ESS 0006. The Sierra Nevada
Units: 3
Formerly known as INT 6
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Integrated study of the Sierra Nevada including its physical attributes, geological characteristics, origin and development, flora and fauna, water resources, historical and economic significance, and influences on literature, art, and culture. Includes contemporary environmental, economic, and management issues in the Sierra. (CSU, UC)
ESS 0006 - The Sierra Nevada
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/ess-0006/
Catalog Description DESCRIPTION IS HERE: Formerly known as INT 6 Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A Hours: 54 lecture Description: Integrated study of the Sierra Nevada including its physical attributes, geological characteristics, origin and development, flora and fauna, water resources, historical and economic significance, and influences on literature, art, and culture. Includes contemporary environmental, economic, and management issues in the Sierra. (CSU, UC) Units 3 Lecture-Discussion 54 Laboratory By Arrangement Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours Course Student Learning Outcomes Identify principal physiographic features of the Sierra Nevada region such as climatic zones, prominent peaks, geological patterns, biological provinces, and evaluate areas of critical resources and environmental sensitivity. Recall the human history in the Sierra Nevada, assess the role in which environmental conditions influenced human activity, and evaluate the impact of human activity on the region. Describe and critique the major environmental, economic, and management challenges that will affect the future of the Sierra Nevada and hypothesize the means by which they might be sustainably resolved. Course Content Outline I. The Physical Setting and Development of the Sierra Nevada A. Regional Geography and Physiography B. Geological Structure of the Sierra Nevada C. Climate and Climatic Zones of the Sierra Nevada D. Water in the Sierra Nevada: Rivers, Lakes, Ice Fields and Glaciers II. The Living Sierra A. Vegetation, Flora, and Life Zones of the Sierra Nevada B. Wildlife of the Sierra Nevada C. The Sierra Nevada Ecosystem III. Humans in the Sierra Nevada A. Native People B. The European Immigrants: Missionaries, Trappers, Explorers, and Gold-Miners C. Human Impacts and Environmental History of the Sierra Region IV. The Inspirational Sierra A. Literature of the Sierra B. Art and Photography of the Sierra C. Modern Mountain Culture: The Influence of Landscape on Lifestyles V. The Future of the Sierra Nevada A. Economic and Environmental Challenges B. The History of Conservation in the Sierra Nevada C. SNEP/The Sierra Nevada Framework D. Case Histories in Management: Fires, Recreation, Fisheries, Etc. Course Objectives Course Objectives 1. On a base map of the Sierra Nevada region, identify the principal physiographic features such as constituent mountain systems, climatic zones, prominent peaks, geological patterns, biological provinces, major waterbodies, areas of critical resources and environmental sensitivity; 2. List chronologically the principal stages in the geological history of the Sierra Nevada region, and summarize the significance of each in shaping the modern landscape; 3. Explain with examples, how plants and animals have adapted to the variable environmental conditions within Sierra Nevada; 4. Describe the patterns of prehistoric human occupation in the Sierra Nevada, and the resources, technology, and survival strategies of aboriginal human populations; 5. Describe the major routes of historic human migration and travel through the Sierra Nevada and discuss the significance of these routes to the settlement of modern communities, and the relationship between them and the physiography and resources of the local region; 6. Illustrate, by citing the contributions of specific artists, writers, and performers, the influence of the Sierra Nevada in the creative dimensions of the human experience in the region; and 7. Describe the major environmental, economic, and management challenges that will affect the future of the Sierra Nevada, and review the means by which they might be resolved. Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Essay Examinations Objective Examinations Projects Reports Reading Assignments 1. Read Chapter in Sierra Nevada Natural History (Storer and Usinger). Compare this with the lectures and materials provided by your instructor and guest lecturers on geology and glaciology in the Sierra Nevada. 2. Read "Los Chilenos en California" by Ramon Gil Navarro, "The Luck of Roaring Camp" by Bret Harte, and the excerpt from "China Men" from Maxine Hong Kingston, all of which are in "The Illuminated Lanscape" (Noy and Heide 2010). Discuss in class the how women and non-anglo people were treated by male anglo settlers in the Sierra in the nineteenth century. Compare this treatment to how the environment was treated during that time. Contrast that with how native peoples treated the environment. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Review the three cross-sections of the Sierra Nevada (north, central and south) and the elevation profile of the Sierra from north to south. In a 750-1000 word paper: (1) Describe the similarities and differences of the three cross-sections with regards to total width, total height, west- and east-slope gradient. (2) Describe the elevation profile of the Sierra. (3) Explain the relationship between the geographic attributes of slope, aspect and elevation and and the corresponding climate and biological communities. 2. After reading Sierra_In_Peril by Tom Knudson (Sacramento Bee in 1991), write an essay (1) summarizing the threats to the Sierra as outlined by Knudson in this article. (2) Relate information in the article to specific examples of information covered in lecture and other course reading. Then (3) analyze whether this article is still relevant, almost 30 years after publication. Support your argument with specific data and examples. Cite sources using CSE format. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) With your partner, create a 36"x48" tri-fold poster to be presented in class and displayed on campus at the annual People and Culture Days event. Each group will be assigned a specific Native American group from the Sierra Nevada. Information provided on the poster will include: Tribal group name, range (size (area), topography, ecosystems, current counties/cities), culture (language, traditins, food, tools, trade, etc), population (pre-European estimates and current population size (and location, where appropriate)), and other information as appropriate, such as the influence of ecosystems on culture and trade. References must be from reputable sources. Minimum of four references; utilize books, not just the Internet. Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course. Map of the Sierra Nevada region
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
...0002 ANTH 130 ANTH 0006 ANTH 150 ANTH...ENGR 0260L ENVS 100 ESS 0001 FIRE 100X...
