SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL |
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL |
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Course OverviewThe chronology of this course spans the fifteenth to twentieth centuries, in our investigations of global changes from agrarian to urban industrial systems. We will begin with a unit review and classroom exercises on the early agrarian lifestyles, in Western societies and beyond. What did the Earth look like in 1400? In what areas did changes most quickly occur? How were those changes accomplished? Who was affected by movements toward industrialization, and in what ways? The wide variety of social and economic structures encompassing human geography, from the near feudal, through Marxism, capitalism and socialism, will also come under scrutiny. As our study continues, we will investigate the many factors that shape the Earth today. We will discover what "land" means, in terms of earth science; governmental structures; the production and sale of natural resources; and in terms of indigenous cosmologies. We will seek to answer the basic questions: how many ways are there to see a mountain? An ocean? A forest? Sample SyllabusVideo documentaries, international legislation, and a variety of maps will be components of our classroom tools. Guest speakers and field trips should be expected. Current dilemmas in human geography will be investigated through computer models such as SimCity 2000. Research into the local, national or international responses to 'natural' disasters will illustrate the conflict and coordination of human and physical factors in geography. For example, the adoption of rail transportation by L.A. drivers after an earthquake (and the re-adoption of the highway at the earliest convenience) illustrates both adaptation to, and the overcoming of physical geographical factors. The adaptability of all factors in the global ecosystem will be a continual focus of this course, as will the re-visioning of the earth as an entity that may survive without humanity. At mid-term, students will work in groups, to create a cartography system of your own: you may elect to map population changes; effects to the rainforests; natural resource production; or the way in which you imagine an agrarian bartering system may have worked, involving the land, as examples. To supplement our discussions in the classroom, students will be required to complete research, utilizing newspapers, scholarly journals, and information available on the Internet. A journal of research clippings, copies, printouts, or summaries, with analyses of each item, will be maintained by each individual student, and will be reviewed regularly during the semester, and at the end of the course. A final group research projects will be required, incorporating relevant aspects of your research. These projects may take the form of written papers, or oral presentations. Grading for this required course will be based 25% on participation, including responsible contributions to group endeavors; 25% on the cartography projects; 25% on the quality of research completed; and 25% on the final project. More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively affect the participation grade, and may bring down the overall course grade. |
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