American Ethnic Geography

A Cultural Geography of the United States and Canada

Geography 200		Prof. Jon T. Kilpinen
Fall, 2004		Valparaiso University

Course Description

The purpose of this course, then, is to expose the student to the rich ethnic diversity of the United States, and to a lesser degree Canada, as well as the physical expression of these cultural groups on the North American landscape. To achieve this goal, the course will systematically examine the immigration and settlement of each of the major cultural or ethnic groups that came to occupy this country. It will also consider how these cultures have manifest themselves on the land religiously, architecturally, linguistically, etc. Throughout this analysis, the perspective will be that of the cultural geographer, meaning we will pay careful attention to the location, distribution, diffusion, and regionalization of ethnic groups and their cultural characteristics, as well as the interaction of these people with the environment.

This course satisfies the U.S. Cultural Diversity component of the General Education requirements and is designed for students in geography, history, anthropology/sociology, social work, education, American Studies, and indeed any field concerned with American culture and society. No previous courses in geography are required, but a basic knowledge of North American place locations, such as states and provinces, is assumed. Students lacking such a basic knowledge may consider purchasing an atlas to familiarize themselves with the North American scene.

Texts

Jesse O. McKee, ed., Ethnicity in Contemporary America: A Geographical Appraisal, 2nd ed. (Rowman and Littlefield, 2000).

Daniel D. Arreola, Tejano South Texas: A Mexican American Cultural Province (University of Texas Press, 2002).

Tamar Jacoby, ed., Reinventing the Melting Pot: The New Immigrants and What it Means to be American (Basic Books, 2004).