Geography
Christopher L Stevenson, Chair
Assistant Professors Finley-Brook, Lookingbill, Salisbury
Director of Spatial Analysis Laboratory Klinker
The Geography Major
Note: No grade below a C- (1.70) will be allowed for credit within the major.
9 units, including
GEOG 210 Geographic Dimensions of Human Development
GEOG 250 Introduction to Earth Systems and Physical Geography
GEOG 260 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
MATH 119 Statistics for Social and Life Sciences (or equivalent research methods course, with approval of department)
GEOG 401 Geography Capstone
Experiential learning: One semester or equivalent of approved internship, field work, or study abroad
Three units of electives in geography at the 300 level or higher
One unit of geography elective at any level
No more than two units outside of geography may count towards the major (with approval of department).
The Geography Minor
Note: No grade below a C- (1.70) will be allowed for credit within the minor.
6 units, including
GEOG 210 Geographic Dimensions of Human Development
GEOG 250 Introduction to Earth Systems and Physical Geography
GEOG 260 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Three units of electives in geography, to include no more than 1.0 unit of GEOG 390 nor more than 0.5 units of GEOG 388.
Courses
GEOG
206 World Regional Geography-Developed Regions
World's economically developed areas (Europe, North America, Australia, CIS [former Soviet Union], Japan).
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
207 World Regional Geography-Developing Regions
World's economically developing areas (Middle America, South America, Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, India, China, Africa, Middle East).
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
210 Geographic Dimensions of Human Development
Introduction to geographic approaches to study of cultural, societal, economic, political, and environmental change. Topics include: spatial analysis techniques and theories; population distributions and migration; cultural geographies; global economic development and its distribution; urbanization; political geography; and human-environment relations. (Same as International Studies 210.)
General Education Requirement: (FSSA)
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
250 Introduction to Earth Systems and Physical Geography
Basic concepts of earth systems science and physical geography. Includes earth-sun relationships, weather and climate, environmental hydrology, landforms and geomorphology, climate change, and human-environment interactions. (Same as Biology 250 and Environmental Studies 250.)
General Education Requirement: (FSNB)
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
260 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Concepts of mapping and spatial analysis using the ArcView GIS software package. Includes map analysis, data presentation, analysis of spatial relationships, the creation of spatial and tabular data, and the introduction of ArcView software extensions. (Same as Biology 260 and Environmental Studies 260.)
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
279 Middle Eastern Geographies: Patterns of Space and Place
Introduction to geography of the Middle East, increasing understanding of this exciting, dynamic region. Explores the physical and historical geographies of the region, and patterns of language, ethnicity, religion, settlement, and conflict. Includes Orientalism, Post-Colonial theory, identity, and urbanization. The discipline of Geography provides a unique perspective on the Middle East by intergrating an understanding of the people with an understanding of the land.
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
320 Power, Space and Territory: Geographies of Political Change
Analyses of and explorations into the spatial dimensions and geographic characteristics of global, regional and local political change; and the political economy and ecology of globalization. Topics include: imperialism; world systems theory; nationalism; regionalism; electoral geography; race, class and gender; political economy of trade and foreign aid; and political ecology. (Same as International Studies 320 and Political Science 320.)
Prerequisite(s): Geography 210 or Political Science 240 or 250.
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
333 Geographies of Amazonia
Explores the contradictions and connections of Amazonia. Considers the region's importance and relevance to the rest of the world through a study of the ecologies, histories, and geographies of Amazonia. Looks at the Amazon basin as much more than the world's greatest rainforest, richest reserve of biological and cultural diversity, and largest source of fresh water flow.
Prerequisite(s): IS/GEOG 210 or IS 290 or ENVR 201
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
345 Society, Economy and Nature: Global Perspectives on Sustainable Development
Applies geography's human-environment tradition to examine social, cultural, and economic dimensions of sustainability and sustainable development. Examinations into foundations and theories behind the concept of sustainable development, discussions and debates about its real-world applicability, and explorations into case studies addressing relationships and contradictions between human desires for material well-being, environmental protection, and maintenance of cultural and/or social traditions. (Same as Environmental Studies 345.)
Prerequisite(s): ENVR 201, GEOG 210, or IS 210.
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
360 Environmental Remote Sensing
Concepts of image acquisition, image interpretation, and satellite remote sensing. Includes electromagnetic spectrum concepts, acquisition of image data, visual characteristics of vegetation and landforms, image interpretation, classification and transformation, and integration of remotely sensed imagery into other spatial analysis systems. Student research projects. (Same as Biology 360 and Environmental Studies 360.)
Prerequisite(s): Environmental Studies/Biology/Geography 260 or permission of instructor.
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
365 Advanced Spatial Analysis
Advanced topics in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) theory and application. Topics include use of the Spatial Analyst, 3-D Analyst, raster data sets, the Idrisi Software System, projects in environmental location analysis, retail site location, and application of GIS techniques to biological, environmental, and social science issues. (Same as Environmental Studies 365.)
Prerequisite(s): Environmental Studies/Biology/Geography 260.
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
370 Geographies of Economic Development and Globalization
Geographic perspectives on economic development and spatial analysis of trends in the global economy. Topics include: natural resource location and distribution; commodity flows and chains; technological change and diffusion; international trade; entrepreneurship and innovation; industrial location theory; social and cultural dimensions of development; geographies of labor; and regional development theories and trends.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 210 or Economics 101 and 102.
Unit(s): 1
GEOG
380 Selected Topics
May be repeated when topics vary. (Same as International Studies 350.)
Unit(s): .25-1
GEOG
388 Individual Internship
Supervised independent work. No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of supervising instructor.
Unit(s): .25-1
GEOG
390 Independent Study
Topics independently pursued under supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated twice for a total of up to two units.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Unit(s): .5-1
GEOG
401 Geography Capstone
Capstone course is the culmination of the Geography major. The primary objective is to further develop students' ability to conduct geographic research through the practical application of geographic methods and theory. Students will synthesize their knowledge of geography with an individual thesis or group project.
Prerequisite(s): Geography/Interdisciplinary Studies 210, Geography/Biology/Environmental Studies 260, and two 300-level Geography courses of permission of instructor
Unit(s): 1
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