Selected Topics in Geography

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
GEOG 2290
Descriptive
Selected Topics in Geography
Department
Geography and the Environment
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 Weeks
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours

Weekly Distribution:

Distribution will vary with the specific topic.  An example is

  • Lecture/Seminar: 2 hours
  • Lab: 2 hours
  • Other:
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Hybrid
Field Experience
Learning Activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lectures, small group discussions, practical in-class exercises, multimedia presentations, individual or team projects, field assignments, guest speakers and/or online instruction.  Where the course is offered in a hybrid format, students will complete over 50% of the course material online and outside of the classroom in a self-directed manner.

Course Description
This course will provide an examination of an important present-day issue, trend, or concept in the discipline of geography. Topics will vary by offering, but will focus on a subject of significance to human geography, physical geography, or geographical techniques.
Course Content

The course content will vary with the specific theme.  An example is provided below.

 

The Geography of Wine

 1.  Introduction

a) Approaches to the study of Geography

b) Definition of wine

c) Species and varieties of wine

 2.  The Physical Setting of Viticulture

a) Location

b) Geology and landforms

c) Climate

d) Hydrology

e) Soils

 3.  Global Wine Regions

a) Origin and diffusion

b) Regional variations

c) Culture traits

4.  Evolution of Viticulture in Europe to the 20th Centruy

a) Importance of monasteries

b) Changes in technology

5.  Rise of the Modern Wine Industry (Post 1945)

a) Wine and class

b) Branding

c) Toursim

d) Diffusion

 6.  Wine Regions of North America, Latin American, Asia and Australia

 7. Environment

a) Environmental Issues

 8.  Social Issues

a) Alcoholism

b) Migrant workers

 9.  Conclusion

a) Regional issues

b) The future

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

1. Collect geographical data and display it visually in maps, graphs or other formats.

2. Analyze the spatial distributions of geographic phenomena.

3. Describe the subject matter's place within and relevance to Geography

4. Analyze geographic issues using appropriate written, oral and graphical communication skills.

5. Demonstrate basic analytical reasoning, quantitative interpretation and map comprehension skills.

6. Demonstrate field and library research techniques within the specific topic.

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.  An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

Assignments 20%
Project 25%
Participation 10%
Midterm-exam 20%
Final Exam 25%
Total 100%

 

 

 

 

 

Textbook Materials

A textbook or course pack appropriate to the topic will be selected by the instructor. The following are examples of possible texts:

Sommers, Brian J. (2008). The Geography of Wine: How Landscapes, Cultures, Terroir, and the Weather Make a Good Drop.  Penguin

Chainey, S. and J. Ratcliffe. (2013). GIS and Crime Mapping. Wiley.

Masselink, G., M. Hughes, and J. Knight. (2014). Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology.  Routledge.

Kitchen, D. E. (2017). Global Climate Change: Turning Knowledge into Action. Routledge.

Prerequisites

Courses listed here must be completed prior to this course:

  • Any 1000 level Geography course or permission of the instructor
Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses
Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses