Geography - GEOG

The information below lists courses approved in this subject area effective Fall 2015. Not all courses will necessarily be offered these terms. Please consult the Schedule of Classes for a listing of courses offered for a specific term.

500-level courses require graduate standing.

Back to Course Index

100 Concepts in Geography
3 hours. Geographic concepts drawn from the areas of cultural, urban/economic, physical, and regional geography. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

101 World Regional Geography
3 hours. Culture areas of the world; regional patterns of the utilization of resources; global, cultural, economic and political variations. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

141 Environmental Geography
3 hours. Survey of the state of the global environment, the measurement of its condition, and prospects for the future. Individual and Society course.

151 Introduction to Cultural Geography
4 hours. Spatial patterns concerning human origin, divergence and convergence in historical perspective. Special reference to humans and the landscapes they create through their attitudes, objectives and technical skills. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

161 Introduction to Economic Geography
3 hours. Geographies of primary, secondary, and tertiary activities, environmental and spatial bases of production, distribution and consumption, current and evolving patterns of land use and urbanization. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

175 The Making of Maps
4 hours. Roles of mapping in selected historical and contemporary human endeavors, including navigation, exploration, governmental activities, resource development and communication. Maps as reflections of need and technology.

202 Geography of the United States and Canada
3 hours. Environmental conditions, natural resources and cultural patterns within the two countries; focus on the physical landscapes, human occupancy and interregional linkages of selected subareas. Individual and Society, and US Society course.

203 Human Geography of Latin America including the Caribbean Region
3 hours. Culture, settlement, political and economic development problems in Latin America, with special attention to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Region, and Mexico. Same as LALS 217. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

204 Geography of East, Southeast and South Asia
3 hours. Focuses on the cultural, political, and economic expressions of place in Asia and the complex blend of environment and development, ethnicity and policy, and cooperation and disassociation. Recommended background: GEOG 100 or GEOG 101.

206 Geography of the CIS (formerly the USSR)
3 hours. Physical and cultural landscapes; regional analysis of resources and economy; the geographic basis of the area's role in world affairs.

207 Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Central America
3 hours. Analysis and interpretation of the archaeological evidence on the process of development of native civilization in the Meso-American area from the beginnings of agricultural settlement to the eve of the Spanish conquest. Same as ANTH 227, and LALS 258. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 102; or sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor.

208 Mapping the Urban: Cartography and its Alternatives
3 hours. Maps both represent space and influence the spatial imaginary. From traditional cartography to new media, the course will explore the power and possibilities of mapping and ?counter-mapping? as narratives of space, power and social relations. Same as US 208. Individual and Society course.

211 Chicago: An Urban Geography
3 hours. A geographic overview of the Chicago metropolitan region: physical geography, transportation connections, economy, trade territory, and patterns of settlement and land use. Field trips are required. Individual and Society, and US Society course.

215 A Global Geography of Cities
3 hours. Comparative urbanization. Development and pattern of world urbanization; causes and consequences; spatial articulation of political and economic power in the developed and third worlds. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 100 or GEOG 161 or GEOG 211. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

241 Resource Problems in the United States
3 hours. Problems of U.S. water, air, and land management; resource demand and supply; pollution problems; agencies involved in monitoring resources. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 100 or GEOG 101 or GEOG 141 or GEOG 151 or GEOG 161 or consent of the instructor. Individual and Society, and US Society course.

251 Mind and Environment
3 hours. How humans perceive and appraise conditions and act spatially in the macroenvironment. Environmental learning and behavior in young children. Ethnogeography and environmental perception.

273 Ethnography of Southeast Asia
3 hours. Survey of selected cultures of mainland Southeast Asia, with emphasis on cultural ecology, tribal formation, and nationalism. Same as ANTH 273. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.

275 History of Cartography
3 hours. Development of cartography from primitive charts to the space age. Major contributions examined as components leading to present technology. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 100 or GEOG 175.

276 Cartographic Techniques
4 hours. Introduction to the practice of cartographic display of areal data. Topics include map characteristics, symbolization, and map preparation.

278 An Applications Approach to Computer Cartography
4 hours. Selected problems and practices of cartographic display cast in contexts of advantages and limitations confronting map makers using computers. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 175 or declared geography major or consent of the instructor.

361 Areal Organization of Economic Activity
3 hours. Spatial conditions of economic activity with applications to growth and development of selected geographical areas; transportation impacts on resource exploitation, manufacturing and distribution, and consumers. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 100 or GEOG 101; and GEOG 161 or GEOG 241.

