Twin Cities campus
 
Twin Cities Campus

Geography B.A.

Geography, Environment, Society
College of Liberal Arts
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 34 to 51
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
The B.A. in Geography answers the need in our society for an integrated, critical understanding of the world's peoples, cultures, and societies, as well as its environments and landscapes, natural and human made -- at every scale from neighborhoods and cities, to nations, regions, and the world as a whole. Many contemporary issues are fundamentally geographic. Why are there social and spatial inequalities in the world's cities and regions? What roles do geographies of social difference around race, class, ethnicity, and gender play in constructing and resisting power structures in society at large? Why does it make sense to view cultural practices like music or tourism as contested traditions in which geographic difference matters? What new relationships are forming around climate change and human and ecological health? Why is it important to understand struggles over the meaning of common lands and other natural resources? Why does climate change vary from place to place? What are the local vulnerabilities to flood hazards or the local prospects for renewable wind energy? Geography is a way of seeing which has unparalleled applicability in the world today. It is a meeting place for the study of social, political, cultural, and environmental changes, as these occur in cities, regions, countries, and globally. Students majoring in Geography or adding it as a double major can build an area of expertise matching their interests and imparting knowledge and skills to move them forward in their desired professional trajectory. With the assistance of our Undergraduate Advisor students choose courses to develop a theme in the major: in Urban Geography students focus on the social-spatial processes and patterns that result from human beings living in cities, including cities themselves as expressions of collective human life. In Environment, Health and Society, attention is drawn to the intersection between the human and natural world and the way those intersections impact human life, human health, and the natural world. In Economy and Development Studies the emphasis falls on the economic relationships and power differentials among different parts of the world. Environmental Geography specializes in the scientific study of natural processes and systems from the perspective of the physical and biological sciences. In Geographic Information Science (GIS), students learn how to use different spatial software packages to use quantitative and qualitative data to analyze and visualize issues of geographic importance. The Geography B.A. incorporates all of CLA’s “career competencies” and prepares students for numerous career paths. Geographers have found a place in the for profit and non-profit sectors, in land use and natural resource planning agencies and departments at all levels of government, and more. Many Geography majors have become teachers or been accepted to graduate programs.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of any second language. with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department or college.
CLA BA degrees require 18 upper division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Geography BA is GEOG. Some GEOG 5xxx-level courses are graduate-level courses and will require departmental consent. A given course may only count towards one major requirement. At least 14 upper-division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Students may earn up to one undergraduate degree in the geography program: a BA, a BS, or a minor. Students in the Geography BA or minor may combine those programs with a major or minor in Urban Studies, or the other departmental minors, Public Health and Geographic Information Science. All incoming CLA first-year (freshmen) must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence. All incoming CLA first-year (freshmen) students earning a BA, BS, or BIS degree must complete the second-year career management course CLA 3002. All students must complete a capstone in at least one CLA major. The requirements for double majors completing the capstone in a different CLA major will be clearly stated. Students must also complete all major requirements in both majors to allow the additional capstone to be waived. Student completing an addition degree must complete the capstone in each degree area.
Breadth Requirement
Students may count two 1xxx courses toward the breadth requirement.
Human Geography
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 1301W - Our Globalizing World [SOCS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 1372 - Geography of Global Cities [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3341 - Black Geographies (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3371W - Cities, Citizens, and Communities [DSJ, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3373 - Changing Form of the City [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World [SOCS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 1973 - Geography of the Twin Cities [SOCS] (3.0 cr)
or GEOG 3973 - Geography of the Twin Cities [SOCS] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3331 - Geography of the World Economy [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
or GLOS 3231 - Geography of the World Economy [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3379 - Environment and Development in the Third World [SOCS, ENV] (3.0 cr)
or GLOS 3303 - Environment and Development in the Third World [SOCS, ENV] (3.0 cr)
Environmental Geography
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change [ENV, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3421 - Climatology (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3423 - Urban Climatology (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3431 - Plant and Animal Geography (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3839 - Introduction to Dendrochronology (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 1403 - Biogeography of the Global Garden [BIOL, ENV] (4.0 cr)
or GEOG 1403H - Honors: Biogeography of the Global Garden [BIOL, ENV] (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 1425 - Introduction to Weather and Climate [PHYS, ENV] (4.0 cr)
or ESPM 1425 - Introduction to Weather and Climate [PHYS, ENV] (4.0 cr)
Geographic Information Science
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 1502 - Mapping Our World [TS, SOCS] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3511 - Principles of Cartography (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3541 - Principles of Geocomputing (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5563 - Advanced Geographic Information Science (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5564 - Urban Geographic Information Science and Analysis (3.0 cr)
· GIS 5576 - Spatial Digital Humanities (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis (4.0 cr)
or GEOG 5531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science (4.0 cr)
or GEOG 5561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science (4.0 cr)
Ways of Knowing
The Ways of Knowing requirement provides a theory-intensive overview of the discipline. Students are encouraged to take 3-5 of their breadth courses and electives before taking their Ways of Knowing course.
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling 3 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 4001 - Modes of Geographic Inquiry (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4002W - Environmental Thought and Practice [WI] (3.0 cr)
Electives
Students should work with the departmental advisor to develop a coherent set of electives that meet specific educational goals. Students may petition to take GIS courses when prerequisites have been fulfilled.
