DEPARTMENT CHAIR
John Carroll
DEPARTMENT OFFICE
Humanities 420A
DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
http://geography.fullerton.edu
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Bachelor of Arts in Geography
Minor in Geography
Master of Arts in Geography
FACULTY
Jason Blackburn, John Carroll, Mark Drayse, Wayne Engstrom, James Miller, Jon Taylor, Robert Voeks, Jindong Wu, Lei Xu, Robert Young
ADVISERS
Undergraduate: Mark Drayse
Graduate: Jon Taylor
INTRODUCTION
Geography is the study of the earth as the home of humanity. Geography provides a broad understanding of the processes that unite people, places and environments. Geographers explore the diverse regions of the contemporary world in pursuit of global understanding. They tie together the study of human spatial organizations and cultural landscapes with an in-depth investigation of the earth’s landforms, climates and vegetation. Their methods range from fieldwork in foreign areas to advanced information technologies like computerized geographic information systems and remote sensing. Geography graduates find rewarding careers in environmental analysis and planning, business, government agencies and education.
International Learning Opportunities in Geography
The Department of Geography is strongly committed to providing students with an international perspective. Geography 100 Global Geography offers a broad overview of the major countries and regions of the earth. Upper-division courses in Latin America (Geography 333), Europe (Geography 336), Asia (Geography 340) and Africa (Geography 344) offer an opportunity for in-depth study of specific regions. Finally, many other courses (Geography 120 Global Environmental Problems and Geography 360 Geography of the World’s Economies, for example), include a strong international emphasis. In recent years, members of the geography faculty have conducted fieldwork in Asia, South America and Europe.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY
Credential Information
The bachelor’s degree in geography may be effectively combined with subject matter studies necessary for either the multiple subject teaching credential (K-8) or single subject credential (7-12) in social studies. Undergraduates are encouraged to work with the Center for Careers in Teaching (657-278-7130) as early as possible in their academic careers to plan efficient course selections for general education, the major and electives. With careful planning, it may be possible to enter the credential program in the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate students should contact the Admission to Teacher Education office in the College of Education (657-278-3352) to obtain information on attending an overview presentation.
The Bachelor of Arts in Geography requires a minimum of 120 units, which includes courses for the major, General Education, all University requirements and free electives.
The major consists of at least 39 units of geography, of which at least 21 must be in upper-division courses. Students may satisfy some requirements with equivalent coursework taken at other institutions. Each course counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher. Students are encouraged to take additional geography courses beyond the minimum required for the major.
MAJOR IN GEOGRAPHY
The major consists of a total of 39 units of coursework.
Core Courses (15 units)
Geography 100 Global Geography (3)
Geography 110 Introduction to the Natural Environment (3)
Geography 160 Human Geography (3)
Geography 281 Map Making with GIS (3)
Three additional units from courses numbered 280 to 289.
Upper-Division Courses
Environmental Geography (3 units), one of the following:
Geography 329 Cities and Nature (3)
Geography 350 Nature and Society (3)
Human Geography (3 units), one of the following:
Geography 357 Spatial Behavior (3)
Geography 360 Geography of the World’s Economies (3)
Geography 370 Cities and Suburbs (3)
Geography 375 Population Geography (3)
Physical Geography (3 units), one of the following:
Geography 312 Geomorphology (3)
Geography 323 Weather and Climate (3)
Geography 325 Natural Vegetation (3)
Regional Geography (3 units)
Three units from courses numbered 330 to 349.
Advanced Geography (6 units)
Six units from courses numbered 400 to 489.
Geography Elective (3 units)
Three units lower- or upper-division geography not used to satisfy any other requirement.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement (3 units), one from the following:
English 301 Advanced College Writing (3)
English 360 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
Capstone Requirement
Prior to graduation, each student must demonstrate a critical understanding of the major processes that shape the earth’s landscapes, regions and places, and that influence human interaction with the earth’s cultural and physical environments. This requirement will be met through satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone courses:
Geography 422 Global Climate Change (3)
Geography 425 Tropical Rainforests (3)
Geography 426 The Coastal Environment (3)
Geography 450 Human Response to Environmental Hazards (3)
Geography 452 Ecotourism (3)
Geography 475 Interpretation of Urban Landscapes (3)
Geography 478 Urban Planning Principles (3)
Geography 488 Land Use Analysis (3)
Units earned from the capstone course can be used to satisfy the Advanced Geography or Geography Elective requirements of the Geography Major.
EMPHASIS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Geography graduates often find employment in such areas as environmental planning and related technical fields. For this reason, an optional upper-division emphasis in environmental analysis is available within the major. The emphasis consists of a total of 39 units of coursework.
Core Courses (15 units)
Geography 100 Global Geography (3)
Geography 110 Introduction to the Natural Environment (3)
Geography 160 Human Geography (3)
Geography 281 Map Making with GIS (3)
Three additional units from courses numbered 280 to 289.
