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Geography Course Descriptions

110 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY: CONCEPTS AND REGIONS

This course will provide a comprehensive and wide-ranging overview of the discipline of geography. It will consider the basic concepts and skills necessary to begin the study of both individual places and regions in the world. Considerable attention will be paid to the holistic nature of geography and the need to understand the importance of physical processes as they relate to human occupancy and activity in a world regions context. Case method instruction is used in this course. No prerequisite. Materials fee. Not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits)

 

111 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL ISSUES

This course is an introduction to the global perspectives, basic concepts and fundamental questions of geography. It focuses on the ways through which all places on Earth are interconnected and how the human use of Earth's surface varies over space. Major topics covered will be the human perception of earth space and the ways people give order to space; the growth and distribution of human population; the localization and spatial characteristics of patterns of settlement and land use; geopolitics and colonialism; environmental geography; the geography of economic development and modernization; principles of the analysis of spatial diffusion; spatial aspects of retail marketing; the geographic analysis of issues in industrialized societies focusing on gender issues, racism, poverty, sport, and religion. No prerequisite. Every semester. (4 credits)

 

112 INTRODUCTION TO URBAN STUDIES

This course introduces students to the academic study of urbanism by considering the question: what must American cities do to support their citizens and be successful in the emerging global economy? The course will address this central question by exploring academic literature in three essential areas: the provision of jobs, housing, and education. In studying this literature, students will learn about policy issues on such topics as urban economic development, metropolitan transportation, neighborhood regeneration, suburbanization and sprawl, school desegregation, metropolitan political fragmentation, and regionalism. In order to foster experiential learning, students will engage local community organizations that work on policy issues in these areas. Based on these experiences, students will focus on a particular area and develop their own academic response to the central question of the course. No prerequisite. Every fall. (4 credits)

 

116 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

A systematic introduction to the 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 climate, landforms, soils and vegetation and, to a lesser extent, examines human interaction with the environment. No prerequisite. Not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits)

 

225 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

This course provides an introductory integrative experience with visualization and manipulation of geo-spatial data. Students will compare and evaluate vector and raster digital geographic data commonly used in Geographic Information Science (e.g., DOQs, TIGER files, DEMs, and census boundaries). Course projects investigate scale, coordinate systems, and projections for geo-spatial data. Projects include classification of demographic data and query/analysis of vector and raster data. Lab section is required. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour per week required. Materials fee is required. Every semester. (4 credits)

 

232 PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT (also Environmental Studies 232)

This course introduces you to the study of human-environment interactions from a geographic perspective, with a special emphasis on the role of humans in changing the face of the earth and how, in turn, this changing environment influences humans. The course will examine environmental issues in a variety of geographic contexts (developed and developing countries) and the connections between environmental problems in different locations. Students will explore the fundamentals of environmental science, economics, cultural and political ecology, as well as a number of sectoral issues related to human population growth, agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, forest resources, energy use, climate change, and environmental health. No prerequisites. Offered Fall 2007 as a first year course. (4 credits)

 

241 URBAN GEOGRAPHY

This course seeks to explain the evolving pattern of cities across the earth in terms of the distribution and movement of resources and people. In addition, a careful analysis of the development and internal spatial structure of North American cities will be carried out. Much class time will be spent on discussion of contemporary urban problems such as segregation, unequal investment, and control of public space as well as attempts at their solution. This is intended for all students intending to major in Urban Studies. Field work required. No prerequisite. Fall semester. (4 credits)

 

242 REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

This course will explore the ways in which diverse groups of people interact with the natural environment to produce the contemporary cultures and regional differentiation of the U.S. and Canada. Special attention will be given to the development of Native American lands and to the changes in distribution of ethnic groups. Emphasis on patterns of human settlement, economic activity, land use, and physical geography. Fundamental understanding of both region and concept. Case studies and short field trips will be used to demonstrate broad themes at a more personal scale. Prerequisite: Geography 111 or permission of the instructor. Not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits)

 

243 REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA

This class seeks to go beyond the superficial media interpretations of the vast African continent. As geographers, students will attempt to place contemporary African developments in a historical and global context. The course provides a basic background in African history and geography, leading to discussion of advanced topics in contemporary African studies. The course takes a systematic rather than regional approach, examining sets of issues, rather than regions or countries of Africa. The course covers a broad range of topics, including: Africa in historical perspective; physical geography (physical landscapes, climate, vegetation, soils); human-environment interactions (forest degradation, desertification); population dynamics (population growth, distribution and mobility); culture and change (religion, modernization); development (ideology and economic development, Africa in the global economy); social geography (African women and development, education); medical geography (disease, health care and policy); agricultural development (traditional farming systems, cash crops, policy); urban economies (evolution of the urban structure, industry, housing); and political geography (democratization, conflict). This course fills the international diversity requirement. Prerequisite: GEOG 111 or permission of the instructor. Next offered 2008–2009. (4 credits)

 

