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Geography
| Department Information |
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Office: Robinson Hall 220
Phone: (510) 885-3193; FAX: (510) 885-2353
| Professors David J. Larson (Chair), Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley Scott Stine, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley Associate Professors Karina Garbesi, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley Michael Lee, Ph.D. London School of Economics (England) Gary Li, Ph.D. State University of New York at Buffalo David Woo, Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara Lecturer Ellen L. Woodard, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley | |||||
Please consult the 2008-2009 online catalog for any changes that may occur.
| Program Description |
Geography is the study of the spatial distributions and spatial relations within the human-environment system. Attention is focused on historic and contemporary human activities within the context of the physical-biotic and cultural environment, and on humanity as one of the major agents of change of the earth's surface. A curriculum in Geography helps students understand the world's landscape and how it has been transformed or altered by either the earth's natural processes or human modifications.
At Cal State East Bay, students can choose between a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Geography. A B.S. degree major is appropriately suited for students with career objectives in the professional field of Geography. It is also highly recommended for those planning to enter a graduate school program in Geography. Obtaining a Bachelors of Arts degree major provides for a liberal education, and prepares students for positions in business, government, foreign service, and especially teaching. Combining geography with coursework in other social sciences or with other science fields is excellent preparation for teachers in secondary education. Both majors require 61 units, 16 lower division and 45 upper division.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. or B.S. in Geography from Cal State East Bay will: 1) have developed a broad and deep understanding of the critical factors and fundamental concepts of the discipline of Geography; 2) have the ability to communicate orally and in writing; 3) have a solid understanding of regional and global affairs; 4) be familiar with the urban and rural geography of the Bay Area; 5) be able to prepare, use and interpret maps and other spatial data with and without the aid of computers.
| Career Opportunities |
Aerial Photo Interpreter • Agricultural Geographer • Archaeologist • Cartographer • Census Analyst • Climatologist • Community Development Specialist • Demographer • Ecologist • Economic Development Analyst • Environmental Analyst/Planner • Map Curator • Recreational Resource Planner • Soil Conservationist • Transportation Planner • Urban Geographer • Zoning Specialist/Surveyor
| Features |
With the arrangement of a faculty advisor, students in the Bachelor of Science program can select from the following fields of concentration: biogeography, cartography, cultural geography, economic geography, historical geography, history and philosophy of geography, physical geography, regional geography.
The department also offers a Certificate Program in Cartography and G.I.S. for those wanting to learn skills and methods in data collection, interpretation, and analysis as well as the design, compilation, production, and reproduction of maps.
Geographic internships are available. Individual students may be assigned to public, private, or volunteer agencies.
| Scholarship |
Richard and Evelyn Thoman Scholarship in Geography and Environmental Studies
One $500 scholarship awarded for the academic year for full-time undergraduate or graduate studies. Awards are limited to students with upper division or graduate standing. A grade point average of 3.5 or higher is required, and demonstrated scholastic and creative ability in the field of Geography or Environmental Studies.
| Major Requirements (B.A.) |
The major consists of 61 units in geography; the B.A. degree requires a total of 180 units.
| I. | Lower Division (16 units) | ||||
| GEOG 2100 Physical Geography (4) GEOG 2300 Cultural Geography (4) GEOG 2310 Economic and Resource Geography (4) GEOG 2410 Introduction to Maps (4) | |||||
| II. | Upper Division (45 units) | ||||
| GEOG 3450 Literature and Research Methods (5) Four units of an upper division GEOG course covering field geography of the San Francisco Bay region with consent of advisor (4) | |||||
| One Physical Course (4 units): | |||||
| GEOG 3115 Physical Landscape Analysis | |||||
| One Technical Course (4 units) selected from: | |||||
| GEOG 3410 Air-Photo Interpretation GEOG 3600 Cartographic Principles One Cultural Course (4 units) selected from GEOG 3000-level courses with consent of advisor. | |||||
| One Resource Course (4 units) selected from: | |||||
| GEOG 3000 Sustainable Resource Management GEOG 3320 Geography of World Agriculture GEOG 4320 Energy and Society GEOG 4350 Water Resources and Management | |||||
| One Regional Course (4 units) selected from 3500 series. Plus 16 units of electives in geography, including not more than 4 additional units in the 3500 series, and to include at least 8 units of the 4000-level series by advisement. | |||||
| Note: The following courses or their equivalents have to be completed if a student in the B.A. program in Geography desires to enter the M.A. degree program in Geography: | |||||
| GEOG 3410 Air-Photo Interpretation GEOG 3600 Cartographic Principles GEOG 3000-level course in applied field studies, with consent of advisor | |||||
| III. | Proficiency Requirements | ||||
| Proficiency in reading a foreign language, at the first-year level, must be demonstrated by successful completion of a departmental examination; or proficiency in statistics, at the level of a 3000-series course, must be demonstrated by passing an examination set by the Statistics Department; or proficiency in Mathematics, at the level of Calculus III, must be certified by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. These examinations will be given once each quarter during the first week of instruction. Appropriate coursework will be recommended to students who do not pass an examination. | |||||
| Major Requirements (B.S.) |
The major consists of 61 units in Geography; the B.S. requires a total of 180 units.
