Course Description
This course uses the concepts and themes of geography to explore the
Anglo-American experience. We look at the U.S. and Canada first from the
global scale to assess their character and distinctiveness. At the
continental scale, we examine physical and societal processes shaping
significant environmental and population patterns, and interrelationships
between those patterns. Focusing on site, situation, and
human-environmental interactions, regional economies and regional social/environmental issues of these
countries are then explored. This helps us to gain an appreciation of both
US/Canadian geographic variability as well as the relevance of geography
for societal issues.
Required Course Materials
S.S. Birdsall, E.J. Palka, J.C. Malinowski, J.L. Price. 2005. Regional
Landscapes of the United States and Canada, 6th ed. New York, NY: Wiley
The Nystrom Desk Atlas. 2004. Chicago, Ill:Nystrom.
North America Activity Packet.
Course Links
Exam
Review
PDF Exam
Review
Links to Sites of
Interest
Example Presentation
Topics
Course Outline
Introduction to Anglo-America
Place-Name Geography of Anglo-America
Physical Environment
Landforms
Climates
Vegetation
Population
Characteristics
Temporal Trends
Geographic Patterns and Trends
Regions
Megalopolis
Canada’s National Core
North America’s Manufacturing Core*
The Agricultural Core*
The Bypassed East
The Northlands
Hawaii
The Changing South
Appalachia and the Ozarks
The Southern Coastlands
The Great Plains and Prairies*
The Empty Interior*
The Southwest Border Area
The North Pacific Coast
California