GEOG-105 World Regional Geography
This course surveys the major geographic regions of the world in terms of environmental features and resource distributions, economic mainstays, population characteristics, cultural processes, social relationships, and patterns of urbanization and industrial growth. In addition to these topical foci, we use various sub-fields of geography to animate different regions. This approach provides a sense of depth while we also pursue a breadth of knowledge about the world.
GEOG-107 Introduction to the Physical Environment
A systematic introduction to the ecological processes operating on the surface of the earth, their spatial variation and their contribution to the spatial patterning of life on earth. The course stresses interactions among the earth's energy balance, weather, ecological resources and human impacts on environmental systems.
GEOG-202 Cities in a Global Context
Cities are dynamic landscapes informed by myriad economic, political, social, environmental, and cultural processes. This course delves into the forces of urbanization and examines how cities have been investigated, built, experienced, and lived in throughout history and around the globe. By accenting a geographic perspective and drawing upon an array of theoretical ideas and empirical examples, this class grapples with the fascinating complexities of the urban context.
GEOG-204 Human Dimensions of Environmental Change
Using regional case studies from across the world, this course examines some of the causes and consequences of human-induced environmental changes. The course explores the fundamental relationships and processes involved in human-environmental interactions; the various impacts that humans have had over time upon soils, water, flora, fauna, landforms, and the atmosphere; and possible alternative development strategies that could create a balance between human needs and environmental sustainability
GEOG-205 Mapping and Spatial Analysis
Provides a comprehensive introduction to maps, including their design, compilation, and computer production. Introduces students to the principles of abstracting the Earth's surface into spatial databases using GIS, remote sensing, and Global Positioning Satellites.
GEOG-206 Political Geography
Systemically studies political phenomena and their geographic expression, at a variety of spatial scales -- national, regional, and international. Major themes include nation-state formation, boundary, territory, and ethnic issues, regional blocs and spheres of influence, and conflicts over access to and use of resources.
GEOG-208 Global Movements: Migrations, Refugees and Diasporas
The voluntary and involuntary movement of people around the globe is the focus of this course on migrations, refugees, and diasporas. Questions of borders, nativism, transnationalism, the global economy, and legality thread through this course as we consider the many social, cultural, environmental, economic, and political factors shaping decisions to leave a home or homeland. Historical and contemporary case studies, compelling theoretical texts, and geographic perspectives on these topics collectively animate our discussions.
GEOG-210 GIS for the Social Sciences and Humanities
This course introduces the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other geospatial technologies in the social sciences and the humanities. The student will learn to collect, process, and analyze quantitative data within the spatial (geographic) context where they occur. Course content may include research topics from current faculty.
GEOG-224 Atmosphere and Weather
This course provides a detailed introduction to the earth's atmosphere with particular emphasis on the troposphere extending from the surface to 10km in elevation. Topics include the earth's solar energy budget, atmospheric pressure and wind systems, global and local meteorological processes, and weather forecasting. The class will make significant use of meteorological data and satellite imagery taken from NOAA's National Weather Service to study seasonal weather patterns, rain and snow events, and catastrophic hurricanes.
GEOG-230 Environmental Soil Science
Introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and their relationship to environmental quality, agricultural production, and land management. This course will also describe the processes of origin and development of soils as natural entities and how they affect the different ecosystems where they are located. Some field work required.
GEOG-241GC Topics in Geography: Gender, Intersectionality, and Climate Change'
This course examines the gendered causes and consequences of climate change through a feminist and intersectional lens. Using empirical case studies, we will investigate how lived experience and knowledge of climate change is shaped by multiple axes of social identity (e.g., gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity, class) and interrogate how prevailing notions of 'masculinity' and 'femininity' influence climate mitigation and adaptation processes across a variety of locations, scales, and contexts. As we strive to uncover the epistemological roots of the discourses that frame gender and climate politics, we will also consider how alternative ways of being, knowing, and acting challenge and transform conventional approaches to climate science and policymaking.
GEOG-241RE Topics in Geography: 'Geographies of Renewable Energy Transition'
This course explores the variety of ways renewable energy transitions are imagined, planned, implemented, and contested throughout the world. Through empirical case studies, we examine how renewable energies offer new possibilities for restructuring societies but can also perpetuate social practices and worldviews that sustain relations of inequality. We draw on the geographic concepts of landscape, scaling, and spatial embeddedness to investigate why energy transition dynamics vary across space, and consider how cultural frameworks influence climate policies and individual energy choices.
GEOG-295 Independent Study
GEOG-304 Planning and the Environment
GEOG-304UP Planning and the Environment: 'Urban Planning'
This course examines in detail the fabric of urban and suburban settlement and commerce in the pre and post WW II U.S. Field trips to the greater Springfield area are used to allow students to develop firsthand understanding of interactions between urban and suburban areas and to recognize the major changes to the human landscape driven by suburbanization and urban abandonment. This class will examine the section of Springfield slated for the MGM Casino Development.
GEOG-312 Seminar in Geography
These seminars present selected topics in geography that reflect contemporary problems, current geographical ideas, philosophical and methodological trends in geography, and/or the history and development of geographical thought.
GEOG-312QM Seminar: 'Queer Mapping'
The ability for LGBTQ+ people to claim, develop, and sustain spaces has been a highly contentious process. Due to shifts in political ideologies, cultural mores, and communications, media, and technology, the ability to record the existence of LGBTQ+ places has grown-but only in certain locations for certain groups, especially in the US. Reading from queer, feminist, and trans geographic theory and methods, how can we make use of mapping techniques to render LGBTQ+ publics? What are the ethical concerns of LGBTQ+ mapping projects? Drawing on basic GIS techniques to create our own queer maps, how do may we theorize the present and future of queer and trans public and private space?
GEOG-313 Third World Development
Offers an interdisciplinary perspective on social, economic, and political features of contemporary development in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, regions referred to as the Third World or the South, and provides an introduction to theoretical origins and definitions of economic growth, development, and underdevelopment. It then addresses more specific aspects of development such as trends in population growth, migration, and urbanization; agrarian change; livelihood strategies and aspects of social welfare such as health, education, and shelter; poverty and the environment; and social justice. The latter part of the course draws extensively on selected case studies.
GEOG-319 Africa: Problems and Prospects
This course intends to offer an interdisciplinary perspective on selected contemporary development problems in Africa south of the Sahara. Central to the course will be an examination of the social, economic, and political consequences of colonialism, the physical resource base and ecological crisis, agrarian systems and rural development, gender relations and development, urbanization and industrialization, and the problems and prospects of regional cooperation and integration.
GEOG-320 Research with Geospatial Technologies
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing are essential tools for geographic analysis in both the biophysical and social sciences. This course uses a semester-long project that includes field and laboratory instruction to allow students to develop hands-on skills with spatial data and analysis software. Students will be able to present potential employers with a portfolio containing examples of their ability to develop and execute a GIS/remote sensing application project.
GEOG-328 Climate Migration
This seminar focuses on climate change-induced human migration from both theoretical and applied perspectives. It examines the predicted scope of this population movement and considers international instruments that could shape responses to this growing category of migrants. A set of contemporary case studies from around the world animate our investigation into what it means to adapt to an altered environment and inform our questions about responsibility for climate change. Throughout the semester, students will grapple with the complex environmental, economic, cultural, and political intersections of migration and Earth's changing climate system.
GEOG-395 Independent Study
