GEOG100     PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY  (2/2)

3 sh

An introduction to the physical geographical elements of the world.  The earth's principal spheres (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere) are explored through time and space as they respond to change.  Major areas of study are the water cycle and budget, global soil systems, natural vegetation zones, climatic regions, earth dynamics, and ecological energetics.

GEOG110     GENERAL CLIMATOLOGY  (2/2)

3 sh

The course provides an introduction to the basic fundamentals of general climatology  The basic components of climate and weather are introduced.  Climate classifications and their geographic distribution are carefully explained and mapped.  The interactions of human and biotic activity with weather phenomena and climate types are identified, examined, and studied.  Laboratory exercises are coordinated so as to introduce students to the scientific method of weather data collection and weather mapping.

GEOG180     URBAN GEOGRAPHY 

3 sh

The course provides an introduction to cities as the artificial home of modern people.  Urbanization is currently one of the principal physical, cultural, economic, social and political problems facing the world.  Populations are rapidly changing from predominantly rural to urban in their distribution.  The modern city frees the poor and the oppressed minorities from rural biases only to introduce them to the societal ills of urban slums.  Through use of models students come to appreciate the social physics of urban function, growth and morphology.  An appreciation of the city and its intricacies is developed.  Future possibilities are discussed and explained.

GEOG212     GEOGRAPHY OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD

3 sh

A general introduction to the cultural and physical features of the developing regions of the world.  These areas are sometimes referred to as the Third World.  Following examination of the physical and cultural geography, the regional geography of the developing world will be studied.  Features of the developed and developing regions of the world will be identified, compared and contrasted.  Development problems and potentials will be considered for the areas of urbanization, industrialization and modernization.

GEOG214     GEOGRAPHY OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD

3 sh

A general introduction to the physical and cultural geography of the developed regions of the world.  An introduction to the physical and human elements of the environment is followed by an in-depth examination of the major developed regions of the world.  Issues of industrialization, international trade and technological development are set in their geographic environments and examined.

GEOG220     CARTOGRAPHY  (2/2)

3 sh

An introduction to maps, cartographic techniques and map production.  The basics of map reading and map making will be introduced.  Students will be introduced to aerial photo interpretation and remote sensing.  Basic programs in computer will be introduced and used.

1 sh

An introduction to applications of GIS in geography.  The material is designed to provide students with experiences, basic skills and theory of data collection, analysis and interpretation, with special attention to applications in geography.  Prerequisites:  Minimum of 3 sh of geography.  Familiarity with the Windows operating system is recommended.   Co-requisite:  Registration in GEOG259 Special Topics: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems..

2 sh

An introduction to geographic information systems (GIS)  with an emphasis on theory and use of software packages.  Lecture material is designed to provide students with experiences, basic skills and theory of data collection, analysis and interpretation.  Prerequisites:  Minimum of 3 sh of natural sciences or geography.  Familiarity with the Windows operating system is recommended.   Co-requisite:  Registration in one of the GIS applications courses: BIOL259 Special Topics: Applications of GIS in Biology, GEOG259 Special Topics: Applications of GIS in Geography, or GEOS259 Special Topics: Applications of GIS in Geology.

GEOG260     WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY

3 sh

Examines the economic, political, environmental, and cultural processes that influence the spatial interaction between less and more developed regions of the world with particular emphasis on how regions are being unevenly affected by globalization.

GEOG305     CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES  (2/2)

3 sh

An introduction to the conservation ideas from an optimistic viewpoint.  Basic earth materials must be employed or converted to sustain our material culture.  The basic resources are investigated and discussed.  Major areas of study are water, minerals, soils, energy, forests, wildlife, pollution, and environmental quality.

GEOG315     POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

3 sh

The course is an in-depth study of how geography has influenced political phenomena throughout history.  Political processes and environmental interaction at various levels of the political hierarchy are examined.  Present day political problems are viewed in their aerial context.

3 sh

Uses a thematic and topical approach to examine issues in geography such as ethnic conflict, regional integration and separatism, regional development, sustainable development, poverty and uneven development, environmental degradation, and overpopulation (to be determined by the professor).  Particular emphasis is placed on historical, political, and economic forces as they relate to contemporary issues associated with globalization.

GEOG401     SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN GEOGRAPHY  (f or sp)

1-4 sh

Individual research under the guidance of the Geography staff.  For advanced students in Geography.  Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

GEOG430     URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING  (2/2)

3 sh

Urban and Regional Planning is a means for systematically anticipating and achieving adjustments in the physical environment of a city consistent with social and economic trends and sound principles of urban environmental design and management.  Therefore, it involves a continual process of deriving, organizing, and presenting a broad and comprehensive program for urban development and renewal.  Land use planning will be considered as a means to fulfill local objectives of social, economic, and physical well-being, considering both immediate needs and those of the foreseeable future.  Prerequisite:  GEOG180 and/or permission of the instructor.

GEOG440     ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

3 sh

This course in Economic Geography emphasizes the need for universal control of the spatially distributed natural resources.  Economic Geography can be regarded as a science concerned with the rational development, and testing of theories that explain and predict the spatial distribution and location of various characteristics on the surface of the earth.  These characteristics are related to the consumption, production, and exchange of goods and services.  The scientific approach to the analysis of this spatial distribution and its interrelationships involves two aspects, which are equally important.  The first is the collection of facts or data, and the second is the synthesis of these facts into meaningful theories of great interest to economic geographers in the quantitative analysis of spatial distributions to discern the presence and form of patterns.

GEOG445     GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA

3 sh

A systematic, conceptual, methodological framework is devised as a basis to view the various regions.  Included is the survey of Mexico, countries of Central American, major countries and areas of the West Indies, and all the South American countries.  Emphasis is placed upon regional comparisons.  The relations of Latin American countries among themselves and the rest of the world are stressed.