Take 6 or more course(s) totaling 18 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 3101 - Geography of the United States and Canada [SOCS, TS] (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3111 - Geography of Minnesota (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3121 - Geography of Latin America (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3161 - Europe: A Geographic Perspective [GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3211 - East Asia (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3341 - Black Geographies (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3371W - Cities, Citizens, and Communities [DSJ, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3373 - Changing Form of the City [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3374W - The City in Film [AH, WI] (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3376 - Political Ecology of North America [ENV] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3377 - Music in the City [DSJ, AH] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World [SOCS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3388 - Going Places: Geographies of Travel and Tourism [CIV] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change [ENV, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3411W - Geography of Health and Health Care [WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3421 - Climatology (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3423 - Urban Climatology (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3431 - Plant and Animal Geography (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3511 - Principles of Cartography (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3541 - Principles of Geocomputing (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3605 - Geographic Perspectives on Planning (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3839 - Introduction to Dendrochronology (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3900 - Topics in Geography (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3973 - Geography of the Twin Cities [SOCS] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3992 - Directed Reading (1.0-8.0 cr)
· GEOG 3993 - Directed Studies (1.0-8.0 cr)
· GEOG 3994 - Directed Research (1.0-8.0 cr)
· GEOG 4001 - Modes of Geographic Inquiry (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4002W - Environmental Thought and Practice [WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5385 - Globalization and Development: Political Economy (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 5426 - Climatic Variations (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5543 - Advanced Geocomputing (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5562 - GIS Development Practicum (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5563 - Advanced Geographic Information Science (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5564 - Urban Geographic Information Science and Analysis (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5588 - Advanced Geovisualization (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 5900 - Topics in Geography (3.0 cr)
· GIS 5555 - Basic Spatial Analysis (3.0 cr)
· GIS 5571 - ArcGIS I (3.0 cr)
· GIS 5576 - Spatial Digital Humanities (3.0 cr)
· GIS 5578 - GIS Programming (3.0 cr)
· URBS 3001W - Introduction to Urban Studies: The Complexity of Metropolitan Life [WI] (3.0 cr)
· URBS 3751 - Understanding the Urban Environment [ENV] (3.0 cr)
· URBS 3771 - Fundamentals of Transit (3.0 cr)
· URBS 3861 - Financing Cities (3.0 cr)
· URBS 3871 - A Suburban World (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3145 - The Islamic World [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
or RELS 3711 - The Islamic World [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3331 - Geography of the World Economy [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
or GLOS 3231 - Geography of the World Economy [SOCS, GP] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis (4.0 cr)
or GEOG 5531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science (4.0 cr)
or GEOG 5561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3379 - Environment and Development in the Third World [SOCS, ENV] (3.0 cr)
or GLOS 3303 - Environment and Development in the Third World [SOCS, ENV] (3.0 cr)
Capstone
Capstone registration is restricted to Senior Geography majors. Students who double major and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major are still required to take the Geography capstone.
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 1 credit(s) from the following:
· GEOG 3991 - Geography Capstone (1.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· GEOG 3371W - Cities, Citizens, and Communities [DSJ, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3374W - The City in Film [AH, WI] (4.0 cr)
· GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World [SOCS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3411W - Geography of Health and Health Care [WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4002W - Environmental Thought and Practice [WI] (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change [ENV, WI] (3.0 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Liberal Arts

View sample plan(s):
· Geography BA Sample Plan - Human Geography Interest

View checkpoint chart:
· Geography B.A.
View PDF Version:
Search.
Search Programs

Search University Catalogs
Related links.

College of Liberal Arts

TC Undergraduate Admissions

TC Undergraduate Application

One Stop
for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
 
GEOG 1301W - Our Globalizing World (SOCS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1301W/Geog 1301V
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to geographical understandings of globalization and of connections/differences between places.
GEOG 1372 - Geography of Global Cities (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1372/GloS 1672
Typically offered: Every Fall
Urban forms/processes. Uses key global cities as examples. Political, historical, and economic contexts of cities. Planning ideologies. Globalization. Race/segregation. Population growth. Environmental problems. Current issues in global urbanization.
GEOG 3341 - Black Geographies
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Afro 3341/Geog 3341
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will engage the sub-discipline of Black Geographies by looking at Geographical literature on the question of Blackness as well as case studies on the ways in which Afro-descendant populations make place. Course readings and films will attend to Blackness as it manifests across the African Diaspora, with specific focus on the Americas. We will discuss the experiences and struggles of enslaved Africans in the Americas, struggles against slavery, the ways in which we can understand histories of Blackness, and different forms of struggle employed by Afro-descendant populations today. At the end of the semester students will have a solid grounding in the literature around Black Geographies, as well as a nuanced understanding of the different ways in which Black populations analyze and create space.
GEOG 3371W - Cities, Citizens, and Communities (DSJ, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to cities and suburbs as unique crossroads of cultural, social, and political processes. Competing/conflicting visions of city life, cultural diversity, and justice. Focuses on the American city.
GEOG 3373 - Changing Form of the City (HIS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban origins, ancient cultures/cities, the medieval city, rediscovery of planning, colonial cities. Industrialization and urban expansion. Speculative cities, utopian cities, planning triumphs/disasters. Cities as reflections of society, culture, the past.
GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World (SOCS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3381W/GLOS 3701W
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Comparative analysis and explanation of trends in fertility, mortality, internal and international migration in different parts of the world; world population problems; population policies; theories of population growth; impact of population growth on food supply and the environment.
GEOG 1973 - Geography of the Twin Cities (SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1973/3973
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Social and physical characteristics of the Twin Cities. Their place in the urban network of the United States.
GEOG 3973 - Geography of the Twin Cities (SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1973/3973
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Social/physical characteristics of Twin Cities. Their place in U.S. urban network.
GEOG 3331 - Geography of the World Economy (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3331/GloS 3231
Typically offered: Every Fall
Geographical distribution of resources affecting development; location of agriculture, industry, services; geography of communications; agglomeration of economic activities, urbanization, regional growth; international trade; changing global development inequalities; impact of globalizing production and finance on the welfare of nations, regions, and cities.
