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Chair: Yaser Najjar
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Professors: |
Robert P. Donnell, Yaser Najjar |
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Assistant Professors: |
Osama Abdelgadier, Carl Hakansson, |
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Elaine Hartwick, David Merwin |
GEOGRAPHY MAJOR
The
General Education Requirement
All
students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of
eleven (11) courses outside of the major department (see page 60). The
General Education Goal 11 (Non-Western Studies) requirement is satisfied
through the completion of the Geography major.
Course
Prerequisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior
completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or
appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course
descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.
Departmental Requirements for Major:
Core
Courses (5 Courses):
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.
CONCENTRATIONS
URBAN AND REGIONAL
PLANNING (GYP) Advisors: Najjar,
Donnell, Hakansson
Required
(7 courses)
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
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
22.225
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
* Must
be approved according to department guidelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (GYE)
Advisors: Donnell, Najjar,
Abdelgadier
Required
(7 courses)
22.212 Geographic Perspectives on the Environment
22.225 Population, Food, and Global Development
22.230
Geography of Natural and Man-Made Hazards
22.235
Environmental Law and Policy
22.339
Methods for Planning Analysis and Plan Making
22.375
Resource Management
One
Additional Regional Geography Course
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
* Must
be approved according to department guidelines.
GLOBAL STUDIES (GYG)
Advisors: Najjar, Donnell,
Abdelgadier, Hartwick
Required (7 courses)
22.201
Economic Geography
22.206
Political Geography
22.211
Cultural Geography
22.222
Geographic Perspectives on Globalization
Three (3) of the
following regional courses:
22.250
Geography of the United States and Canada
22.251
Geography of New England
22.252
Geography of Europe
22.253
Geography of Russia and the Former Soviet Republics
22.254
Geography of Monsoon Asia
22.255
Geography of Subsaharan Africa
22.256
Geography of the Middle East
22.257
Geography of Latin America
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
22.215
Religion as a Geographic Phenomenon
22.222
Geographic Perspectives on Globalization
22.230
Geography of Natural and Man-Made Hazards
22.235
Environmental Law and Policy
22.240
Municipal Land Use
22.260
Introduction to Urban Studies and Planning in the United States
22.375
Resource Management
52.161
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
62.120
Introduction to World Politics
12.100
Contemporary Economic Problems and Issues
INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR
The
Geography Department sponsors the Interdisciplinary Major in Geography
and Earth Science for students seeking licensure at the early childhood
or elementary level. For more specific information, refer to the
Education section of the catalog.
GEOGRAPHY COURSES APPROPRIATE
FOR GENERAL EDUCATION (GEN. ED.)
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Courses |
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Goal(s) |
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22.101 |
Introduction to Human Geography |
9
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22.110 |
World Regional Geography |
9,
11 |
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22.135 |
Introduction to Environmental Studies |
10
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22.180 |
Native Americans: A Geographic and Legal Perspective |
10
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22.206 |
Political Geography |
9,
12 |
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22.211 |
Cultural Geography |
9
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22.222 |
Geographic Perspectives on Globalization |
11
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22.225 |
Population, Food, and Global Development |
12
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22.250 |
Geography of the United States and Canada |
10
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22.252 |
Geography of Europe |
12
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22.253 |
Geography of Russia and the Former Soviet Republics |
11
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22.254 |
Geography of Monsoon Asia |
11
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22.255 |
Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa |
11
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22.256 |
Geography of the Middle East |
11
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22.257 |
Geography of Latin America |
11, 12 |
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22.257 |
Non-Western Regional Geography: Field Study |
11
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
22.101 Introduction to Human
Geography (Gen. Ed. Goal 9)
An introduction to
geography, focusing on its relevance to contemporary man. Emphasis is
placed on basic concepts and the geographic point of view
22.110 World Regional Geography
(Gen. Ed. Goals 9, 11)
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.
22.114 Geographical Techniques
- Research Methods
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.
22.135 Introduction to
Environmental Studies (Gen. Ed. Goal 10)
An introduction to the
political, economic, ethical, cultural, scientific, and geographical
conditions that have framed environmental issues in the United States.
