Assistant Professors: Osama Abdelgadier, Elaine Hartwick, Hiroko Sakai

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of eleven (11) courses outside of the major department (see page 34). The General Education Goal 11 (Non-Western Studies) requirement is satisfied through the completion of the Geography major.

22.101 Introduction to Human Geography

22.110 World Regional Geography

22.203 Introduction to Physical Geography

22.214 Geographical Techniques – Quantitative Methods

22.216 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

Geography majors must concentrate in a specialization within the major. The concentrations shown below are designed to prepare a student for a career or further study in geography. Selections of a concentration should be made as early as possible with an advisor. Students are also strongly encouraged to develop foreign language and computer skills. Geography majors may complete an approved minor through a combination of five (5) related elective courses and/or free electives. This is to be done in consultation with the student’s advisor. Note: Regional geography courses, other than 22.110 World Regional Geography, are strongly recommended as related courses or free electives.

22.235 Environmental Law and Policy

22.240 Municipal Land Use

22.260 Introduction to Urban Studies and Planning in the United States

22.339 Methods for Planning Analysis and Plan Making

22.368 Community Development

22.370 Location Theory

One Additional Regional Geography Course

22.114 Geographical Techniques – Research Methods

22.180 Native Americans: A Geographical and Legal Perspective

22.201 Economic Geography

22.206 Political Geography

22.211 Cultural Geography

22.215 Religion as a Geographic Phenomenon

22.222 Geographic Perspectives on Globalization

22.225 Population, Food, and Global Development

22.230 Geography of Natural and Man-Made Hazards

22.235 Environmental Law and Policy

22.375 Resource Management

22.490 Internship in Geography*

73.233 Environmental Geology for Town and Regional Planning

62.325 Public Management

52.251 Urban Sociology

12.230 Urban Economics

Specified General Education Course: choose one: 73.246 Oceanography (goal 6) or 73.231 Physical Geology (goal 6, Lab.)

Related: Choose four (4) courses in consultation with the concentration advisor (substitutions may be made with the approval of the Geography Department Chair).

22.114 Geographical Techniques – Research Methods

22.180 Native Americans: A Geographical and Legal Perspective

22.201 Economic Geography

22.206 Political Geography

22.211 Cultural Geography

22.215 Religion as a Geographic Phenomenon

22.222 Geographic Perspectives on Globalization

22.240 Municipal Land Use

22.260 Introduction to Urban Studies and Planning in the United States

22.490 Internship in Geography*

73.233 Environmental Geology for Town and Regional Planning

23.103 Ecological Implications of Conservation

23.200 Introduction to Environmental Science

23.203 Plants and Society

23.316 Wetlands: Hydrology, Ecology, Restoration

23.335 Principles of Wildlife Biology

53.241 Introduction to Meteorology

14.200 Education in American Society with Field Study I

42.200 Psychology of Development (Gen. Ed.)

14.320 The Young Child: Emerging Literacy with Field Study II

14.374 Early Childhood Curriculum: Mathematics and Science with Field Study III

14.376 Early Childhood Curriculum: Reading, Social Studies, and Special Needs

The Professional Semester (four courses):

14.431 Early Childhood Professional Practicum A (Credit—two courses)

14.432 Early Childhood Professional Practicum B (Credit—two courses)

14.200 Education in American Society with Field Study I

42.200 Psychology of Development (Gen.Ed.)

14.322 The Child and Literacy with Field Study II

14.341 Elementary Curriculum: Mathematics with Field Study III

14.346 Elementary Curriculum: Science, Social Studies and Special Needs

The Professional Semester (four courses):

14.437 Elementary Professional Practicum A (Credit—two courses)

14.438 Elementary Professional Practicum B (Credit—two courses)

An introduction to geography, focusing on its relevance to contemporary man. Emphasis is placed on basic concepts and the geographic point of view.

An introduction to the nature and scope of geography, the techniques and applications of geography, and the geographical context of current social, economic, political, and environmental problems in the major regions of the world. Course focuses mainly on non-Western regions.

A basic introduction to the skills and techniques needed by geographers. Course includes essentials of map reading, interpretation, data collection and entry, questionnaire design and administration, spatial sampling design, research statement hypothesis formulation, research management, and proposal writing.

An introduction to Indian law and the unique relationship between the tribes and the federal and state governments. This body of law can have radically different effects on tribes depending in part on their geographical location. The course then examines certain tribal issues in depth, and explores how the geographical location of the tribe and the corresponding climate and terrain make these issues unique to the tribe.

An introduction to geography as a social science focusing on the spatial organization of man’s economic activities. Emphasis is on factors influencing their occurrence and distribution, and on the geographical problems of selecting the best location or the best use of a given location for agriculture, manufacturing, and service activities.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

A geographical analysis of the physical phenomena and processes on the surface of the earth, emphasizing weather elements, patterns of climate and vegetation, soil, water features, landforms, and topography.

A spatial analysis of the rise of the nation state and a comparative examination of political structures and processes within states. Geopolitical processes, such as imperialism, are studied through time and space. The formation of new types of political and social movements at a number of global and local levels is discussed. In addition, the role of class, race, and gender is explored as it relates to issues of power and uneven access to power over space.

