GEOG 1500 - Geography of Michigan & the Upper Great Lakes

Credit Hours: 3.00

Prerequisites: None

A geographic study of the landforms, culture and economic activities of Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes states and provinces.

Billable Contact Hours: 3

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Transfer Possibilities
Michigan Transfer Network (MiTransfer) - Utilize this website to easily search how your credits transfer to colleges and universities.

OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
Outcome 1:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify the location of Michigan and the Upper Great Lakes.

Objectives:

Explain the peninsular shape.
Describe the location.

Outcome 2:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify the processes that formed Michigan and the Upper Great Lakes.

Objectives:

Explain the impact of the processes.
Describe the resulting landscape.

Outcome 3:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize migration and settlement patterns.

Objectives:

Discuss initial and ensuing settlers of each peninsula.
Identify influences of these settlers, including those that remain to this day.

Outcome 4:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize transportation patterns.

Objectives:

Explain the importance of water routes.
Describe the evolution of land routes.

Outcome 5:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize the cultural and economic patterns that have formed.

Objectives:

Explain the role of natural resources.
Describe the urban development.

Outcome 6:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the concept of Sustainable Development.

Objectives:

Identify quality of life issues.
Explain global warming’s effect on Michigan and the Great Lakes.
Explain globalization’s effect on Michigan and the Great Lakes.

COMMON DEGREE OUTCOMES (CDO)
• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

CDO marked YES apply to this course:
Communication: YES
Critical Thinking: YES
Global Literacy: YES
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

Location
1. Michigan’s unique shape
2. Relative location
3. Absolute location
4. Location and history
Physical environment and natural resource base
1. Glacial heritage
  1. Water
  2. Landforms
  3. Soils
2. Great Lakes location
  1. Climate
  2. Biogeography
3. Mineral resources
  1. Metal minerals
  2. Fossil fuels
  3. Other minerals
Patterns of Human Activity
1. Economic development
  1. Agriculture
  2. Lumbering
  3. Mining
  4. Manufacturing
2. Today’s economy
  1. Manufacturing
  2. Agriculture
  3. Tourism
  4. Transportation patterns
  5. Trade patterns
3. Population
  1. Distribution
  2. Growth
  3. Immigration and change
  4. Demographics
Regional Patterns
1. Primate city development
2. Ethnic patterns
3. Urban change

Primary Faculty
West, Rebecca
Secondary Faculty

Associate Dean
Williams-Chehmani, Angie
Dean
Pritchett, Marie

Official Course Syllabus - Macomb Community College, 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088