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Fall 2009 Class Schedule

Course Descriptions - Fall 2009 Semester

Course levels: Undergraduates may take 100- through 500-level courses. Graduate students will only receive credit for courses numbered at the 500-level and above. Some class materials may be available on-line.

100  |  200  |  300  |  400  |  500  |  700  |  800

GEOGRAPHY 103-001-- INTRO TO GEOGRAPHY
 MWF  12:20p.m. – 1:10p.m. CALLCOTT 201
Nathan Kettle (7-5234)

This course introduces students to the breadth and excitement of the field of geography and illustrates the earth science, culture-environment, locational, and area analysis traditions of geographic research and writing. It also explores the various subfields of geographic inquiry and shows how geographic expertise can be used in important decision-making and problem solving contexts.

GEOGRAPHY 103-002 -- INTRO TO GEOGRAPHY
MW 2:30p.m. – 3:45p.m.  CALLCOTT 201
Natalie Jensen (7-5234)

This course introduces students to the breadth and excitement of the field of geography and illustrates the earth science, culture-environment, locational, and area analysis traditions of geographic research and writing. It also explores the various subfields of geographic inquiry and shows how geographic expertise can be used in important decision-making and problem solving contexts. This course also shows how geographic knowledge is relevant to current issues of globalization.

GEOGRAPHY 103-003-- INTRO TO GEOGRAPHY
MW 4:00p.m. – 5:15p.m.  CALLCOTT 011
William Terry  (7-5234)

This course introduces students to the breadth and excitement of the field of geography and illustrates the earth science, culture-environment, locational, and area analysis traditions of geographic research and writing. It also explores the various subfields of geographic inquiry and shows how geographic expertise can be used in important decision-making and problem solving contexts. This course also shows how geographic knowledge is relevant to current issues of globalization.

GEOGRAPHY 103-004 -- INTRO TO GEOGRAPHY
MW 11:00a.m.-12:15 p.m. CALLCOTT 201
Alpan Risvanoglu (7-5234)

This course introduces students to the breadth and excitement of the field of geography and illustrates the earth science, culture-environment, locational, and area analysis traditions of geographic research and writing. It also explores the various subfields of geographic inquiry and shows how geographic expertise can be used in important decision-making and problem solving contexts. This course also shows how geographic knowledge is relevant to current issues of globalization.

GEOGRAPHY E103-300 -- INTRO TO GEOGRAPHY
MW 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. CALLCOTT 102
Mr. James Byrum(7-5234)

This course introduces students to the breadth and excitement of the field of geography and illustrates the earth science, culture-environment, locational, and area analysis traditions of geographic research and writing. It also explores the various subfields of geographic inquiry and shows how geographic expertise can be used in important decision-making and problem solving contexts.  

GEOGRAPHY 104-001 -- INTRO TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
T TH 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. CALLCOTT  102
Dr. John Kupfer (7-6739)

Physical geography is an area of study that synthesizes and connects elements of our physical environment as they relate to human beings. GEOG 104 is an introductory level course that explores the processes and forms of Earth's surface system, including climate, hydrology, soils, biogeography, water resources, and landforms. The objective of this course is to provide a systematic introduction to physical geography, emphasizing the basic principles that explain the processes and forms of the atmosphere (including climates and meteorology), hydrosphere (including rivers and oceans), biosphere (with emphasis on the distribution and diversity of organisms), and the geosphere (with emphasis on the surface forms and processes).  Dominant themes of the course include the spatial distribution of basic physical, chemical, and biological processes, as well as the interactions of human societies with the natural systems that support them.


GEOGRAPHY 104-002-- INTRO TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

M W 2:30p.m. - 3:45 p.m. CALLCOTT  112
Kimberly Meitzen (7-5234)

Physical geography is an area of study that synthesizes and connects elements of our physical environment as they relate to human beings. GEOG 104 is an introductory level course that explores the processes and forms of Earth's surface system, including climate, hydrology, soils, biogeography, water resources, and landforms. The objective of this course is to provide a systematic introduction to physical geography, emphasizing the basic principles that explain the processes and forms of the atmosphere (including climates and meteorology), hydrosphere (including rivers and oceans), biosphere (with emphasis on the distribution and diversity of organisms), and the geosphere (with emphasis on the surface forms and processes).  Dominant themes of the course include the spatial distribution of basic physical, chemical, and biological processes, as well as the interactions of human societies with the natural systems that support them. 