| I. | Lower Division (16 units) | ||||
| GEOG 2100 Physical Geography (4) GEOG 2300 Cultural Geography (4) GEOG 2310 Economic and Resource Geography (4) GEOG 2410 Introduction to Maps (4) | |||||
| II. | Upper Division (45 units) | ||||
| GEOG 3410 Air-Photo Interpretation (4) GEOG 3450 Literature and Research Methods (5) GEOG 3600 Cartographic Principles (4) GEOG 3000-level course in applied field studies, with consent of advisor (4) | |||||
| One Physical Course (4 units): GEOG 3115 Physical Landscape Analysis One Cultural Course (4 units) selected from the group comprising the 3300 series One Field Course (4 units) selected from: | |||||
| GEOG 4125 Field Course in Physical-Biotic Geography GEOG 4325 Field Course in Cultural-Urban Geography | |||||
| Two Regional Courses (8 units) selected from the 3500 series. Plus 8 units of electives in Geography, in the 4000 series by advisement. | |||||
| III. | Proficiency Requirements | ||||
| Proficiency in reading a modern language, at the first-year level, must be demonstrated by successful completion of a departmental examination; or proficiency in statistics, at the level of a 3000 series course, must be demonstrated by passing an examination set by the Statistics Department; or proficiency in Mathematics, at the level of Calculus III, must be certified by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. These examinations will be given once each quarter during the first week of instruction. Appropriate coursework will be recommended to students who do not pass an examination. | |||||
| Other Degree Requirements |
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.
| Minor Requirements |
| The minor consists of 36 units. | |||||
| GEOG 2100, 2300, 3410 (12 units) Two regional courses (3500 series) from different instructors (8 units) Four courses from one of the following groups (16 units): | |||||
| A. | Human Geography Option: GEOG 2310, 3320, 3360; one course selected from GEOG 3000-level courses with consent of advisor | ||||
| B. | Physical-Biotic Resources Option: GEOG 3115, 3120, 4320, 4350 | ||||
| Certificate in Cartography and GIS |
| The Cartography and GIS Certificate Program consists of 20 units. It is designed to prepare students in methods of data collection, interpretation, and analysis as well as the design, compilation, production, and reproduction of maps, thus enabling students to be current in the field of cartography. | |||||
| Select at least 20 units from the following: | |||||
| GEOG 3410 Air-Photo Interpretation (4) GEOG 3600 Cartographic Principles and Graphic Communication (4) GEOG 3605 Computer Cartography (5) GEOG 4425 Remote Sensing of Earth Environments (4) GEOG 4600 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (5) GEOG 4605 Environmental Applications of GIS (5) | |||||
| Global Studies Option: Liberal Studies |
| Note: The requirements for this option may have changed. Contact the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies for information. Area IX, Depth of Study (20 units) | |||||
| GEOG 2300 Cultural Geography (4) and GEOG 2400 Geography of World Development (4) | |||||
| Either GEOG 3500 Geography of the United States and Canada (4) or GEOG 3505 Geography of California (4) [if not selected in Area IIB.2] One of the following (4 units): | |||||
| GEOG 3320 Geography of World Agriculture (4), 3340 Urban Planning (4), 3360 Historical Geography of North America (4) | |||||
| One of the following (4 units): | |||||
| GEOG 3000 Sustainable Resource Management (4) [if not selected in Area IIB.2], 4320 Energy and Society (4), 4350 Water Resources and Management (4) | |||||
| Undergraduate Courses |
| The course prefix for the following courses is GEOG. | |
Introductory
| | |
| 2100 | Physical Geography (4) Major components of the physical environment, including landforms, climate, vegetation, and soils. Three hrs. lect., 2 hrs. act. (Y) |
| 2300 | Cultural Geography (4) Thematic introduction to the cultural systems operating to change the earth's surface; contemporary topics of human population, technology, social organization, spatial interaction, communication, and ideology. One half-day field trip required. (Y) |
| 2310 | Economic and Resource Geography (4) Location and linkages of economic activities as they relate to resource management. How goods and services produced by and for humans are geographically organized. Special emphasis on the historical antecedents of contemporary economic processes and international issues. (Y) |
| 2400 | Geography of World Development (4) Global wealth, poverty and inequality from a geographical perspective. Trends in important economic, environmental and sociocultural dimensions of world development. The who, why, and when and where aspects of the distribution of wealth at selected city, national and global scales. |
