This is a course in regional and historical geography. It presents and analyzes the distribution patterns of the major physical and cultural elements of Virginia, emphasizing how these patterns have developed and changed through time. Because the course is often taken by future primary and secondary grade teachers, the class also introduces basic geographic themes and methodologies. A second goal is to introduce you to the nature of geography itself. These evolving interrelationships are reflected in landscapes and give character or personality to places .
Geographers seek spatial patterns and therefore are interested in generalization .
The degree of generalization depends upon the scale at which an area or pattern is examined. Geographers typically employ maps and other graphics in addition to narrative to identify, analyze, and demonstrate spatial patterns. For the first time I am using WebCT for this class. Readings, lecture summaries and some of the graded assignments must be accessed via this password-protected program. Master copies are attached to this course description.