GEOG 101S 01 Cultural Geography
4 Credits
Scholl, Andrew
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the breadth of human geography and in particular how populations influence the way the environment is developed and utilized by people and the subsequent patterns they create on the landscape. Topics will include: the spatial organization of human activities, ways in which social processes and structures can be understood through a geographic lens, geographic perspectives of human/environment interactions, patterns of economic activity, the relationship between political States and cultures, and the impact of globalization. The course will follow a lecture/discussion format to enhance critical thinking and writing abilities. In addition, the class will also require some out of class, off campus collection of data to complete exercises. The overall aim of the course is to provide the student with the analytical skills necessary to think critically about contemporary geographical patterns and processes while also cultivating the student’s own geographical imagination. Prerequisites: None.
GEOG 120S 01W Human Ecology
4 Credits
Scholl, Andrew
The purpose of this course is to make you aware of the inter-relationships between people and the environment around us. One of the fundamental aspects of geography is a focus on the intersection between people and the environment: both on how the environment influences us, and how we utilize and alter the environment around us. We will explore some of the central issues of concern in the world today, as well as some of the concepts and methods they use to study them. Major topics will include: geographic perspectives on human-environment interactions, the changing human population, water resources, energy issues, food resources, the role technology plays in our interaction with the environment, and environmental ethics and policy. These general topics will often be explored through a detailed examination of case studies. An underlying theme throughout the course is the issue of sustainability and the impacts of today’s decisions on future society. The overall aim of the course is to provide the student with the analytical skills necessary to think critically about contemporary nature-society relationships, their geographical patterns and processes, while also cultivating the student’s own geographical imagination. The course will involve a semester long research paper on an environmental issue of the students choosing. In addition, the class will perform a detailed energy audit of the University’s energy consumption. Prerequisites: None
GEOG 222B 01 Weather and Climate
5 Credits
Lenz, Ralph
Climate patterns pose fundamental limits to ecosystem development, and therefore control the ways people can interact with their environment. Global weather and 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. In the final unit we will consider climatic classifications, seeking to understand regional variations in global climate patterns. Laboratory work is scheduled for Thursday 12:30 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. Ten lab exercises and five exams will be the basis for evaluation.
Prerequisite: Minimum Math Placement 22
GEOG 250C China’s Geography
4 credits
Lenz, Ralph
Despite many parallels between China’s physical environment and that of the USA, there are some notable contrasts. With a geographic area extending from deserts of Central Asia to the Pacific Ocean, environmental diversity within the region is pronounced. This regional course will examine environmental impacts on cultural and economic patterns. China offers a surprising amount of cultural diversity, and cultural and economic contrasts between the Han and various minority populations, a topic not covered in most East Asian Studies classes, will be emphasized. As China undergoes a tremendous economic transition, huge disparities between the interior of the country and its coast have resulted. Demographic, agricultural, and urban patterns will be examined. Evaluation will be based on exams and quizzes, a project, and an oral presentation about one of China’s subregions or minority groups. CLAC option available for this class. Students may register for a cultures and languages across the curriculum module. See the language descriptions for details about the CLAC Program.
Prerequisites: None
Geog 250 C/W Globalization
4 credits
Medvedkov, Olga
The world is undergoing a historic transformation, one of those political, economic and social cornerstone changes about which we usually read in history books. It is happening today, in front of our eyes: new alliances are forming, old empires are disappearing, new ideas are traveling with a speed of the Internet, and old traditions feel vulnerable. We live in the age of Globalization. The future world order is indeed in the making: the new world map will look quite different from the old. Our task is to understand the ongoing processes, to make sense of the new directions our world is taking. Geography is the most powerful ally in this mission. In this course we will examine and discuss the pros and cons of globalization and its consequences for different world regions. This course is partially Web-based: time between class instructions/discussions and web-based discussions and assignments will be split approximately 50/50.
