The Geography of Canada

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
GEOG 1180
Discontinued
No
Course Code
GEOG 1180
Descriptive
The Geography of Canada
Department
Geography and the Environment
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
202010
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours
Lecture: 4 hrs/week, or Hybrid Format: 2 hrs/week in class with 2 hrs/week online
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Hybrid
Learning Activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lecture, labs, field work, DVDs/videos and animations, individual and/or team projects, small group discussion, and map and air photo analysis. 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
Canada is the second largest country in the world, but how much do you really know about it? Why, with a landscape so richly endowed in natural and human resources, do we always seem to be experiencing political, social, and economic turmoil? What exactly might it mean to be “Canadian”? These questions and others are
explored in Geography 1180. Through an introduction to the regional geography of Canada we will attempt to broaden your understanding of both the diversity of Canada and the issues facing the country. Using the concepts and methods of regional geography, this course examines Canada both as a world region and as a
nation made up of a set of distinct regions.
Course Content
  1. Introduction
    • Images of Canada from within and without
    • Approaches to the geography of Canada
    • Regional geography
    • The geographical region
    • Geographical scale
    • Core/periphery
  2. Canada as a World Region
    • Physical attributes
    • Location
    • Size and shape
    • Landforms
    • Climate
    • Hydrology
    • Vegetation
  3. Historical Background
    • Prehistory
    • European arrival and settlement
    • First Nations
  4. Population
    • Demographic analysis
    • Distribution
    • Urbanization
  5. Economic Activity
    • Resource development
    • Manufacturing
    • Tertiary and quaternary industries
  6. Regions of Canada
    • Nationalism and regionalism
    • Core/periphery analysis
    • Heartland regions
    • Ontario
    • Quebec
    • Hinterland regions
    • Atlantic Canada
    • Prairies
    • British Columbia
    • The North
  7. Review and Conclusions
    • Regionalism and nationalism
Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Synthesize the concepts and techniques of regional geography.
  2. Communicate effectively orally, graphically, in writing, and using quantitative methods.
  3. Create, interpret, analyze, and utilize maps.
  4. Evaluate and make informed decisions about contemporary Canadian issues using the methodologies, concepts, and techniques of regional geography.
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Ƶ 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: Journal 20%, Map exercises 20%, Project 15%, Mid-term exam 20%, Final exam 25%

Textbook Materials

Texts will be chosen from the following list, to be updated periodically:
An instructor’s Course Reader may be required.
 
Bone, R.M. (2011). The Regional Geography of Canada. Don Mills: Oxford University Press.
 
McGillivray, B. (2010). Canada: A Nation of Regions. Don Mills: Oxford University Press.
 
Stanford, Q. E. (2009). The Canadian Oxford World Atlas. Don Mills: Oxford University Press.