Geography 485                                                                            Fall Semester, 2002

Geography of the British Isles                                               DeLoach Hall 116

W. Frank Ainsley, Instructor                                                   9:30-11:00 TR

 

Required Texts:                  Hoskins, W. G.  The Making of the English Landscape.  London:  Penguin Books, 1985.

                                  Davies, John.  The Making of Wales.  Phoenix Mill, Stroud, Gloucestershire:  Sutton Publishing                         Ainsley Home Page                                                                                              Limited, 1999.

Synopsis:  This course will focus on the evolution of the physical and cultural landscapes of the British Isles, with special emphasis on Wales.  Using the approaches of historical geography, historical archaeology, industrial archaeology, vernacular architectural studies, and urban history, this seminar course will create a desire and ability to "read" the cultural landscapes of  England and Wales.  Students will learn how to interpret various facets of the cultural landscapes such as:  the fields, fences, and hedgerows of the agricultural past; the archaeological past of western Great Britain; the industrial landscapes of the mining heritage of England and Wales; the lanes and streets of the villages and larger towns; the vernacular buildings and structures (including houses, barns, churches, cemeteries) of the region; and the sea‑oriented material culture of this former great maritime power.

Course Schedule:

Aug.                         Introduction:  Europe as a "culture region"                           

Aug.                         The British Isles as a region

Aug.                         Physical Geography:  Landforms; Weather and Climate          

Sept.                         Natural Resources              

Sept.                         Agriculture; Forestry; Fisheries             

Sept.                         Manufacturing Regions of the British Isles                     

Oct.                           Geopolitics and European Boundaries        

Oct.                           Population; "demographic transition"; migration; and immigration

Oct.                   Midterm Exam

Oct. -Nov.               Making of the English landscape (Hoskins book);  Settlement Patterns; Urbanization;  Traditional                                             Economies;  Religious Landscapes;  Linguistic Geography;  Toponymy

Nov. -Dec.              Making of the Welsh landscape (Davies book);  Settlement Patterns; Urbanization; Traditional                                         Economies;  Religious Landscapes;  Linguistic Geography;  Toponymy

                                               

Dec.                   FINAL EXAM  

Office and Office Hours:

   Room 128, DeLoach Hall;  my office hours are  8-11:30 AM, Monday & Wednesday and  8:00-9:30 AM, Tuesday & Thursday,

or by appointment. Phone number is 962-3493; E-Mail is  ainsleyf@uncw.edu

Academic Honor Code:

                The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to the proposition that the pursuit of truth requires the presence of honesty among all involved.  Each individual is principally responsible for his or her own honesty.  Each student is expected to be aware of the types of academic dishonesty offenses such as plagiarism, bribery, and cheating which are defined in the 2002-2003 UNCW Student Handbook and Code of Student Life.