Geography

The Department of Geography is dedicated to achieving excellence in research and education through the diffusion of geographic knowledge that focuses on the relationships between the physical world and its occupation and modification by humans. Students trained in geography understand society and environmental dynamics, the significance of scale, the uneven distribution of resources and levels of development, and the uses of geospatial techniques, including GIS (geographic information systems) and remote sensing.


GEOG 2140W. Urban Geography. 3 Credits.
The design and function of cities in the United States; contemporary, economic, political, and social change. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 2141. Cities in the Developing World. 3 Credits.
Urbanization processes, problems, and management in the developing world. Focus on urban location, politics, housing, services, employment, and environmental issues. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 2144. Explorations in Historical Geography. 3 Credits.
Examination of selected themes in the cultural geography of the United States over the course of its history, in relation to an overview of the historical geography of the country. Same as AMST 2144.  Exploration of social processes and ecological dynamics by using interdisciplinary approaches that borrow tools and techniques from the social and natural sciences, as well as traditional knowledge systems. Prerequisites: GEOG 1001; and GEOG 1002 or GEOG 1003.

GEOG 3143. Urban Sustainability. 3 Credits.
Relationship between urban spaces and the environment through the lens of sustainability. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 3143W. Urban Sustainability. 3 Credits.
Relationship between urban spaces and the environment through the lens of sustainability. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 3145. Cultural Geography. 3 Credits.
Themes, concepts, and tools appropriate for an in-depth geographic examination of the Earth's cultural landscape and of culture as a process. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 3145W. Cultural Geography. 3 Credits.
Themes, concepts, and tools appropriate for an in-depth geographic examination of the Earth's cultural landscape and of culture as a process. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001. Same As: GEOG 3145.

GEOG 3146. Political Geography. 3 Credits.
The uneven distribution and exercise of political power in the world; interrelationships among the human and physical environment and political systems. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 3154. Geography of the Middle East and North Africa. 3 Credits.
Cultural and physical regional patterns of the Middle East and North Africa. Prerequisites: GEOG 1001 or GEOG 1002.

GEOG 3161. Geography of Latin America. 3 Credits.
Examination of spatial characteristics of physical and cultural phenomena in Latin America.

GEOG 3164. The Geography of Africa. 3 Credits.
Human and environmental geography of Africa south of the Sahara desert, including study of patterns and processes, culture and environment, and development issues. Prerequisites: GEOG 1001 or GEOG 1002.

GEOG 3165. Geography of South Asia. 3 Credits.
An examination of the complex interplay of environmental, economic, sociocultural, and political factors in South Asia and their effects at the local and regional levels.

GEOG 3193. Environmental Law and Policy. 3 Credits.
An introduction to selected pieces of major environmental legislation. The role of the courts and bureaucracy in implementing and interpreting legislation and their impacts on decision making. Designed for students with no training in law Prerequisites: None.

GEOG 3194. Special Topics in Physical Geography. 3 Credits.
Topics covering physical principles of the Earth's physical geography and natural environment including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

GEOG 3195. Special Topics in Human Geography. 3 Credits.
Topics in human geography including population, urban, cultural, political and economic issues amongst others. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

GEOG 3196. Special Topics in Techniques. 3 Credits.
Topics covering specific skills in geographic information systems and field methods. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

GEOG 3197. Special Topics in Regional Geography. 3 Credits.
Various topics in regional geography, including world regional geography as well studies of specific regions of interest. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

GEOG 3198. Special Topics. 3 Credits.
Consideration of geographic aspects of topical and future problems of society. May be repeated for credit provided that the topic differs. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001 or GEOG 1002.

GEOG 3218. Arctic Systems. 3 Credits.
Arctic regions examined from an interdisciplinary perspective, linking different elements of physical and human geography; Arctic climate, oceans, landscapes, and ecosystems; key issues involving interaction between humans and the environment; climate change and its effects in the Arctic. Prerequisite: GEOG 1002.

GEOG 3810. Planning Cities. 3 Credits.
An examination of historical and contemporary trends and dynamics in urban planning in the United States and abroad. Same as AMST 3810. Prerequisite: GEOG 1001.

GEOG 4195. Proseminar in Geographic Thought. 3 Credits.
For students completing the major in geography. Development of geographic thought, theories, and methodologies; geographic curricula. Prerequisite: permission of the advisor.

GEOG 4195W. Proseminar in Geographic Thought. 3 Credits.
For students completing the major in geography. Development of geographic thought, theories, and methodologies; geographic curricula. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Permission of the advisor required prior to enrollment.

GEOG 4199. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
Fieldwork, internship, or other controlled assignment with an agency or organization engaged in work in applied geography. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisites: 12 credits of geography courses and permission of the instructor.

GEOG 4307. Digital Image Processing and Analysis. 3 Credits.
Land use/land cover change analysis using satellite and aircraft platforms. Digital image processing techniques, analysis, and applications. Prerequisites: GEOG 2104, GEOG 3105, and GEOG 3107.

GEOG 4308. Programming for Geospatial Applications. 3 Credits.
Fundamental concepts for creating Python scripts in ArcGIS; guidelines for proper Python syntax, troubleshooting common errors, and using loops to test for conditions and execute different code based on the results. Prerequisites: GEOG 2104, GEOG 3105, and GEOG 3106.

GEOG 4309. GIS for Emergency Management. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the theoretical principles of geographic information systems and examination of its history, current uses, and potential for emergency management through case studies, guest lectures, and hands-on training on various GIS products. Prerequisites: GEOG 3106.

GEOG 4310. Geovisualization and Cartography. 3 Credits.
Introduction to cartographic design from gathering data to the final visualization; specific components involved in mapmaking, including purpose, generalization, and symbolization. Prerequisites: GEOG 2104 and GEOG 3106. Same As: GEOG 6310. Examination of natural and human-induced climatic change, at global, regional, and local scales.