245 REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE POST-SOVIET UNION

This course deals with the complexities of the geography of the world's largest set of states, the Post-Soviet Union. Discussions center on the growth and expansion of Russia in pre-evolutionary times and the solidification and demise of the Soviet Union in the 20th century. Particular attention is drawn to the physical setting, settlement patterns, population growth and composition, ethnic groups, economic patterns, relationships of the Post-Soviet Union with other regions of the world, and prospects for the future. Case method instruction is used in this course. No prerequisite. Not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits)

 

248 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

This course examines the state as a political structure-its emergence, development, and contemporary transformation-from a geographic perspective. The course covers the historical formation of the state as the primary political unit, how states have drawn on discourses of geopolitics and nationalism to structure political action both in and outside their territory, and the ways in which states are changing in the current context of globalization. Special attention will be given to debates about the value of state-centered frameworks for analyzing contemporary political power. The course concludes by considering how analyses of political relationships at subnational (i.e., local and regional) scales contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of the global system. Prerequisites: Geography 111, Political Science 120, or Political Science 160. Fall semester. (4 credits)

 

250 RACE, PLACE AND SPACE (Same as American Studies 250)

In this discussion-based course we focus on the racialized places of U.S. cities, rural towns and suburbs in an effort to understand how social, historic, and spatial forces have colluded to bring about complex and enduring racial formations. We will look for race and related social categories in places around St. Paul and Minneapolis. By engaging theories about visuality and representation, urban development and suburban sprawl, and social movements for racial justice, we will develop a specialized vocabulary for explaining how race, place, and space are connected. This course requires prior exposure to at least one of the following areas: American Studies, human geography, sociology of race/ethnicity, or urban studies. Next offered Fall 2007. (4 credits)

 

252 WATER AND POWER (Same as Environmental Studies 252 and Political Science 252)

This course develops an interdisciplinary approach to studying water resources development, drawing from political science, geography, anthropology, history, hydrology and civil engineering. With a focus on large river basins, the course examines historical and emerging challenges to the equitable and sustainable use of transboundary waters. After first exploring the American water development model, the course will examine the promulgation of this model in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Dam development for irrigation, electricity, navigation and flood protection will be discussed. Prerequisite: Environmental Studies 120, 133, or 232. Every fall. (4 credits)

 

254 GEOGRAPHY OF WORLD POPULATION ISSUES

This course challenges students to critically examine global population issues from a local-scale perspective and to understand the local context in which regional and international population patterns emerge. Using the lens of Geography, we will investigate the dynamic interplay between individual, local, regional, national, and international scales and the implications of scale, culture and perspective in dissecting current population issues. We will also use individual countries as case studies to examine population policies. Students will acquire a working knowledge of the data and methods used by population geographers to describe and analyze changes in human populations at sub-national scales, and will implement these skills in an independent research project. Prerequisite: Geography 111 or permission of the instructor. Not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits).

 

261 GEOGRAPHY OF WORLD URBANIZATION

This course is focused on the development of the global urban system. Primary topics include the rise of non-industrial cities in Africa and Asia, rise and expansion of the industrial urban network in Europe, colonial cities and the growth of "world cities," those large urban areas that are command and control points in the world economy. In addition, models of the internal spatial structure of cities in various parts of the world will be examined. Special emphasis will be given to the comparison of socialist and capitalist urban planning. Students will be responsible for conducting research on specific urban systems in different regions. Students are required to use the Internet for research and creation of a course web site on the geography department home page. Spring semester. (4 credits)

 

262 METRO ANALYSIS

This course discusses the foundations of American urban life and metropolitan development today, and examines how and why urban housing markets operate as they do within American metropolitan regions. Topics covered in the course include: the metropolitan economy, land use patterns, urban housing supply and demand, the geography of urban housing markets, suburbanization, transportation, and public policy debates. By the end of the course, students will have mastered some of the methods used to describe metropolitan organization and change, and be able to analyze how changes in the economy and society relate to metropolitan land use. No prerequisite. Not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits)

 

341 URBAN SOCIAL GEOGRAPHY

Urban social geography is the study of social and spatial dimensions of city life. In this course, we will explore some of the ways in which urban society is organized geographically. We will also consider how the spatial patterns of urban life influence public policy issues in the American context. Topics covered in this course include causes of racial segregation, debates about gentrification, sustainable suburban development, the transition from government to governance in cities, and the delivery of urban services that affect the education, health and economic welfare of urban populations. Students will learn current research, engage debates about critical urban issues, and learn techniques useful for analyzing spatial patterns in the urban landscape. Prerequisites: Geography 112, 242, 262 or instructor permission. Spring semester. (4 credits)

 

364 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS

This course provides students with the basic concepts and principles essential in applying geographic information systems (GIS) to practical project development in areas such as natural resource management, urban studies, and geographic education. Topics covered in the course include data collection, data quality and metadata, data structures, visualization, and spatial analysis and modeling. Students are required to develop GIS projects. Lab section is required. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour per week required. Materials fee is required. Prerequisites: Geography 225 or permission of the instructor. Next offered Spring 2008.(4 credits).

