Geography

Professor Frederick L. Bein

Associate Professors Timothy Brothers, Thomas Fedor, Catherine Souch

Assistant Professor Owen Dwyer, Jeffrey Wilson

Adjunct Professors Assistant Professor Robert Beck, Associate Professor John Ottensmann

Lecturer Nadine Martin

Academic Advising: Cavanaugh Hall 213, Phone: (317) 274-8877; fax: (317) 274-2347; e-mail: geogdept@iupui.edu.

Geography, like history, is a way of looking at the world. Whereas historians study variation through time, geographers study variation through space: how and why the earth's natural and human features vary from place to place. Underlying this spatial approach are such recurring themes as spatial diffusion of people, goods, and ideas; the significance of relative location in human interaction; the power of place in human conscience; and the interaction of physical and human processes to create characteristic landscapes. Geographers work at the intersection of social and natural sciences, using the concepts and methods of both to examine human-environmental relationships in their full complexity. This integrative approach is a hallmark of geography and one of its main attractions. Geographers can be found in a great variety of positions, often not specifically identified as geographic: environmental management, urban planning, conservation, recreation and tourism, transportation planning, international affairs, and many others.

Major in Geography

Students must complete the School of Liberal Arts graduation requirements and a minimum of 30 credit hours in geography, as detailed below. The core courses are intended to provide a foundation for more specialized upper-division courses, and thus should be taken at the beginning of the major program. Geography G309 is normally offered every fall semester and G311 every spring.

Four core courses:

Minor in Geography

Lower-Division Courses

G108 Physical Systems of the Environment: Laboratory (2 cr.) Laboratory session to complement G107 Physical Systems of the Environment. Practical and applied aspects of meteorology, climatology, vegetation, soils, and landforms. This laboratory session is optional for students enrolling in G107. G107 must be taken prior to or concurrently with G108.

G110 Introduction to Human Geography
(3 cr.) An introduction to the principles, concepts, and methods of analysis used in the study of human geographic systems. Examines geographic perspectives on contemporary world problems such as population growth, globalization of the economy, and human-environmental relations.

G111 Hurricanes (1 cr.) Introduction to processes involved in the initiation and development of hurricanes, forecasting and modeling tools used to predict their effects, and impacts on the natural environment and humans.

G112 Thunderstorms and Tornados (1 cr.) Introduction to the processes involved in the initiation and development of thunderstorms and tornados, forecasting and modeling tools to predict their spatial pattern and effects, and impacts on the natural environment and humans.

G113 The Ozone "Hole" (1 cr.) Introduction to the role and significance of the stratospheric ozone layer and the nature and extent of its depletion. Attention will focus on the development of our understanding, human intervention, and major points of controversy.

G114 The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming (1 cr.) Introduction to the greenhouse effect and global carbon cycle. Attention will be directed to how, when, and where humans have altered this cycle and the implications for future climates. Methods for monitoring climate change will be studied and areas of greatest uncertainty identified. Particular attention will be directed to the spatial pattern of projected effects produced by global climate models.

G123 Soil Survey (1 cr.) An introduction to soil geography. Soil development processes, USDA soil survey map interpretation, physical and mechanical soil properties, and land use analysis.

G130 World Geography (3 cr.) An analysis of the existing and emerging geographic patterns in the world and of the processes and trends producing such patterns. An examination of the global scale of human activities and interaction with the environment and the linkages tying the various regions of the world into a single, global system.

G185 Global Environmental Change (3 cr.) The scientific basis behind natural and human-induced global environmental changes. Geological perspective of the formation of the earth. Human activities influencing the natural system, including population, deforestation, water usage, acid rain, ozone depletion, smog, and global warming. Subsequent human reactions. Co-taught in Departments of Geography and Geology.

Upper-Division Courses

G300 The World of Maps (3 cr.) Acquaints students with the practical use and evaluation of various types of maps and charts and introduces the basic analysis and interpretation of this medium of communication. Attention to the history of maps; types, compilation, and presentation of information on maps; mapping the earth; and cognitive and thematic mapping.

G303 Weather and Climate (3 cr.) Systematic study of atmospheric processes and interrelationships, with a focus on understanding the physical basis of weather and climate. Emphasis on components of radiation and energy balances, atmospheric circulation, global weather systems, human effects on climate, and climate change.