| 2410 | Introduction to Maps (4) Reading and interpretation of commonly used maps; map appreciation, design, and evaluation; art of map-making. Two hrs. lect., 4 hrs. act. (Y) |
| 2600 | Introduction to GIS (4) See GEOL 2600 for course description. |
| 3000 | Sustainable Resource Management (4) The earth as a source of land, water, biotic, mineral and energy resources. The role of human populations in their use, sustainable development, and exploitation. (A) |
| 3030 | Exploring Geographic Information Systems (4) Fundamentals of location-related information management, manipulation, and display. Usage of commercially available GIS software in business; education; and physical, social and life sciences. Two hrs. lect., 4 hrs. act. |
| Intermediate | |
| 3115 | Physical Landscape Analysis (4) The geomorphic evolution of the landscape with emphasis on the late Cenozoic. Processes and landscape histories, especially as they relate to climate and climatic change. One all-day Saturday field trip required. Prerequisite: GEOG 2100. Two hrs. lect., 4 hrs. act. (Alt. Y) |
| 3120 | Climatic Change (4) Late Cenozoic changes and variations in climate with emphasis on the geological, geomorphological, and biotic records. Causes (natural and anthropogenic) and consequences (natural and cultural) of climate change. Prerequisites: GEOG 3115 or 4130 or consent of instructor. (Alt. Y) |
| 3200 | Asian Americans: Spatial Disparity and Multiculturalism (4) Ethnic diversity and settlement patterns of Asian communities in California and the United States; immigration history and demographic changes of different Asian ethnic groups; socio-economic profiles, cultural identities, and contemporary issues of Asian Americans. |
| 3320 | Geography of World Agriculture (4) Global agricultural systems and regions; environmental constraints and cultural practices; changing patterns of global and regional crop production. |
| 3330 | Urban Geography (4) Contemporary Western, chiefly American, urbanism as a dynamic spatial phenomenon; functional structure of cities, spatial interaction, urban settlement patterns, urban environmental quality with regional comparisons. |
| 3340 | Urban Planning (4) Overview of planning processes conducted at county and city levels. Includes legal background, administrative processes, planning issues, research methods and case studies. It is recommended that GEOG 3330 be taken before GEOG 3340. |
| 3360 | Historical Geography of North America (4) Historical-geographic processes of exploration, migration, settlement, urbanization, cultural integration, land use and resource exploitation from the 15th through the 20th centuries. (Y) |
| 3405 | Field Regional Geography (1) Reconnaissance field study of geography of selected areas in California and adjoining regions. May be repeated but no more than two units may be applied to Geography major. Must be taken CR/NC. Thirty hrs. field/lab. (Y) |
| 3410 | Air-Photo Interpretation (4) The principles of airborne remote sensing and image interpretation for environmental resource management. Hands-on experience in photogrammetric stereoscopy and image measurement of spatial data. Two hrs. lect., 4 hrs. act. (W) |
| 3450 | Literature and Research Methods (5) Seminar in the basic geographical and environmental literature, source materials and research methods. Intensive exercises in both written and oral communication. Fulfills the University Writing Skills requirement for students who began work on the present degree before Fall Quarter, 1985. |
| 3480 | Applied Field Studies (4) Field-based research project. Application of techniques and methods, including field observation, sampling, data collection, and computer-based analysis. Presentation of results in graphic and written forms. May be repeated for credit once with consent of instructor. Cross-listed with ENVT 3480. Prerequisite: ENVT 3400 or consent of instructor. Two hrs. lect. 4 hrs. act. |
| 3500 | Geography of the United States and Canada (4) Systematic analysis of the distinctive human-use regions of the United States and Canada emphasizing their character, personality, and economic profile. Case studies of resource use dilemmas. (Y) |
| 3505 | Geography of California (4) The natural and cultural processes which have shaped the landscape of contemporary California. California's varied environments, especially how they have been perceived, modified, and significantly altered by humans. (F, W, Sp) |
| 3510 | Geography of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands (4) Historical and contemporary overview of the Middle American region, including studies of the environment, human occupancy and settlement patterns, and economic activities; problems of resource utilization. (Y) |
