GEOG 136 Geography of British Columbia. British Columbia is one of the most diverse and richly endowed provinces in Canada, both in terms of its natural resources and the diversity of its people. This introductory course will cover the physical geography (physiographic regions, geomorphology, climatology, and biogeography), resource issues (natural resources, industry, and conservation) and cultural geography (First Nations, ethnic diversity, rural and urban communities) of British Columbia.
Prerequisites: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60 with a minimum grade of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 60 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 1 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Apply geographical thinking to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the physical and cultural diversity of British Columbia
- Gather and interpret data from maps, remotely sensed images, tables, graphs, census data and field data
- Define the key words and concepts used in the study of regional geography; identify human built and physiographic features of British Columbia’s landscape on a map
- Describe the physical geography of the province including physiography, climate, soils, and vegetation
- Describe and explain the settlement patterns in British Columbia
- Describe and explain the economic structure of British Columbia and account for regional differences within the province
- Describe the character of British Columbia and the cultures of its people
- Examine demographic trends and changes in British Columbia
- Describe current events, and challenges facing British Columbia
Teaching and Learning Approach
The class will be comprised of two weekly presentations in which students follow lectures, participate in class
discussions, examine maps, use online resources, watch short videos, relate learning to current events and
participate in educational activities. Labs will include one sixty-minute class per week or may be outdoors,
including the possibility of a field trip.Learning Resources
McGillivray, Brett Geography of British Columbia: People and Landscapes in Transition 4th Ed. UBC Press,
Vancouver, 2020.
Open: British Columbia in a Global Context British Columbia in a Global Context – The B.C. Open Textbook
ProjectDetailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Course Introduction
2. British Columbia, a Region of Regions
3. Physical Processes and Human Implications
4. Geophysical Hazards and their Risks
5. Resource Development and Management
6. Midterm Exam
7. "Discovering" Indigenous Lands and Shaping a Colonial Landscape
8. Boom and Bust from Confederation to the Early 1900s
9. Resource Dependency and Racism in an Era of Global Chaos
10. Changing Values during the Postwar Boom
11. Resource Uncertainty in the Late Twentieth Century
12. The Twenty-First-Century Liberal Landscape
13. Topics in the regional geography of BC
14. ReviewAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Lab Assignments | 1-9 | 30% |
| Lecture Assignments and Quizzes | 1-9 | 15% |
| Midterm Exam | 1, 4, 5, 9 | 15% |
| Final Exam | 1-9 | 25% |
| Student Presentation Assignments | 1-9 | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA |
| 90-100 | A+ | 4.33 |
| 85-89 | A | 4.00 |
| 80-84 | A- | 3.67 |
| 76-79 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 72-75 | B | 3.00 |
| 68-71 | B- | 2.67 |
| 64-67 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 60-63 | C | 2.00 |
| 55-59 | C- | 1.67 |
| 50-54 | P | 1.00 |
| 0-49 | F | 0.00 |
| | DNW | 0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.