Geography
The objective of the geography program is to provide an understanding of the
interrelationships between people and their cultural and physical environments.
Factual information is combined with geographic theories to identify, through
critical thinking, the spatial relationships found on the Earth’s surface.
Attention is also given to the geographic tools and techniques used to analyze
the natural and human patterns found on the Earth’s surface.
Students
seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree may earn a major or a minor in geography as
outlined below.
The Bachelor of Arts
The degree of Bachelor of Arts, with
a major in geography, requires successful completion of 128 semester hours,
including (1) the Program of General Studies; (2) the geography program listed
below; and (3) a program of electives or a minor as worked out with the
student’s adviser. Students are encouraged to enroll in foreign language
courses. Junior/Senior students may also complete a 3-to-6-hour internship
subject to the approval of the geography faculty.
MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY—36 HOURS
GEOG 101, 200, 300, 311, 465; nine hours of
regional studies courses and twelve hours of systematic geography
courses.
*One of the following courses may be taken in lieu of a systematic
geography course: APST 300; ECON 201 or 202; MATH 105, 201; SOC 310, 399. Two of
the following geology courses may be taken in lieu of the corresponding number
of systematic geography courses: GEOL 101, 202, 205, 341.
MINOR IN
GEOGRAPHY—15 HOURS
GEOG 101, 200, and nine hours of geography electives with
consultation from student’s adviser.
MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY WITH AN AREA OF
EMPHASIS IN CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS—45 HOURS
GEOG 101,
200, 300, 311, 411, 465; one course from the following: GEOG 312, 412; nine
hours of regional studies courses; MATH 103, 105, 201; two courses from the
following: GEOG 360,
GEOG 450, 460 (Geomorphology), GEOL 101, 205, 341, 385, 420 (Environmental
Remote Sensing), PHYS 105, CIET 110 (offered at Bluefield State College). This
concentration will prepare students for careers and graduate work in Cartography
and Geographic Information Systems.
AREA OF EMPHASIS IN PRE-ENVIRONMENTAL
LAW—33 HOURS
POSC 104, 202, 225, 401; GEOG 200, 300, 320; BIOL 101, 102, 201.
This area of emphasis will prepare students for graduate work in public policy,
public affairs, or environmental law. It can be used to supplement any
major.
Introductory Geography Courses
Note: GEOG 101 and 200 are the
prerequisites for all other courses in geography.
All Geography prerequisites may be waived with the consent of the geography
faculty.
101 Principles of World Cultural Geography. (3)
A survey course covering
the culture regions of the world. Emphasis is placed on the geographic themes of
place, location, movement, regions, human/environment interaction and landscape.
(F, S)
200 Principles of Physical Geography. (3)
An introductory course
that studies the Earth as the environment of man. It emphasizes the physical
pattern of climates, landforms, soils, vegetations, and natural resources. (F,
S)
Regional Geography Courses
250 Regional Studies. (3)
Regional studies focus on selected portions of
the Earth’s surface and the interdependency of nations. Regional geography
courses prepare students to be aware of and understand people culturally
different from themselves. Courses include the following: Europe, North Africa
and the Middle East, Russia, Southeast Asia, The Appalachians, Latin America,
the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, and North America. Regional courses may be taken
repeatedly for credit, so long as there is no duplication of the area studied.
Region of study will be reported on the student’s transcript. (F, S)
Systematic Geography Courses
300 Sustainable Development. (3)
A study of the need for conservation, its
practice and philosophy. Emphasis on the interaction of people and the
environment they inhabit.
301 Economic Geography. (3)
A study of the
nature, distribution, and spatial dynamics of economic activities.
311
Computer Cartography. (3)
The construction, interpretation, and analysis of
maps and aerial photography. Students will use cartographic computer software
and peripheral equipment to accomplish these course objectives.
312 Advanced
Computer Cartography. (3)
Prerequisite: GEOG 311.
Advanced issues and
techniques in the construction, interpretation, and analysis of maps. Students
will master an expanded variety of cartographic computer software and peripheral
equipment to accomplish these course objectives.
320 Political Geography.
(3)
A study of the role of geographic conditions and considerations in local,
national, and international politics. Special attention is given to political
problems and topics of current interest.
321 Advanced Cultural Geography.
(3)
A systematic survey of culture through the topics of human origins,
demographics, agriculture, politics, language, religion, folk societies,
ethnicity, and urban life. There is an emphasis on popular culture. Advanced
Cultural Geography is also listed as SOC 310.
330 Geography of Tourism and
Outdoor Recreation. (3)
A study of the patterns of pleasure travel and
processes of recreation, with emphasis on the geographic factors which influence
demand, usage, and development of recreation areas and facilities. (Also listed
as RTM 340.)
340 Geography of Soils and Agricultural Land Use. (4)
A
study of those soil physical and chemical properties that influence a soil’s
agricultural suitability. Field analysis and soil sampling, land capability
assessment, water infiltration and retention studies, and soil texture and
nutrient status analysis are done in the field and laboratory. Three hours
lecture, two hours laboratory.
360 Meteorology and Climatology.
(4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or permission of instructor.
A study of the
earth-atmosphere system’s energy flows, dynamic climatology, the principles that
produce the climate patterns of the past and the present, and of the climate
change forcing mechanisms that will generate the climates of the future. Three
hours lecture, two hours laboratory.
410 Urban Geography. (3)
Examines the
historical, social, economic, and political processes shaping the urban
landscape. Studies geographical models of urban land use. The course also covers
contemporary issues facing North American cities.
411 Geographic Information
Systems. (3)
Prerequisite: GEOG 311.
The construction, maintenance,
analysis, and display of computerized geographic databases.
412 Advanced
Geographic Information Systems. (3)
Prerequisites: GEOG 311, 411; MATH
105.
Advanced issues in the use and design of Geographic Information Systems.
450 Field Methods, Internships, and Research in Geography. (3-6)
Prerequisites: Upper-class standing and consent of instructor.
Classroom, field, and library experience in the tools and methodology of
geographic research. A faculty approved internship may be substituted in lieu of
the above. Students will develop a topic and present a formal paper based on
their research.
460 Special Topics in Geography. (3)
Advanced study in
specific geographic topics. May be taken repeatedly for credit. Topic of study
will be included on student’s transcript. Examples of topics include Native
American Geography, and Historical Geography.
465 Geography Capstone.
(3)
Prerequisites: GEOG 101, GEOG 200
The course is intended to provide
students with an integrated overview of the discipline of geography and to
prepare students for careers in geography.
4601 Special Studies in Geography.
(1)
Provides concentrated study on a specific topic. It may be repeated for
credit, and the title of the special study will be included on the student’s
transcript. Examples of special studies include: Introduction to Geographic
Thought, GPS Applications in GIS, and Readings in Geography.
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