For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.
104. Introduction to Geography
(Formerly offered as GEOG 150.) Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 1-hour discussion/laboratory period.
Principles, concepts and methods of modern geography are developed both in general form and specific case studies. Examples pertaining to both the human and physical environment will be discussed.
105. Climate, Weather, and the Environment
Either semester. Three credits.
Interactions between weather and climate and the human and natural environment. Emphasis on understanding the linkages between natural processes and societal/environmental issues.
130. The City in the Western Tradition
(Also offered as Urban Studies 130.) Either semester. Three credits.
A broad discussion of the role and structure of the city in the western tradition from ancient Mesopotamia to contemporary America. Special emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms by which cities and ideas about them have been diffused from one place to another and on the changing forces that have shaped the western city.
= Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).
Either semester. Three credits.
Study of geographic relationships among natural and cultural environments that help to distinguish one part of the world from another. Analysis of selected countries as well as larger regions, with specific reference to the non-western world.
193. Foreign Study
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head or advisor may be required prior to the student's departure.
Special topics taken in a foreign study program.
200. Economic Geography
Either semester. Three credits. Open to sophomores.
Examination of the relationship among economic, cultural, and geographic processes which affect the patterns, structure, and growth or decline of economic activities. The global extent of the agricultural, manufacturing, and service sectors is presented with particular emphasis on the interdependency of non-western and western economies.
204. Global Issues in Human Geography
First semester. Three credits.
Geographic perspectives on global issues focusing on the relationships between human behavior/activities, and the physical, economic, and cultural environments.
205. Introduction to Physical Geography
Either semester. Three credits. Open to sophomores. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 170.
The physical elements and processes of the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are considered in relation to one another and to the distribution of the world's environments. Emphasis on the basic concepts and theories of physical geography.
210. Social Uses of Space
(Formerly offered as Geography 211.) Second semester. Three credits.
Identification of social space (regions) at varying scales from neighborhood to national, and movement within and among these social spaces. Attention also to geographical aspects of social identity, including territoriality and community, and problems of locating social facilities.
210W. Social Uses of Space
First semester. Three credits.
Analysis of atmospheric processes giving rise to weather systems and climatic patterns. The dynamic integration of atmospheric systems is emphasized.
231. Location Analysis
Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 200.
The study of issues and approaches in location analysis. Topics include location, theory and models, impacts of locational choice, systems analysis, evaluation of service areas, land use allocation, accessibility and locational conflict. Implications for planning and public policy are stressed.
232. Principles and Applications of Physical Geography
First semester. Four credits. Required preparation: GEOG 170 or 205 or 215 or consent of instructor. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 214 or 232W.
Laboratory and field study of the physical
environment. Techniques, methodologies, and basic concepts of physical
geography.
233. Urban Geography
(Formerly offered as GEOG 212). (Also offered as Urban Studies 233.) First semester. Three credits. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 212 or URBN 212.
Analysis of the growth, distribution, and functional patterns within and among Western cities. Application of urban geographical concepts to city planning problems.
234. The Geography of Economic Development
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 200.
Analysis of processes and patterns of economic organization and spatial change at the international, national and intra-national scales. Examines development from both linear (neo-classical) and structuralist (political economy) perspectives, and emphasizes relationships between advanced and developing economies within the context of the global economy.
236. Human Modifications of Natural Environments
(Formerly offered as GEOG 206.) Either semester. Three credits. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 206.
A geographical and historical interpretation of the changing relationships between culture and environment. Emphasis on the modification of the biophysical environment by preagricultural, agricultural and urban societies in Europe, southwest Asia, and North America.
237. Environmental Planning and Management
Second semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 236.
The basic elements of the conflict between human environments and natural systems are considered, along with the methods of analysis and resolution of problems caused by that conflict. Emphasis on public policy related to environmental issues.
238. Applied Population Geography
Either semester. Three credits. Required preparation: GEOG 104 (Formerly 150) or 200.
The study of the composition and growth of small-area populations with respect to public and private sector decision making in more developed societies. Basic concepts and techniques for analyzing local populations are presented in the context of significant population issues in the United States.
239. Geography of Asian American Experience
First semester. Three credits.
Geographical perspective on issues facing Asian American communities: immigration, community formation, economic structure, race relations, and political participation. The changing dynamics of American ethnicity and study of the enthoburb. Diversity among Asian Americans, and comparison with other ethnic groups.
240C. Cartographic Techniques
First semester. Four credits. One 2-hour lecture and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Open to sophomores.
A laboratory-oriented Introduction to computer-based map design and compilation. Concepts of scale, symbolization, map balance, and layout are emphasized for both general and thematic mapping.
242Q. Geographic Data Analysis
Second semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: 100-level STAT or consent of instructor.