Critical analysis of specific environmental issues such as over-fishing,
deforestation, nuclear sites, and air pollution will be used for
examination of environmental policies and the many variables that affect
these policies.
22.180 Native Americans: A Geographical
and Legal Perspective (Gen. Ed. Goal 10)
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.
22.201 Economic Geography
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.
22.203 Introduction to Physical
Geography
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.
22.206 Political Geography
(Gen. Ed. Goals 9, 12)
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.
22.211 Cultural Geography (Gen.
Ed. Goal 9)
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.
22.212 Geographic Perspectives on the
Environment
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.
22.214 Geographical Techniques
-Quantitative Methods
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.
22.215 Religion as a Geographic
Phenomenon
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.
22.216 Introduction to
Geographical Information Systems
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.
22.222 Geographic Perspectives on
Globalization (Gen. Ed. Goal 11)
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.
22.225 Population, Food, and
Global Development (Gen. Ed. Goal 12)
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.
22.230 Geography of Natural and
Man-Made Hazards
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 manmade hazards include nuclear power plants, toxic wastes,
transportation and treatment of hazardous materials, structure fires and
arson, and terrorism. Field trips are included
22.235 Environmental Law and
Policy
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.
22.240 Municipal Land Use
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.
22.250 Geography of the United
States and Canada (Gen. Ed. Goal 10)
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.
22.251 Geography of New England
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.
22.252 Geography of Europe
(Gen. Ed. Goal 12)
An examination of the
geographical factors that have contributed to the natural and cultural
landscape of modern Europe, excluding the former
U.S.S.R. The course
extensively addresses issues of gender, race, and social class as they
relate to demographic and economic changes in Europe.
22.253 Geography of Russia and
the Former Soviet Republics (Gen. Ed. Goal 11)
A regional survey of the
fifteen successor states of the Soviet Union. Emphasis is on the
changing patterns of economic and cultural geography
22.254 Geography of Monsoon
Asia (Gen. Ed. Goal 11)
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.
22.255 Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa
(Gen. Ed. Goal 11)
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.
22.256 Geography of the Middle
East (Gen. Ed. Goal 11)
Physical, cultural and
political environments which contribute to the instability that exists
in Southwest Asia and North Africa.
22.257 Geography of Latin
America (Gen. Ed. Goals 11, 12)
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.
22.260 Introduction to Urban
Studies and Planning in the United States
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.
22.290 Non-Western Regional
Geography: Field Study (Gen. Ed. Goal 11)
An exploration of a
non-Western geographical region through an actual field study. The focus
is on the physical and cultural geography of the visited area, with
special emphasis on the significance of historical, cultural, and
recreational sites on the changing patterns of economic, political, and
cultural geography. Location is announced when offered.
22.339 Methods for Planning Analysis and
Plan Making
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.
22.368 Community Development
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.
22.370 Location Theory
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. Prerequisite: 22.201
Economic Geography or
permission
of instructor.
22.375 Resource Management
An
analysis of resource control methodologies. Emphasis is on territorial
and developmental impacts of political decisions regarding resources,
conflicts between technological and ecological approaches to environment
quality, national and international aspects of resource exploitation and
utilization. This course includes preparation of environment impact
statements, study of laws relating to the use and abuse of the
environment, and field trips. Prerequisite: A course on environment
or
permission
of the instructor.
22.400 Cosmos (Specific title
to be announced when offered)
An analysis of a
contemporary social, economic, environmental, or regional problem from a
geographic perspective. The specific focus of the course varies but
emphasis is always placed on the geographer’s contribution to
understanding the issues involved. Prerequisite: Permission of
instructor may be required.
22.490 Internship in Geography
A supervised practical
experience in a public or private agency, appropriate to the student’s
training and interests. Admission to this course must be approved by the
Geography Department according to published departmental guidelines.
22.495 Independent Study in
Geography
A Geography major (or
minor) with demonstrated ability to use geographical tools and research
methods may independently pursue an in-depth investigation of a
geographic topic under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student
must present a written request on the approved form. Admission to this
course must be approved by the Geography Department at least three weeks
prior to registration.
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