 

365 ADVANCED CARTOGRAPHY & URBAN GIS

This course allows students to participate in a "real world" application of their GIS knowledge and skills in a collaborative research project setting. Project focus is on urban GIS and questions developed by and for neighborhoods and other community research organizations. Content of the course includes development of the research project, acquisition and utilization of data used in urban analysis, data manipulation and analytical techniques unique to urban GIS, and geographical data visualization. Laboratory work is required. Materials fee is required. This course plays an active role in Macalester's Civic Engagement initiatives. In addition, this course fills the Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Prerequisites: Geography 225 and permission of instructor. Alternate years; next offered Spring 2008. (4 credits)

 

377 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY

This course explores the ways in which different qualitative research methods in the social sciences contribute to geographical research. The course introduces students to research design principles, to methods for qualitative data collection (including interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and archival research), and to analysis techniques (including textual analysis and landscape interpretation). The course also considers how qualitative research methods can be used to analyze geographical concepts, such as scale, landscape, and place, and improve our understanding of spatial processes. Students will enhance their research skills by conducting original research-the class will involve collecting and analyzing qualitative data and preparing and presenting research reports. Prerequisite: Geography 111. Fall semester. (4 credits)

 

378 THE DISCIPLINE AND METHODS OF GEOGRAPHY

A survey of quantitative methods and techniques in the discipline of geography. Geography as an integrating discipline in the social sciences, statistical research methods to describe and analyze spatial problems, preparation and presentation of research reports, discussions of geographic study. This course fills the quantitative reasoning requirement. No prerequisite. Spring semester. (4 credits)

 

488 SEMINARS

 

Cities of the 21st Century

In this urban studies capstone seminar students research the internal and external forces that will foster change and reinforce the status quo in American cities and urban society during the 21st century. Course readings cover the changing political economy of cities, resource scarcity and urban design, the forces and history of suburbanization, the rise of smart growth strategies, and the implementation of new urbanism doctrine. Students will engage in fieldwork and conduct original research projects to evaluate the ability of experimental design projects to foster change in urban ways of life. Students will consider their collective findings and discuss what they portend for future of urban America. Prerequisite: Geography 112, 241, 262 or permission of instructor. Spring semester. (4 credits)

 

Urban Geography Field Seminar

A research methods course in which students will conduct an individual inquiry in one of the following sub-fields of urban geography: spatial structure of urban areas; spatial interaction; problems of economic localization; and factors in intra-urban residential mobility. Students will be expected to participate in group projects which may produce either a written report or a map. The seminar focuses on topics of special interest to local communities and is part of Macalester's Civic Engagement initiatives. Prerequisite: Geography 241 or permission of the instructor. Alternate years; next offered Spring 2008. (4 credits)

 

Transportation Geography Seminar

A research seminar in which students will conduct an individual inquiry into transportation geography, from issues of transport problems and planning to the social and environmental effects of transport. The course will emphasize current research and planning trends, and new approaches (e.g. congestion pricing, urban growth limits) to a variety of traditional transportation problems. The course will also include guest speakers and field trips. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Alternate years; not offered 2007–2008. (4 credits)

 

Historical Geography of Urbanization

A research methods course in which students will conduct inquiries on the development of urban settlement forms throughout the world. The genesis of contemporary American landscapes with an emphasis on the Middle West. Field trips and individual projects. The seminar frequently produces studies of a neighborhood in cooperation with a local community. It is part of Macalester's Civic Engagement initiatives. Prerequisite: Geography 241 or permission of the instructor. Alternate years; next offered Spring 2009. (4 credits)

 

Comparative Environment and Development Studies (Same as Environmental Studies 477)

A concern for the relationship between nature and society has been one of the pillars of geographic inquiry, and has also been an important bridge between other disciplines. By the 1960s, this area of inquiry was referred to variously as "human ecology" or "cultural ecology." Over the last decade certain forms of inquiry within this tradition have increasingly referred to themselves as "political ecology." The purpose of this seminar is to review major works within the traditions of cultural and political ecology; examine several areas of interest within these fields (e.g., agricultural modernization, environmental narratives, conservation, ecotourism); and explore nature-society dynamics across a range of geographical contexts. Towards the end of the course students will explore how one might begin to think in practical terms about facilitating development in marginal environments. Prerequisite: Geography 232 or permission of instructor. Fall semester.(4 credits)

 

614 INDEPENDENT PROJECT

A limit of eight credits for independent projects may be applied toward the major. An independent study internship that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Every semester. (4 credits)

 

624 INTERNSHIP

Students work with a Twin Cities community organization, agency or business, learning particular skills, factual knowledge about "real world" operations and interpersonal communications. Internships are individually designed around students' interests, college studies and career goals. Advanced planning is required through the Internship Office. Not more than eight credits for internships may be included toward the major concentration. An internship that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Every semester. (4 credits)

 

634 PRECEPTORSHIP

Every semester. (4 credits)

 

644 HONORS INDEPENDENT

Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Every semester. (1–4 credits)

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