GEOGRAPHY 104-003-- INTRO TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
M W 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. CALLCOTT 003
Dr. Jean T. Ellis (7-1593)

Physical geography is an area of study that synthesizes and connects elements of our physical environment as they relate to human beings. GEOG 104 is an introductory level course that explores the processes and forms of Earth's surface system, including climate, hydrology, soils, biogeography, water resources, and landforms. The objective of this course is to provide a systematic introduction to physical geography, emphasizing the basic principles that explain the processes and forms of the atmosphere (including climates and meteorology), hydrosphere (including rivers and oceans), biosphere (with emphasis on the distribution and diversity of organisms), and the geosphere (with emphasis on the surface forms and processes).  Dominant themes of the course include the spatial distribution of basic physical, chemical, and biological processes, as well as the interactions of human societies with the natural systems that support them.

GEOGRAPHY 105-001 & 002-- THE DIGITAL EARTH
         T 2:00 p.m. -3:15 p.m. CALLCOTT 003
Lab:  TH 2:00 p.m.- 3:15 p.m. Lab I CALLCOTT 005
Lab:  TH 3:30 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. Lab II CALLCOTT 005
Dr. Sarah Battersby (7-5729)

How does a car’s vehicle navigation system work? How is an address located using Mapquest?  Where does all the information in Google Earth come from? How can I make a map from a column of numbers relating to SC counties? Answers to these and similar questions are covered in The Digital Earth (Geog 105). This course introduces our digital earth - covering the spectrum of applications from global positioning systems (GPS), aerial photography and remote sensing as means of capturing images to geographic information systems (GIS) and cartographic visualization as means of analyzing and displaying information. The class is a great way to learn how these technologies work and find out what applications are driven with them at an introductory level. 

The class is taught as a balance of lecture and hands-on experiences with computer software. Prior computer experience not necessary or assumed.

GEOGRAPHY 121- 001 – LANDS & PEOPLES OF THE WORLD
T TH 2:00p.m.-3:15p.m. CALLCOTT 201
Ms. Mary Thompson (7-5234)

This introductory class examines the world through geographic regions - bounded parts of the world considered as one because they possess some sort of organizing principal.  To frame this course around this concept, however, is not to take it for granted.  In the course of the semester, we will examine not only how the organizing principals that give us regions like "Latin America" came about, but also the various benefits and drawbacks to the continued use of such regions to understand our increasingly interconnected world.  

GEOGRAPHY 121- 002 – LANDS & PEOPLES OF THE WORLD
MWF 11:15a.m. -12:05p.m. CALLCOTT 201
Mr. Michael Finewood   (7-5234)

This introductory class examines the world through geographic regions - bounded parts of the world considered as one because they possess some sort of organizing principal.  To frame this course around this concept, however, is not to take it for granted.  In the course of the semester, we will examine not only how the organizing principals that give us regions like "Latin America" came about, but also the various benefits and drawbacks to the continued use of such regions to understand our increasingly interconnected world. 

GEOGRAPHY 201-001 & 002 LANDFORM GEOGRAPHY
T TH 9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m. CALLCOTT 202
Lab I: T 11:00a.m.-12:50p.m. CALLCOTT 202
Lab II: W 12:20p.m.-2:10p.m.  CALLCOTT 202
Dr. Allan James (7-6117)

This course is an introduction to the physical features on the Earth's  land surface emphasizing soils, hydrology, and processes of landform  creation by water, wind, ice, and gravity.  Landforms and soils provide evidence of past environmental conditions, how they have  changed, and the processes involved, including human actions and
natural agents.  The course emphasizes environmental changes in the recent geologic past up  to the present.  Three hours of lectures and one 110-minute laboratory per week.

GEOGRAPHY 201-003 & 004 LANDFORM GEOGRAPHY
 T TH   2:00p.m.-3:15p.m. CALLCOTT 202
Lab III: T   3:30p.m.- 5:20p.m. CALLCOTT 202
Lab IV: W 2:30p.m. - 4:20p.m.  CALLCOTT 202
Dr. Jean T. Ellis (7-1593)

This course is an introduction to the physical features on the Earth's  land surface emphasizing soils, hydrology, and processes of landform  creation by water, wind, ice, and gravity.  Landforms and soils provide evidence of past environmental conditions, how they have  changed, and the processes involved, including human actions and
natural agents.  The course emphasizes environmental changes in the recent geologic past up  to the present.  Three hours of lectures and one 110-minute laboratory per week.

GEOGRAPHY 202-001 & 002 WEATHER AND CLIMATE
T  TH 9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m. CALLCOTT 201
Lab I:  W 12:20 p.m.- 2:10 p.m.   CALLCOTT  004
Lab II:  W 2:30 p.m.- 4:20 p.m.   CALLCOTT  004
Dr. Greg Carbone (7-0687)

This course provides students with a general understanding of the processes which influence weather and climate patterns on the earth.  It first examines the sources of energy driving atmospheric processes, the importance of atmospheric moisture, and the forces creating the winds.  The second part of the course focuses on storm systems, including mid-latitude cyclones and severe weather.  The last third of the class is devoted to the study of climate, climate variability and change, and the impact of such change on human activity.  The laboratory sections will include experiments, workbook exercises, and analysis of real-time computer weather graphics.  The final grade will be based on three lecture exams, three lab exams, take-home exercises, a weather journal, and regular lecture and lab quizzes.

*4 credit hour course, includes a 2 hour laboratory each week


GEOGRAPHY 210-001 PEOPLES, PLACES and ENVIRONMENTS
MW 2:30p.m. - 3:45p.m. CALLCOTT 011
Dr. Edward Carr(7-1854)

This course provides a thematic introduction to contemporary human geography, a broad geographic subfield directly concerned with human beings and their interaction with their natural and cultural environment.  The course explores themes of urbanization, population growth, rural to urban and international migrations, international development, territorial sovereignties, statehood and terrorism, and the cultural geographies of place and landscapes, just to name a few, to illustrate how these different concerns are linked through geographic perspectives and methods of investigation.

GEOGRAPHY 224-001 GEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA
T TH  11:00a.m. – 12:15p.m. CALLCOTT 101
Dr. John Jakubs (7-6604)
E-Mail-jjakubs@sc.edu

This course studies the physical and human geography of the United States and Canada.  Landforms, climate, population and settlement, agriculture, urbanization, industry and government are treated as important systems that affect the landscape throughout the continent.  In the second section of the course individual regions are the focus of attention and the emphasis is on how the various systems above operate to set one region apart from others.  Specific regions to be considered include: the Southeast, Appalachia, French Canada, the Great Plains, the Southwest, California, and selected urban regions such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and the metropolitan Northeast.  Lectures, discussions and slide presentations are employed.  Evaluation is on the basis of exams and take-home exercises.  There are no prerequisites for this course.

GEOGRAPHY 225-001 GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE
T TH  12:30p.m. – 1:45p.m. CALLCOTT 201
Dr. Caroline Nagel (7-4970)

This class will explore historical and contemporary geographies of Europe.  We will focus on human processes, but will also consider human-environment interactions and the role of physical geography in shaping industrial and urban development.  Topics will include: historical patterns urbanization and industrialization; the formation of the European nation-state system; Cold War geographies; urban redevelopment; housing and transportation; immigration and ethnic minorities; the European Union; and energy and environmental policies.

GEOGRAPHY 228-001 GEOGRAPHY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
MW 4:00p.m. – 5:15p.m. CALLCOTT 201
Dr. Edward Carr (7-1854)

Building upon a historical understanding of economic and political relationships both within Sub-Saharan Africa and between Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world, this course examines contemporary patterns of social, economic and environmental change in this highly challenged world region.  To better understand the problems and potentials of this world region, this course examines particular local issues (deforestation, desertification, etc.) as complex interactions of local situations with regional and global factors. 