386 Elements of Spatial Analysis
3 hours. Implications of geographic concerns for data gathering and analysis. Spatial sampling and weighting of areal data. Reconciling record and zone inconsistencies when merging data from several sources. Same as ANTH 386. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

395 Special Studies in Geography
1 TO 3 hours. Readings and reports in selected fields chosen in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

399 Undergraduate Thesis
1 TO 3 hours. Required for graduation with departmental distinction. Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): A 3.66 grade point average in geography courses counted toward the major, and consent of the adviser. Completed application form must be submitted to the director of undergraduate studies prior to enrollment. Open only to departmental majors.

401 Topics in Regional Geography
3 OR 4 hours. Geographic analysis of cultural and environmental systems of a political, economic, or climatic region of the world as defined by the instructor. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): One upper-division course in each of the areas of skills, systematic and regional/urban geography.

418 Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Methods
3 OR 4 hours. Practical introduction to the techniques of social scientists for research in natural social settings: participant observation/non-participant observation, interviewing, use of documentary sources, etc. Same as ANTH 418. 3 undegraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above.

425 Field Techniques in Archaeology
4 hours. Exposure to field methods in archaeology through participation in an actual research project. Students are instructed in field excavation techniques. Usually offered in summer session. Same as ANTH 425. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 102 or consent of the instructor. Recommended: Concurrent registration in ANTH 426 or GEOG 426.

426 Laboratory Techniques in Archaeology
4 hours. Exposes students to laboratory methods in archaeology through the analysis of excavated materials. Students are instructed in laboratory techniques. Same as ANTH 426. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 102 or consent of the instructor. Recommended: Concurrent registration in ANTH 425 or GEOG 425.

429 Archaeological Methods
3 OR 4 hours. This course will familiarize students with various methodologies used by archaeologists and geo-archaeologists. Course will concentrate on a different method each time it is taught. Same as ANTH 429. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 2 time(s). Students may register for more than one section per term.

431 Advanced Landform Geography
3 OR 4 hours. Genesis of surficial landforms and processes that sculpt them. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 131 or EAES 101 or consent of the instructor.

441 Topics in Resource Management and Policy
3 OR 4 hours. Selected topics dealing with environmental problems at local, regional or global levels. Topics vary. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 341 or GEOG 361 or consent of the instructor.

442 Environmental Hazards and Risks
3 OR 4 hours. Environmental risks of natural and technological hazards; causes and consequences to people; social theories of risks; coping mechanisms used to reduce risk. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 251 or GEOG 441 or consent of the instructor.

444 Management of Solid and Hazardous Wastes
3 hours. Management of solid and hazardous waste, including radioactive waste: landfills, incineration, recycling, composting, source reduction, groundwater and air pollution impacts, control, regulations, siting, health impacts. Same as CME 423, and EOHS 472.

453 Seminar in Cultural Ecology
3 OR 4 hours. Cultural ecology and cultural evolution, emphasizing peasant farming and other subsistence systems. Soil management under shifting and sedentary agriculture. Same as ANTH 453. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 101 or GEOG 151 or consent of the instructor.

455 Quantitative Methods
3 OR 4 hours. Introductory statistics course in statistical methods for anthropological problem-solving. Primary emphasis is on univariate and bivariate statistics, such as means standard deviations, correlation, chi square, t-tests, and simple regressions. Same as ANTH 455. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor.

461 Location and Land Use
3 OR 4 hours. Environmental, demographic, and institutional influences on land availability/use at global/local scales; geographies of production/use intensity; market/governmental controls over land/users. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 361 or consent of the instructor.

464 Geographic Modeling of Transportation Systems
3 OR 4 hours. Discussions of the principles of spatial interaction, emphasizing passenger movements, commodity flows, the practicality of network analysis, and the impact of transportation facilities on land use and regional development. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 100 and GEOG 161.

469 Geographic Information Systems for Planning
3 OR 4 hours. Applications of Geographic Information Systems to urban planning and policy making. Same as UPP 461. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor. Priority registration will be given to students admitted to a campus certificate program in Geospatial Analysis and Visualization, graduate students in Urban Planning and Policy, or students in the Master of Arts in Real Estate program.

470 Educational Practice with Seminar I
6 hours. The first half of a two-segment sequence of practice teaching, including seminar, to meet certification requirements for teaching in grades six through twelve. Graduate credit only with approval of the department. Prerequisite(s): Good academic standing in a teacher education program, completion of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching field experiences, and approval of the department.

471 Educational Practice with Seminar II
6 hours. The second half of a two-segment sequence of practice teaching, including seminar, to meet certification requirements for teaching in grades six through twelve. Graduate credit only with approval of the department. Prerequisite(s): Good academic standing in a teacher education program, completion of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching field experiences, credit or concurrent registration in GEOG 470, and approval of the department.

