Program Details : University Catalogs : University of Minnesota

GEOG 4803 - Geographic Thought

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Development and significance of geographic concepts and thought. History and intellectual roots of contemporary geography, geographers, and geographic institutions. prereq: 60 credits or grad student or instructor consent

GEOG 4990 - Geography Seminar

Credits:	1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Presentation and discussion of current geographic research, including but not limited to human/physical geography, environments and sustainability, urban geography and planning, and GIS applications. prereq: Geography major or minor and minimum 90 credits; no grad credit, credit will not be granted if already received for Geog 5999.

GEOG 1414 - The Physical Geography (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer

The environment is highly dynamic and is continually modified by human and environmental processes. This course examines these processes to better understand how the Earth's landscapes were formed and how they are currently being transformed. Specifically, students will understand the fundamental processes that govern the physical environment including Earth-sun relations, water resources, landforms, weather and climate, natural vegetation, and soils.

GEOL 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems (LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Earth systems science is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the processes operating within and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. In this course we investigate the changing nature of the Earth; its composition, architecture, and antiquity; the internal and external processes that shape it through time; cycles of energy and matter; the development of life and impact of human activity; and both local environmental issues and global change.

GEOG 2305 - Geography of Cultural Diversity (CDIVERSITY)

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Spring

This course utilizes social scientific approaches to cultural diversity in the United States to develop a critical understanding of the geography of our unequal society. We examine why humans spatially segregate themselves into racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, how meaning is constructed around these differences, and how the politics of difference are expressed geographically. Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOG 2405

GEOG 2306 - Environmental Conservation (LE CAT)

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

In order to adapt to and mitigate environmental challenges that are predicted to occur in the future, we must have a clear understanding of the physical, economic, societal, and political contexts that brought us to the present. This course examines the complexity of coupled social-ecological systems and the role that humans have played in changing the face of the Earth.

GEOG 2313 - Economic Geography (LE CAT6, SOC SCI)

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Contemporary geographic pattern analysis of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Development of geographic theories and models that attempt to explain spatial variations of economic activities such as agriculture, manufacturing, and trades and services.

GEOG 3334 - Urban Geography

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall

As the world becomes more urbanized there seems to be less distinction between global problems and urban problems. Analysis of the relationship between urbanization and other aspects of our modern world such as economic globalization, increased levels of international migration, and warfare. Examine how global dilemmas can be seen in the national and international issues. Pay particular attention to the everyday struggles that occur in the households and neighborhoods of cities as people attempt to care for themselves and their families in this rapidly changing world. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent

GEOG 3335 - Urban Planning

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Urban planning explores the purpose, practice, and theories of modern community planning for the promotion of social and economic well-being. The causes of urban problems, and the tools planners can use to solve them will be investigated. Special focus will be paid to citizen participation and how the voices of community members can be heard in the planning process. prereq: Minimum 30 credits

GEOG 3370 - Geographies of Development

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall

This class examines the global geography of wealth and poverty, i.e., why some places are very rich while others are very poor. The impacts of colonialism, the Cold War, globalization, overpopulation, and ecological and climate change are explained, and the prospects for a more just future are considered. prereq: Minimum 30 credits

GEOG 3401 - Weather and Climate

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Weather and climate are critical to both Earth systems and human societies, yet they are frequently misunderstood. The goal of this course is to develop a scientific understanding of atmospheric processes and how they are responsible for weather events and climatic patterns. Atmospheric composition, structure, and motion are studied, along with precipitation processes, air masses, fronts, cyclonic storms, and the the distribution and classification of climates. prereq: 1414 or GEOL 1110 or 1130 or instructor consent

GEOG 3422 - Natural Hazards

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Geography of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and droughts; human-physical environment interrelationships under extreme geophysical conditions; causes, characteristics, and consequences of natural hazards; human adjustment to natural hazards. Prereq: 1414 or Geol 1110, or minimum 30 credits or instructor consent.

