Oct 07, 2024  
Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Catalog 2024-2025

GEG 206 Geography of Oregon


Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Examines the geography of Oregon, including its settlement by Europeans, various geographic regions, diverse physical environments, important natural resources, and varied population and economy.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115  (or higher), or completion of WR 090  (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:
  1. Locate important cities, counties, mountain ranges, rivers, and other cultural and physical features on a map of Oregon. 
  2. Discuss the settlement of Oregon by Europeans and explain the push and pull factors related to the migration of people on the Oregon Trail. 
  3. Compare and contrast western and eastern Oregon’s physical and cultural environments. 
  4. Describe the state’s patterns of landforms and explain how this affects the distribution of climates, vegetation, and rivers. 
  5. Describe the state’s population distribution and transportation and economic patterns. 
  6. Inventory the state’s most important natural resources and discuss and evaluate the controversies surrounding their management.
  7. Propose the future challenges Oregon faces as its population grows and its economy changes. 
  8. Identify key features of the various geographic regions of the state. 
  9. Utilize appropriate information literacy skills in written and oral communication. 

 

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

  1. Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior. 
  2. Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live. 


Content Outline
  • Historical Geography 
    • Native Americans 
    • European exploration and settlement 
    • Oregon Trail migration 
    • Population growth 
    • Economic development 
  • Physical Environment 
    • Landforms regions 
    • Hydrography (rivers, lakes, marshes) 
    • Climate regions 
    • Vegetations 
    • Natural hazards 
  • Cultural Geography 
    • Population distribution 
    • Ethnicity and diversity 
    • Cities and urbanization 
    • Small towns 
  • Natural Resources 
    • Water resources 
      • Instream uses 
      • Offstream uses 
    • Energy resources 
      • Renewable  
      • Nonrenewable 
    • Mineral resources 
    • Timber resources 
  • Regions of Oregon