Historic characteristics of urban and rural landscapes in America will be analyzed by means of readings, audio-visual presentations, and discussions. Geographical changes and developments in Michigan from pre-colonial times to the present. The geography of the state in each of the important stages of its history. One geography course and one American history course. Introduces and examines material culture from the perspective of six or seven academic disciplines that make use of objects in their analysis of culture.
Major emphasis is given to American material culture.
Folk structures such as rural houses, barns, fences and covered bridges are analyzed as aspects of material culture and cultural landscape contributing to regional personality within the United States. Attention is given to Old World antecedents, colonial development, and diffusion of regional forms from their colonial hearths. Principles of cultural landscape interpretation as well as the development of local interpretation keys are investigated. Analysis of cultural landscapes is carried out in lectures, field practice, discussion sessions and student reports. Acquisition of analytical techniques and geographical insights.