G305 Environmental Change: Nature and Impact (3 cr.) An integrated systems approach to examining the forcing, systems response, and impacts of environmental change. Key scientific areas: climate variability, sensitivity, and prediction, environmental chemistry, ecosystem and anthropogenic response.

G307 Biogeography: The Distribution of Life (3 cr.) A survey of the present and past distributions of the world's plants and animals, emphasizing ecological explanation of species distributions. Topics include evolution and distribution of major plant and animal groups, world vegetation, plant and animal domestication, introduction of plant and animal pests, destruction of natural communities, and extinction.

G309 Frontiers in Geographic Thought (3 cr.) Provides a survey of the development of philosophical frameworks and theories used in physical and human geography.

G310 Human Impact on Environment (3 cr.) A systematic examination of how people have altered patterns of climate, hydrology, land forms, soils, and biota. Course emphasizes that understanding human impacts requires knowledge of both the sociocultural forces that drive human activity and the natural processes that determine environmental patterns.

G311 Introduction to Research Methods in Geography (3 cr.) Introduction to geographic research questions and methodologies. Focus on special characteristics of geographic problems in the realms of both physical and human geography. Study of scientific versus nonscientific methods, the nature of geographic data, methods of data analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

G312 Gender and Geography (3 cr)Covers major themes of human geography with a focus on women and gender relations. The spatial variations in the economic and social situations of women both globally and within the North American context will be documented. A survey of gender differences in urban areas, in access to facilities, in political participation, and in environmental perception will be provided.

G314 Urban Geography (3 cr.) Study and interpretation of urban spatial structures, design, policies, and problems with an emphasis on geographic perspective. Topics include urban housing markets, racial segregation, homelessness, and urban crime.

G315 Environmental Conservation (3 cr.)
Conservation of natural resources including soil, water, wildlife, and forests as interrelated components of environmental quality.

G321 Geography of Europe (3 cr.) Geographical analysis of the physical features of the European environment and the spatial patterns and inter-relationships of the cultural, economic, and political landscapes. Emphasis placed on human impact on the environment through long-term occupance.

G322 Geography of Russia and Adjacent Lands (3 cr.) Spatial analysis of the economic, social, and political structure of Russia and the other new countries of the former Soviet Union. Examination of the physical environment and its potential for human utilization. Special emphasis on problems regarding the stability of these new states, current efforts at political and economic reform, and environmental pollution.

G323 Geography of Latin America (3 cr.)
National and regional variations in terrain, climate, natural resources, and economic and social life in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America.

G326 Geography of North America (3 cr.)
Continental and regional variations in terrain, climate, and economic and social life of the United States and Canada, with emphasis on geographical principles, sources of data, and techniques of investigation.

G327 Geography of Indiana (3 cr.) A geographical analysis of the state of Indiana. Emphasis placed on the interrelationship of the state's physical and human geography.

G328 Rural Landscapes of North America
(3 cr.) Rural geography of the United States and Canada, focusing on rural settlements, culture, economic activities, and land subdivision. The spatial impacts of economic and technological changes on land use are considered through an examination of relict structures and urban expansion into rural areas.

G329: North American House Types (3 cr) Houses are a visible semi-permanent record of human values, political ideas, historical settlement, and community development. This record is reflected in the types of houses built during a particular time period, by certain groups of people, or in a certain area of the country. This course examines house types for the purpose of identifying and analyzing geographic patterns that occur in North America.

G331 Economic Geography (3 cr.) An examination of the spatial dynamics and locational patterns of economic activities, behavior, and systems. The study of the spatial organization of resource utilization, agricultural production, manufacturing, business, transportation, and trade.

G335 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (3 cr.) Interpretation and measurements on aerial photographs and compilation of controlled maps. Geographic applications of color, infrared, radar, multiband, and other imagery from aerial and space-orbiting craft. Lecture and laboratory.

G336 Introduction to Remote Sensing and Air Photo Interpretation (3 cr) Nature and interpretation of remotely sensed data collected from field, airborne, and space-borne sensors. Data from the visible, infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are discussed and analyzed from a geographic applications perspective. Visual, photogrammetric, digital image processing, and GIS interpretation approaches are presented. Lecture and laboratory.

G337 Computer Cartography and Graphics (3 cr.) Compilation, design, production, and evaluation of maps and related graphic materials. Includes cartometric procedures, symbolization, color use guidelines, map typography, photographic manipulations, computer animation, and geographic visualization techniques. Hardcopy and internet-based outputs. Lecture and laboratory.

