Professor: Jeffrey S. Smith, Ph.D.
Office: Seaton Hall 164C
Mailbox: Seaton Hall 118
E-mail: jssmith7@ksu.edu
Web Page: www.ksu.edu/geography/JSSmith/
Office Phone: 532-3412
Department Phone: 532-6727
Office Hours: Mon & Wed: 11:30am -12:30pm  and by appointment.  I'm here to help.

Course Description/Format:
     This 700-level seminar is designed to explore selected topics in contemporary land use issues.  It is intended to provide junior, senior, and graduate students the opportunity to more fully appreciate various geographical patterns of land use and develop and/or advance their research interests.  Perspectives grounded in human geography provide a point of departure and underscore the course readings and discussions, however students with diverse interests and scholarly backgrounds will benefit from (and be expected to contribute to) the wide-ranging topics addressed.

     This course is being conducted as a “seminar”.  In this type of learning environment student participation is essential to the success of the class.  Therefore, every student is expected to complete all of the weekly readings and come to class prepared to make worthy contributions to the discussions.  The more input students have, the better the class will be.  If necessary, I will administer unannounced “pop” quizzes (50 points each) to ensure that students are reading all of the assignments.

Required Readings:
     There is no assigned text for this class.  A packet of readings is available for purchase in the Arts and Science Copy Center (basement of Eisenhower Hall).

Course Grading:
             Components of Students’ Grades:
                       Introductory Essay                                       10 points
                       Field Journal                                              100 points
                       In-class Presentations (4 X 50 points)            200 points
                       Research Summary Sheets (4 X 25 points)   100 points
                       Final Exam                                                 100 points
                       Participation Grade                                     50 points
                       Total Points:                                           560 points      +  pop quizzes if necessary
 

Grading Scale:
                     90 - 100%  =  A     (504 - 560 points)
                     80 - 89%    =  B     (448 - 503 points)
                     70 - 79%    =  C     (392 - 447 points)
                     60 - 69%    =  D     (336 - 391 points)
                     Below 50 % = F     (Less than 335 points)
 

The last day to withdraw from the class is: October 24, 2004.  No withdrawal grade will be administered after this date.

                ***Attn: Please decide carefully if this is the correct seminar for you to take!
 

Note: I reserve the right to modify the contents of this course.  Every effort will be made to notify the class should a deviation be necessary.
 

Description of Selected Grade Components:

Field Journal (100 points)
     Students are required to participate in one of two field trips.  One field trip is a self-guided excursion examining selected communities and land use patterns along the Kaw River Valley (Hwy 24 between Manhattan, KS and Topeka, KS).  The other field trip is a guided four-day outing through western Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico (Sept. 23rd - Sept. 26th).  Places to be visited include: Wakeeney, Colby, Garden City, and Jetmore in Kansas; Limon, Denver, Evergreen, Dillon, Copper Mountain, Leadville, Vail, Buena Vista and Alamosa in Colorado; Taos and Raton in New Mexico.  This trip is limited to 7 - 8 students on a first-reserved basis.  The main purpose of these trips is to personally familiarize students with some of the major land use issues that will be discussed throughout the semester.
     While on these trips students are required to keep a DETAILED daily log (field journal) of all information observed and shared.  Each student is to take notes on personal observations, information shared collectively, discussions, interviews, and all other information collected while on the trip.  Prior to submitting the field notebook for a grade, each student is to analyze what they wrote and draw conclusions about the trip.  This will require you to reflect upon the trip to see the “bigger picture”.  Conclusions may include (but are NOT limited to) land use patterns, geographical patterns observed/discussed, successful field methods, what you liked/disliked, what you found educational, what information was interesting/helpful, etc.  Keep in mind that this is a geography land use class and your analysis should lead to insight on geographical patterns of land use. (Further details will be provided in class on both trips and the expected contents of the field journal). Additionally, a sketch map of land use patterns along the route will also be submitted as part of the final grade.

Participation (50 points)
     Each student’s participation grade is a subjective assessment of how prepared they were for class each day and the active contributions they made to class discussions.  Expressing diverse opinions is welcomed and encouraged as long as doing so does not show disrespect for others.  If you are absent from class, or miss a portion thereof, you will earn zero (0) participation points for the week.

In-class Research Presentations (50 points each)
     Working in groups of 2 or 3 (max) students are to identify a research topic that pertains to the relevant  discussion topic.  Please feel free to discuss potential research topics with me.  Students are then given the task of finding original information on that topic and providing a summary of the research results.  Using visual aids (e.g. powerpoint, overhead, etc.) students are to provide a 10 - 12 minute (MAX) summary / overview of their research results.  Specifically each group of students is to highlight what their objective was, where they found relevant information/data, what results they discovered, and the conclusions of their work.  Grades will be assigned based on thoroughness and creativity of the research conducted as well as the “professionalism” of the presentation.