GEOGRAPHY 310-001 TOPICS IN GEOGRAPHY
M W 2:30p.m. – 3:45p.m. CALLCOTT 101
Dr. Kirstin Dow  (7-2482)

Cities, Environmental Transformation, and Sustainability

As of 2008, over 50% of the world’s population, approximately 3.4 billion people, lives in cities. That figure represents nearly fourfold growth in urban populations over the last 50 years. In the United States, urban dwellers represent 80% of the population. This phenomenal process of urbanization has transformed ecosystems and created a distinctive set of environmental and associated social issues ranging from the transformation of watersheds to altered climates and new environmental health risks. This course examines these changes to urban environments and their hinterlands and considers strategies to increase the sustainability of cities. Grading will be based on two mid term exams and a final exam.

GEOGRAPHY 311-001 CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
T TH 12:30p.m. – 1:45p.m. CALLCOTT 101
Dr. Amy Mills (7-5688)

How does where you live influence who you are? How do our understandings of the world – our beliefs, values, dreams, and memories – influence the environments of everyday life? What can we learn about cultural identity and belonging by examining the landscapes and places we think are important to who we are? How does society reinforce or challenge issues such as social, economic, or political inequality through planning and organizing physical and social space? This course will introduce students to spatial ways of thinking about culture, including the interrelationships between power, meanings and values, ways of life, and the material things we create and use in ordinary life. By the end of this course students will be able to: define and use the concepts of space, place, and landscape to examine current social and cultural issues; demonstrate a geographic understanding of how identity and inequality are produced in society; and use spatial concepts and geographic methodologies to research a local cultural or social topic.

GEOGRAPHY 313-001 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
MW 2:30p.m. – 3:45p.m. CALLCOT 003
Mr. James Byrum (7-6380)

            This course introduces students to the local and global dimensions of economic activity in the contemporary world economy. The course material, which includes: texts, films, newspaper articles, and lectures, will help students to develop both an understanding of economic processes and the skills to analyze economic processes within complex social and political contexts. The subjects covered in this course are very topical and contemporary; they include: Economic Globalization, The World Bank, The International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, International Debt Crises, Export Processing Zones, International Labor Migrations, Transnational Corporations, and Offshore Outsourcing.

GEOGRAPHY 330-001 THE GEOGRAPHY OF DISASTERS
T TH  3:30p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CALLCOTT102
Ms. Jennifer Webb (7-1699)

       The study of disasters, their triggering mechanisms (natural, human, technological), their spatial distributions from local to global scales, and associated human responses.

GEOGRAPHY 341-001 - CARTOGRAPHY
M W 12:20 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. CALLCOTT 003
LAB: F 12:20 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. CALLCOTT 005
Dr. Sarah Battersby  (7-5729)

This course is an introduction to the principles and practice of map design. It provides the student with an understanding of the most appropriate ways of symbolizing geographic data on maps. Students develop cartographic skills through the completion of map projects using the latest Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Students learn how to design effective and attractive maps through lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and creating their own maps. In the latter half of the course, each student completes a final mapping project, based on a topic he or she selects.

 

GEOGRAPHY 343-001 HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
M W  4:00p.m. – 5:15p.m.  CALLCOTT 101
Dr. Kirstin Dow (7-2482)

Human actions have transformed the Earth.  To understand "nature" today requires examining the interactions between humans, our social systems, and the biochemical processes that generate particular patterns of environmental damage across the globe - degradation of rich coastal systems, heavy losses of tropical biodiversity, alterations in the global climate, desertification of marginal arid lands, and concentrations of municipal and industrial wastes associated with increasing urbanization. The class addresses these impacts and strategies for reducing or responding to them.  Evaluation in the course will be based upon a series of exams and short papers/assignments.

 

GEOGRAPHY 344-001 CITY SPACES, LOCAL PLACES
T TH  9:30a.m. - 10:45a.m.   CALLCOTT 101
Dr. Caroline Nagel (7-4970)

This class is an exploration of city life in Western countries.  We begin by examining the historical development of cities in the West, focusing on industrialization, de-industrialization, and the emergence of post-industrial, neo-liberal cities.  We will ask, what makes a city a city, and what makes urban life a unique form of social-spatial organization?  We will then look in more detail at the experiences of different social groups in cities, especially those defined on the basis of race, class, gender, age, and sexuality.  We consider the way in which social relationships and identities become inscribed in urban space, and in which different groups impose, accommodate, and subvert particular relationships and identities through their uses of space.  This class will draw on cutting-edge research in cultural and urban geography.  Topics covered include: ‘moral panics’ over teenaged boys in public spaces; debates about the construction of mosques in European cities; efforts to control street prostitution in Britain; and the formation of gay neighborhoods.  Reading and writing assignments will encourage students to explore how themes addressed in class are relevant to their everyday environments. 