An introduction to the use of quantitative methods in conducting research, with particular emphasis on the processing and analysis of geographic data.
245V. Introduction to Computer Assisted Cartography (Q,C)
Second semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour Laboratory. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242 or equivalent.
Introduction to numerical cartography and a review of standard computer-assisted mapping programs. Emphasis is given to data compilation for machine presentation of cartographic information. Exercises will introduce students to a variety of input and output display media.
246C. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
First semester. Four credits. One 2-hour lecture and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242.
The study of the fundamental principles of geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include history of the field, components of a GIS, the nature and characteristics of spatial data, methods of data capture and sources of data, database models, review of typical GIS operations and applications. Laboratory exercises provide experience with common computer-based systems.
248C. Applications of Geographic Information Systems
Second semester. Four credits. One 2-hour lecture and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: GEOG 246 or consent of the instructor. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 247.
Applications of geographic information systems. Particular attention to land use planning and resource management.
249. Selected Topics in Geographic Information Systems
Either semester. Two credits. May be repeated once for credit with change in content. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242Q.
Selected problems in geospatial decisionmaking and the most commonly used GIS functions, databases, and analyses for decision support.
252. The American Landscape
Second semester, alternate years. Three credits.
The changing attitudes toward the American environment from pre-Columbian times to the twentieth century, and the consequences of those attitudes for the development of contemporary landscapes in the United States.
252W. The American Landscape
253. Geography of Russia and Eastern Europe
First semester, alternate years. Three credits.
Interactive study of geographic patterns in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia including analyses of climate and resources; population, culture, and urbanization; economic development; and political organization in an historical and contemporary framework.
253W. Geography of Russia and Eastern Europe
254. Contemporary Europe: A Geography
Either semester. Three credits.
An introduction to the Europe (including the European republics of the former U.S.S.R.). Emphasis on the economic, political, and social forces both maintaining national identities and shaping a united Europe.
Second semester. Three credits.
An integrative study of the physical, historical, social, political and economic geography of Latin America. Particular emphasis on patterns, processes and problems of spatial economic change in the region.
255W. Geography of Latin America
258. Geography of Africa
Second semester. Three credits.
Problems of economic, political, social and spatial integration in Africa. Focus on past and contemporary patterns of change (including associated conflicts) examined within the context of the broader global economy.
274. Urban and Regional Planning
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or consent of instructor. Open only with consent of instructor.
Urban and regional planning, with emphasis on (1) duties of local planners, especially land use planning, and (2) the political context for planners' work. Legal and political issues in communities and organizations.
280W. Geographical Analysis of Urban Social Issues
Second semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 210 or 233.
Analysis of socioeconomic patterns and issues within urban areas, with emphasis on applied geographical research. Policy implications are stressed.
282V. Computer Applications in Spatial Analysis (Q,C)
First semester, alternate years. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242 or equivalent.
An advanced seminar in the design of computer programs for solving problems in spatial analysis. Students receive a thorough knowledge of Fortran and related graphic subroutine libraries necessary to implement individual projects.
284W. Advanced Economic Geography
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or consent of instructor.
Problems involved in analyzing spatial variations of selected economic variables. Emphasis on location theory with view toward integrating geographic viewpoint and economic concepts.
285W. Advanced Physical Geography
Second semester, alternate years. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or consent of instructor.
Problems involving the application of physical processes in our changing environment.
286W. Environmental Evaluation and
Assessment
First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 205 or 236.
Concepts and methods of environmental analysis in contemporary geography. Emphasis on the ecological impact of human activities and on the evaluation and assessment of existing and future environments.
288W. Regional Development and Policy
First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or consent of instructor.
A study of theory and practice in regional development and planning. Emphasis on evaluation of regional problems and public policies designed to resolve them, with a primary focus on the United States.
293. Foreign Study
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement, up to a
maximum of six credits. Consent
of Department Head required prior to the student's departure.
Special topics taken in a foreign study program.
295. Internship in Geography
Either semester. Credits, not to exceed six, by arrangement. Hours by arrangement with hosting agency, not to exceed 16 hours per week. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
A fieldwork internship program under the direction and supervision of the geography staff. Students will be placed in agencies or industries where their academic training will be applied. One 8-hour work day per week (or its equivalent) for the host agency during the course of the semester will be necessary for 3 academic credits. Written reports will be required.
296. Senior Thesis
Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: One advanced seminar in geography and/or 3 credits of independent study in geography. Open only with consent of instructor and department head. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 297.
296W. Senior Thesis
(Formerly offered as Geography 297.)
297. Variable Topics
Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites, required preparation, and recommended preparation vary.
298. Special Topics
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
299. Independent Study
Either or both semesters. Credits, not to exceed 6, and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit.