Geography (GEOG)

Head of Department: Professor Jeffrey P. Osleeb
Department Office: Room 422, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Building

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.

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. CA 2.

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 URBN 130.) Either semester. Three credits.

A broad discussion of the role and structure of the city in the western tradition from the Classical period 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. CA 1.

160. World Regional Geography

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. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

165. Globalization

Either semester. Three credits.

Linkages between spatial processes and social, cultural, economic, political and environmental change around the world today.  Focus on theory and impacts of globablization through case studies at the local, regional, national and international scales. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

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 or higher.

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. CA 2.

204. Introduction to Human Geography

First semester. Three credits.

Geographic perspectives 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 or higher. 

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. CA 3.

215. Climate and Weather

First semester. Three credits.

Analysis of atmospheric processes giving rise to weather systems and climatic patterns. The dynamic integration of atmospheric systems is emphasized.

230. Fluvial Geomorphology

First semester, alternate years. Three credits. One required weekend field trip. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or GEOL 102 or BIOL 108 or instructor consent. 

Physical forms and processes associated with rivers. Factors controlling open-channel flow, sediment transport, channel morphology, adjustments of rivers to environmental change, and human impacts. River management and restoration strategies.

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. Recommended preparation:  GEOG 205 or 215.

Laboratory and field study of the physical environment. Techniques, methodologies, and basic concepts of physical geography.

233. Urban Geography

(Also offered as URBN 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. Recommended preparation: GEOG 160 or 165 or 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.

235. Transportation Geography

Either semester. Three credits. Recomended preparation: GEOG 200.

Transportation rate establishment, transportation models for predicting transportation flows, impact of transportation on location of economic activities, and planning of transportation facilities in cities.

236. Human Modifications of Natural Environments

Either semester. Three credits.

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. Recommended preparation: GEOG 104 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.

240C. Cartographic Techniques

Second semester. Four credits. One 2-hour lecture and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Open to sophomores or higher.

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.

241. Visualizing Geographic Data

Second semester. Three credits.

Survey of methods for representing data in tables, graphs, and maps emphasizing proper application, integration, and interpretation of methods in data visualization.

242Q. Geographic Data Analysis

Second semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Recommended preparation: 100-level STAT; MATH 101 or equivalent.

An introduction to the use of quantitative methods in conducting research, with particular emphasis on the processing and analysis of geographic data.

245C. Introduction to Computer Assisted Cartography 

Second semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour Laboratory. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242Q 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 242Q.

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.

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

Either semester. Three credits.

Survey and analysis of contemporary U.S. and Canadian landscapes, including consideration of the environmental, social, political, and economic forces that generate them.

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.

255. Geography of Latin America

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.

274. Urban and Regional Planning

Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 200 or instructor consent. 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. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: GEOG 233.

Analysis of socioeconomic patterns and issues within urban areas, with emphasis on applied geographical research. Policy implications are stressed.

282C. Computer Applications in Spatial Analysis 

First semester, alternate years. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242Q or equivalent; MATH 101 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.

284. Advanced Economic Geography

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or instructor consent.

Problems involved in analyzing spatial variations of selected economic variables. Emphasis on location theory with view toward integrating geographic viewpoint and economic concepts.

285. Advanced Physical Geography

Second semester, alternate years. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or instructor consent.

Problems involving the application of physical processes in our changing environment.

286W. Environmental Evaluation and Assessment

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 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.

287W. Environmental Restoration

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or GEOL 102 or BIOL 108 or instructor consent; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250

Restoration of natural environments including rivers, wetlands, coastal areas, grasslands and forests. Theoretical discussions of restoration ecology, management and engineering concerns. History of environmental restoration; relevant policy debates; specific case studies of river, wetland, coastal, grassland, and forest restoration.

288W. Regional Development and Policy

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or instructor consent; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

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.

294. Internship in Geography: Seminar

Either semester. Credits, not to exceed three, by arrangement.  Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.  Corequisite: GEOG 295. 

Description, analysis, and evaluation of the fieldwork portion (GEOG 295) of the internship. Written reports are required.

295. Internship in Geography: Field Study

Either semester. Credits, not to exceed three, by arrangement. Hours by arrangement with hosting agency, not to exceed 16 hours per week. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Corequisite: GEOG 294. May not be repeated for credit. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

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.

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. 

297. Variable Topics

Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites 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.