GLOS 3231 - Geography of the World Economy (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3331/GloS 3231
Typically offered: Every Fall
Geographical distribution of resources affecting development. Location of agriculture, industry, services. Agglomeration of economic activities, urbanization, regional growth. International trade. Changing global development inequalities. Impact on nations, regions, cities.
GEOG 3379 - Environment and Development in the Third World (SOCS, ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3379/GloS 3303
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Concepts for analyzing relations between capitalist development and environment in Third World. Historical geography of capitalist development. Case studies. Likelihood of social/environmental sustainability. prereq: Soph or jr or sr
GLOS 3303 - Environment and Development in the Third World (SOCS, ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3379/GloS 3303
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Concepts for analyzing relations between capitalist development and environment in Third World. Historical geography of capitalist development. Case studies. Likelihood of social/environmental sustainability. prereq: Soph or jr or sr
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change (ENV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3401W/5401W
Typically offered: Every Spring
Geographic patterns, dynamics, and interactions of atmospheric, hydrospheric, geomorphic, pedologic, and biologic systems as context for human population, development, and resource use patterns.
GEOG 3421 - Climatology
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
This is a course on general climatology and the physical fundamentals of climate change that are most relevant to biophysical and socio-environmental processes. It is geared towards students in geography, environmental science, and the liberal arts and humanities who need a foundational understanding of climatology to grapple with social and biophysical dimensions of climate change. In a conceptual but not heavily quantitative framework, course activities (readings, discussion, lectures, computer labs), the course provides a broad-level overview of the physical processes that underlie Earth's climate system and lead to climate variations at global, regional, and local scales, as well as a survey of contemporary topics in climate change science. Course themes include: Earth's atmosphere and ocean; global energy and water balances; general and secondary circulation; controls on regional climate; climate data collection and interpretation; coupled modes of climate variability and related teleconnections; paleoclimatology; climate change; extreme events; climate modeling frameworks; observed and anticipated climate change impacts.
GEOG 3423 - Urban Climatology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban climatology focuses on how cities modify the local environment. Initial focus is on urban energy balance as the basis of most urban-climate research. The course also explores how atmospheric composition, urban hydrology, and urban ecosystems affect the urban climate, and how urban climates are linked to regional and global climate change.
GEOG 3431 - Plant and Animal Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3431/5431
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Introduction to biogeography. Focuses on patterns of plant/animal distributions at different scales over time/space. Evolutionary, ecological, and applied biogeography. Paleobiogeography, vegetation-environment relationships, vegetation dynamics/disturbance ecology, human impact on plants/animals, nature conservation. Discussions, group/individual projects, local field trips.
GEOG 3839 - Introduction to Dendrochronology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Historical development, operational techniques, biological background, and principles of tree ring analysis. Applications of tree-ring data to investigate environmental change and past cultures. prereq: [1403, [BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1009 or equiv]] or instr consent
GEOG 1403 - Biogeography of the Global Garden (BIOL, ENV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1403/Geog 1403H
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The geography of biodiversity and productivity, from conspicuous species to those that cause human disease and economic hardship. The roles played by evolution and extinction, fluxes of energy, water, biochemicals, and dispersal. Experiments demonstrating interactions of managed and unmanaged biotic with the hydrologic cycle, energy budgets, nutrient cycles, the carbon budget, and soil processes.
GEOG 1403H - Honors: Biogeography of the Global Garden (BIOL, ENV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1403/Geog 1403H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The geography of biodiversity and productivity, from conspicuous species to those that cause human disease and economic hardship. The roles played by evolution and extinction, fluxes of energy, water, biochemicals, and dispersal. Experiments demonstrating interactions of managed and unmanaged biotic with the hydrologic cycle, energy budgets, nutrient cycles, the carbon budget, and soil processes. prereq: Honors
GEOG 1425 - Introduction to Weather and Climate (PHYS, ENV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: ESPM 1425/Geog 1425
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
A pre-calculus introduction to the nature of the atmosphere and its behavior. Topics covered include atmospheric composition, structure, stability, and motion; precipitation processes, air masses, fronts, cyclones, and anticyclones; general weather patterns; meteorological instruments and observation; weather map analysis; and weather forecasting.
ESPM 1425 - Introduction to Weather and Climate (PHYS, ENV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: ESPM 1425/Geog 1425
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
A pre-calculus introduction to the nature of the atmosphere and its behavior. Topics covered include atmospheric composition, structure, stability, and motion; precipitation processes, air masses, fronts, cyclones, and anticyclones; general weather patterns; meteorological instruments and observation; weather map analysis; and weather forecasting.
GEOG 1502 - Mapping Our World (TS, SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Learn how maps and other spatial technologies like phones, drones, and GPS work. Use web-based tools to make maps for class, jobs, and fun. Explore how mapping is a useful lens through which to view interactions between technology and society, and see how mapping technology saves lives, rigs elections, and spies on people.
