Geog 696C Physical Geography, Spring 2001
Time: Mondays, 1:00-3:30 p.m., Harvill 435D
Instructor: Andrew Comrie (comrie@geog.arizona.edu)
Office Hours: MW 10-10:50 or by appointment
Web: http://geog.arizona.edu/~comrie

Background
In this seminar we will critically review the introductory physical geography canon of course and textbook content, and based on our critique we will propose and create a new alternative. We will deal with topical physical geographic textbook material at the practical level, as well as the nature and practice of physical geography at the philosophical level. We will use the following opinion as a starting point.
 

Introductory physical geography is in need of radical change. As a manifestation of what the sub-discipline holds to be important, introductory physical geography textbooks and coursework portray an arguably stagnant view of the subject essentially the same as that of W.M. Davis a century ago. While there have been evolutionary updates in the organization and presentation of material (e.g., systems approach, graphic media) and even in content (e.g., biogeography), the fundamental perspective has remained within a broad introductory earth science paradigm. Critical examination of this canon reveals an astounding lack of contemporary geographic theory and practice. There are only cursory mentions of the major geographic themes of space and human environment. Major methods and techniques such as GIS, remote sensing, statistics and fieldwork are omitted or relegated to brief coverage. The issue of integration between physical sub-areas receives lip service, as does integration with human geography. Clearly, there is a need to reconceptualize how we express the theory and practice of current physical geography in our introductory texts and classes. In other words, the accepted introductory canon needs to convey what physical geographers actually do, thereby reflecting the body of theory and practice covered by the sub-discipline. There are pedagogic problems too. Current texts are very descriptive with little higher-level thinking, and they do not communicate how physical geographers ask and answer questions. Problem solving skills are relegated to lab exercises if they are dealt with at all. Hence, there is a strong need for a critical review and the consequent development of a radical new approach.

In the seminar we will examine material on, among other things, the nature of physical geography, thematic survey pieces, specialized topical material, pedagogic theory, and of course a range of past and current introductory texts. There will be a number of visitors to the class including geographers and non-geographers (including faculty, teaching experts, and a textbook editor). In addition to readings and reviews, students will work individually and in teams to produce both a structure and a set of examples for a newly envisaged introductory canon.

Grades & Policies
25% In-class activities (presentations, discussions, reading summaries, participation, etc.)
75% Written assignments (weekly and/or term paper, with content, format, etc. TBD with instructor)

Absence/attendance, withdrawal, honesty and other policies as per the UA General Catalog.

Work submitted late may be subject to penalties.

Class Schedule
Tentative for now, and almost certain to change. Weekly links to readings, assignments, and visiting speakers will be added as the semester progresses.

Jan 15	No Class - MLK Day
Jan 22	Introduction - what should we expect?
Jan 29	What is the current canon?
Feb 5	What is the historic canon?
Feb 12	What is the nature of (intro) physical geography?
Feb 19	What is the topical content of the subdiscipline?
Feb 26	No class - AAG
Mar 5	What is the methodological range of the subdiscipline?
Mar 12	No Class - Spring Break
Mar 19	What level of material is appropriate? (virtual meeting with assignment)
Mar 26	What pedagogic approaches are available (Part 1 - editor's perspective)?
Apr 2	What pedagogic approaches are available (Part 2 - faculty perspective)?
Apr 9	} What should the "new canon" be? --
Apr 16	}   divided into development and
Apr 23	}   discussion of class-created "new canon" topics
Apr 30	}   ...

Links
My most recent  NATS101 web page
Christopherson textbook site
Strahler textbook site

Korine's course syllabus picks:
1.  http://geography.asu.edu/spring2001/111graf/graf111.htm
2.  http://www.uga.edu/geography/courses/aparker/geog1111/
3. http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/01W/geog1-1/syllabus.htm

Angie's picks:
1) Intro to Phys Geography - Laramie County Community College
2) Fundamentals of Physical Geography - Okanagan University College (British Columbia) - I like much of the info on this site.
3) Although this site is geared toward 6th graders, I like the way the content is organized/questions to ask. It's a project of the US Dept of Education: Helping your child learn geography - developed in October 1996.
 
 
 

More to be added during the semester...