GEO 260W - Geography of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

    A.        Recognize the approaches, methods, tools, and vocabulary of regional and thematic geography.

    B.        Apply geographic concepts of space, place, region, human-environment interaction, and scale.

    C.        Identify regional divisions within Oceania.

    D.        Interpret a map of Oceania using basic map reading skills.

    E.        Demonstrate an understanding of how spatial variation, patterns, and distributions are represented on a map.

    F.         Apply knowledge of landforms and human activities to distinguish landscapes from one another.

    G.        Synthesize information from multiple sources presented in various formats to answer geographic questions.

    H.         Use written, verbal and visual responses to address geographic problems.

2.    Describe the environmental processes that have interacted to form the landscape.

    A.        Describe the geological factors that have shaped the physical geography of Oceania.

    B.        Explain the climatic factors that have shaped the physical geography of Oceania.

    C.        Describe the biogeographical factors that have shaped the physical geography of Oceania.

    D.        Explain natural resource limitations in this region.

    E.        Describe the impact of human activity on the natural environment in Oceania.

3.    Discuss the ethno-cultural geography of the Oceania.

    A.        Identify the major cultural hearths of Oceania.

    B.        Summarize the impact of European colonialism on Oceania.

    C.        Compare population patterns using the demographic transition model and/or human development index.

4.             Discuss the socio-economic geography of Oceania.

    A.        Identify the primary industries of Oceania.

    B.        Describe the role of tourism in Oceania.

    C.        Discuss the history of and potential future socio-economic problems within Oceania.