GEOGRAPHY 345-001 INTERPRETATION OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
T TH 11:00a.m. – 12:15p.m.  CALLCOTT 005
Dr. John Jensen (7-5790)


This course introduces the fundamental principles of aerial photography including the history, radiant energy, filtration, properties of the photographic image, aerial photography data collection, airphoto geometry, photogrammetric measurement,  and interpretation of aerial photographs.  Emphasis is placed on practical photo-interpretation training in an effort to make the student a competent user of aerial photographs for a variety of geographic and multidisciplinary applications.

Evaluation is based on lab exercises, a mid-term, and a final exam. Graduate students do a term paper.

GEOGRAPHY 346-001 CLIMATE AND SOCIETY
T TH 12:30p.m. – 1:45p.m.  CALLCOTT 102
Dr. Cary Mock (7-1211)

This course examines the interrelationship between climate and human activities. We will study the physical nature of the climate system, climate variability and change; and their climatic impacts on society, including the social, economic, and political factors involved with these impacts. The approach will be based mostly from the examination of selected case studies.  Specific topics that will be covered include past climatic change and society during the presettlement era, perceptions and impacts of climate during the historical period in North America, climate determinism, severe drought, climatic hazards which include hurricanes, climate and health, future global warming, and stratospheric ozone.   Class sessions will vary between lecture, discussion, debates, and in-class exercises.  Evaluation will be based on short writing assignments and exams. There are no course prerequisites.

GEOGRAPHY 348-001 BIOGEOGRAPHY
T TH 11:00a.m. – 12:15p.m. CALLCOTT 102
Dr. John Kupfer (7-6739)

Biogeography involves mapping and understanding the distributions of plants and animals today and reconstructing those in the past using a range of analytical techniques, including geographic information systems, genetic analysis, dendrochronology (the study of tree rings) and palynology (the study of pollen to reconstruct past climates). Biogeographers also conduct research on how physical and biological factors control distributions of plants and animals and study how geographic distributions affect the evolution and extinction of species. In recent years, biogeographers have been involved in applying their knowledge to the protection of rare and endangered species and the conservation and management of threatened ecosystems. This course is broken down into 3 modules. The first module focuses on ecological concepts; the second module deals with the importance of evolutionary processes and biogeographic changes in geologic time, and the final module examines the development of modern distributions of plant and animal species and contemporary issues in biogeography such as conservation and land management.

GEOGRAPHY 363-001 & 002-GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MW 10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CALLCOTT 201
Lab I: F 10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CALLCOTT 005
Lab II: F 11:15a.m. – 12:05p.m. CALLCOTT 005
    Dr. Michael Hodgson (7-8976)

Geographic Information Systems represent a major advancement in computer handling of geographical data.  These systems are used extensively throughout all levels of government, private industry, and academia to provide support for spatial decision making and problem solving.  Principles and methods of Geographic Information Systems are presented with an emphasis on modeling the Earth and abstracting geographical data, collection of geographical data using modern techniques such as GPS, and analysing patterns and spatial relationships. 

Practical experience with GIS is provided during the lab exercises using a state-of-the-art GI System. Students are expected to be comfortable with the Microsoft windows interface.

GEOGRAPHY 363-003 - GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Lab: T 12:30p.m.  – 1:45p.m.  CALLCOTT 005
TH 12:30p.m. – 1:45p.m.  CALLCOTT 003
 Dr. Diansheng Guo (7-2989)

Geographic Information Systems represent a major advancement in computer handling of geographical data.  These systems are used extensively throughout all levels of government, private industry, and academia to provide support for spatial decision making and problem solving.
Principles and methods of Geographic Information Systems are presented with emphasis on spatial data, manipulation and analysis, and applications.  Practical experience with GIS is provided through hands-on computer and manual exercises.  Students are expected to be familiar with the Microsoft windows interface.

