GES 3070-3. Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa. Instructor - Cerian Gibbes. The overarching purpose of this course is to introduce students to the diverse physical and social geographies of Sub‐Saharan Africa. Rather than exploring individual countries the course is designed around themes which relate to a number of Sub‐Saharan African countries and ultimately to connections amongst these countries and the rest of the world. The themes of the course will be introduced and examined using a combination of lectures, videos, readings, in-class current event discussions, and guest presentations. Though Africa is often presented and thought of as a continent of strife and disaster, this course aims to move beyond such superficial representations of Africa and present Sub‐Saharan Africa as an incredibly diverse place, with awe inspiring physical and cultural geographies, which has and continues to play an integral part in global social and economic interactions. Students will be introduced to the rich and dynamic geographies of Sub‐Saharan Africa, and will consider the current and potential role that Africa plays on the global scale. Though welcomed, no prior knowledge or experience is required for this course.
GES 3160-3. Geographic Education. Instructor - Mike Larkin. Geographic Education explores approaches to teaching geography in K-12 education. This course includes the discussion of important geographic concepts and their integration into the classroom. Possible topics may include, but not be limited to: childhood geographies, learning landscapes, geographic standards, place based education and new geographic technologies.
GES 3170-4. Saving Place. Instructor - Carole Huber. This course examines the basic theories, concepts and people within the sustainability movements and bioregionalism. Through critical readings, group projects, fieldtrips and applied research, students will apply ideas and techniques learned to real world case studies.
GES 3600-3. Geography of American Folk and Ethnic Music. Instructor - Mike Larkin.This course analyzes the geographic context of American folk and ethnic music. A variety of geographic concepts and their relationship to the development of American folk and ethnic music will be discussed.
GES 3700-3. Cultural Geography. Instructor - Mike Larkin. Cultural Geography explores the themes, methodologies and historical development of the sub-discipline of Cultural Geography. These themes may include, but not be limited to: definitions of culture, the Spatial Turn within contemporary cultural studies, food, music and cultural landscapes.
GES 3980-4. Places and Faces: Geographic Issues in Film. Instructor - Carole Huber. This advanced world regional course uses contemporary film as a vehicle to explore current global geographic issues. It examines cultural, political and economic issues that shape societies, focusing on marginalized ethnic and racial groups, women and the economically disadvantaged. Prer., GES 1980.
GES 4010/5010-3. Qualitative Methods in Geography. Instructor - David Havlick. The course provides theoretical and practical experience in qualitative methods commonly used in Geography and other social sciences. Methods covered include interviewing, participatory action research, observation, discourse analysis, questionnaires, and historical research.
GES 4070/5070-4. Geovisualization. Instructor - Varies. Students will learn the principles, concepts, methods and applications of geovisualization. Students will have hands-on experience in using highly interactive, dynamic and multidimensional geovisualization systems that offer high levels of user experience..
GES 4420-4. Conservation and United States Public Lands. Instructor - David Havlick. Examines the legacy of public lands in the U.S. and whether management policies have evolved from an emphasis on resource extraction to one focused upon conservation. Topics will include national parks, forests, recreation, and wildlife conservation. Meets with GES 5420.
GES 4570/5570-3. Militarization, Environment, and Society. Instructor - David Havlick. Considers how military activities shape and influence diverse social and physical settings. The course takes a critical look at militarism at home and abroad, during times of war and peace, and the changing role of robotics and sustainability in militarization. Meets with GES 5570.
GES 4620-3. Race, Ethnicity, and Place. Instructor - Emily Skop. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a geographical perspective concerning the dynamics and processes of racialization in varying U.S. urban contexts. In essence, the course maps the dynamic relationship between social relationships and the built environment. Meets with EST 3620.
GES 4780-3. Global Migration. Instructor - Emily Skop. This seminar provides a global perspective on the nature of migration, the forces behind these patterns, and their effects in sending and receiving societies. Each participant will delve into several literatures, lead weekly sessions, and introduce perspectives on international migration.
GES 4920-3. Geography of Food. Instructor - Varies. This course explores where our food comes from, how it is produced, the interaction between food production and the environment, cultural meanings of food production and consumption, and the relationship between foods and nutrition. Students will be able to: 1) be more informed consumers, 2) recognize environmental and health affects of different consumption habits, and 3) appreciate the cultural relationships we have with food and eating. Meets with GES 5920.
GES 4120-4. Internet Geographic Information Systems. Instructor - Varies. Students will learn the fundamentals of Internet GIS technology and develop hands-on experience in implementing Internet mapping applications using various tools including ESRI's ArcIMS and Google Maps. Prer., Introduction to GIS (GES 4050/5050). Meets with GES 5120.