GES 460: The Cultural Landscape

Course Objective:

Landscape interpretation is a core theme in geography, particularly cultural geography. Students will learn to interpret the American cultural landscape, or the everyday surroundings that you frequently take for granted. Emphasis will be placed on learning how the appearance of the world around us, from modifications to the natural terrain to the cities in which we live, provides clues to our culture and society. You will seek to understand meaning in the built environment and learn what landscapes reveal about ourselves as Americans, and how landscapes contribute to a “sense of place.”  When you can critically analyze our environment, you will be in a position to make better decisions about the future that we build in America.

The course will consist of a weekly meeting.  If you miss one class, you miss much material. Participation is mandatory to the success of the course. You will read numerous readings that are particularly revealing about selected topics and methods on landscape interpretation. You must come to class prepared to discuss the readings.

To adequately assess the landscape, we must go into the field.  Approximately every other class will take place outside of the classroom. In addition, there will be one weekend fieldtrip on the Landscapes of Industry, Mining, and Labor to Pueblo and Trinidad