475 Thematic Cartography
4 hours. Discussion and projects involving representation of real-world areal patterns; preservation of geodetic, locational and informational relationships; information generalization and reconstruction; computer software, and programs for computer assisted cartography. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 276 or GEOG 278 or consent of the instructor.

477 Remote Sensing of the Environment
4 hours. Principles and practices of processing and interpretation of remotely sensed imagery including aerial photographs, radar and multispectral satellite images. Hands-on use of image-processing software. Same as ANTH 477. Extensive computer use required.

481 Geographic Information Systems I
4 hours. Components and performance properties of geographic information systems. Geographic hierarchies and data structures. Problems and solutions in handling large geographic files. Geocoding. Same as ANTH 481. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 100 and one from GEOG 278, GEOG 386, IDS 100; or consent of the instructor.

482 Geographic Information Systems II
4 hours. Application of raster (or grid) based geographic information systems to the spatial analysis of landscapes. Same as ANTH 482.

483 Geographic Information Systems III
4 hours. Problems encountered in the analysis and portrayal of geographic data. Topics include taxonomy, regionalization, trend surface analysis, time series, markov probabilities, and computer cartographic procedures for displaying output from analytic procedures. Same as ANTH 483. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 482 or ANTH 482 or consent of the instructor.

484 Qualitative Methods in Geographic Research
3 OR 4 hours. Use of qualitative methods in geographic research. Research design choices, data collection and analysis, writing. Applications in environmental and urban geography. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 481 or geography major or minor or consent of instructor.

486 Analysis of Geographic Patterns
4 hours. Analytical methods for evaluating arrangements of points, lines, and subareas across regions. Development of non-central measures of spatial association as an alternative to correlation analysis. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 482 or consent of the instructor.

491 History and Philosophy of Geography
3 OR 4 hours. The philosophy of geography, its theory and research techniques. Analysis of bibliographic sources; criticism of papers on assigned topics. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Declared major or minor in geography; or consent of the instructor.

496 Internship
1 TO 4 hours. Professional field experience with an agency or organization in the private or public sector on projects related to the student's area of specialization. Same as ANTH 496. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Only 4 hours of credit may be applied toward the Minor in Geography. Prerequisite(s): Declared major in anthropology, minor in geography or full graduate standing in anthropology or geography and consent of the faculty advisor, head of the department, or the director of internship programs.

505 Seminar on the Geography of Colonialism and Neocolonialism
3 hours. Colonialism: historical, political and development geographies. Colonialism in the evolution of Europe and the Third World. Anti-colonial liberation movements. Theories of neocolonialism, underdevelopment, dependency. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 353 or GEOG 401 or consent of the instructor.

510 Seminar in Social Organization
4 hours. Theoretical and substantive issue about how societies are organized. Same as ANTH 510. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours.

511 Topics in Urban Geography
3 hours. Critical analysis of selected theories, methods and problems of urban and settlement geography. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours. Prerequisite(s): One 400-level course in urban, economic, or transportation geography.

530 Seminar in Physical Geography
3 hours. General topic to be defined by instructor; specific approved topic to be defined, researched and discussed by student. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 421 or GEOG 431 or consent of the instructor.

541 Seminar on Resource Management and Policy
3 hours. Social policy issues in the resolution of resource management conflicts. Topics will vary. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 441 or GEOG 461 or consent of the instructor.

551 Research Seminar on the Ecology of Mapping Behavior
4 hours. Mapping behavior examined cross-culturally, historically, and developmentally. Ecological functions of mapping in macro-spatial behavior. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

575 Seminar in Cartography
3 hours. Review of recent developments in computer mapping and identification of mapping needs. Research on conceptual and program solutions to computer mapping problems. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 475 and GEOG 481; or consent of the instructor.

589 Geographic Information Systems for Planning
4 hours. Applications of Geographic Information Systems to urban planning and policy making. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing; and approval of the department. Priority registration for graduate students in Urban Planning and Policy, and graduate students admitted to the campus certificate program in Geospatial Analysis and Visualization.

592 Research Proposal Design
1 hours. Research techniques, including problem definition, literature search, and methodological design. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 595.

595 Departmental Seminar
3 hours. Review of contemporary geographic theory in academic research and professional practice. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in geography.

596 Independent Study
1 TO 4 hours. Independent research on approved topic not related to thesis preparation. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of faculty advisor and the instructor.

598 Master's Thesis Research
0 TO 16 hours. Independent research on a topic approved for a graduate thesis. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 16 hours. Prerequisite(s): Consent of thesis research advisor.

Information provided by the Office of Programs and Academic Assessment.

This listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract. Every attempt is made to provide the most current and correct information. Courses listed here are subject to change without advance notice. Courses are not necessarily offered every term or year. Individual departments or units should be consulted for information regarding frequency of course offerings.