Geog. 363 Geography of Africa
Time: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 9:10pm in 413 Cramer Hall
Instructor: Teresa L. Bulman
503-725-3167
Bulman’s Web page: http://web.pdx.edu/~bulman/index.html (or access it via PS web page)
"Longstanding myths and stereotypes about Africa, built up since the first Europeans set foot on the continent, and continually portrayed in the media, including school textbooks, are difficult to eradicate. These perceptions, often based upon an inadequate understanding of African environments, societies, cultures and economies, have sometimes, directly or indirectly compounded Africa’s problem." (Tony Binns, 1994)
Africa seems to attract an image of crisis: of poverty, hunger, disease, violence, and general suffering and environmental degradation. Yet no other continent in recent decades has made such gains in human rights, political freedom and conservation efforts. This course will examine the physical geography of Africa, with an emphasis on human-environment interaction, and will attempt to reflect what is going right with Africa.
Students will explore the physical geography of the region and consider how geography has shaped and directed human activity on the land, and vice versa.
Evaluations will consist of short projects, reading assignments, and short papers.
Readings will be distributed in class. It is advisable that students have access to a good atlas (in a library or at home)
Topics
Topography and geomorphology
Climate and Hydrology
Soils and Vegetation
Human impact on the environment Population
Industrialization and mineral extraction
Agriculture and Desertification
Medical geography