A study of spatial variations among cultural groups and the spatial functioning of society. The course focuses on contemporary issues related to the ways language, religion, economy, government, and other cultural phenomena vary or remain constant from one place to another. The study of cultures is organized around five themes: cultural region, diffusion, ecology, integration, and landscape.

An introductory survey stressing the geographic approach to the study of man/land relationships. Emphasis is placed on the impact of human activities on the environment and on conflicts between resource exploitation and environmental quality. Contemporary geographic themes concerning the environment: perception, natural resource utilization, modification by urbanization, and environmental regions are studied. Particular focus is on New England and the United States.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.

A basic introduction to the skills and techniques needed by geographers. The course focuses on geographic applications of quantitative methods and uses the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software for analysis and presentation of data.

A study of religious systems and their geographic characteristics; religious organization of space; origins of organized religions; distribution of religions; attitudes towards contemporary ecological problems conditioned by religious ideology; and comparisons of such attitudes between ancient matriarchal nature religions and more modern patriarchal religions.

An introduction to the use of Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) in analyzing spatial data, including methods of data acquisition, and the theory and design of G.I.S. storage and to various aspects of retail location, urban planning, and environmental concerns.

Prerequisite: Prior knowledge of computers, with permission of instructor, or 63.151 Personal Computer Fundamentals and Applications.

An examination of globalization as a spatial process. Economic, social, political, and cultural analyses are integrated to look at geographically uneven development, the spatial expansion of power systems, which take many forms, and economic and environmental issues between nation states and global governance institutions.

A critical examination of a fundamental problem facing contemporary civilization: how to address the relationship between the increasing size of the global population and limited natural resources. The availability, production and consumption of food in particular, are fraught with problems subject to debates and ideological positionings. These particularly concern inequities of race, class, and gender embedded in power relationships between Third world producers and First world consumers. Alternative analyses are presented using development theory and commodity chain analysis to look at global uneven development through the connections between food consumption in the global core with food production in the global periphery. The course concludes by looking at the emergence of social movements, which attempt to connect Third World agricultural producers with First World consumers.

A geographical analysis of selected hazardous conditions of the natural and man-made environment at global, regional, and local levels. In a given semester, the course may emphasize natural or man-made hazards. Specific natural hazards covered include earthquakes and volcanoes; hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms; coastal flooding and erosion; and river flooding. Specific man-made hazards include nuclear power plants, toxic wastes, transportation and treatment of hazardous materials, structure fires and arson, and terrorism. Field trips are included.

An introduction to the law as it applies to environmental policy. After an overview of the workings of the judicial system and of the nature and kinds of law, the course examines the National Environmental Policy Act and its application to the protection of air and water resources and to issues of hazardous waste. Advocacy, social, and economic issues related to the use of public lands and resources are addressed. The course is designed for the non-legal student whose citizen participation or future public service would be enhanced by such knowledge.

An overview of legal and policy matters as they apply to land use in local municipalities. Topics include zoning and subdivision regulations, wetland protection, comprehensive permits, and protection of open space.

A broad regional survey of the natural and cultural landscape features of the United States and Canada, with emphasis on processes of urban-economic development and changing patterns of population, settlement, and land use.

A survey of the natural landscape features and the present geographical development of New England as a representative region of the United States. Emphasis is on the emerging patterns and issues of the region’s economic and urban development and how it interacts with North America and the world. Field trips.

Geographical factors which have contributed to the natural and cultural landscape of modern Europe, excluding the former U.S.S.R.

A regional survey of the fifteen successor states of the Soviet Union. Emphasis is on the changing patterns of economic and cultural geography.

An analysis of Southern, Southeastern and Eastern Asia in terms of their natural environment, population distribution and problems, regional divisions, and current problems of economic development.

An examination of the physical and cultural landscape of Africa south of the Sahara, with special emphasis on the native cultures of the area and their influence on the landscape; the revolutionary effects of European interventions and conquests; and the modern political, cultural, and economic climates.

Physical, cultural and political environments which contribute to the instability that exists in Southwest Asia and North Africa.

An exploration of Latin America’s cultural, political, and economic characteristics. Issues of development, gender, and changing position in the global system are examined. Particular attention is paid to the pre-Columbian historical geography of the continent and the problems presently facing indigenous peoples.

A survey and analysis of the geographic forces that necessitate urban planning in the United States. Topics covered include the history of urbanization and planning in the United States, the geographic study of cities and towns with emphasis on the origins and problems of urban sprawl, and various other urban problems of American cities and towns that necessitate land use planning and zoning. Local field trips are included.

A focus on the specific techniques of city plan preparation and presentation, and on the methods of involving local citizens in the planning process. Among the techniques included are site analysis, field surveys, mapping and graphics for data presentation, and organizing public participation workshops. Computer applications for planning are surveyed.

An examination of the methods of community development including industrial promotion, retail revitalization, downtown renewal, and tourism development. Emphasis is on techniques to assist and encourage business growth and retention. Field trips and practical exercises including preparation of community development handbooks are included.

Prerequisite: 22.201 Economic Geography or permission of the instructor.

A survey of the classical and current location theories, which are used by geographers, planners, and site analysts. Location theories include agricultural, industrial, retail, and service locations. Concepts, methods, and techniques of spatial distribution, spatial function, and spatial relationships are emphasized. Cartographic analysis and GIS applications are major parts of the course.