GE 253 - Geography of the U.S. and Canada

Description
The people and places that characterize the cultural landscapes and natural environments of the U.S. and Canada are examined. Given that students are tasked with tackling issues associated with society and the environment, examples of social and environmental injustice are addressed.

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:
Pre-Geography, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Requirement:
Social Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
1. Civic Engagement: Apply knowledge of social, political, or environmental conditions to demonstrate understanding of community responsibility, 3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works, 5. Information Literacy: Discover, ethically apply, or disseminate scholarly information
Course Learning Outcomes:

Articulate a theoretical perspective guiding the collection, analysis, and interpretation of demographic data, which infer and illustrate various social phenomena that typify the distinctive geographic regions and peoples of North America. (GELO 3)
Comprehend how changing social conditions affect the behavior of individuals in different North American regions, especially with regard to the migration and immigration. (GELO 3, GELO 4)
Identify questions and hypotheses important to understanding unique social phenomena that characterize different groups of people and the geographic regions they occupy in North America. (GELO 4)
Apply social and human behavioral theory to understand the cultural perspectives of those that occupy the different geographic regions of North America, especially with regard to ethnicity, religion, and nationality. (GELO 4)
Identify the principal regions of the U.S and Canada. (GELO 5)
Describe the natural environment of U.S. and Canada. (GELO 5)
Discuss the economic activities that take place throughout the U.S. and Canada.(GELO 5)
Explain the origin, diffusion, spatial distribution, and general characteristics of American religions. (GELO 5)
Identify the origin, diffusion, and general characteristics of principal American dialects.(GELO 5)
Demonstrate an understanding of American folk and popular culture traits. (GELO 4)
Demonstrate an understanding of immigration and ethnicity in the U.S. (GELO 1, GELO 4)
Evaluate various environmental problems and their ramifications. (GELO 1)
Clearly and completely state and describe a problem/issue.
Understand that there are different perspectives on community, national, and international issues.(GELO 1)

Course Outline:
I. Introduction to the Geography of the U.S. and Canada

A. The Natural Environment
B. Population

II. Historical Geography of the U.S. and Canada

A.    First Nations
B.    European Exploration and Settlement
C.    19th and 20th century Immigration and Migration

III. American Culture

A.    Race and Ethnicity
B.    American Languages and Dialects
C.    Religions

IV. Economic Geography of the U.S. and Canada

A.    Agriculture
B.    Mining, Forestry, and Fishing
C.    Manufacturing and Commerce

V. Urban Problems, Environmental Issues, and Social Injustice

A. Urban Functions
B. Urban Ills

C. Environmental Pollution and Water Resources

D. Black Lives Matter!

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: IRW 98, IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 102849
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), 18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Master’s Degree in Geography including 9 graduate hours of course work devoted to the cultural and/or historical geography of the U.S. and Canada or equivalent research experience.

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230223T16:17:29
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028