Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for GEO 230 Winter 2025


Course Number:
GEO 230
Course Title:
Geography of Race & Ethnicity
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Examines geographic aspects of race and ethnicity, and analyzes their relationship to present day patterns of politics, economics, religion, and nationalism. Includes the changing definitions of race and ethnicity, and demonstrates their role in quality of life and development at local, regional and global scales. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Examine the historical roots of present day racial and ethnic patterns focusing on the influences of imperialism and colonialism.
  • Examine race and ethnicity from a geographic perspective using maps and other geospatial tools.
  • Explore the influence of international migration on the growth and spread of ethnic and racial conflicts in host countries.
  • Analyze the relationships between racial/ethnic conflicts and development.
  • Explain socioeconomic consequences of racial and ethnic stereotyping.

Social Inquiry and Analysis

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to apply methods of inquiry and analysis to examine social contexts and the diversity of human thought and experience.

General education philosophy statement

Human Geography examines the spatial and temporal relationships between people, places and the environment. By examining this relationship, students gain an understanding of the development of human societies, including their culture, economy and politics, and how that intersects with the physical environment. Core geographic concepts such as location, regions, place, scale, and patterns, are analyzed on multiple scales (global, regional, and local) and through a multicultural lens. Students gain a deeper understanding of cultures and places that are different from their own, providing a foundation for breaking down prejudices and making more informed decisions. This creates more socially aware and responsible global citizens.

Aspirational Goals

  •  Apply knowledge of race and ethnicity to support diverse ethnic groups and their communities.

Course Activities and Design

Class will include lectures, article reviews and discussions, films, student project presentations, and possible guest speakers.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of themes, concepts, issues, competencies and skills by any combination of the following:

  • In-class discussions

  • Exams and quizzes

  • Mapping activities

  • Class assignments and exercises

  • Conducting research, writing essays, and commenting on other students work

  • Field observation exercises and projects

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes, Concepts, Issues:

  • Geography of race and ethnic relations

  • Demographic influences of race and ethnicity

  • Mobility, migration, and global distribution of race and ethnicity

  • Cultural diffusion and diasporas

  • Ethnic Stratification: Majority and Minority

  • Prejudice and Discrimination

  • Patterns of Ethnic Relations: Assimilation and Pluralism

  • Global issues of ethnic conflict and change

Competencies and Skills:

  • Demonstrate how to use maps and other geographic representations to interpret the world and to analyze world events including race and ethnic conflicts.
  • Demonstrate how cultural dynamics influence people's perception of places and regions.
  • Examine how global connectivity modifies culture and the solutions devised by societies for cultural and behavioral change.