 11

 

 May 11, 2009 - Field Trip Report due

 

Week of May 18, 2009 - Final Test

 

 

Weekly - Each student will be responsible for bringing in a total of 4 news articles related to California geographical news. Each one of these will be worth 25 pts. You will either read the article to the class or summarize it. This should generate a discussion on current California geographical issues.

 

 

 

 

 

FIELD TRIP REPORT

 

 

Each student will prepare a field trip. This report will contain the following elements:

 

1.  Description and purpose of the field trip

 

2.  Travel route (with mileage) Suggest that the trip starts at CCC.

 

3.  Detailed list of stops, (5 stops minimum)

 

a.     Include the following for each stop.

1. Mileage from start

2. Item, feature, or features to be observed

3. Clear explanation of the feature or item to be observed

 

4.  A photocopy of both the USGS Topographic (or some other type of topographic map) sheet and a roadmap of the area should accompany this report. You may find topographic maps by ordering them from the United States Geological Survey (http://www.usgs.gov) or by going to http://www.trails.com (go to the Topo finder).  

 

5.  Trips should deal with California geography.

 

6.  Types of stops on your field trip may include cultural, physical, archeological, biological, botanical, or geological information.  (Pick some topic in which you are interested and develop it.  For example, maybe you are interested in the East Bay Parks.  Visit a few and write a field trip report about them.  Or perhaps you are interested in the various food factories in the area.  You could visit and tour Jelly-Belly, Budweiser, a winery, etc. and turn that into a field trip report.  Perhaps you are interested in the state of elementary schools throughout the east bay.  So visit some and write about them.  Museum locations, Retail store distribution, and many other things are of interest.  Think about it and make the visits.  Do not wait until the last minute.  You need time to develop these things.  Photos can enhance any report!)