Geography (GEOG) 302

Overview

GEOG 302 is a senior-level undergraduate, three-credit course in human geography. It is suitable for students who are interested in the geography, culture, and sustainable development of Canada's North. It presents an overview of the human geography of the Canadian North covering diverse topics such as imaginings of the North, the biophysical features of Canada's North, the history of European exploration and contact with indigenous northern populations, Aboriginal culture and society, political developments in the North, and natural resource developments in this region and their environmental impacts. There are no prerequisites for this course but, because it is a senior undergraduate course, there is an expectation that students will have good skills in critical social analysis, cultural analysis, and writing. As well, while not required, some exposure to geographical analysis and concepts will benefit students.

Outline

Unit 1: Imaginations and Definitions of the North

Unit 2: The Northern Climate and the Physical Base of the North-Physical Geography

Unit 3: Northern Biogeography

Unit 4: Northern Historical Geography

Unit 5: Cultural Geography: Settlement, Aboriginal Culture and Contemporary Northern Society

Unit 6: The Northern Economy: Renewable and Non-Renewable Resource Development

Unit 7: The Environmental Impacts of Industrial Development in the North

Unit 8: Political Geography: Land Claims, Co-management and Circumpolar Initiatives

Unit 9: The Future of the North: More of the Same or on the Road to Sustainability?

Evaluation

To receive credit for GEOG 302, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 per cent on the final examination and achieve a course composite grade of at least "D" (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Other Materials

The course materials also include a study guide, a student manual, six blank maps and a reading file.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the GEOG 302 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall course grade of “D” (50 percent) or greater to pass.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form