GEOGRAPHY 399 -- INDEPENDENT STUDY
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)        
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127

GEOGRAPHY 495-001 SEMINAR IN GEOGRAPHY
TH  3:30p.m. – 6:00p.m. CALLCOTT 112
Dr. William L. Graf (7-5234)

COURSE SYNOPSIS

GEOGRAPHY 495, Seminar in Geography, is a capstone course for undergraduate majors in geography.  This course is a group-based research activity designed to integrate geographic knowledge and apply it to a real-world problem. Students will be evaluated on short papers, presentations, and one larger group project.


GEOGRAPHY 498 -- UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234)  CALLCOTT 127

 

GEOGRAPHY 499 -- UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)        
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127

GEOGRAPHY 530-001 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
M W  2:30p.m. – 3:45p.m. CALLCOTT 102
Dr. Susan Cutter (7-1590)

This course investigates the causes and impacts of environmental hazards on society.  Specifically, the course focuses on the relationship between society and nature, especially how people and societies respond to hazardous geologic, atmospheric, hydrologic, and technological events.  In addition to briefly reviewing the physical/technological dynamics of hazards, we will focus most of our attention on hazards mitigation and recovery from disasters.
            The major goals of the course are to 1) examine the causes and consequences of hazards on society over time and space; 2) to assess various responses to disasters (relief, recovery, reconstruction, mitigation) by individuals and society; 3) understand the evolution of and current status of hazards policy; and 4) identify gaps in knowledge and policy in the hazards area.  The pre-requisites for the course are GEOG 330 The Geography of Disasters or its equivalent.

 

GEOGRAPHY 531-001 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN
GEOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

 T  2:00p.m. – 3:15p.m. CALLCOTT 003
T TH  2:00p.m. – 3:15p.m. CALLCOTT 004
Lab - T   2:00p.m. – 3:15p.m. CALLCOTT 005
Dr. Christopher Upchurch (7-5867)

Quantitative methods are widely used in the social and physical sciences, including geography.  This course provides an introduction to quantitative methods, particularly from an applied statistics perspective as related to geography and spatial aspects. Students will be able to gain experience applying such methods on a variety of data sets covering all broad aspects of geography.  The course is applied with an emphasis on how to frame research questions, interpret statistical results, and communicate these results to a diverse audience.  They will also be introduced to geographic literature that discusses the main themes of quantitative methods in the discipline.

 

GEOGRAPHY 544-001 GEOGRAPHY OF THE CITY
T TH  2:00p.m. - 3:15p.m. CALLCOTT 101
Dr. John Jakubs (7-6604)
E-Mail-jjakubs@sc.edu

How did the North American system of cities develop?  Why did some cities grow while others stagnated or disappeared?  Why do we have high, middle and low status areas within our cities?  Is this natural or is it the product of a specific history?  What are the consequences of such a pattern?  Is there a logic to the way land uses are arranged in cities?  Why do stores, offices, warehouses and industries locate where they do?  What about the geography of city government? What are the advantages and drawbacks of fragmented vs. Metropolitan-wide governments? How are political boundaries drawn?  How are education and housing issues dealt with in cities?  Are there alternative or experimental ways of treating housing and educational needs?  These and other urban locational questions are addressed in GEOG 544.  No prerequisites.  Grading is by exams and one paper.  Classes consist of discussions, lectures, slide presentations and films.  Normally there are one or two guest speakers and a local field trip.

 

GEOGRAPHY 545-001 SYNOPTIC GEOGRAPHY
T TH  9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m. CALLCOTT 102
Dr. Cary Mock (7-1211)

This course will examine the main principles and controls of weather and climate as they occur at the regional scale.  Description of the main types of meteorological data commonly used for daily weather forecasting.  Analysis and interpretation of regional (synoptic) scale atmospheric circulation, mid-latitude cyclones, severe thunderstorms, and tropical cyclones by using weather maps, soundings, cross sections, thermodynamic diagrams, computer models, and satellite imagery.  Introduction to techniques used in weather forecasting. The course includes mostly lectures and weather discussions, with grading based on exams, participation in weather discussions and weather forecasting, and exercises.


