Life on Earth: Human-Environment Relations - Geography Foundations

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. Genesis 1:1 sets the stage in which all that we know within the universe was formed. From the beginning of time, mankind has had to interact with his or her environment. Whether it be with other people or non-human entities like trees, animals, rivers, etc., this interaction is the center point of life as we know it. Geography seeks to understand this interaction by using an interdisciplinary approach. An irrigation canal is not simply a mode for transporting water. Joined with classical education, the canal becomes a geometric text, as we measure and describe the intricate shapes through mathematical proofs. It becomes a historic and religious document as we dialogue on the complexities of human conflict and symbolic representations of human spirit centered on the canal. As the dialogue continues, we turn to the measuring of the Ph of the water. These neverending manifestations beheld in one singular text show us that the world and our divisive disciplines are in fact dynamic and interconnected─connected to us, our world, and community. These realizations within students become the catalyst for lifelong learning.

In this course, you will be presented with the basic framework and questions which guide geography, seeking to understand basic processes of the earth. As we study, we will look at how humans are intricately connected to the non-human world, how land and water significantly impact human relations with the earth and fellow mankind.

Course Objectives:

1. To express the complexity of human-environment relations.
2. To analyze and evaluate historic and current human/environment conflicts.
3. To assess ideas and knowledge from multiple disciplinary perspectives.
4. To place yourself within, dissect, and analyze your own environment.

Course Format:

This course will utilize the basics of earth science, but will go beyond to look at how the land impacts humanity and how humanity impacts the land. In each unit, we will explore and analyze core conflicts and issues in mankind’s relationship to water and land. If we seek to gain a well-rounded insight and act in our world, we must be prepared to get our hands dirty and wrestle with the major conflicts of the day - from mining and water rights to world agriculture and food production, etc. The result is the pursuit of the good through a biblical perspective, leading to right action and care of mankind and the earth.

This course is formatted using the 7 syntopical steps of learning. Throughout the year, students will be expected to come to class prepared for discussion of key concepts, research, and projects. Each pedagogic unit will be structured to foster a deeper, more analytical, synthetic and evaluative understanding of class materials and to personalize student learning. Each unit will be guided by and follow these steps, in order:

• Pre-Learning Reflection: Open ended discussion questions to prepare the mind
• Syntopical Learning Great Idea: Didactic instruction centered on key topics
• Core Text Readings: Classic Texts of the discipline or modern academic articles
• Personal Research: Online research, labs or application activity
• Project Based Learning: Socratic Discussion or Essay Assignment
• Post-Learning Reflection
• Suggestions for Further Learning

Units will consist of graded Socratics, essay writing, application activities, or student created projects to varying degrees. Along with reading materials, students can expect supplemental audio or videos to accompany class work. The course is a grade-integrated course with students 9th-12th grade allowed to enroll. To accommodate students, course assignments and materials will be appropriately leveled per each individual student's grade level and will be clearly communicated in the course syllabus.

Texts:

• Reining in the Rio Grande by Phillips, Hall, and Black; ISBN-10: 0826349447, ISBN-13: 978-0826349446
• Food (Not resources version) Clapp; ISBN-10: 074564936X, ISBN-13: 978-0745649368
• We will read a significant amount of scholarly articles and chapters from academic books throughout the year, these additional electronic materials and resources will be provided by the instructor.