Geography
Geography (GEOG) Professors: Ben Marsh, Karen M. Morin Associate Professors: Duane A. Griffin, Paul H. Susman (Chair) Assistant Professor: Adrian N. Mulligan Geography studies the ways people shape and give meaning to their environments and are shaped by them. Human geography (a social science) is concerned especially with the political, economic, social, and cultural processes and resource practices that give definition to particular places, and that, in turn, are affected by them. Physical geography (a natural science) focuses on the earth systems that create the human environment, such as weather, soils, biogeography, and earth-sculpting processes. Specialties in geography complement and integrate material from cognate fields such as political science, economics, sociology, women’s and gender studies, geology, and biology. The course of study in geography is designed to provide a strong background in the discipline and a substantial foundation for a liberal arts education. A major in geography is good preparation for those interested in graduate work in geography, environmental and resource fields, urban planning and policy, or in careers in law, journalism, government, international affairs, business, and public service. The major in geography consists of a minimum of nine courses which must include: - two of the following three required human geography courses (social science credit): GEOG 209, GEOG 211, GEOG 220;
- any two from the physical geography courses (natural science credit);
- four other geography courses (includes CAPS 411 courses);
- a geography methods course, usually satisfied by GEOG 204, but a substitute is possible with department approval (e.g., statistics or language study).
Some courses in other departments are accepted toward the major: GEOL 106 Environmental Geology (counts for the physical geography requirement), and others with geography department approval. The geography minor consists of five geography courses, at least one of which is a geography science course, and no more than one of which may be at the 100 level. 100. From Earth to Home (II; 3, 0)
Explores how, why, and where humans transform planet Earth; creating the distinct places, landscapes, and territories we call home. 101. Geographies of Globalization (I; 3, 0)
An introduction to the processes and dynamics leading to the ever-changing character of places and regions, and an examination of interdependence amidst processes of globalization. 110. World Environmental Systems (I; 3, 3)
Survey of physical geography, organized upon an understanding of how natural systems – climate, landscape evolution, biological community – create the different environments of the world. Laboratory science course. 113. Human Impact on the Environment (II; 3, 0)
Causes and effects of major environmental changes induced by humans, and the tools scientists use to interpret environmental change. Non-laboratory science course for BA students. 166. Reading the Cultural Landscape (I; 3, 0)
Understanding the human landscape as a cultural, historic, ecological, and symbolic system, through our observations of the geography around us. Prerequsite: juniors and seniors by permission only. 175. Landforms of the World (AI; 3, 3.5)
Understanding the pattern of landforms around the world, the processes that created them, and their influence on humans. Laboratory science course for BA students. Prerequisite: juniors and seniors by permission only. 204. Applied G.I.S. (I or II; 3, 0)
Introduction to the use of Geographical Information Systems to collect, structure, and display large or complex spatial data sets, using examples from human and physical geography. 209. Economic Geography (II; 3, 0)
Inquiry into local and global changes in economic activity, location, and spatial organization, especially focusing on implications for the well-being of people in particular places. 210. Urban Condition (I; 3, 0)
Geographic and sociological inquiry into pressing urban issues of advanced industrialized societies, including inequality, housing, employment, and how cities fit into the American present and future. Crosslisted as SOCI 210. 211. Political Geography (I; 3, 0)
Illustrates the complex relationship between power, knowledge, and geography at a range of different scales, from the local to the global. Also examines the role played by geographers in the service of empires, states and nations, and questions whether contemporary developments challenge the existence of the nation-state. 214. Europe in the Age of Globalization (II; 3, 0)
Examines the geographical mosaic that is "Europe" in the contemporary period marked by conflicting forces of globalization, nationalism, and regionalism. 220. Cultural Geography (I; 3, 0)
Role of culture in shaping places. How cultures are geographically expressed, and how geography is a basic element in the constitution of cultures. 223. Gender and Geography (II; 3, 0)
In most societies women and men inhabit quite different physical and social spaces or inhabit the same space in different ways. This course explores links between gender relations and spatial structures. 226. Western Places, American Myths (II; 3, 0)
Surveys recent literature pertaining to contact and conflict among culture groups, American nationalisms, and ecological history as they relate to the history and geography of the American West. 229. Introduction to American Studies (I; 3, 0)
This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of American studies, emphasizing key texts and methods for understanding American culture, values, peoples, and issues. Crosslisted as UNIV 229. 231. Weather and Climate (II; 3, 3)
The controls of weather: insolation, evaporation, wind, and topography; the climates that result; and their impact on human activity. 232. Evolution, Ecology, and Human Impact (I; 3, 3.5)
This introductory course explores processes shaping the distribution and diversity of life on earth as a framework for understanding our impact on the biosphere. Laboratory science course. 235. Marine Environment (II; 3, 0)
Future of the oceans: global change and sea level rise, pollution and human impact, coastal management, threatened ecology of the ocean, sustainability and marine resources. 236. Third World Development (II; 3, 0)Socio-cultural, economic, and environmental problems confronting developing countries. Includes such topics as political-economic change in a global and local context, transnational corporations, gender relations, food production/consumption, urbanization, and sustainable development. 257. Global Environmental Change (I or II; 3, 0)
Understanding human and physical systems as they respond to the natural and human-induced changes in the global environment. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 265. Geography of Pennsylvania (II; 3, 0)
Exploring the landscape, industry, culture, and history of Pennsylvania; using this example to understand the broad themes of human geography. 301. Topics in Advanced Physical Geography (I or II; 3, 4)
Specialized topics in physical geography. 309. Topics in Advanced Economic Geography (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Specialized topics in economic geography. 310. Topics in Advanced Social Geography (I or II; 3, 0)
Specialized topics in social geography. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 311. Topics in Advanced Political Geography (I; R; 3, 0)
Specialized topics in political geography. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 319 and 320. Undergraduate Research (I and II; R) Half or full course.
Supervised research, readings, and/or preparation of a paper on some aspect of geography. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 321 and 322. Special Topics in Geography (I and II; R; 3, 0)
Development and growth of geographic thought; investigation, report and/or seminar on currently significant topics in geography. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 345. Food and the Environment (I; 3, 3.5)
Nothing from the environment is more important than food production, nothing affects the environment more; we’ll study both environmental and social circumstances. Laboratory science course.
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