GE 140 - Geography of Michigan

Description
The regional geography of Michigan is examined with special reference to its natural environment, as well as economic, political, and cultural phenomena that characterize the state. Case studies pertaining to urbanization, social injustice, and environmental despoliation are addressed in detail.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand the character of Michigan’s physical geography

2. Comprehend various environmental problems in the state

3. Understand the historical geography of Michigan with particular regard to immigration, migration, and ethnicity

4. Determine the challenges facing the Michigan in years to come.

5. Clearly and completely state and describe a problem/issue.

6. Understand that there are different perspectives on community, national, and international issues.
Course Outline:
I. Michigan: An Introduction

A. Population Patterns

B. Cultural Geography

II. Physical Geography of Michigan

A. Climate

B. Landforms and Soils

C. Vegetation

D. Water Resources

III. Historical Geography of Michigan

A. Aboriginal Habitation

B. Pioneer Settlement

C. Resource Exploitation

D. Environmental Restoration

IV. Social and Economic Issues

A. Urban Ills

B. Race, Ethnicity, and Place

C. Economic Contrasts: Agriculture & Industry

D. Tourism

V. Environmental Issues

A. Global Climate Change

B. Great Lakes Water Quality

C. Zebra Mussel

D. Water pollution

E. Air pollution

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Field Study: 0-20%

Lectures or Films: 30-40%

Asynchronous and/or Synchronous Discussion: 40-60%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: N/A
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Elective- Offering designed to expand learning opportunities for degree seeking students. May or may not be required for students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 101155
Course CIP Code: 45.0701
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: GE
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Master’s Degree in Geography in addition to demonstrated knowledge about the geography of Michigan, including evidence of field studies devoted to urban geography (especially vis-a-vis the Detroit and Grand Rapids metropolitan areas), the geography of agriculture (especially vis-a-vis viticulture), and tourism in Michigan

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250228T16:38:27
Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030