GEOG 3511 - Principles of Cartography
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3511/Geog 5511
Typically offered: Every Fall
GEOG 3511/5511 is a basic introduction to cartography?the art, science, and technology of maps and map making. Our primary emphasis will be on map making, with lesser emphasis on cartographic research and the history of cartography. Lectures will focus on modern cartographic design principles, how they were developed, and how they might be changing. Lab assignments help develop skills using digital tools for producing effective maps. The course has several specific learning objectives: ? use software to create maps that communicate their subjects appropriately and effectively using sound cartographic design principles ? acquire or produce a base map that is appropriate in scale, projection, and generalization ? select and aggregate data appropriately to represent on a map using a suitable symbolization strategy ? gain an understanding of how current changes in technology impact maps and map making ? understand how fundamental design decisions might differ for printed maps and web/mobile maps ? understand how contemporary GIS and cartography are interrelated, including the use of GIS becoming ubiquitous and map making becoming increasingly available to anyone ? gain an appreciation for the 3,500+ year history of maps! prereq: 3 cr in geog or instr consent
GEOG 3541 - Principles of Geocomputing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3541/Geog 5541
Typically offered: Every Spring
The availability of computing infrastructures such as high-performance and cloud computing, high-speed networks, and rich data has led to a new scientific paradigm using computational approaches, termed computational science. Geocomputation is the "application of a computational science paradigm to study a wide range of problems in geographical and earth systems (the geo) contexts" (Openshaw, 2014). This course will introduce students to geocomputation as well as related areas including big spatial data, and cyberinfrastructure. Students will engage in hands-on exercises learning principles and best-practices in geocomputing. The ability to program is an essential skill for GIScientists. Learning to program takes time and a lot of practice, and in this course students will learn how to develop programs in the Python programming language to solve geospatial problems.
GEOG 5563 - Advanced Geographic Information Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced study of geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include spatial data models, topology, data encoding, data quality, database management, spatial analysis tools and visualization techniques. Hands-on experience using an advanced vector GIS package. prereq: B or better in 3561 or 5561 or instr consent
GEOG 5564 - Urban Geographic Information Science and Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Core concepts in urban geographic information science including sources for urban geographical and attribute data (including census data), urban data structures (focusing on the TIGER data structure), urban spatial analyses (including location-allocation models), geodemographic analysis, network analysis, and the display of urban data. prereq: 3561 or 5561
GIS 5576 - Spatial Digital Humanities
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to Spatial Digital Humanities GIS 5576 is a basic overview of desktop GIS (both Esri and open source), as well as an introduction to a number of other mapping techniques (such as Esri Maps for Office, ArcGIS Online, web mapping basics, georeferencing historical maps, etc) in addition to digital scholarship techniques. Course objectives include: understanding the basics of mapping and geospatial information using GIS; documenting and managing spatial data using coherent/standardized methods; understanding several spatial analysis methods that are relevant to student research area; and applying spatial research methods into student research.
GEOG 3531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3531/5531
Typically offered: Every Fall & Summer
"Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things." The First Law of Geography proposed by Waldo Tobler implies the complex yet fascinating nature of the geospatial world. Spatial analysis in order to understand geographic numbers is becoming increasingly necessary to support knowledge discovery and decision-making. The objective of this course is to teach the fundamental theory and quantitative methods within the scope of geospatial analysis. The course starts with basic statistics, matrix, the background of spatial analysis, and exploratory spatial data analysis. Then, we will dive into the special nature of our spatial world, with fundamental geographic ideas and theories being introduced. The focus will be on numerical methods and models including descriptive statistics, pattern analysis, interpolation, and regression models. Finally, some advanced topics regarding spatial complexities and spatial networks will be introduced to arouse further interest in this realm. To sum, this is an introductory course that makes use of quantitative analytics such as linear algebra, statistics, and econometrics for spatial data analysis. By taking this course you will: -quantitatively understand critical concepts behind geospatial processes, such as scale, spatial weights, spatial autocorrelation, spatial dependence, spatial pattern. -learn key methods of analyzing spatial data: e.g., point pattern analysis, spatial autocorrelation statistics, spatial prediction, and spatial regression. -examine the lectured methods/models with data from geographic scenarios using Python and related programming packages. (Prereq: high-school algebra; Basic stats and linear algebra recommended)
GEOG 5531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3531/5531
Typically offered: Every Fall
Applied/theoretical aspects of geographical quantitative methods for spatial analysis. Emphasizes analysis of geographical data for spatial problem solving in human/physical areas.
GEOG 3561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3561/ Geog 5561
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to study of geographic information systems (GIS) for geography and non-geography students. Topics include GIS application domains, data models and sources, analysis methods and output techniques. Lectures, readings and hands-on experience with GIS software. prereq: Jr or sr
GEOG 5561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3561/ Geog 5561
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to the study of geographic information systems (GIS) for geography and non-geography students. Topics include GIS application domains, data models and sources, analysis methods and output techniques. Lectures, reading, and hands-on experience with GIS software. prereq: grad
GEOG 4001 - Modes of Geographic Inquiry
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Examination of competing approaches to the study of geography. Environmental determinism; regional tradition; scientific revolution; behavioral geography; modeling and quantitative geography; radical geography; interpretive and qualitative approaches; feminist and postmodern geography; ecological thinking and complexity; geographic ethics.
GEOG 4002W - Environmental Thought and Practice (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Changing conceptions of nature, culture, and environment in Western social/political thought. How our understanding of humans/nonhumans has been transformed by scientific and technological practices. Interdisciplinary, reading intensive. prereq: Jr or sr
GEOG 3101 - Geography of the United States and Canada (SOCS, TS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3101/3102
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Analysis of the ways in which the aspirations and abilities of diverse groups of people interact with the complexities of the natural environment to produce the contemporary pluralistic cultures and regional differentiation of the United States and Canada.
GEOG 3111 - Geography of Minnesota
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring & Summer
The evolution of Minnesota and its current geographical characteristics. The state is a unique political entity that possesses similarities with other states because of the homogenizing influence of the federal government.