GEOG 3461 - Geography of Global Resources

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Spatial distribution and uses of global natural resources addressed through models of resource management, focusing on energy, non-fuel minerals, population, food, and technology. Theoretical approach and political perspective applied to trade, international economic development, and environmental issues. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent

GEOG 3481 - The Ecology of Cities

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

By 2050, over three-quarters of the world's population will live in urban environments. To accommodate this transition, it is critical that we understand the relationship between nature and people within cities. This course will introduce the theoretical, practical, and policy-related aspects of urban systems, and the challenges and solutions to developing sustainable cities. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent

GEOG 3712 - Geography of Latin America

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Considers the social, physical and political landscapes of Latin America and the Caribbean before, during and after the European invasion and colonial times. Examines contemporary dynamics in the region from a political ecology perspective. prereq: Minimum 30 credits or instructor consent

GEOG 4393 - Political Geography

Credits:	3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

This course examines the geography of social power from international geopolitics, to protest politics in public space, to theories of hetero-normativity and patriarchy. The central focus of this course is the spatial organization of politics, i.e., how people organize themselves into groups, and how those groups police themselves and vie with each other in various places and at multiple scales. prereq: Minimum 60 credits including or instructor consent

GEOG 4446 - Water Processes and Management

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Introduction to the surface water processes and water resources management, including precipitation, runoff generation, channel processes, spatial and temporal variations in water distribution, aspects of water quantity and quality, and watershed management problems. Prereq: Geog 1414 or Geol 1110 or Graduate students or Instructor consent.

GEOG 4451 - The Geography of Soils

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall

This course gives students a fundamental understanding of the soil as a living resource. The course covers basic soil science and the critical need for sustainable soil management in the context of current agricultural and climate change. The course includes outdoor field excursions, hands-on soil study both in the field and in the lab. Course includes a weekend field trip. prereq: 1414 or Geol 1110 or grad student or instructor consent

FORS 3167 - GEOG 3167 Cultural Geography of Iceland

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:	GEOG 3167/FORS 3167
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer

Taught in Iceland this course explores the changing cultural & political geography of Iceland and its relationship to the complex processes of globalization, regional politics and local economies. It examines the history of Iceland as a Viking settlement, a colony of Denmark, and an independent nation with a focus on the political and economic connection between Iceland and other places have influenced the country. Students will examine Iceland's position as part of the European Economic Community but not of the common currency or the European Union, contributed to the 2008 economic crisis and the responses to that crisis. Student will consider how geographic context, national culture and political economy impact the cultural geography of Iceland and is designed to give an intercultural experience with contemporary economic and political issues through a geographic perspective. Students will apply geographic theories of cultural difference, political economy, and resistance to develop an understanding of the multiple sites and scales of Icelandic identity, culture and politics. prereq: Admission to an approved study abroad program requires consent from the International Education Office.

FORS 3800 - COMM 3800/GEOG 3800 Grassroots Activism in India

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:	FORS 3800/COMM 3800/GEOG 3800
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Summer

Taught in Bangalore, India where students will examine the process of social change in Bangalore and witness firsthand how disempowered groups such as tribal communities and religious minorities are advocating for their social and economic rights. Bangalore has grown tremendously in the last 10 years, as the city has become the center of India's technology economy; however, the benefits of this growth have not been equally distributed. Students will examine the causes of disenfranchisement (including gender, caste, and colonialism) as well as how city has changed as a result of globalization and the liberalization of the Indian economy. This course has three goals: (1) Students understand the notions of community employment as theorized by scholars such as Paulo Freire, M.K. Gandhi, R.J. Ambedkar, as well as more contemporary Indian thinkers; (2) Students visit and learn about the cultural and historical forces that have shaped India, and (3) Students interact firsthand with activists and disenfranchised communities involved in struggles for human rights/empowerment. prereq: Minimum 2.5 GPA, minimum 30 credits, instructor consent. Admission to an approved study abroad program requires consent from the International Education Office.

GEOG 3991 - Independent Study

Credits:	1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

For students interested in doing advanced work in selected fields of geography. prereq: instructor consent

GEOG 3995 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned)

Credits:	3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer

Special topics in geography that are not offered in the regular curriculum. Topics may involve specialties of professional staff or visiting faculty.

GEOG 3997 - Internship

Credits:	3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis:	S-N only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer

Experience in the field of geography with direct supervision in public agencies or relevant private firms. prereq: 60 credits completed and instructor consent

GEOG 4999 - Honors Project

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Advanced individual project related to geography demonstrating sound theoretical and research foundations and resulting in a written report. prereq: minimum 90 credits and instructor consent

GEOG 5991 - Independent Study in Geography

Credits:	1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Independent problems for postbaccalaureate students interested in doing additional work in selected fields in geography. prereq: Maximum 4 credits can be applied to graduate program; instructor consent

University Catalogs

Geography Minor