GEOG - Geography
This course provides a basic topical introduction to human and cultural geography. It focuses on the diversity of human societies, their distribution, characteristics, and cultural impact on the landscape. Topics include the geography of population, migration, language, religion, economic development, urbanization, resources, and the political landscape.
A geographical study of the diverse characteristics of the Earth's physical landscape, spatial distribution of environmental characteristics, the impacts of these on human populations and human populations' impact on the natural environment. Topics include climate and climate change, mass movements and natural hazards, biogeography and environmental problems such as desertification and deforestation, and the use and abuse of water resources.
This course provides an overview and exploration of: 1) the digital representation of the Earth and 2) geospatial science and technology. The course investigates geospatial technological innovations affecting the environment, resources, and society, including satellite global positioning systems, geographic information systems, and earth observations. Students develop hands-on skills as well as critical-thinking skills concerning the role of increasingly ubiquitous geospatial technology and their influences on social, economic, and human-environment interactions.
Open only to students in the Honors College. A special honors section of GEOG 100S.
A study of the physical and cultural characteristics of the major geographical regions of the world. The course focuses upon significant problems within each of the world's major regions and examines the relevance of the geographical background to these problems.
A study of selective topics in Geography.
A study of selective topics in Geography.
An investigation of different representations of the Earth: physical and cognitive maps, atlases, spatial databases, aerial photographs, and remote sensing imagery, with an emphasis on the use of geographic tools for communicating and analyzing information.
A geographical analysis of the distribution and accessibility of the world's resources including population, agricultural land, biodiversity, water, renewable and nonrenewable materials, and energy sources.
Course examines how hazards and disasters arise from the intersection of natural processes, social vulnerabilities, and technological failures. Through global case studies, students analyze how environmental and technological systems interact to shape disaster impacts, response, and resilience.
Covers the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry in social sciences.
An analysis of the structure, growth, and development of cities. Topics include the use of urban land, location of public services, structure of the urban economy, social problems of urban populations, and decay and revitalization.
A study of the relationship between geographical and political factors; the nation state and its subdivisions; interaction among states; and the political geography of everyday life.
An analysis of differences in spatial patterns on the economic landscape at national and international levels, and the processes which create such differences. Introduces basic concepts, theories, and models in economic geography at the global scale.
A study of ethnic minorities worldwide with emphasis on geographical dimensions of ethnic identity and relationships between ethnicity and territory, regionalism, politics, and cultural expression.
A review of selected techniques for generating data in a field situation. Lectures deal with the description and evaluation of techniques such as sampling methods, observation, interviewing, questionnaires, human relations skills and ethical considerations. The project component involves the definition of field problems and the application of appropriate techniques.
The human and physical geography of the United States and Canada with special emphasis on the distribution of population and natural resources, migration patterns, location of major economic activities, and the variety of regional identities within the U.S. and Canada.
A study of selected regions or selected problems within a particular region of the world.
Student participation for credit based on the academic relevance of the work experience, criteria and evaluative procedures as formally determined by the department prior to the semester in which the work experience is to take place.
Individualized practical experience in the area of applied geography. The credits will be commensurate with the level of the student's involvement.
Disasters in the U.S and abroad are examined to study the evolution of emergency practices. Factors contributing to the hazardousness of place and community vulnerability are explored. Emergency phases are practiced through interactive simulations.
A study of selected topics designed for nonmajors, or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.
A study of selected topics designed for nonmajors, or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.
Independent study under the direction of an instructor.
Advanced study of a specialized topic in geography. The choice of the topic may vary according to the availability of faculty expertise and student interest. This is a writing intensive course. This course may be repeated once provided it is a different topic and with permission of the instructor.
This course analyzes the causes, severity, potential consequences, and proposed solutions regarding global ecological issues with special attention to the scientific debate and the political and policy process. It examines environmental policies of national governments, regional/international organizations, and global conferences.
A study of the conceptual basis of GIS as a tool for manipulating spatial information. The course focuses on how geographic information can be input and organized within the framework of a GIS. Students will work on a computer-based GIS to gain a greater understanding of spatial database structures and analytical operations.
Study of the theory and application of remote sensing, emphasizing environmental applications and aerial and satellite imagery. Covers the fundamentals of multispectral digital image processing, including sensors pre-processing, enhancement, classification, accuracy assessment, and GIS data integration.
Discussion of the ecological and management principles underlying international resource management and the goal of attaining a sustainable, ecologically balanced world.
Computer-assisted methods and techniques employed in the design, construction, and use of maps and other graphics as tools for data analysis and communication.
