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• Geography

Undergraduate Geography

2011 Fall Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 100

Introduction to Geography introduces students to the specialties within geography, outlines the academic tracks within the major and associated requirements, and explores public and private career opportunities in the field of geography. Required of all majors at earliest opportunity.

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INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER AND CLIMATE (GL)

GEOGRPY 120

This course introduces students to the processes controlling and distinguishing weather and climate. Particular emphasis is on data selection, interpretation, and analysis. The impacts of severe weather and climate change on humans is also emphasized. The labs expose students to the wide range of weather and climate information currently available on the Internet.

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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (GL)

GEOGRPY 210

A study of selected physical aspects of our geographic environment. Emphasis is given to the origin and characteristic features of topographic, climatic, vegetative and soil regions of the earth and to their interrelationships. The ultimate objective is to provide a foundation upon which to build a better understanding of human interrelationships with the physical environment. Field trips are normally taken.

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HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (GS)

GEOGRPY 230

A systematic study of human land relationships highlighting the diversity of the elements that make up the cultural landscape in various regions.

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GEOGRAPHY OF WISCONSIN (GS)

GEOGRPY 250

A systematic treatment of physical and cultural geographic phenomena. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships and interactions of these phenomena from place to place within the state.

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HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS (GS)

GEOGRPY 252

An introduction to environmental problems and their complexities. Attention is given to alternative solutions to such problems and the implications these alternatives have for the total environment. The course emphasizes the evaluation of the interrelationships between the environmental resource demands of people and the actual resource base of the earth.

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GEOGRAPHY OF CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (GS)

GEOGRPY 261

A regional survey of the United States and Canada. Special attention is given to the physical, cultural and economic geography of the two countries.

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INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING

GEOGRPY 270

An introduction to the quantitative and qualitative mapping techniques applicable to the physical and social sciences. Included are the skills required to create clear, concise and aesthetically pleasing maps, as well as how to derive information from them. Both graphic and cartographic software packages will be utilized to create and evaluate maps. Field trips are normally taken.

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METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATE

GEOGRPY 320

Begins with fundamental relationships among earth, sun and air. Common myths concerning weather phenomena are dispelled through in-depth explanation in everyday language of the physical laws that govern atmospheric functioning. The course terminates with a survey of world climate regions.

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WATER RESOURCES

GEOGRPY 323

Class will investigate the pathways and processes of water transfer and storage in the many reservoirs on earth, along with the impact of human activities on water quality and fluxes. Detail is given to shallow groundwater monitoring and soil indicators of saturation for wetland delineation, anthropegenic effects on streams, and land use issues related to water quality. Field trips normally taken.

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POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 332

A geographical study of international conflicts and relations, geopolitical strategies and processes, and the variation of political phenomena from place to place in relation to changing economic and cultural environments in the national as well as global contexts.

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ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 340

The study of the spatial organization of economic activities, including patterns of production, exchange and consumption. A broad introduction to locational behavior is presented and applied examples are stressed.

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URBAN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 344

The intraurban consideration of various land-use and population characteristics of cities, their patterns, interrelations and changes is followed by the interurban study of locations, size, spacing, types and functions of urban settlements. Field trips are normally taken.

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GLOBALIZATION AND THE CITY

GEOGRPY 346

This course will focus on understanding the processes of globalization, urban and regional development theories, emergence of the global city, and influence of globalization on urban development. This course will examine the role of cities across the world and the relationship between urban change and economic, political, and cultural globalization.

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GEOHAZARDS

GEOGRPY 352

The course will focus on the physical processes that create environmental hazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather), the primary controls on their frequency and intensity, and how human decision-making can influence the magnitude of impact that they have when they inevitably occur. Comparisons are made between impacts of hazards on developing versus developed countries.

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GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE

GEOGRPY 362

A study of the nations, regions, cultures, and traditional and emerging spatial relationships in Europe. Physical and cultural patterns and processes are considered as they relate to the distribution of population and industrial and commercial activities. The European Community and Europe's international role and linkages are investigated.

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GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GEOGRPY 370

The basic principles and operations of geographic information systems (GIS) are presented, including the capture, storage, management, analysis and display of geographic referenced data and their attributes. Laboratory exercises provide extensive hands-on experiences with a number of GIS software packages, including both raster and vector systems. Field trips are normally taken.

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REMOTE SENSING OF THE ENVIRONMENT

GEOGRPY 377

An introduction to the images, sensors and techniques used to gather and process data on the Earth and other planets, including aerial photography, electro-optical scanners and radar systems. The course will focus on the fundamentals of utilizing remotely sensed data in studying both natural and human induced processes impacting the Earth's surface. Computer applications will be extensively utilized. Field trips are normally taken.

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GEOGRAPHY OF RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE UNITED STATES (DV)

GEOGRPY 430

The course will take a geographical approach to the study of ethnic groups in the United States. Native American, African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American groups will be studied systematically. Major topics will include mobility, culture regions, and the cultural landscape created by the various ethnic groups.

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APPLIED GIS: APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

GEOGRPY 440

This course will provide the background necessary to apply Geographic Information Systems software to solve applied business problems. The specific educational objectives of this course are: 1) To provide the student with "hands on" problem solving skills emphasizing, site location, target marketing, sales territory development and network routing; 2) To work with the most widely used Business GIS software package, ArcView GIS and its major extensions.

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CULTURAL ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GEOGRPY 452

This course will discuss the history of the subdiscipline of cultural ecology within geography and teach about indigenous and traditional societies' knowledge systems from a variety of world cultures. It will use ancient and modern examples of indigenous methods of natural resource management and show how these are being applied internationally to present day environmental problems and to sustainable development approaches.

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INTERNSHIP IN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 485

Students will be placed in an outside private or governmental agency where they will utilize geographic techniques in approaching practical problems relevant to the agency's mission. An on-campus seminar with fellow interns and the supervisory instructor is required. Prereq: Students with a major or minor program emphasis in geography must have completed a minimum of 14 credits in geography and have the consent of the intern committee. Students of cognate majors must have a minimum of 9 selected credits in geography and consent of the intern committee. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits in major and 12 credits in degree.

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TRAVEL STUDY

GEOGRPY 491

Variable topics. Faculty-led field courses.

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FIELD COURSE

GEOGRPY 492

An introduction to field methods and techniques and their application in the study of a part of the United States or a foreign area. For information about a particular offering, write to the Department of Geography and Geology, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Repeatable.

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SPECIAL STUDIES

GEOGRPY 496

Variable topics. Group activity. Not offered regularly in the curriculum but offered on topics selected on the basis of timeliness, need, and interest, and generally in the format of regularly scheduled Catalog offerings. Repeatable one time for a maximum of 6 credits in major/degree.

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INDEPENDENT STUDY IN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRPY 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable one time for a maximum of 6 credits in major/degree.