GEOG 5340 - Historical Geography of the United States

Describe the subfield of historical geography, its major themes, research methodologies and theories, and its position within the academic field of geography. Systematic and regionally contextualized survey of past human geographies of the geographic region that became the United States from 1450 until the present. Focus on the development of regional identity over time and space, and manifestations of regional identity in the cultural landscape. Focus on development of a multicultural understanding of the contributions of numerous ethnic/population groups in the formation of the United States cultural landscapes. Encourages a comprehensive, inclusive, and critical review of the history of United States.

Requisites:
Credit Hours: 4
Repeat/Retake Information: May not be retaken.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 4.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,PR,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to describe the development of regional cultural landscapes of the trans-Rocky Mountain West during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Students will be able to describe the establishment of the United States within the context of global geopolitical patterns and processes during the period 1580-1900.
Students will be able to describe the settlement of the major culture regions of the East Coast by various European and African populations, and the development of distinctive regional cultural landscapes in these regions, in precolonial/colonial eras.
Students will be able to describe and summarize the various national patterns and processes relating to the settlement of the trans-Appalachian West during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Students will be able to identify and describe the subfield of historical geography, its major themes, research methodologies and theories, and its position within the academic field of geography.
Students will be able to demonstrate a multicultural understanding of the contributions of numerous ethnic/population groups in the formation of the United States’ cultural landscapes.
Students will be able to recognize their own insights and assumptions about and critically assess whether the American experience has been exceptional or just distinctive.
Students will be able to discuss and share in verbal and non-verbal communications a much more comprehensive and racially and ethnically inclusive view of the history of United States.
Students will be able to integrate themes and concepts from assigned readings, conduct independent research on a major thematic topic in the historical geography of the United States and communicate findings orally and in written form.