Survey of the state-of-the-art geospatial applications of small Uncrewed Autonomous Systems (sUAS) mapping, surveying, and modeling. Course combines seminars spanning application sectors of research and professional practice; lectures on mission planning, operations, analysis and regulations; and hands-on practical exercises incorporating risk management, safety, ethics, and legal issues.
Discussion of specific urban and metropolitan problems based on outside readings and individually selected research topics.
A study of planning concepts and principles used to guide contemporary metropolitan growth and development. Emphasis is on the application of planning tools and methods that guide the planning process from conception to execution.
An examination of cities of the world's major cultural realms with an emphasis on the urban landscape as it varies between developed and developing countries.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and science are an essential tool for urban planners and policy makers who have special interests in places and who need this kind of knowledge for decision making. The purpose of this course is to teach students the foundations of GIS and how it is applied in urban planning and other related disciplines. The course combines lectures, discussion of readings, and hands-on exercises in the computer lab.
A survey of and practicum in the basic techniques of quantitative research, including the logic of empirical research, the identification of data sources, and the use of appropriate statistical techniques.
The course integrates remotely sensed and field techniques for scientific investigation and practical management of coastal environmental systems. Spatial modeling of coastal processes and management tools using Geographic Information System (GIS).
An analysis of the environmental geography and resources of the ocean, with particular emphasis on geospatial analysis of the seafloor, hydrography, climate change, fisheries, ocean pollution, maritime activity spaces and management.
An examination of the physical and human geography of the coastal zone. Considers problems of managing coastal resources with an emphasis on North America. Lectures focus on coastal patterns, processes, and problems at the global, national, and local scales. Students investigate a section of the local coastline and write a report on the physical and human geography on the basis of field study, library, and internet research. This is a writing intensive course.
Weather and climate play a pivotal role in nearly every aspect of life. How does temperature relate to health outcomes? What impact does El Niño have on Peruvian farmers? How is the issue of climate change reflected in national security policy? Why? Topics also include the energy balance equation, remote sensing techniques, and climatological data acquisition and analysis. Beyond an understanding of the complex processes that dictate the flow of the atmosphere, the course analyzes the socioeconomic, political, and cultural perspectives of climate and weather. The course also provides a framework for stewardship and responsibility to the future.
Theoretical and practical exploration of methods, standards, and policies related to the development and utilization of geographic information systems on the Internet. Students will create and utilize distributed geospatial data and analytical systems using the WWW and the Internet to address geographical problems.
The study of a series of advanced topics in the field of geographic information systems/science. Focus is placed on the development of projects/models and a survey of several advanced techniques. Students will work on a computer based GIS to implement topics from lectures.
This course examines gender identity and sexuality in all of their diverse forms through a lens of human geography, such as metaphors of space and place, the cultural landscape, and 'mapping territory.' Topics explored include global gender identities; 'queer space;' 'locating' gender and sexuality within the arts and tourism; the gendered citizen and the nation; and political economies of gender and sexuality.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Europe.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Africa.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Asia excluding the Middle East and the former USSR.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Latin America. This is a writing intensive course.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in the Middle East.
An analysis of Virginia's population, resources, and regional landscapes as they have been influenced by physical, cultural, historical, and economic factors.
The course covers a range of topics in medical and health geography, including spatial behaviors of infectious disease and health care access. The focus of the course is on the geographical patterns of health and disease from the population rather than individual scale. In addition to seminar style lectures and discussions, the course enables students to further investigate by learning how to conduct medical/health geography research.
This course introduces the essential theoretical concepts and analytical tools for analyzing spatial process, spatial autocorrelation, spatial patterns, techniques for spatial interpolation, network connectivity, big data, and landscape patterns. The course culminates with students carrying out their own spatial analysis projects. This course assumes that students understand the basic concepts in GIS with some experience in software operation of ArcGIS.
This course develops students’ GIS programming skills. Focus is placed on Python programming in ArcGIS and JavaScript in Web GIS development.
The objective of the course is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the current concepts and debates in environmental geography. By exploring the ethical and philosophical foundations of the field, the course considers the environment’s opportunities and constraints. While topics may include climate change, agricultural security, and renewable energy, the course will be driven by student-led discussions and participation. Critically thinking about complex phenomenon, the seminar will include various weekly readings, discussions, and writing assignments.
Geographic Information Systems and Science involve the creation, gathering, application, analyzing, and mapping of information. GIS for cybersecurity extends that definition to include advanced infrastructure, including a rapidly changing network of communication, computing, and information technologies. This course is designed for both undergraduate and graduate students seeking a fundamental background in GIS applications with emphasis on cybersecurity infrastructure, replicability, interoperability, open integration, and computational scalability.
Students will demonstrate advanced skills and techniques using spatial data to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from intentional, natural, and accidental homeland security threats and emergencies. This course demonstrates the importance of rapidly disseminating spatial information towards the prevention and response of various organizations to homeland security events. This course will provide students with the tools and experience required to collect, prepare and manage spatial data and enable students to be prepared to map and analyze the data to quickly and effectively create a coordinated response to real homeland security events.
This course examines the multifaceted interface of built and natural environments and their impacts on land use management at spatial and temporal scales. It evaluates the impact of population pressure on sustainability through a survey of urban areas and analyzes urban planning and management capacities to maintain resilience despite environmental and technological hazards.
Interdisciplinary research and the preparation of a senior thesis in international studies. This is a writing intensive course.
This course is designed to allow students to synthesize Geography concepts, theories, and knowledge and apply them to: 1) understand their positionality within the paradigms of the discipline, 2) explore future career paths, discover job possibilities, and graduate school opportunities in Geography, and 3) prepare materials (such as resumes and e-portfolios) to be used to apply for such positions.
Practical experience in applying the principles of cartography and geographical information systems to the design and construction of maps and other graphics.
The advanced study of selected topics which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.
The advanced study of selected topics which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.
Independent reading and study on a topic to be selected under the direction of the instructor. Conferences and papers as appropriate.
Independent study under the direction of an instructor.
Completion of a research paper supervised by a faculty member from the Geography program. Research topic to be selected in concert with the faculty supervisor and a final written report required.
Advanced study of a specialized topic in geography. The choice of the topic may vary according to the availability of faculty expertise and student interest.
This course analyzes the causes, severity, potential consequences, and proposed solutions regarding global ecological issues with special attention to the scientific debate and the political and policy process. It examines environmental policies of national governments, regional/international organizations and global conferences.
A study of the conceptual basis of GIS as a tool for manipulating spatial information. The course focuses on how geographic information can be input and organized within the framework of a GIS. Students will work on a computer-based GIS to gain a greater understanding of spatial database structures and analytical operations.
Study of the theory and application of remote sensing, emphasizing environmental applications and aerial and satellite imagery. Covers the fundamentals of multispectral digital image processing, including sensors pre-processing, enhancement, classification, accuracy assessment, and GIS data integration.
Discussion of the ecological and management principles underlying international resource management and the goal of attaining a sustainable, ecologically balanced world.
Computer-assisted methods and techniques employed in the design, construction, and use of maps and other graphics as tools for data analysis and communication.
Survey of the state-of-the-art geospatial applications of small Uncrewed Autonomous Systems (sUAS) mapping, surveying, and modeling. Course combines seminars spanning application sectors of research and professional practice; lectures on mission planning, operations, analysis and regulations; and hands-on practical exercises incorporating risk management, safety, ethics, and legal issues.
Discussion of specific urban and metropolitan problems based on outside readings and individually selected research topics.
A study of planning concepts and principles used to guide contemporary metropolitan growth and development. Emphasis is on the application of planning tools and methods that guide the planning process from conception to execution.
An examination of cities of the world's major cultural realms with an emphasis on the urban landscape as it varies between developed and developing countries.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and science are an essential tool for urban planners and policy makers who have special interests in places and who need this kind of knowledge for decision making. The purpose of this course is to teach students the foundations of GIS and how it is applied in urban planning and other related disciplines. The course combines lectures, discussion of readings, and hands-on exercises in the computer lab.
The course integrates remotely sensed and field techniques for scientific investigation and practical management of coastal environmental systems. Spatial modeling of coastal processes and management tools using Geographic Information System (GIS).
An analysis of the environmental geography and resources of the ocean, with particular emphasis on geospatial analysis of the seafloor, hydrography, climate change, fisheries, ocean pollution, maritime activity spaces and management.
An examination of the physical and human geography of the coastal zone. Considers problems of managing coastal resources with an emphasis on North America. Lectures focus on coastal patterns, processes, and problems at the global, national, and local scales. Students investigate a section of the local coastline and write a report on the physical and human geography on the basis of field study, library, and internet research.
Weather and climate play a pivotal role in nearly every aspect of life. How does temperature relate to health outcomes? What impact does El Niño have on Peruvian farmers? How is the issue of climate change reflected in national security policy? Why? Topics also include the energy balance equation, remote sensing techniques, and climatological data acquisition and analysis. Beyond an understanding of the complex processes that dictate the flow of the atmosphere, the course analyzes the socioeconomic, political, and cultural perspectives of climate and weather. The course also provides a framework for stewardship and responsibility to the future.
Theoretical and practical exploration of methods, standards, and policies related to the development and utilization of geographic information systems on the Internet. Students will create and utilize distributed geospatial data and analytical systems using the WWW and the Internet to address geographical problems.
The study of a series of advanced topics in the field of geographic information systems/science. Focus is placed on the development of projects/models and a survey of several advanced techniques. Students will work on a computer based GIS to implement topics from lectures.
This course examines gender identity and sexuality in all of their diverse forms through a lens of human geography, such as metaphors of space and place, the cultural landscape, and 'mapping territory.' Topics explored include global gender identities; 'queer space; 'locating' gender and sexuality within the arts and tourism; the gendered citizen and the nation; and political economies of gender and sexuality.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Europe.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Africa.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Asia excluding the Middle East and the former USSR.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in Latin America.
A geographical analysis of the interrelationships among physical, cultural, economic, and political factors in the Middle East.
An analysis of Virginia's population, resources, and regional landscapes as they have been influenced by physical, cultural, historical, and economic factors.
The course covers a range of topics in medical and health geography, including spatial behaviors of infectious disease and health care access. The focus of the course is on the geographical patterns of health and disease from the population rather than individual scale. In addition to seminar style lectures and discussions, the course enables students to further investigate by learning how to conduct medical/health geography research.
This course introduces the essential theoretical concepts and analytical tools for analyzing spatial process, spatial autocorrelation, spatial patterns, techniques for spatial interpolation, network connectivity, big data, and landscape patterns. The course culminates with students carrying out their own spatial analysis projects. This course assumes that students understand the basic concepts in GIS with some experience in software operation of ArcGIS.
This course develops students’ GIS programming skills. Focus is placed on Python programming in ArcGIS and JavaScript in Web GIS development.
The objective of the course is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the current concepts and debates in environmental geography. By exploring the ethical and philosophical foundations of the field, the course considers the environment’s opportunities and constraints. While topics may include climate change, agricultural security, and renewable energy, the course will be driven be student-led discussions and participation. Critically thinking about complex phenomenon, the seminar will include various weekly readings, discussions, and writing assignments.
Students will demonstrate advanced skills and techniques using spatial data to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from intentional, natural, and accidental homeland security threats and emergencies. This course demonstrates the importance of rapidly disseminating spatial information towards the prevention and response of various organizations to homeland security events. This course will provide students with the tools and experience required to collect, prepare and manage spatial data and enable students to be prepared to map and analyze the data to quickly and effectively create a coordinated response to real homeland security events.
This course examines the multifaceted interface of built and natural environments and their impacts on land use management at spatial and temporal scales. It evaluates the impact of population pressure on sustainability through a survey of urban areas and analyzes urban planning and management capacities to maintain resilience despite environmental and technological hazards.
Practical experience in applying the principles of cartography and geographical information systems to the design and construction of maps and other graphics.
The advanced study of selected topics which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to academic advisors.
The advanced study of selected topics which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to academic advisors.
Independent reading and study on a topic to be selected under the direction of the instructor. Conferences and papers as appropriate.
Independent research under the supervision of a faculty member.
Course focuses on the fundamentals of geospatial data science. Students learn the key data models, structures, sources, and application of spatial analysis using GIS software, R, programming, and Earth observations.
This course covers the foundations of spatial statistics and modeling. Emphasis is placed on point, linear and areal patterns, geostatistics, and model development for a variety of problems using multiple software packages.
Course introduces students to machine learning and statistical pattern recognition for environmental and spatial applications, with an emphasis on geospatial data and GIS–ML integration using the R programming language.
A study of the interrelationships of political and geographic phenomena, and theories of geopolitics; examines in a seminar format the political geography both of specific topics such as the national integration of states, refugees and resources, and of particular regions of the world.
Individualized practical experience.
Advanced study of selected topics designed to permit small groups of qualified students to work on subjects of mutual interest.
Advanced study of selected topics designed to permit small groups of qualified students to work on subjects of mutual interest.
Independent research in geography under the supervision of a faculty member.
This seminar examines the field of cultural geography with: 1) an emphasis on theories and concepts developed over the past twenty years in 'new' cultural geography, and 2) cultural geography's emphasis on issues such as place, power, landscape and identity.