2007-2008 Course Listings
101S. Cultural Geography 4 semester hours.
Introduction to spatial analysis of interactions between people and the land in selected cultural environments. Every year.
120S. Human Ecology. 4 semester hours.
Human population and resource use and how they impact the environment. Every year.
220N. Physical Geography. 4 semester hours.
Analysis of the genetic, distributional and functional interrelationships of climate, landforms, soils, natural vegetation, and surface and ground water. Prerequisite: A score of 22 on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.
222B. Weather and Climate. 5 semester hours.
Atmospheric systems and their effect on climate patterns. Lab course. Prerequisite: A score of 22 on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.
230S. Urban Geography. 4 semester hours.
Cities studied in terms of their changing spatial patterns and functions. American cities are emphasized. Prerequisite: A score of 22 on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.
232S. Moscow: Local Politics and Urban Planning. 4 semester hours.
This intoductory course intends to introduce the student to the processes of governing and conducting urban planning in one of the largest and most complex cities in the world - Moscow. By the end of the semester, students will be able to analyze a range of issues, including Moscow's history, contemporary planning, environmental control, social issues, architecture, and governance. The consideration of these and other issues will help the student to understand how Moscow is facing the difficulties of the transition from the old, communist system to a new one, based upon principles of democracy and a market economy. Time will be spent learning and applying social science methods such as mapping techniques (using Geographical Information Systems) and voting behavior analysis, and preparing for field research in Moscow. At the conclusion of the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in field research in Moscow for three to four weeks. Students may receive credit for the class in either Political Science or Geography. There are no prerequisites.
240S. Economic Geography. 4 semester hours.
Location of economic activities and their spatial relationships and locational impacts. Writing intensive.
250. Regional Geography. 2 or 4 semester hours.
Detailed spatial analysis of cultural, physical, economic and urban patterns in a region. Regions to be studied are announced each time the course is offered; examples are Third World Development, Africa, Middle America, Russia and Central Eurasia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Globalization. Most sections are writing intensive. Every year. This course may be repeated with a different region for credit.
280. Topics. 2 or 4 semester hours.
Courses on geographical topics of special interest not covered by regular course offerings. Prerequisites vary. Alternate years. This course may be repeated for credit.
290. Business Geographics. 4 semester hours.
Spatial techniques for marketing analysis using computer mapping.
292S. Population Geography. 4 semester hours.
Theories and problems of population growth and distribution on a global and regional scale. Alternate years.
304. Cartography. 4 semester hours.
Elements of map-making. Orientation is toward computer map production. Prerequisite: Geography 101 and 290 or permission of the instructor.
305. Air Photo and Map Interpretation. 5 semester hours.
Geographic identification and analysis of natural and cultural features of the environment on maps and on remotely sensed images. Lab course. Prerequisites: A score of 22 on the Math Placement Exam and a 200-level course in geography, biology or geology. Alternate years.
310. Research Methods. 2 semester hours.
Gathering and spatial analysis of data. Prerequisites: A score of 22 on the Math Placement Exam, Geography 101 and 220, 230, 240, or 292. Alternate years.
330. Applied Urban. 2 or 4 semester hours.
Advanced urban analysis. May focus on data acquisition and presentation or on methods of city planning. Prerequisite: Geography 230. Writing intensive. Alternate years.
380. Topics. 2 or 4 semester hours.
Courses on topics related to recent geographical research and investigation. Prerequisite: Geography 101 and/or a related geography course. Some sections are writing intensive. Offered occasionally.
390. Geographical Information Systems. 5 semester hours.
GIS is a spatial analysis lab course involving database management, digitizing and multilayer computer mapping. Prerequisite: Geography 230, 290, or 304. Every year.
490. Independent Study. 2-4 semester hours.
Research by majors or minors on a problem selected by the student in prior consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: a 200-level geography course. Writing intensive. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.
491. Internship. 2-4 semester hours.
Work-study experience in an urban governmental or social agency. Prerequisite: A 200-level geography course. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.
499. Honors Thesis/Project. Variable credit.
Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA and permission of the Department Chair.