GEOG 280 Urban Worlds: India, Brazil, Africa
4 Credits
De Wet, Thea
Just overhalf of the world’s population currently lives in cities and most people will do so by 2050. Urban populations in Asia and Africa will double over the next 25 years, and by 2030, 80% of the world’s towns and cities will be in the developing world. The scale and rate of urban growth, particularly in the developing world, is staggering. For example, Delhi and Mumbai, in India, and São Paulo in Brazil, currently have over 20 million inhabitants each and all three are still growing. In South Africa, the Gauteng city-region, which includes Johannesburg, is expected to grow to 14 million inhabitants by 2015. Cities are not only increasing in size, but also in complexity—varying in forms, structures and functions. This course is a comparative study of the worlds that urban dwellers in India, Brazil and South Africa inhabit. We will specifically focus on Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg: their histories, growth and futures; race/caste and inequalities; migrants and xenophobia; livelihoods and survival strategies; networks, social relations and the role of kinship and family; everyday life and urban dangers; as well as what doing fieldwork in cities might entail. Prerequisites: None
Geog 292 S Population Geography
4 credits
Medvedkov, Olga
This course studies population dynamic around the World, zooming on some specific countries and issues. Problems of overpopulation, health, sustainable development, environmental constrains, migration processes, family planning, and women’s role in society will be addressed during lectures and class discussions. Students will internalize the course concepts and content preparing their research papers on various population issues. This class has an informal lecture/discussion format. Prerequisites: None
GEOG 310 01 Research Methods
2 Credits
Lenz, Ralph
This methodology course is required for all geography majors. It will include coverage of research design, sampling, use of some statistical techniques, and SPSSX. Prerequisites: Math Placement 22, Geog 101 and 220, 230, 240, or 292.
GEOG 380 01 Remote Sensing
4 Credits
Scholl, Andrew
Remote Sensing entails the observation of the Earth’s surface indirectly through the use of cameras, satellites and radar. It is used to gather information of very large areas and for regions that are difficult to access. Remote sensing is increasingly used in a variety of fields including Geography, Geology, Ecology and Atmospheric Science, to study topics such as climate change, vegetation patterns, urban sprawl, water resources, land use/land cover change, and natural hazards management. The focus of this course will be an introduction to the fundamentals of remote sensing, including how remote sensing data is collected, displayed, enhanced and analyzed. Topics include remote sensing principles, technologies (aerial photography, multispectral, hyperspectral and thermal imaging, and RADAR), techniques (photogrammetry, image processing, image analysis and interpretation), and the application of remote sensing data to the study and analysis of the Earth’s surface. The course is taught with an emphasis on the geographical applications of remote sensing which are applicable across a wide range of disciplines. Lab assignments will supplement classroom lectures and reading assignments. At the end of the semester students should have a good understanding of, and basic skills, of remote sensing. Prerequisites: A 100 level course in Geology or Biology, or Geography 120, 220 or 222.
Geog 390 Geographic Information Systems
5 credits
Medvedkov, Olga
GIS is an advanced course in spatial data analysis and computer mapping which is targeted to majors in Geography, but also benefit a broad field of others disciplines: Biology, Geology, Management, Political Science, Sociology, to name a few.
GIS is widely used by big companies and governmental agencies and small businesses and non-profit organizations in a broad spectrum of applications: from neighborhood development, urban /regional planning and environmental management to homeland security and sustainability issues. GIS mapping and data analysis cut across many disciplines, provides a common language for discussions, and acts as a common denominator to bring people together in the decision making process. Visualization is a great tool to analyze large data bases. During this semester students will work in a GIS computer lab, learning GIS concepts and technology and applying them to a real life situation while conducting projects for local community. The main emphasis in evaluating students’ progress will be made on their ability to apply the concepts and tools, learned in class, in real life problem-solving environment.
Prerequisites: GEOG 230, GEOG 290 or the instructor’s permission.
Geog 490 W Research Paper
2 credits
Medvedkov, Olga
This class has a seminar format and taught in conjunction with the Research Methods, Geog 310.
During this course students will learn how to work on research, will lead class discussions on selected topics, and will write an extensive research paper. In the end of the semester the research paper will be presented at the Senior Comps.