Upper-Division Courses
Environmental Geography (3 units)
Geography 350 Nature and Society (3)
Human Geography (3 units), one from the following:
Geography 357 Spatial Behavior (3)
Geography 360 Geography of the World’s Economies (3)
Geography 370 Cities and Suburbs (3)
Geography 375 Population Geography (3)
Physical Geography (6 units), two from the following:
Geography 329 Cities and Nature(3)
Geography 312 Geomorphology (3)
Geography 323 Weather and Climate (3)
Geography 325 Natural Vegetation (3)
Regional Geography (3 units)
Three units from geography courses numbered 330 to 347.
Advanced Geography (6 units), two from the following:
Geography 422 Global Climate Change (3)
Geography 425 Tropical Rainforests (3)
Geography 426 The Coastal Environment (3)
Geography 482 Environmental Impact Assessment (3)
Geography 488 Land Use Analysis (3)
Upper-Division Writing Requirement (3 units), one of the following:
English 301 Advanced College Writing (3)
English 360 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
Capstone Requirement
Prior to graduation, each student must demonstrate a critical understanding of the major processes that shape the earth’s landscapes, regions and place, and that influence human interaction with the earth’s cultural and physical environments. This requirement will be met through satisfactory completion of one of the following capstone courses:
Geography 422 Global Climate Change (3)
Geography 425 Tropical Rainforests (3)
Geography 426 The Coastal Environment (3)
Geography 450 Human Response to Environmental Hazards (3)
Geography 452 Ecotourism (3)
Geography 488 Land Use Analysis (3)
Units earned from the capstone course can be used to satisfy the Advanced Geography requirement of the Emphasis in Environmental Analysis.
MINOR IN GEOGRAPHY
The minor in geography serves students seeking a geographic perspective to complement their major. Interested students should take at least 21 units of geography, including Geography 100 and three units from the following: 110, 120, 160 or 281; and a minimum of 12 units of upper-division work. All courses counted toward the minor must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher. Faculty advisers are available to help students structure their minor in geography.
MASTER OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY
This program provides advanced study in human and physical geography with an emphasis on theory and research. Graduates are prepared in the application of interpretive and analytical concepts and techniques to a broad spectrum of geographic situations. Such study directly serves those whose careers involve urban, regional, and environmental planning and geographic education. Geographic perspectives and methods are highly applicable to a wide range of careers in business, industry and government.
Application Deadlines
The deadlines for completing online applications are March 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester (see http://www.csumentor.edu). Mailed applications need to be postmarked by the same deadlines. However, deadlines may be changed based upon enrollment projections.
Admission and Conditional Classification
The department requires a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units attempted and a 3.0 grade-point average in all geography courses. Students who have no, or a limited, background in geography will be expected to make up the deficit by taking appropriate coursework in consultation with the departmental graduate adviser.
All students are required to demonstrate competency in each of geography’s four main subfields: human, physical, regional and technical. Competency is normally demonstrated by completion of at least 18 units at the upper-division or graduate level with a 3.0 grade-point average.
Graduate Standing: Classified
After completion of all prerequisites and removal of deficiencies, the student must develop an approved study plan in consultation with a personal faculty adviser and the graduate program adviser in order to be classified.
All students must complete six units of upper-division technical courses. Three units are prerequisite to classified standing. If the remaining three units were not taken as undergraduate work, they may be included in the study plan.
Study Plan
The study plan consists of 30 units of coursework distributed as follows:
Required Courses
Geography 500 Seminar in Geographic Research (3)
Geography 520 Seminar in Physical Geography (3)
Geography 550 Seminar in Human Geography (3)
Geography 599 Independent Graduate Research (3)
One additional 500-level geography course (3)
Electives (12-15 units)
Senior-level or graduate coursework in geography (15 units unless approved for thesis; may include additional Geography 500-level courses; up to six units from related fields).
Thesis or Comprehensive Exam (0-3 units)
Geography 598 Thesis (3) (department approval required)
Students must follow one of two plans: Plan A, requiring a comprehensive examination; or Plan B, requiring a thesis.
Plan A requires the development of a specific field of interest and a written, three-part comprehensive exam testing knowledge in human geography, physical geography and the student’s specified area of interest. The examination may be repeated only once. Plan B requires the development of a specific field of interest, a written thesis and a subsequent oral defense.
All students will follow Plan A unless approval for the thesis option is granted. In order to follow Plan B, the thesis option, students must have the written consent of their thesis supervisor and all members of a thesis committee. Permission to write a thesis may be granted only to students who have (1) achieved a 3.25 grade-point average after 15 units of upper-division and graduate coursework and (2) demonstrated proficiency in research and writing skills.
For further details or advisement, communicate with the Department of Geography graduate program adviser.
GEOGRAPHY COURSES
Courses are designated as GEOG in the class schedule.