GEOG 3121 - Geography of Latin America
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will look at historical and contemporary Latin America to give students an idea about the varied political, economic, and cultural practices in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Readings will focus mostly on the experiences and struggles of Afro-Latin, indigenous, and working-class populations in Latin America, in order that we might learn about the region from otherwise marginalized viewpoints. Course assignments will ask students to critically reflect on the power relations that shaped and continue to shape the region. Course topics include colonialism, state formation, present-day territorial contestation, and the current political shifts that dominate the news headlines across the region. At the end of the semester students will have a solid understanding of the forces responsible for conditions in present-day Latin America.
GEOG 3161 - Europe: A Geographic Perspective (GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3161/GLoS 3921
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Comparative analysis and explanation of Europe's physical, demographic, ethnic/cultural, economic, political, and urban landscapes. European integration--the European Union. Transformation of Eastern Europe.
GEOG 3211 - East Asia
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3211/3215/5211/5215
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Physical and human geography of Japan, mainland China and Taiwan, North and South Korea; population pressure, economic and urban development, and international relations.
GEOG 3341 - Black Geographies
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Afro 3341/Geog 3341
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will engage the sub-discipline of Black Geographies by looking at Geographical literature on the question of Blackness as well as case studies on the ways in which Afro-descendant populations make place. Course readings and films will attend to Blackness as it manifests across the African Diaspora, with specific focus on the Americas. We will discuss the experiences and struggles of enslaved Africans in the Americas, struggles against slavery, the ways in which we can understand histories of Blackness, and different forms of struggle employed by Afro-descendant populations today. At the end of the semester students will have a solid grounding in the literature around Black Geographies, as well as a nuanced understanding of the different ways in which Black populations analyze and create space.
GEOG 3371W - Cities, Citizens, and Communities (DSJ, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to cities and suburbs as unique crossroads of cultural, social, and political processes. Competing/conflicting visions of city life, cultural diversity, and justice. Focuses on the American city.
GEOG 3373 - Changing Form of the City (HIS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban origins, ancient cultures/cities, the medieval city, rediscovery of planning, colonial cities. Industrialization and urban expansion. Speculative cities, utopian cities, planning triumphs/disasters. Cities as reflections of society, culture, the past.
GEOG 3374W - The City in Film (AH, WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3374W/3374V/5374W
Typically offered: Every Spring
Cinematic portrayal of changes in 20th-century cities worldwide including social and cultural conflict, political and economic processes, changing gender relationships, rural versus urban areas, and population and development issues (especially as they affect women and children).
GEOG 3376 - Political Ecology of North America (ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Social production of nature in North America related to questions of social/environmental justice. Economic, political, cultural, ecological relations that shape specific urban/rural environments, social movements that have arisen in response to environmental change. Importance of culture/identity in struggles over resources/environments.
GEOG 3377 - Music in the City (DSJ, AH)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Why is music so central to the life of the city? Throughout the ages, throughout the world, music seems to have a special power to fill urban space with meaning. This is mostly why the music industry is always desperately trying to chase the new ways music is produced and consumed. Much about the rapid changes in the industry can be linked to changes taking place in the geography of cities and globalization. Through music, people feel connected to landscapes, neighborhoods, buildings, and identities. Music gives value to places, so helps cement us/them divisions, a process easily seen (heard) in national anthems. This course tries to understand how the interplay exactly occurs between sounds, places, and differences through case studies from many genres. The course makes use of a large range of media and learning styles. Themes include the transnational circuits of reggae, the class backgrounds of punk, Motown and civil rights, psychedelic counterculture, underground electronic music, and the ambivalent identities of Minneapolis's very own Prince.
GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World (SOCS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3381W/GLOS 3701W
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Comparative analysis and explanation of trends in fertility, mortality, internal and international migration in different parts of the world; world population problems; population policies; theories of population growth; impact of population growth on food supply and the environment.
GEOG 3388 - Going Places: Geographies of Travel and Tourism (CIV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Are you wondering whether you will be able to travel as you did a few years ago? One of the largest industries, tourism is in a profound crisis. This course understands tourism in relation to other kinds of mobility, like shopping, colonialism, trafficking, migration, and pilgrimage. As the negative environmental and health impacts of tourism have become obvious, significant demands have emerged on its practices and policies. Investigating the landscapes and economies of cars, planes, beaches, parks, malls, and museums, we come to appreciate the unique challenges tourism poses for global citizenship and the planet. To gain a critical geographical understanding of mobility we engage a range of ethical frameworks such as human rights, feminism, social justice, and utilitarianism. Our final destination is an informed and critical ethics of travel in the age of pandemics and climate change.
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change (ENV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3401W/5401W
Typically offered: Every Spring
Geographic patterns, dynamics, and interactions of atmospheric, hydrospheric, geomorphic, pedologic, and biologic systems as context for human population, development, and resource use patterns.
GEOG 3411W - Geography of Health and Health Care (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Application of human ecology, spatial analysis, political economy, and other geographical approaches to analyze problems of health and health care. Topics include distribution and diffusion of disease; impact of environmental, demographic, and social change on health; distribution, accessibility, and utilization of health practitioners and facilities.
GEOG 3421 - Climatology
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
This is a course on general climatology and the physical fundamentals of climate change that are most relevant to biophysical and socio-environmental processes. It is geared towards students in geography, environmental science, and the liberal arts and humanities who need a foundational understanding of climatology to grapple with social and biophysical dimensions of climate change. In a conceptual but not heavily quantitative framework, course activities (readings, discussion, lectures, computer labs), the course provides a broad-level overview of the physical processes that underlie Earth's climate system and lead to climate variations at global, regional, and local scales, as well as a survey of contemporary topics in climate change science. Course themes include: Earth's atmosphere and ocean; global energy and water balances; general and secondary circulation; controls on regional climate; climate data collection and interpretation; coupled modes of climate variability and related teleconnections; paleoclimatology; climate change; extreme events; climate modeling frameworks; observed and anticipated climate change impacts.