Research Summary Sheet (25 points each)
     Each student / group of students is to submit a summary sheet (not to exceed 2 pages) highlighting the results of their research.  To receive full credit the summary sheet should consist of:
                              1. Brief statement of purpose  (5 points)
                              2. Complete / Full citation of data sources  (5 points)
                              3. Discussion of methods employed in gathering and analyzing the data  (5 points)
                              4. Discussion of findings  (10 points)
 

* * * * * * * * * *

     As you read each of the assignments, contribute to in-class discussions and write your papers, you may find it helpful to keep in mind Bloom's Taxonomy for the six levels of learning.  Try to develop your thought process and think at a higher level.

 1. Knowledge: Ability to recall and repeat information provided.

 2. Comprehension: Ability to rephrase, reword, and explain the meaning of information provided.

 3. Application: Ability to use previously learned information in a new or different situation.

  4. Analysis: Ability to separate or break down information into parts so that its organization may be grasped.

  5. Synthesis: Ability to combine and integrate component parts into a new structure (develop new knowledge and information).

  6. Evaluate: Ability to make judgments, offer informed opinions, debate information, compare/contrast and evaluate information.
 

Wed 8/18
        Introduction to Class; Discuss Syllabus/Outline;
        Student Introductory Essay on “Land Use” (10 points)

Wed 8/25
        Introductory Terms & Concepts on  “Geography of Land Use”
        Lecture Topics: Key terms; Land use types; cadastral patterns, etc.

Wed 9/1
        Let me know which Field Trip you would like to participate in;
       TOPIC #1: Water and Land Use in the High Plains and the American West
       Come with potential research topic

        Key Ideas: Water Laws, Water Compacts, Water Marketing, Water Wars, Water Conservation

        Readings:
  - Cech, Thomas V. 2003. Principles of Water Resources: History, Development, Management, and Policy (selected pages: 183-203 & 208-211).  New York: John Wiley & Sons.

  - Pickens, Stephanie. 1999. Water in the West: Challenge for the Next Century, Report to the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission. University of Denver Water Law Review 2(2): 313-315.

  - Knudson, Tom. 2000. Western Water: Why it’s Dirty and in Short Supply. High Country News 30(12):1-11.

  - Gilford, Charles E. 2000. Water Marketing. The Cattleman 87(2): 51-57.

  - n.a. 2001. Texas and Water: Pay Up or Dry Up. The Economist (May 26):33.

  - Noreen, Barry. 1994. Colorado Told to Stop Stealing Water. High Country News (May 2):26

  - McCormick Peter J. 1999. Traces in the Sand: Culture and Development in the Hills of Southwest Kansas. The North American Geographer 1(1): 23-52.

  - Miniclier, Kit. 2003. Despite Drought, Colo. Has to Let Water Go. Denver Post (March 10):3B.

  - Selcraig, Bruce. 2000. Albuquerque Learns It Really Is a Desert Town. In Water in the West, C. Miller (ed)., 318 - 326.

Wed 9/8
        No Class – Work on Research Presentation and Summary Sheet

Wed 9/15
        Student Presentations on their Research Projects (50 points)
        Summary Sheets Due (25 points)

Wed 9/22
        Field Trip Week (No formal class meeting)
 - Self-guided Field Trip along Hwy 24 / Kaw River Valley (on your own time)
        -OR-
 - Guided Field Trip through western Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico (9/23 to 9/26)
   (See Handout for Instructions/Requirements on Field Journal)

Wed 9/29
        TOPIC #2: Land Use in the “Old West” (The Extractive West)
        Come with potential research topic

        Key Ideas: Mining, Forestry, and Ranching Land use, Waning West

        Readings:
  - Miller, Jr., G. Tyler. 2001. Environmental Science: Working With the Earth (Selected pages: 332 - 333; 432 - 434; 436 - 437; 449 - 450).  Sydney: Brooks/Cole Thompson Learning.

  - Wyckoff, William and Lary M. Dilsaver. 1995. Defining the Mountainous West. In The Mountain West: Explorations in Historical Geography ed by W. Wyckoff and L.M.Dilsaver, pp1-45. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

  - Kenworthy, Tom. 2001. Peaks, Valleys Define Today’s West. USA Today (May 18): 3A.

  - Selected pages of readings on the U.S. Mining Law of 1872.

  - Solberg, Dustin. 1999. The Feds Poke a Hole in the 1872 Mining Law. High Country News 31(10):1-4.

  - Wyckoff, William. 2002. Life on the Margin: The Evolution of the Waning West. Montana: The Magazine of Western History 52(3): 30-43.

  - Braxton-Little, Jane. 2002. A New World in the Woods. High Country News 34(6): 1-4.