GEOGRAPHY 547-001 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
T TH 11:00a.m. – 12:15p.m. CALLCOTT 003
Dr. Allan James (7-6117)

This course examines river and floodplain processes, forms, and restoration.  The primary objective is to develop an understanding of how discharges of water and sediment in streams interact with fluvial landforms to affect flooding, sedimentation, erosion, and loss of aquatic biodiversity.  The time scales considered range from intra-annual to the Quaternary.  The course emphasizes linkages between erosion and deposition, sediment transport and storage, recognizing processes from the resulting channel and floodplain landforms, interactions between fluvial landforms and flood hazards, and conventional methods of analysis.  River channels are dynamic systems that convey water, sediment, and non-point source pollution from watersheds.  Humans have significantly altered most river systems, so anthropogenic changes and the mitigation of those changes (river restoration) are an essential topic to be covered.  While upland (hillslope) processes control water and sediment loads and drive river channel responses, the emphasis of this course is on the channel systems, ranging from gullies, to tributary streams, to major rivers.  Tools of analysis and concepts will include channel network topology, basic hydraulics, hydraulic geometry, theories of morphological adjustment, channel classification, sediment transport, fluvial sedimentology (lab and field), flood probabilities, and applications of geographic information science (GIS).  Grading of graduate and undergraduate students will be determined separately.  Evaluation is based on two exams, exercises, a field trip, and (grads only) a term paper.


GEOGRAPHY 551-001 PRINCIPLES OF REMOTE SENSING
2:00p.m. – 4:30p.m. CALLCOTT 005
Dr. John Jensen (7-5790)

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of remote sensing of the environment. First, the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with earth surface materials is explored. Then, various types of remote sensor systems are introduced so that the user can match the most appropriate sensor system with the application. The latter part of the course emphasizes applications of remote sensing to earth resource investigations, including: remote sensing of vegetation, water, urban/suburban infrastructure, and soils and rocks.  Evaluation is based on lab exercises (30%), a mid-term (30%), and a final exam (40%).

 

GEOGRAPHY 561-001 GEOGRAPHY FOR TEACHERS
MW 11:15a.m.-12:30p.m. CALLCOTT 102
Dr. Jerry Mitchell (7-2986)

Basic concepts and content related physical, cultural, and economic characteristics of place, human-environment interaction, migration, regions, and the national geography standards

GEOGRAPHY 563-001 & 002
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

T  9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m.   CALLCOTT 003
 Lab I - TH  9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m.  CALLCOTT 005
Lab II TH 12:30p.m. – 1:45p.m. CALLCOTT 005
Dr. Christopher Upchurch (7-5867)

This course covers the technical and conceptual bases of Geographic Information Systems.  This includes how GIS is used to perform spatial analysis, analysis of networks, incorporation of remote sensing data, and three-dimensional surfaces.
An integral part of this course is the extensive experience students gain using an operational geographic information system.  This experience allows the exploration of theoretical topics presented as well as examination and formulation of real-world applications areas as diverse as real estate, crime analysis, environmental protection, public health, and planning.

GEOGRAPHY 564-001 GIS BASED MODELING
MW 1:25p.m. – 2:15p.m. CALLCOTT 003
F 1:25p.m. – 2:15p.m. CALLCOTT 005
Dr. Michael Hodgson – (7-8976)

Purpose of Course

The purpose of the course is to present geographical and temporal modeling concepts using GIS modeling languages and techniques.  Practical laboratory experience with state-of-the-art software and hardware will be used.  Material covered will include the cartographic modeling language concepts by Tomlin, deterministic and statistical models, and coupled/embedded approaches to modeling.  By the end of the course, students should be able to make informed decisions about the appropriate conceptual model, scale of analysis, and GIS implementation strategy for geographical modeling problems.  Students will also be able to implement a variety of embedded models using ArcGIS and either Visual Basic Applications (VBA) or C#.

Prerequisites.   Students entering this course should have the equivalent of GEOG 563 and some experience with Visual Basic or C#/Java.

Course Presentation.   Material will be presented through lectures (Monday and Wednesday class meetings) and hands on work in the computing laboratory (generally on Fridays).  The geographic concepts are first presented in the context of one or more applications.  An implementation solution to the concept is next presented.  Finally, students conduct an extension of this concept and implementation using a GISystem.

