We'll travel across the pond to explore Scotland's physical and human geography. We'll get to know its four physiographic regions highlighted by an astounding geologic history and development of natural resources. Next, we'll study the contributions of key ethnic groups - Picts, Scots, Norse and Angles - to Scotland's cultural history, particularly language and how Scotland evolved with England in often violent ways. These actions led to today's highly dynamic political geography with its emotionally charged, contentious issue of independence. Lastly, we'll compare the vastly different origins and cultural characters of Scotland's two great cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, separated by only 40 miles.

Instructor bio: Tom Schmiedeler is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University where he taught a variety of geographycourses including Kansas Geography, Geography of Europe and World Regional Geography. He was the director of Washburn's Center for Kansas Studies. He has master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Kansas and has published widely on historical geography topics, particularly frontier urban planning.