Upcoming Courses
Fall 2024
SUST 101 Introduction to Sustainability
Provides a foundation for sustainability knowledge and problem-solving. Explores the relationships between people and natural systems, examines pressing global challenges, and outlines leadership solutions to wicked challenges. Consideration of the most urgent concerns tied to living out of balance with the planet that sustains life.
GEOG 210 Planet Earth - People and Place
Introduction to our earth as home to people and place through geographic approaches that analyze cultural, societal, economic, political, and environmental change. Topics include: human dimensions of climate change; sustainability; spatial analysis techniques and theories; population distributions and migration; cultural geographies; global economic development and its distribution; urbanization; political geography; and human-environment relations. (Same as Global Studies 210.)
- Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSSA)
GEOG 250 Planet Earth: Wind, Water, Fire (ENDEAVOR only)
Basic concepts of earth systems science and physical geography. Topics include introduction to mapping, GIS, and remote sensing; weather and climate; drought, floods, and environmental hydrology; earthquakes, volcanos, landforms, and geomorphology; and the interactions of all of the above with humans and the earth's biota. Climate change and the spatial inequalities in environmental pollution and resources are emphasized. (Same as Environmental Studies 250.)
- Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSNB)
GEOG 260 Foundations of Geospatial Analysis
Introduces the data and technology underlying quantitative spatial analysis. Covers foundational concepts of geospatial data (raster, vector, coordinate systems, map projections, scale, symbology, and metadata) and introduces students to geospatial technology (GIS, GPS, remote sensing, web and mobile mapping). Uses spatial data from multiple national and international data platforms (e.g. USGS, Census Bureau, CDC, UN) to create maps and perform basic spatial analysis. Introduction to concepts of map reading and design.
GEOG 280 Cartographic Design and Spatial Data Visualization
The objectives of this course are as follows:
Provide students with a robust experience using and thinking about spatial data visualization
Understanding of the elements of map design, when and how to use them
Spatial data Collection, Creation, Manipulation, and Visualization
Symbolization and Text presentation in projects
Throughout the lectures and hands-on assignments, the course should provide students with strong design considerations when visualizing data (spatial or aspatial).
GEOG 333 Geographies of Amazonia (SSIR restricted)
Popular images of Amazonia exhibit an endless expanse of rainforest replete towering trees, unusual animals, primeval peoples, and threatened ecosystems. However, the Amazon basin is much more than the world’s greatest rainforest, richest reserve of biological and cultural diversity, and largest source of running fresh water. Amazonia is a space of connection and contradiction. Straddling nine countries, the Amazon basin flows through the rest of the world: providing beef to Europe, timber to Asia, and drugs to North America. These and other economic networks threaten the basin before we fully understand the region’s role in climate change, species diversity, and water and carbon cycling. Indeed, today’s Amazonia is puzzling, with a population that is more urban than rural, with more spaces of connection than isolation, and more questions than answers.
GEOG 360 Environmental Remote Sensing
Concepts of image acquisition, image interpretation, and satellite remote sensing. Includes electromagnetic spectrum concepts, acquisition of image data, visual characteristics of vegetation and landforms, image interpretation, classification and transformation, and integration of remotely sensed imagery into other spatial analysis systems. Student research projects.
GEOG 370 Global Climate Investment
An urgent need for effective climate mitigation and adaptation challenges us to look more deeply and holistically at climate finance and decarbonization investments to understand where current models fall short. We have opportunities to learn from decades of failures! Most climate action proposals ignore climate justice and basic protection of ecosystems and livelihoods as necessary to be on track to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We will take a human rights approach based on the UN’s recognition of a clean and healthy environment as a human right for all people on Earth.
GEOG 401 Capstone
Capstone course is the culmination of the Geography major. The primary objective is to further develop students' ability to conduct geographic research through the practical application of geographic methods and theory. Students will synthesize their knowledge of geography with an individual thesis or group project.