GEO 226W - Geography of United States and Canada

1. Utilize basic geographic concepts.
   1. Investigate the approaches, methods, tools, and vocabulary of regional and thematic geography.
   2. Apply geographic concepts of space, place, region, human-environment interaction, and scale.
   3. Demonstrate an understanding of how spatial variation, patterns, and distributions are represented on a map.
   4. Apply knowledge of landforms and human activities to distinguish landscapes from one another.
   5. Synthesize information from multiple sources presented in various formats to answer geographic questions.
   6. Use written, verbal and visual responses to address geographic problems.
2. Identify regions within the United States and Canada.
   1. Interpret a map of North America using basic map reading skills.
   2. Identify regional divisions within Canada and the United States.
   3. Characterize variations within and between the vernacular regions of the United States and Canada.
   4. Describe interactions with Mexico that have impacted the United States and Canada.
3. Explain the physical geography of the United States and Canada.
   1. Describe the geological factors that have shaped the physical geography of this region.
   2. Describe the climatological factors that have shaped the physical geography of this region.
   3. Describe the biogeographical factors that have shaped the physical geography of this region.
   4. Explain how characteristics of the physical landscape have shaped land use.
   5. Discuss how environmental perception throughout history influenced settlement and land use.
   6. Discuss how natural resources have influenced the economies of these regions.
   7. Compare the physical landscape of the US with Canada.
4. Analyze the ethno-cultural geography of the United States and Canada.
   1. Describe the pre-contact physical and cultural landscape.
   2. Analyze how the culture of European colonizers shaped settlements.
   3. Explain major migrations.
   4. Summarize the factors that have influenced the movement of people.
   5. Discuss the concepts of cultural diversity and cultural mosaic as they apply to this region.
   6. Analyze patterns of religion, language, identity, folk and popular culture in these regions.
   7. Compare population patterns using the demographic transition model and/or human development index.
5. Analyze the socio-economic geography of the United States and Canada.
   1. Discuss urbanization in the context of this region, including the East coast megalopolis.
   2. Compare urban and rural patterns of development in this region.
   3. Discuss industrialization in the context of this region, including the manufacturing core.
   4. Discuss concepts of economic sectors in the context of this region.
   5. Discuss transportation and mobility in the context of this region.
   6. Summarize patterns of consumption and consumerism in this region.
   7. Analyze the role of the economies United States and Canada within the global economy.
   8. Contrast the United States and Canada's political, social, and economic systems over time.