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Geography 205-01

Nature and Society

Spring, 1999

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

: Instructor: Dr. Christine M. Rodrigue; Butte Hall 539; 898-4953 or -5285
: Instructor's E-Mail: lapaloma@ecst.csuchico.edu
: Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

: Prerequisites: GEOG 001 and GEOG 002 or equivalents.
: An analysis of the complex interactions between humans and plants and animals. Includes the use of maps and other graphic material as well as reading, lecture, and discussion. Emphasis on how human activities affect the distribution and abundance of various plant and animal species, and on the importance of plants and animals to human societies both in past and present times.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

to become acquainted with a variety of interactions between one particular species, our own, Homo sapiens, and the rest of the natural world
to learn about human impacts on the natural world and the dynamics driving them
to understand ways in which the natural world impacts human society and the factors resulting in human vulnerability to natural forces
to explore the meanings of the word, "nature," and appreciate how they channel our understandings of the interaction between society and its natural context
to develop an understanding of the scientific method and its strengths and limitations
to become familiar with a variety of geographic and scientific tools and methods (e.g., spatial data, maps, computerized mapping, field methods)
to become very conversant with Internet tools of relevance to the study of the relationship between nature and society

COURSE MATERIALS

: Reading materials will be on reserve in the Geography and Planning Office (Butte 507)

GRADING

Grading will be on the basis of a midterm, final, interpretive essay, and a short presentation reporting on your investigation of a society and nature interaction of interest to you. The exams comprise a mix of objective questions and short essays. The interpretive essay will be a 5-8 page report on an assigned book, in which you draw out its relevance and implications to a study of the society and nature interaction.

The allocation of grade points is as follows: