Geography (GEO)

GEO 101. Global Forces, Local Diversity. (3)

Application of human geography concepts to patterns and processes of economic, political, and cultural changes at global, regional and local scales. IIC, IIIB. PA-2A, PA-4C. CAS-C.

GEO 111. World Regional Geography: Patterns and Issues. (3)

Introduction to world geography emphasizing regional approach and comparisons; combines analysis and synthesis of characteristics distinctive to each principal culture realm; focuses upon selected topical issues involving ethnic, political, economic, social, and environmental aspects. IIC, IIIB. PA-2A, PA-4C. CAS-C.

GEO 121. Earth's Physical Environment. (4)

Study of the earth's physical environment, using systems approach to understand energy and material cycles, global circulation, and temporal dynamics. Focus on influence of physical processes on spatial patterns and on interrelationships of the atmosphere, soils, vegetation, and landforms. Credit not granted to students who have earned credit in GEO 122. IVB, LAB. PA-2B. CAS-D/LAB.
3 Lec. 1 Lab.

GEO 122. Geographic Perspectives on the Environment. (3)

An introduction to physical geography that enables class participants to understand and interpret the environmental conditions of any geographic locality on earth. Special emphasis is placed on understanding relationships between geographic patterns and processes in the atmosphere (weather and climate), biosphere (vegetation and soils), and lithosphere (landforms). With knowledge of global physical environments, it is possible to predict the suitability an area may have for human habitation, and also the influences certain human activities may have on the physical environment. Credit not granted to students who have earned credit in GEO 121. IVB. PA-2B. CAS-D.

GEO 159. Creating Global Peace. (3)

Focuses on the study of peace, as represented across disciplinary boundaries and at local-to-global scales of analyses. Combines guest lectures, scholarly readings and other media, reflective writing and discussion, and a service-learning commitment that together explore different ways of thinking about peace, and 'peace' practices at global to local scales. IIC, IIIB. PA-2A, PA-4C. CAS-C.
Cross-listed with SJS.

GEO 177. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

GEO 201. Geography of Urban Diversity. (3)

Introduction to the processes and patterns that shape life in the American City. Students interpret urban landscapes–historical and contemporary–in relation to their environmental, economic, and cultural contexts. Students develop a geographic perspective on the social and spatial development of diverse American communities, a necessary foundation for addressing current issues in urban development and planning. IC, IIC. PA-2A, PA-4A. CAS-C.

GEO 202. Professional Portfolio Development. (1)

In this course, departmental majors prepare for career success by investigating diverse career trajectories in their field(s) of study, growing their professional networks, and developing a professional portfolio that communicates their job readiness to potential employers.

GEO 205. Population and Migration. (3)

Examines the spatial distribution and dynamics of human fertility, mortality, and migration, primarily in the contemporary period, as well as the interaction of these trends with environmental, economic, and political issues. Special attention is given to interpreting and evaluating quantitative measures of population geography. CAS-QL.

GEO 211. Global Sustainable Futures. (3)

Integrates human and environmental geographic concepts and perspectives to understand global challenges and opportunities of sustainable development. This course also develops skills in research and writing for different audiences. CAS-C.

GEO 222. Sustainable Systems & Society. (3)

In this course you will explore sustainability from multiple perspectives and global and local scales. You will examine the social and ecological contexts of sustainability spanning environment, economy, and social equity. You will learn to use multiple methods to understand impacts and motivations of stakeholder groups and the role of place in pressing sustainability challenges. IIC, IIIB. PA-2A, PA-4C, SI-01. CAS-C.
Cross-listed with IES 222.

GEO 242. Mapping a Changing World. (3)

Technology and language of maps, including aerial and satellite imagery, and impact of these technologies on society. Tools for making maps that faithfully and effectively represent geographic data. SI-03. CAS-QL.

GEO 271. Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Conservation. (3)

Ecological, socioeconomic, and policy perspectives on the use and management of natural resources.

GEO 276. Geography of the Global Economy. (3)

Focuses on the changing geography of the global economy, including production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Covers the eras of mercantile capitalism, colonialism, industrial capitalism and today's globalization.

GEO 277. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

GEO 301. Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa. (4)

Analysis of physical and cultural features of that area south of the Sahara Desert.
Cross-listed with CRE 301.

GEO 302. Geography and Gender. (3)

This class adopts a geographic approach to the study of gender relations. The role of space and place in shaping the diversity of gender relations throughout the world will be considered. Through case studies the importance of gender relations in understanding a variety of issues will be stressed. Overall, we will explore how geography shapes gender relations and how gender produces a variety of geographies. IC. PA-4B. CAS-C.
Cross-listed with WGS.

GEO 308. Geography of East Asia. (3)

Analysis of cultural and physical landscapes of China, Japan, and Korea.

GEO 309. Native American Women. (3)

The student examines and analyzes Native American women's lived experience, contributions, and issues faced both past and present. IC. PA-4B, SI-01. CAS-B, CAS-C.
Cross-listed with WGS 309.

GEO 314. Weather, Climate, and Climate Change. (3)

Everything around us, from our landscapes to the decisions we make on a daily basis, is shaped by weather and climate. In this course, we will cover the foundational processes of our atmosphere and establish your working knowledge of weather and climate. By the end of this course, you will understand the main forces controlling our atmosphere and driving our climate, as well as the processes driving the weather that affects your life on a daily basis. We will also explore how our climate varies and changes over short and long timescales.
Prerequisite: GEO 121, GEO 122, GLG 111, GLG 121, GLG 141, or other fundamental course in Earth processes.

GEO 321. Drone Pilot Certification Preparation. (1)

Introduces students to the main concepts of drone technology with a focus on Part 107 pilot test preparation and hands-on flight practice. This course provides students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and best practices to safely and effectively operate drones for various applications, including research, photography, mapping, inspection, and more.
Cross-listed with GLG 321.

GEO 331. Drone Applications. (3)

This course introduces students to real-world applications of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across multiple fields, including emergency management, environmental monitoring, real estate, sports, and inspections. Students gain hands-on experience flying drones and working with collected data, developing both practical skills and an understanding of drone-based solutions.
Cross-listed with GLG.

GEO 333. Global Perspectives on Natural Disasters. (3)

Exploration of the underlying causes, potential impacts, and mitigation measures of natural hazards including wildfire, severe weather events, and geologic hazards. Particular attention is paid to impacts on humans.

GEO 340. Internship. (0-20)

GEO 352. Geographies of Urban Change. (3)

Examines the cultural, social and political dimensions of urban planning and development practices of cities in the Americas. Drawing on an array of source materials and using multiple methods of representing past places, students apply analytical tools to document the nature, extent, and significance of urban change and to communicate their understanding of the complex forces shaping urban development in the Americas. IIC. PA-2A, SI-02, SI-04. CAS-C.
Cross-listed with AMS 352.

GEO 377. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

GEO 378. Political Geography. (3)

Analysis of geographic factors significant in understanding international relations and internal politico-territorial organizations; detailed studies of specific problem areas.

GEO 406/GEO 506. Indigenous Peoples and Their Sacred Lands. (3)

An in depth look at topics related to policy and land management practices that impact indigenous peoples nationally, as well as internationally. The major focus of the various case studies is on designated sacred lands of Native American tribes within the United States. The course provides students with interdisciplinary training about indigenous cultures and human rights.
Cross-listed with WGS.

GEO 425. Surface Water Hydrology. (3)

Surface Water Hydrology is an applied science that examines the hydrologic cycle focusing on the surficial component parts of precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, transpiration, surface runoff, and stream flow. Understanding hydrologic principles that drive the movement and distribution of water on Earth is critical for understanding key factors and circumstances shaping global water availability and use. Topics addressing the physical and human dynamics of water should leave you with a holistic understanding with regard to where water comes from, how it is cycled throughout the planet, and how humans can utilize and interact with the resource. Field days will provide students with practical hands-on experience for collecting and analyzing local (SW Ohio) hydrologic data.
Cross-listed with GLG 425/GLG 525.

GEO 426/GEO 526. Watershed Management. (3)

Impacts of urban and agricultural land use on water resources; common watershed-scale tools for water quality and quantity management.

GEO 431/GEO 531. Global Plant Diversity. (3)

Research-focused seminar on floristic, ecological, and cultural influences on global patterns of plant diversity, especially in tropical regions. Comparative topics include the role of disturbances and global environmental change.
Prerequisites: BIO/MBI 115, BIO 191, or higher, GEO 121 or higher, or permission of instructor.
Cross-listed with BIO 431/BIO 531/531.

GEO 436/GEO 536. Women, Gender, and the Environment. (3)

Seminar discussing literature on the role of women in their relationships with natural resources as advocates, practitioners, and scholars. Ideas on ecofeminism will be introduced from more-developed "north" and developing "south" perspectives, and then directed toward the study of gender and development, and participatory tools in gender analysis.
Cross-listed with WGS 436.

GEO 441/GEO 541. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (3)

Introduces students to the structure, concepts, capabilities, and functionality of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial science inquiry. The course focuses on the management and processing of spatial data, emphasizing data models and structures, geographic data input, data manipulation and storage, spatial analysis and modeling techniques. Students will learn to frame and solve a sequence of problems with GIS across a wide range of topics including environmental planning, biogeography, conservation biology, sustainable development, natural resource conservation, environmental justice, political geography, and urban geography and planning.

GEO 442/GEO 542. Advanced Geographic Information Systems. (3)

Advanced-level application of GIS technology to geographic problem-solving. Follows on from topics introduced in GEO 441/GEO 541 to provide (a) in-depth understanding of the technical and substantive issues associated with the use of GIS and (b) advanced-level training in the functionality of major GIS products.
Prerequisite: GEO 441/GEO 541 or permission of instructor.

GEO 443/GEO 543. Python Programming for Geospatial Applications. (3)

Introduces the basic concepts of computer programming languages, using the Python language as an example. Emphasis on use of Python scripts specifically within the ArcGIS and QGIS software packages. Taught on-line; available to students on any Miami campus.
Prerequisite: GEO 441/GEO 541.

GEO 444/GEO 544. GIScience Techniques in Landscape Ecology. (3)

Using geographic tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, and computer-based analysis, students will study a range of current topics in landscape ecology.

GEO 445/GEO 545. Geographic Information Systems for Criminal Justice. (3)

Collect, organize, analyze and display spatial data used in criminal justice and emergency management. Part of the course will be a GIS Crime Analysis Product. Taught on Regional Campuses.
Cross-listed with CJS 445.

GEO 448/GEO 548. Techniques and Applications of Remote Sensing. (3)

Description of nonphotographic remote sensing such as radar, thermal infrared, and multispectral scanning. Experience with machine-based interpretation of multispectral imagery.

GEO 451/GEO 551. Urban and Regional Planning. (3)

Introduction to the purposes and possibilities of urban and regional planning. Topics include historical development and theoretical rationale of planning, analytical techniques, and policy and design strategies for addressing urban problems. Surveys contemporary urban issues and areas of planning specialization. Prepares students with fundamental concepts and skills for careers in urban planning and development. CAS-C.
Prerequisite: GEO 201.

GEO 454/GEO 554. Urban Geography. (3)

Geographic principles related to the distribution, function, structure, and regional settings of urban centers.
Prerequisite: some other urban course in social sciences or permission of instructor.

GEO 459/GEO 559. Advanced Urban and Regional Planning. (3)

Application of planning tools and techniques to significant urban and regional land use problems. Evaluation of major planning tools for redevelopment of central cities and declining regions in the U.S. Innovative techniques for solving American urban spatial problems at local to national levels.
Prerequisite: GEO 451/GEO 551 or permission of instructor.

GEO 460/GEO 560. Advanced Systematic Geography. (1-4; maximum 12)

Specific topical field announced each time course is offered.

GEO 462/GEO 562. Citizenship and the City. (3)

A seminar that explores issues relating to citizenship and the city. This includes both a conceptual and historical introduction to the topic, as well as more in-depth analysis of different aspects relating to politics and public and private space, cultural diversity and exclusion, and urban design.

GEO 467/GEO 567. Land Use, Law and the State: Geographic Perspectives. (3)

Explores the legal basis for urban and regional planning in the United States through analysis of relevant case law, statues, and secondary texts. The course offers both practical knowledge of land use law and deeper understanding of its wider geographic context and significance.

GEO 475/GEO 575. Global Periphery's Urbanization. (3)

Countries of the Third World have experienced an unprecedented rate of urban growth and expansion since the middle of this century. As Third World countries continue to industrialize, urbanization and related problems will increasingly become important and will continue to be on the agendas of national governments, international agencies, planners, and academics well into the next century. Explores Third World (Africa, Asia, and Latin America) urbanization literature from an interdisciplinary perspective.

GEO 476/GEO 576. Global Poverty. (3)

Increasing attention has been placed on poverty around the globe by academics, practitioners and activists. With increasing globalization, global poverty has become entrenched. This course examines what poverty is, how it is measured, what causes poverty and how poverty can be alleviated in the global periphery and semi-periphery.

GEO 477. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

GEO 480. Departmental Honors. (1-6; maximum 6)

Departmental honors may be taken in one or more semesters of a student's senior year.

GEO 491. Geography and Sustainable Development Research Seminar. (4)

Students in this advanced research seminar explore an in-depth topic related to geography and/or sustainable development building research, writing, and oral presentation skills. Each student must select and work with at least one faculty advisor, not necessarily from the geography department, with appropriate expertise. Required for geography and sustainable development majors. SC.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.

GEO 493. Urban Field Experience. (3)

This experiential urban field course foregrounds Chicago’s longstanding role as an innovative laboratory for resolving complex urban planning, design, and development challenges. During two weekend-long field trips to the city, students investigate contemporary urban issues through faculty-led walking tours and site visits with community leaders. These place-based learning opportunities are a springboard for students to develop and execute an independent, thesis-driven research project based on direct observation and field data collection. The course culminates with formal panel presentations organized around crosscutting themes, such as transportation and mobility, social equity and uneven development, climate action initiatives, historic preservation efforts, housing affordability, and community health and well-being. SC. EL.

GEO 601. Seminar in Research Techniques. (3)

Survey of basic tools of graduate research in geography, including bibliographic resources, published data sources, and introduction to computer methods in geography.

GEO 602. History of Geographic Thought. (4)

Selected readings in Geography. Emphasis is on contemporary geographic thought.

GEO 604. Research Project Development. (3)

Research hypotheses in geography; organizing and defining a research project; proposal development.

GEO 610. Research in Geography. (1-4; maximum 12)

Advanced work on selected topics undertaken by individual students. May be taken for no more than four semesters.

GEO 640. Internship. (0-12; maximum 6)

GEO 677. Independent Studies. (0-6; maximum 10)

GEO 700. Research for Master's Thesis. (1-12; maximum 12)

GEO 704. Non-Thesis Project. (0-12; maximum 12)

GEO 710. Special Problems in Geography. (1-4; maximum 12)