Historic characteristics of urban and rural landscapes in America will be analyzed by means of readings, audiovisual presentations and discussions. Geographical changes and developments in Michigan from precolonial 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 or department permission. 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.
Research problems and techniques dealing with the production, distribution and consumption aspects of economic geography. A course in economic geography or department permission. A course in the geography of Europe or department permission. Readings, discussion, and research of selected problems in population geography. 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.