GEOG 101S Cultural Geography
(4 credits)
Keiffer, Artimus
The objective of this course is to provide knowledge and understanding of the cultural patterns created through human interactions with the environment and the processes responsible for cultural change. Topics will include: origins of culture in prehistory, human adaptations to the natural environment, the impact of different resource systems (hunting-gathering, agrarian, industrial) on nature in historical and spatial perspective, the creation of culture areas of the world, how states influence cultural survival, and the impact of globalization. The course will follow a lecture/discussion format to enhance critical thinking and writing abilities. Prerequisites: None.
GEOG 220N Physical Geography
(4 credits)
Lenz, Ralph
Climate, vegetation, soils, and landform formation processes all influence human activity in any region; they are the focus of this process-oriented study of the physical environment. Heat and water budgets and their influence upon ecosystem development as well as fluvial, glacial, and coastal land shaping processes will be studied. Relationships between human activity and various physical environments of the world provide a central theme. Evaluation will be based on four exams and numerous in-class lab exercises. Prerequisite: Math Placement 22.
GEOG 230S Urban Geography
(4 credits)
Medvedkov, Olga
World urbanization has increased dramatically; 46% of the total population lives in cities now verses 5% in the 1800s. Developed countries are 73% urbanized. Developing countries with lower level of urbanization face an extremely fast rate of urbanization, and lead the world in number of mega-cities. What is the origin of this growth? What is the spatial organization of a settlement’s network? What is the structure of land use in North American, European, Russian, and Latin American cities? All these questions require that cities be constantly rediscovered. The emphasis will be on American cities with their contemporary inner-city/suburb problems. A lecture/discussion format is anticipated. Field assignments connect theories to the real world. There will be two exams, one oral report, a final paper, and several field and computer assignments. Prerequisite: Math Placement 22.
GEOG 250 C/S Russian and Central Eurasian Geography
(4 credits)
Medvedkov, Olga
For the first time in all Russian history, geography speaks for itself. After the disintegration of the Soviet Empire, regions are becoming exceedingly important in this highly centralized state. The current government is trying to reestablish control over the regions. Who will win in this geo-political game? Is it possible that Russian regions will become as important as the states in the U.S., or the old centralization trend will prevail? We will discuss it throughout the course. The class will be focused on changing space economy, environmental and population issues, national identity problems, political orientation in different regions of the post-Soviet space. This course is partially web-based, and has a lecture-discussion-project format. Students are expected to complete several map assignments, participate in class and web-based discussions, and to write a final paper on major topics. Web-based framework allows more flexibility: half of the time students will be present in class, and half of the time they will work via web with each other and the instructor.
GEOG 250 C Geography of Middle America
(4 credits)
Keiffer, Artimus
One of the most geographically complex regions of the Americas is located in the middle of north and south. It is a region rich with history, tradition, tropical climates, unstable political and economic systems, which are each unique to various parts of the region. From the indigenous to the colonial to the globalized, this area has seen a tremendous amount of influence and change from the outside over the years. Today, it is a complex land that is being exploited for its resources and depleted of its culture. It contains the fastest growing population on the planet, high rates of rural to urban migration, and some of the potential cures for disease in its diminishing rainforests. This class will systematically explore the early to the late civilizations, and compare, perhaps, which were more civilized. It will compare subsistence agriculture to agri-business and see which is more effective. It will look at the social stratification of the people who live there and see why there is much discontent. Students will be asked to do a research project that is of interest to them in their field of study. Additionally, the class will explore some of the food, music, and religious traditions that make this part of the world one of the most fascinating yet highly misunderstood regions of the world.
GEOG 290 S Business Geographics
(4 credits)
Medvedkov, Olga
Geography plays in increasingly important role in many business decisions. In fact, a surprisingly large amount of information is geographical in character. It is related to such features as zip codes, street addresses, company or school locations, census tracts, cities or states. Micro marketing is gaining in importance because supply and demand is structured geographically. Until recently, business examined geography with colored pencils on legal pads or by pushing pins into wall maps. There is a better way. Business Geographics allows students to have hands-on experience in handling data and maps in a computer lab. This course brings the power of visualization into solutions of real world problems such as marketing, direct customer targeting, finding potential customers, site selection, and international trade. During the course, students will conduct several projects analyzing spatially business data, handling database conversion, geocoding, managing GPS, and mapping. The final project is centered on local business or public issues.
