Geography Department
Course Descriptions
Spring 2007
GEOG 101 S 01 Cultural Geography
4 Credits
Keiffer, Artimus
Pre-requisites: None
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.
GEOG 120 S01 Human Ecology
4 Credits
Keiffer, Artimus
Pre-requisites: None
Humans can be considered a threatened species. Humans have induced this situation by overcrowding cities, exceeding the carrying capacity of available land, polluting the air, water and land, and eliminating many of the ecological systems that have evolved over thousands of years. But as population continues to grow, and more land is converted to other uses rather than food production, it will soon become apparent that life, as we know it today, will change in the next 100 years. This course examines some of the basic ecological systems that help sustain our existence, how humans have impacted these systems, and how governmental interference and hidden agendas have hampered efforts to rectify them. It is hope the student will have a better understanding of what needs to be done in the future, to make the world a better place for future habitation by our offspring no matter what part of the world they live in.
GEOG 220N 01 Physical GeographyPre-requisites: Math Placement 22
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.
GEOG 222B 01 Weather and Climate
5 Credits
Lenz, Ralph
Pre-requisites: Math Placement 22
Climate patterns pose fundamental limits to ecosystem development, and therefore control the ways people can interact with the environment. Global climate patterns are the focus of this course, and there are two main goals. In the first part of the course, we will seek an understanding of the processes responsible for climate through study of atmospheric dynamics that create weather patterns across the globe. Then we will consider climatic classifications, and relate them to real-world responses of vegetation regimes to global climate patterns. Laboratory work is scheduled for Thursdays from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Ten lab exercises and four exams will be the basis for evaluation.
GEOG 250C 1W Russia and Central Eurasia
4 Credits
Medvedkov, Olga
Pre-requisites: None
For the first time in all Russian history geography speaks for itself. After the disintegration of the Soviet Empire regions became 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? Will Russia become a democratic state or it will pull back to the dictatorship? Will newly independent states like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan gravitate to Russian economic and political domain or create new alliances with other bordering countries? 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 has a lecture-discussion-project format. Students are expected to complete several map assignments, participate in class discussions, and to write a final paper on major topics.
GEOG 250C 2W East Asia Geography
4 Credits
Medvedkov, Olga
Pre-requisites: None
Welcome to the most populated region of the World. East Asia is composed of China, Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, and Taiwan. It offers a very diverse environmental and cultural realm. Its geographic area extends from deserts of Central Asia to the Pacific islands of Japan, Taiwan, and Hainan. It combines the most advanced economies of Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea with the most backward economies of North Korea and Mongolia. China is undergoing a tremendous economic transition resulting in huge disparities between the interior of the country and its coastal frontier.
Parts of this region are among the main players of World globalization. This regional course will examine the interrelationships between environmental, cultural and economic patterns in East Asia.
Pre-requisites: None
For anyone raised, living or intending to stay in Ohio, this course is a must. Understanding one's place in space is a fundamental aspect of Geography. This course will examine Ohio, its physical development, how it was forged out of the Northwest Territory, settled by scores of Europeans and Africans, and later became an important component of the industrial power of the United States. Also, the importance of Ohio in developing the American culture: its innovations, traditions and perceptions. This is shown in its economic activity, its peoples, its visual landscape, and its architecture. Ohio is a prominent point in the American way of life. It is considered the "heart" of the Midwest and is a major transportation corridor to other points in the Midwest. Its early importance in supplying its neighboring states with raw materials, its available resources to aid in manufacturing and its people, all reflect and symbolize the dedication and devotion of those who settled here and continue to live here. To understand one's place in space is to understand who one is.
GEOG 310 01 Research Methods
2 Credits
Lenz, Ralph
Pre-requisites: Math Placement 22, Geog 101 and 220, 230, 240, or 292.
This methodology course is required for all geography majors. It will include coverage of research design, sampling, use of some statistical techniques, and SPSSX.GEOG 390 01 Geographical Information System
5 Credits
Medvedkov, Olga
Pre-requisites GEOG 230, GEOG 290 or GEOG 304, or an instructor’s permission.
GIS is an advanced course in spatial analysis and computer mapping which is targeted to majors in Geography, but also benefits majors in Biology, Geology, Management, Political Science, and others disciplines. The period since the mid-1980s has seen massive growth in the field of the GIS – computer based systems for the handling of geographically referenced information. Geographic Information systems have been confined mostly to public sector agencies until recently. Now they are becoming as widely used as spreadsheet analysis to a broad spectrum of applications from urban and regional planning and environmental management to homeland security and sustainable development. GIS mapping cuts across many disciplines, provides a common language for discussion, and acts as a means to bring people together in the decision making process. MAP IT OUT! Visualization is a great tool to analyze large data bases. During this course students work in a computer lab environment (new GIS Lab), learning GIS concepts and technology and applying them to real life situations while doing projects for local community. Student will gain skills in digitizing, data base management, multilayer computer mapping, and spatial analysis.
