Land Use

RADFORD UNIVERSITY Department of Geography

Spring 2006 GEOG 492

LAND USE

Instructor: Prof. Roth, Cook Hall 133, M 10:30-11:30, T 2:00-3:00, W 10:30-11:30, Th 2:00-3:00, or by appointment

phone: 831-5443/5558

Goals of the Course: Students will leave the course with an understanding of the varieties of land use and the spatial, ecological, political-economic, and institutional determinants of land use in the United States.

Course Content: Land use can be understood as resulting from decisions made in a complex and dynamic social environment, in response to opportunities and constraints presented by cultural and environmental factors. This course will examine the social context for land use decisions, the factors influencing those decisions, and their consequences. Course outline.

Conduct of the course: The class will include discussion of readings, lectures, student presentations, guest speakers, field trips, and audiovisual materials.

Required readings: Readings will be assigned from the text, Environmental Land Use Planning and Management by John Randolph. Other readings will either be from online sources or will be placed on electronic reserve at McConnell Library.

Tests and assignments: There will be a midterm and a comprehensive final examination. Students will prepare an oral book report using PowerPoint on a book of their choice (subject to my approval). Each student will prepare a 15-20 page research paper on a topic to be approved by the instructor.

Final grades will be determined as follows:

Participation: 10%

Book report: 15%

Research Paper: 25%

Midterm: 25%

Final: 25% (Tuesday May 2, 5:30 p.m.)

Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.