GEOG 3423 - Urban Climatology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Urban climatology focuses on how cities modify the local environment. Initial focus is on urban energy balance as the basis of most urban-climate research. The course also explores how atmospheric composition, urban hydrology, and urban ecosystems affect the urban climate, and how urban climates are linked to regional and global climate change.
GEOG 3431 - Plant and Animal Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3431/5431
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Introduction to biogeography. Focuses on patterns of plant/animal distributions at different scales over time/space. Evolutionary, ecological, and applied biogeography. Paleobiogeography, vegetation-environment relationships, vegetation dynamics/disturbance ecology, human impact on plants/animals, nature conservation. Discussions, group/individual projects, local field trips.
GEOG 3511 - Principles of Cartography
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3511/Geog 5511
Typically offered: Every Fall
GEOG 3511/5511 is a basic introduction to cartography?the art, science, and technology of maps and map making. Our primary emphasis will be on map making, with lesser emphasis on cartographic research and the history of cartography. Lectures will focus on modern cartographic design principles, how they were developed, and how they might be changing. Lab assignments help develop skills using digital tools for producing effective maps. The course has several specific learning objectives: ? use software to create maps that communicate their subjects appropriately and effectively using sound cartographic design principles ? acquire or produce a base map that is appropriate in scale, projection, and generalization ? select and aggregate data appropriately to represent on a map using a suitable symbolization strategy ? gain an understanding of how current changes in technology impact maps and map making ? understand how fundamental design decisions might differ for printed maps and web/mobile maps ? understand how contemporary GIS and cartography are interrelated, including the use of GIS becoming ubiquitous and map making becoming increasingly available to anyone ? gain an appreciation for the 3,500+ year history of maps! prereq: 3 cr in geog or instr consent
GEOG 3541 - Principles of Geocomputing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3541/Geog 5541
Typically offered: Every Spring
The availability of computing infrastructures such as high-performance and cloud computing, high-speed networks, and rich data has led to a new scientific paradigm using computational approaches, termed computational science. Geocomputation is the "application of a computational science paradigm to study a wide range of problems in geographical and earth systems (the geo) contexts" (Openshaw, 2014). This course will introduce students to geocomputation as well as related areas including big spatial data, and cyberinfrastructure. Students will engage in hands-on exercises learning principles and best-practices in geocomputing. The ability to program is an essential skill for GIScientists. Learning to program takes time and a lot of practice, and in this course students will learn how to develop programs in the Python programming language to solve geospatial problems.
GEOG 3605 - Geographic Perspectives on Planning
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the discipline of urban planning, and to the various challenges planning has aimed to respond during its history. How and why did cities come into being before the invention of modern urban planning? What were the challenges that modern urban planning arose to encounter in the late 20th century? How have the planning challenges changed since then, and how have planning tools and planning systems evolved since the early 21st century in different countries? During the course, we will also discuss the role of planning in contemporary society, asking who needs planning and why. How does planning respond to political struggles and conflicts of interests in cities today? Furthermore, we will reflect on the academic status of urban planning and ask: to what extent can planning be based on knowledge and theory? To answer these questions, we will study history of planning, get acquainted with the basics of planning theory, and look at various international examples of planning systems and planning practice drawn from a variety of international settings, the main focus being on US, UK, and mainland Europe.
GEOG 3839 - Introduction to Dendrochronology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Historical development, operational techniques, biological background, and principles of tree ring analysis. Applications of tree-ring data to investigate environmental change and past cultures. prereq: [1403, [BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1009 or equiv]] or instr consent
GEOG 3900 - Topics in Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Special topics/regions covered by visiting professors in their research fields.
GEOG 3973 - Geography of the Twin Cities (SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 1973/3973
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Social/physical characteristics of Twin Cities. Their place in U.S. urban network.
GEOG 3992 - Directed Reading
Credits: 1.0 -8.0 [max 12.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Guided individual reading. Prereq-instr consent, dept consent, college consent.
GEOG 3993 - Directed Studies
Credits: 1.0 -8.0 [max 12.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Guided individual study. Prereq-instr consent, dept consent, college consent.
GEOG 3994 - Directed Research
Credits: 1.0 -8.0 [max 12.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Individual guided research. Prereq instr consent, dept consent, college consent.
GEOG 4001 - Modes of Geographic Inquiry
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Examination of competing approaches to the study of geography. Environmental determinism; regional tradition; scientific revolution; behavioral geography; modeling and quantitative geography; radical geography; interpretive and qualitative approaches; feminist and postmodern geography; ecological thinking and complexity; geographic ethics.
GEOG 4002W - Environmental Thought and Practice (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Changing conceptions of nature, culture, and environment in Western social/political thought. How our understanding of humans/nonhumans has been transformed by scientific and technological practices. Interdisciplinary, reading intensive. prereq: Jr or sr
GEOG 5385 - Globalization and Development: Political Economy
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Nature/scope of modern world system (capitalism), its impact on regional development processes. Roles of state and of international financial institutions. prereq: Sr or grad or instr consent
GEOG 5426 - Climatic Variations
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Theories of climatic fluctuations and change at decadal to centuries time scales; analysis of temporal and spatial fluctuations especially during the period of instrumental record. prereq: 1425 or 3401 or instr consent
GEOG 5543 - Advanced Geocomputing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
The availability of computing infrastructures such as high-performance and cloud computing, highspeed networks, and rich data has led to a new scientific paradigm using computational approaches, termed computational science. Geocomputation is the "application of a computational science paradigm to study a wide range of problems in geographical and earth systems (the geo) contexts" (Openshaw, 2014). This course will delve into advanced topics in geocomputation as well as related areas ranging from geographic information and spatial big data to cyberinfrastructure and parallel computation. Students will engage in hands-on exercises learning principles and best practices in geocomputing while using cutting-edge computational infrastructures.