GEOGRAPHY 595-001 -- INTERNSHIP IN GEOGRAPHY
(*A Signed Internship Contract Required by the Instructor before Enrolling) T B A
Dr. John Jakubs (7-6604) CALLCOTT 120

The internship in geography helps students acquire valuable "on the job" experience and develop marketable job skills as well as learn about employment opportunities and requirements.  Students serve as interns with cooperating government agencies, or commercial and nonprofit businesses.  A special effort is made to assign each intern to a position compatible with his/her interests, abilities, and career aspirations.  The course is graded on a pass/not pass basis.  Grades are determined by the Internship Director in consultation with supervisory personnel in cooperating agencies.  Grades are based on the performance of internship duties and the preparation of an internship summary report.

GEOGRAPHY 705 -- DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL STUDIES IN GEOGRAPHY
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127
Directed research topics individually assigned and supervised by graduate faculty.


GEOGRAPHY 706 -- SELECTED TOPICS IN CART/RS
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127
Directed research topics individually assigned and supervised by graduate faculty.

GEOGRAPHY 721-001 SEMINAR IS SYSTEMATIC GEOGRAPHY
(CULTURAL LANDSCAPES)

T  2:00p.m. 4:30p.m.  CALLCOTT 228
Dr.Amy Mills (7-5688)

The aim of this seminar is to evaluate various concepts of the cultural landscape for the perspectives they offer for geographic studies of culture. “Landscape” denotes the interaction between people and place. Geography after the ‘cultural turn’ assumes that the landscape is more than a ‘naively given section of reality’, a ‘trace of culture’, or an ‘unwitting autobiography’. The landscape is, rather, implicated in processes of social and cultural reproduction: it is not innocent. It is the material space through which people articulate values, ideologies, or narratives which give shape to individual or collective identities (for example, through images, symbols, monuments, public art, or architecture). The landscape is not only a result of particular ideologies, however, but it also sustains them: it communicates, it is political, and it conditions our social relationships. By studying the landscape we can understand social constructions of race, gender, ethnicity, class, or other dimensions of identity. The seminar will arrive at this theoretical discussion by beginning with some defining studies of the cultural landscape. We will explore the landscape in its materiality, landscape as representation, and landscape as a material discourse. We will also examine methodological approaches in landscape studies. By the end of this course, students will be able to: define and critique foundational theories in cultural landscape studies; use landscape studies to understand social identity and inequality; and employ approaches, concepts, and methodologies of cultural landscape studies in their own research.

Geography 746-001 SEMINAR IN CLIMATOLOGY
            M 4:00p.m. - 6:30p.m.  CALLCOTT 228
Dr. Greg Carbone (7-0687)

This seminar will investigate the relationship between climate and water resources. Since the topic is broad, we would focus on the specific interests of students enrolled and may include: interannual climate variability and climate predictability, developing scenarios for local and regional scale climate change (downscaling), estimating and modeling impacts on water resources, measuring extreme events, and developing climate decision-support tools. These are simply opening suggestions. My intent is to provide enough structure to create some threads throughout the semester, while allowing enough flexibility for you to meet your individual goals. Grades will be based on short papers, class discussions, and a semester project.

GEOGRAPHY 799 -- THESIS PREPARATION
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127

 

GEOGRAPHY 805 -- DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL STUDIES IN
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION PROCESSING

(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)
T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127

Directed research topics in geographical information processing processing to be individually supervised by graduate faculty.

 

GEOGRAPHY 830-001 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY

W 9:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. CALLCOTT 228
Dr. Susan Cutter (7-1590)

This research seminar is designed for students to critical evaluate a number of research trends in the environmental field.  The readings represent a combination of environmental “classics” as well as a number of provocative books illustrating contemporary debates.  In addition to enhancing our critical understanding, students will development research skills in the environmental area.

GEOGRAPHY 863-001 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
M 2:25p.m. – 4:450p.m. CALLCOTT 228
Dr. Diansheng Guo (7-2989)

A research seminar in which students conduct a detailed analysis of specific aspects of geographical data handling. This will include the design, implementation, and management of an operational geographical information system.

GEOGRAPHY 899 – DISSERTATION PREPARATION
(*Requires Departmental Chair Approval)  T B A
Dr. William Graf (7-5234) CALLCOTT 127

 

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