Special Topics in Environmental Policy and Culture (390-0-31)
Topic
Geography of Chicago and its Region
Instructors
John Crandall Hudson
847/491-2855
Locy Hall #104
Meeting Info
555 Clark B01: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
Geography 312 devotes a full quarter to the geography of Chicago and the surrounding region. The "region" refers variously to the Midwest, the state of Illinois, Chicagoland, or just to Chicago and its suburbs. Introductory materials include the kinds of data that have been used to study and describe Chicago. Following that comes the necessary background on the changing physical environment of Chicago since the Pleistocene, including the step-by-step evolution of Lake Michigan. Human groups are traced from prehistory through the Native tribes that inhabited the region at the time of European contact. We will follow the record of land treaties, whereby the Native inhabitants lost their lands, which was followed by land subdivision and land grants made by the U.S. government around 1800. Chicago grows into a major industrial center during the 19th century which sees a series of shifts in population composition due to migration. The first part of the course ends with the Burnham Plan, which marks a turning point in Chicago history as a major city. The second part of the course traces the themes of 20th century Chicago geography, especially the role of the African American population and the continued arrival of new immigrant groups from Latin America and Asia. Contemporary problems, including racism, suburbanization, depopulation, and changing demographic and economic patterns are the final topics.
Evaluation Method
Midterm and final exams. Short (one or two page) written assignments reacting to questions that will be posted. Three in-class map quizzes will count as 10% of the grade. The midterm and final will count 60%. The written assignments will count 30%.
Class Materials (Required)
All course materials, including readings and assignments, will be posted online. In some cases, this will include reading materials that are available online from NU library.