GEOG 5562 - GIS Development Practicum
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Prerequisites: GIS 5571 or #
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Algorithms/data structures for digital cartographic data, topological relationships, surface modeling, and interpolation. Map projections, geometric transformations, numerical generalization, raster/vector processing. Hands-on experience with software packages. prereq: GIS 5571 or instr consent
GEOG 5563 - Advanced Geographic Information Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced study of geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include spatial data models, topology, data encoding, data quality, database management, spatial analysis tools and visualization techniques. Hands-on experience using an advanced vector GIS package. prereq: B or better in 3561 or 5561 or instr consent
GEOG 5564 - Urban Geographic Information Science and Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Core concepts in urban geographic information science including sources for urban geographical and attribute data (including census data), urban data structures (focusing on the TIGER data structure), urban spatial analyses (including location-allocation models), geodemographic analysis, network analysis, and the display of urban data. prereq: 3561 or 5561
GEOG 5588 - Advanced Geovisualization
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
The generation and use of geographic information has become an integral part of our daily life, science, and technology. This has led to increasing interest in the design and development of interactive maps and dynamic geographic visualizations in 2D, 3D, and Web environments. The Advanced Geovisualization course intends to equip students with the knowledge and advanced technical skills needed to design and implement effective maps and create dynamic and interactive visualizations using geospatial data sets.
GEOG 5900 - Topics in Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Special topics and regions. Course offered by visiting professors in their research fields.
GIS 5555 - Basic Spatial Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
How to use spatial data to answer questions on a wide array of social, natural, and information science issues. Exploratory data analysis/visualization. Spatial autocorrelation analysis/regression. prereq: [STAT 3001 or equiv, MGIS student] or instr consent
GIS 5571 - ArcGIS I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
First of a two-course series focusing on ArcGIS Desktop. Overview of ArcGIS system and its use for spatial data processing. Data capture, editing, geometric transformations, map projections, topology, Python scripting, and map production. prereq: [GEOG 5561 or equiv, status in MGIS program, familiarity with computer operating systems] or instr consent
GIS 5576 - Spatial Digital Humanities
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to Spatial Digital Humanities GIS 5576 is a basic overview of desktop GIS (both Esri and open source), as well as an introduction to a number of other mapping techniques (such as Esri Maps for Office, ArcGIS Online, web mapping basics, georeferencing historical maps, etc) in addition to digital scholarship techniques. Course objectives include: understanding the basics of mapping and geospatial information using GIS; documenting and managing spatial data using coherent/standardized methods; understanding several spatial analysis methods that are relevant to student research area; and applying spatial research methods into student research.
GIS 5578 - GIS Programming
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
This Python-focused GIS course is intended for students who have some Python programming experience, or have experience with other programming language(s) and knowledge transferable to Python. Following a review of Python basics, students will use Python modules for spatial data management, mapping, and analysis, including ArcGIS's ArcPy package; work with classes in Python; develop custom modules; and create development environments. A semester-long programming project applying Python skills to a GIS challenge is a significant component of the course. prereq: instr consent
URBS 3001W - Introduction to Urban Studies: The Complexity of Metropolitan Life (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Urbs 1001W/Urbs 3001W
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Interdisciplinary course, ranging across spatial, historical, economic, political, and design perspectives, among many others.
URBS 3751 - Understanding the Urban Environment (ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Examine links between cities and the environment with emphasis on air, soil, water, pollution, parks and green space, undesirable land uses, environmental justice, and the basic question of how to sustain urban development in an increasingly fragile global surrounding.
URBS 3771 - Fundamentals of Transit
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Importance of transit to an urban area. Issues surrounding development/operation of transit. Defining various modes of transit, evaluating why/where each may be used. Making capital improvements to transit system. Finance, travel demand forecasting, environmental assessment, scheduling, evaluation of effectiveness/accessibility.
URBS 3861 - Financing Cities
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
The most critical question in government is how you are going to pay for something. There is a plethora of good ideas but only so much money. This class looks at how cities are funded. It looks at tax systems, fee systems, grants, special revenues, private development funding and other ways that we pay for cities. It provides practical knowledge on how city activities are funded.
URBS 3871 - A Suburban World
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Suburbs as sites of urgent battles over resources, planning practices, land use, and economic development. How suburban life shapes values, political ideals, and worldviews of its populations.
GEOG 3145 - The Islamic World (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3145/GloS 3645/RelS 3711
Typically offered: Every Fall
The Islamic World is an overarching course on the Muslim world that addresses the following intellectual concerns: 1. Islam and its contribution to the emergence of the modern world 2. Medieval Muslim civilization and their contribution to human culture 3. The relationship between Islam and gender roles in different Muslim cultures 4. The Muslim community?s struggle against colonialism and post-colonialism 5. Islam?s role in the struggle for Democracy and Development in the Muslim World 6. The relationships between Islam and the environment 7. The relationships between Islam and human rights 8. The relations between the West?s war on terror and the terror of War in the Muslim World
RELS 3711 - The Islamic World (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3145/GloS 3645/RelS 3711
Typically offered: Every Fall
The Islamic World is an overarching course on the Muslim world that addresses the following intellectual concerns: 1. Islam and its contribution to the emergence of the modern world 2. Medieval Muslim civilization and their contribution to human culture 3. The relationship between Islam and gender roles in different Muslim cultures 4. The Muslim community?s struggle against colonialism and post-colonialism 5. Islam?s role in the struggle for Democracy and Development in the Muslim World 6. The relationships between Islam and the environment 7. The relationships between Islam and human rights 8. The relations between the West?s war on terror and the terror of War in the Muslim World
GEOG 3331 - Geography of the World Economy (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3331/GloS 3231
Typically offered: Every Fall
Geographical distribution of resources affecting development; location of agriculture, industry, services; geography of communications; agglomeration of economic activities, urbanization, regional growth; international trade; changing global development inequalities; impact of globalizing production and finance on the welfare of nations, regions, and cities.