  - Brower, Barbara. 2000. Sheep Grazing in National Forest Wilderness: A New Look at an Old Fight. Mountain Research and Development 20(2):126-129.

  - Selected pages of readings on the debate over grazing on public lands.  Essays by Ed Marston (3 pp), John Horning (3pp), Readers Weigh In (6pp).

Wed 10/6
        NO CLASS – Work on Research Presentation and Summary Sheet
        Field Journal Due (100 points)

Wed 10/13
        Student Presentations on their Research Projects (50 points)
        Summary Sheets Due (25 points)

Wed 10/20
        TOPIC #3: Land Use in the High Plains and the “New West” (The Service West)
        Come with potential research topic

         Key Ideas: “New West”, Gateway Communities, Restorative Sanctuaries, Absentee Ownership, Resorts & Mountain Hideaways

         Readings:
  - Wyckoff, William and Lary M. Dilsaver. 1995. Defining the Mountainous West. In The Mountain West: Explorations in Historical Geography ed by W. Wyckoff and L.M.Dilsaver, pp1-45. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

  - Shumway, J. Matthew and Samuel M. Otterstrom. 2001. Spatial Patterns of Migration and Income Change in the Mountain West: The Dominance of Service-Based, Amenity-Rich Counties. The Professional Geographer 53(4):492-502.

  - Baron Jill S., David M. Theobald, and Daniel B. Fagre. 2000. Management of Land Use Conflicts in the United States Rocky Mountains. Mountain Research and Development 20(1): 24-27.

  - McMahon, Ed and Luther Propst. 1998. Park Gateways. National Park Conservation Association May/June: 39-40.

  - Garner, Joe. 2003. Paradise Found: Boomers Changing Face and Future of Southern Colorado. Rocky Mountain News (August 16): 1A & 8A.

  - O’Driscoll, Patrick. 1999. Mountain is Haven For Millionaires: Resort Offers Exclusive Hideaway. USA Today (April 1): na.

  - Gober, Patricia, Kevin E. McHugh, and Denis Leclerc. 1993. Job-Rich but Housing-Poor: The Dilemma of a Western Amenity Town. The Professional Geographer 45(1):12-20.

  - Sherman, Harris D. David Neslin, and Ezekiel L. Williams. 1999. Forest Service Plan Would Limit Colorado Skiing. Ski Area Management 38(6): 54, 80-81.

  - Ragsdale, Jr., John W. 1999. National Forest Land Exchanges and the Growth of Vail and Other Gateway Communities. The Urban Lawyer 31(1):1-45   [Focus on pages 1-26]
 

Wed 10/27
        NO CLASS – Work on Research Presentation and Summary Sheet

Wed 11/3
        Student Presentations on their Research Projects (50 points)
        Summary Sheets Due (25 points)

Wed 11/10
        TOPIC #4: Impact of Demographic Change and Ethnicity on Land Use  in the High Plains &  the West
        Come with potential research topic

          Key Ideas: Ethnic land uses patterns, Plains Depopulation, Meat Packing Plants, Prisons,

          Readings:
  - Smith, Jeffrey S. 1998. Spanish-American Village Anatomy. Geographical Review 88(3):440-443.

  - Carlson, Alvar W. 1967. Rural Settlement Patterns in the San Luis Valley: A Comparative Study.   The Colorado Magazine 44(2):111-128.

  - Smith, Jeffrey S. 2001. La Cultura de la Acequia Madre: Cleaning a Community Irrigation Ditch.   The North American Geographer 3(1):5-28.

  - Egan, Timothy. 2003. Amid Dying Towns of Rural Plains, One Makes a Stand. The New York Times (December 1): 1-7.

  - Kopytoff, Verne G. 1997. Few Winners Wanted Lots, So a Tiny Texas Town Changed Rules.   The New York Times (May 4).

  - na. 2003. Town Giving Away Land to Boost its Population. Manhattan Mercury (May 20th): 1

  - Drabenstott, Mark; Mark Henry; and Kristin Mitchell. 1999. Where Have All the Packing Plants Gone? The New Meat Geography in Rural America. Economic Review. Kansas City 84(3):65-82.

  - Bloomer, Kristin. 1997. America’s Newest Growth Industry. In These Times 21(9):14-19.

  - Beale, Calvin L. 1993. Prisons, Population, and Jobs in Nonmetro America. Rural Development Perspectives 8(3):16-19.

  - n.a. 1995. Taking No More Prisoners. Governing  8(10):43-45.

Wed 11/17
        NO CLASS – Work on Research Presentation and Summary Sheet

Wed 11/24
        NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Holiday

Wed 12/1
        Student Presentations on their Research Projects (50 points)
        Summary Sheets Due (25 points)

Wed 12/8     FINAL EXAM (100 points) --  (in class)