G338 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.)G338: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.). Overview of the principles and practices of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course will deal with issues of spatial data models, database design, introductory and intermediate GIS operations, and case studies of real-world GIS applications. Laboratory exercises will provide significant hands-on experience. Lecture and laboratory. Overview of the principles and practices of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course will deal with issues of spatial data models, database design, introductory and intermediate GIS operations, and case studies of real-world GIS applications. Laboratory exercises will provide significant hands-on experience. Lecture and laboratory.

G345 Field Study in Geography (3 cr.)
P: 12 credit hours in geography, consent of instructor. Faculty-supervised fieldwork in selected areas of geography. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credit hours.

G355 Political Geography (3 cr.)
An examination of the spatial organization of political systems and the interaction of geographical area and political processes. Emphasis on the geographical characteristics of states and the geographical dimensions of international relations.

G390 Topics in Geography (1-3 cr.) An examination of selected problems and issues in geography or from a geographic perspective. Topics vary from semester to semester. Recent offerings include Cuba, Wine, Italy, Severe Weather, and Human Modification of River systems.

G404 Soils Geography (3 cr.) Soil genesis, morphology, and classification; soil physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Soil maps and related data in land use analysis and the planning process.

G410 Medical Geography (3 cr.) An examination of the spatial patterns of human disease and related social and environmental factors. An analysis of inequalities in the access to and use of health care.

G436 Advanced Remote Sensing: Digital Image Processing (3 cr.) Advanced remote sensing theory and digital image processing techniques with an emphasis on environmental applications. Hands-on computer exercises provide significant experience in introductory digital image processing for extraction of qualitative and quantitative information about the Earth’s terrestrial environments. Prerequisite: G336 or consent of instructor. Lecture and laboratory.

G421 Environments in the Third World (3 cr.) A geographical analysis concerned with developing countries and focusing on issues related to development and the environmental consequences. Concern for the natural environment is expressed with regard to how it is affected by population pressures, economic advancement, and urbanization. An understanding of Third World people and their cultures is presented.

G438 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.) Intermediate and advanced topics in geographic information science and spatial analysis techniques using GIS software. This advanced course is for upper-division undergraduates and graduates who seek a greater understanding of this rapidly developing field and to learn how to construct, manage and analyze their own GIS data and models. Prerequisite: G338 or consent of instructor. Lecture and laboratory.

G439 Seminar in Geographic Information Science (3 cr.) Applications of geographic information science principles in the collection and analysis of spatial data. Integration of GIS, remote sensing, and/or GPS technologies. Review of current literature on techniques, theory, technology, and applications with an emphasis on environmental issues. Discussions, laboratory, and research project. Prerequisites: G336, G338, and G436 or G438.

G446 Cultural Biogeography (3 cr.) R: G307. Examines human alterations of natural plant and animal distributions. Topics include deforestation, extinction, plant and animal domestication, and introduction of alien organisms. Seminar format.

G450 Undergraduate Readings and Research in Geography (1-3 cr.) Research in selected problems: papers are ordinarily required.

G460 Geography Internship (1-6 cr.) P: 12 credit hours of geography and departmental approval. Supervised field experience in geography, normally in conjunction with approved work at a government agency or private firm. Requires 40 hours of work per 1 hour of credit.

G465 Field Methods in Physical Geography (6 cr.) P: G311 or consent of instructor. A survey of the methods and equipment basic to field research in physical geography, including climatology, hydrology, soil geography, and biogeography. Normally taught jointly by two instructors. May include a one-week field trip.

G475 Climate Change (3 cr.) R: G303. Advanced course on the evidence for and theories of climate change over a range of time scales, focusing on the period before the instrumental record.

G488 Applied Spatial Statistics (3 cr.) Extension of traditional statistical analysis to two-dimensional Earth space. Examination of centers, dispersion, nearest neighbor analysis, quadrat methods, and contiguity analysis. Problems of analyzing areally aggregated spatially distributed data.

G491 Capstone Experience in Geography (1 cr.) An independent project for senior-level students, applying geographic theory and techniques to a topic of geographic interest beyond the limits of the regular curriculum. Open to majors or nonmajors with appropriate preparation, including G309 and G311. May be taken alone or concurrently with another course.

Graduate Courses