GLOS 3231 - Geography of the World Economy (SOCS, GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3331/GloS 3231
Typically offered: Every Fall
Geographical distribution of resources affecting development. Location of agriculture, industry, services. Agglomeration of economic activities, urbanization, regional growth. International trade. Changing global development inequalities. Impact on nations, regions, cities.
GEOG 3531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3531/5531
Typically offered: Every Fall & Summer
"Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things." The First Law of Geography proposed by Waldo Tobler implies the complex yet fascinating nature of the geospatial world. Spatial analysis in order to understand geographic numbers is becoming increasingly necessary to support knowledge discovery and decision-making. The objective of this course is to teach the fundamental theory and quantitative methods within the scope of geospatial analysis. The course starts with basic statistics, matrix, the background of spatial analysis, and exploratory spatial data analysis. Then, we will dive into the special nature of our spatial world, with fundamental geographic ideas and theories being introduced. The focus will be on numerical methods and models including descriptive statistics, pattern analysis, interpolation, and regression models. Finally, some advanced topics regarding spatial complexities and spatial networks will be introduced to arouse further interest in this realm. To sum, this is an introductory course that makes use of quantitative analytics such as linear algebra, statistics, and econometrics for spatial data analysis. By taking this course you will: -quantitatively understand critical concepts behind geospatial processes, such as scale, spatial weights, spatial autocorrelation, spatial dependence, spatial pattern. -learn key methods of analyzing spatial data: e.g., point pattern analysis, spatial autocorrelation statistics, spatial prediction, and spatial regression. -examine the lectured methods/models with data from geographic scenarios using Python and related programming packages. (Prereq: high-school algebra; Basic stats and linear algebra recommended)
GEOG 5531 - Numerical Spatial Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3531/5531
Typically offered: Every Fall
Applied/theoretical aspects of geographical quantitative methods for spatial analysis. Emphasizes analysis of geographical data for spatial problem solving in human/physical areas.
GEOG 3561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3561/ Geog 5561
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to study of geographic information systems (GIS) for geography and non-geography students. Topics include GIS application domains, data models and sources, analysis methods and output techniques. Lectures, readings and hands-on experience with GIS software. prereq: Jr or sr
GEOG 5561 - Principles of Geographic Information Science
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3561/ Geog 5561
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to the study of geographic information systems (GIS) for geography and non-geography students. Topics include GIS application domains, data models and sources, analysis methods and output techniques. Lectures, reading, and hands-on experience with GIS software. prereq: grad
GEOG 3379 - Environment and Development in the Third World (SOCS, ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3379/GloS 3303
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Concepts for analyzing relations between capitalist development and environment in Third World. Historical geography of capitalist development. Case studies. Likelihood of social/environmental sustainability. prereq: Soph or jr or sr
GLOS 3303 - Environment and Development in the Third World (SOCS, ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3379/GloS 3303
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Concepts for analyzing relations between capitalist development and environment in Third World. Historical geography of capitalist development. Case studies. Likelihood of social/environmental sustainability. prereq: Soph or jr or sr
GEOG 3991 - Geography Capstone
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The goals of this course are to help you reflect on your path through your Geography BA or BS major, assess the knowledge and skills you developed during your degree program, recognize how your knowledge and skills support your personal and professional interests and goals, and articulate the value of a geographic perspective for tackling complex social and environmental issues. The course is only open to students in their senior year.
GEOG 3371W - Cities, Citizens, and Communities (DSJ, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to cities and suburbs as unique crossroads of cultural, social, and political processes. Competing/conflicting visions of city life, cultural diversity, and justice. Focuses on the American city.
GEOG 3374W - The City in Film (AH, WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3374W/3374V/5374W
Typically offered: Every Spring
Cinematic portrayal of changes in 20th-century cities worldwide including social and cultural conflict, political and economic processes, changing gender relationships, rural versus urban areas, and population and development issues (especially as they affect women and children).
GEOG 3381W - Population in an Interacting World (SOCS, GP, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3381W/GLOS 3701W
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Comparative analysis and explanation of trends in fertility, mortality, internal and international migration in different parts of the world; world population problems; population policies; theories of population growth; impact of population growth on food supply and the environment.
GEOG 3411W - Geography of Health and Health Care (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Application of human ecology, spatial analysis, political economy, and other geographical approaches to analyze problems of health and health care. Topics include distribution and diffusion of disease; impact of environmental, demographic, and social change on health; distribution, accessibility, and utilization of health practitioners and facilities.
GEOG 4002W - Environmental Thought and Practice (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Changing conceptions of nature, culture, and environment in Western social/political thought. How our understanding of humans/nonhumans has been transformed by scientific and technological practices. Interdisciplinary, reading intensive. prereq: Jr or sr
GEOG 3401W - Geography of Environmental Systems and Global Change (ENV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Geog 3401W/5401W
Typically offered: Every Spring
Geographic patterns, dynamics, and interactions of atmospheric, hydrospheric, geomorphic, pedologic, and biologic systems as context for human population, development, and resource use patterns.