| 3515 | Geography of South America (4) Distinguishing characteristics among the Andean countries of Spanish heritage, the Guianas, and the largest country-Brazil. (Y) |
| 3540 | China and Japan (4) China and Japan as modern industrial powers. Comparative analysis of spatial patterns, economic development, natural resources, and social transformations that shape their respective cultural landscapes. Regional identities in the context of globalization. (Y) |
| 3550 | Geography of Southeast Asia (4) Physical resources, patterns of land use, economic development, and urbanization; problems and prospects of mainland and island countries from Myanmar to Indonesia and the Philippines. This region is an Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian cultural complex. (Y) |
| 3600 | Cartographic Principles and Graphic Communication (4) Fundamentals of map design and production. Emphasis on the humanistic and technical aspects of cartography. The essence of the map communication theory and gestalt theory of human perception; effective symbolization of spatial data. One hr. lect., 6 hrs. act. (F) |
| 3605 | Computer Cartography (5) Introduction to the principles of modern digital cartography. Hands-on experience in computer mapping. Basic concepts, software, hardware of computer cartography; spatial data structure and database management; and lab-oriented software applications. Prerequisites: GEOG 2410 and 3600. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. act. (W) |
| 3898 | Cooperative Education (1-4) Supervised work experience in which student completes academic assignments integrated with off-campus paid or volunteer activities. May be repeated for up to 8 units. A maximum of 4 units will be accepted toward the Geography major; a maximum of 4 units will be accepted toward the Geography minor. CR/NC grading only. Prerequisites: at least 2.0 GPA; departmental approval of activity. (A) |
| 3999 | Issues in Geography (4) Readings, discussion, and research on contemporary and/or significant issues in geography. May be repeated for credit when content varies. |
| Advanced | |
| 4125 | Field Course in Physical-Biotic Geography (4) Problems and methods in the analysis, mapping and interpretation of the physical and biotic landscape, stressing interrelationships and change through time. Prerequisite: GEOG 2100 and consent of instructor. Eight hrs. act. (Alt. Y) |
| 4130 | Biogeography (4) (See BIOL 4130 for course description.) |
| 4320 | Energy and Society (4) Distribution of sources, production trends, use patterns, potentials of water, wind, volcanic, tidal, solar, and other sources of power; emphasis upon fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Cross-listed with ENVT 4320. (Y) |
| 4330 | Sustainable Development (4) Oxymoron or achievable goal? The major forces that shape national resource and economic development. Case studies that examine experiences with bilateral and multi-lateral development assistance. The close relationship between sustainable development, economics, demography, resource geography and the environment. Prerequisite: GEOG 3000. |
| 4350 | Water Resources and Management (4) The historical, geographical, legal, and economic bases for the distribution and allocation of water, stressing California and the arid West; the environmental impact of water use; past and current issues and controversies in water distribution and redistribution. (Y) |
| 4355 | Watershed Management (4) Principles and practices of integrated watershed management with special focus on multiple use watersheds in urbanized settings. Land use factors that affect watershed hydrology, principal water quality problems, physical solutions, partnership approaches, compatible uses, applications of GIS. Prerequisite: GEOG 3000. Three hrs. lect., 2 hrs. act. |
| 4425 | Remote Sensing of Earth Environments (4) Introduction to remote sensing applications on earth resource management. Focus on non-photographic earth observation systems such as near-infrared, thermal-infrared, and radar. Principles of remote sensing; types of imaging systems; and digital image processing. Prerequisites: GEOG 3410 and consent of instructor. Two hrs. lect., 4 hrs. act. (Sp) |
| 4600 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (5) Introduction to spatial database management technology using computers to capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically referenced information for decision-making purposes. Prerequisite: GEOG 3605. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. act. (W) |
| 4605 | Environmental Applications of GIS (5) Interdisciplinary applications of GIS technology on the mapping, monitoring, analysis, management and conservation of environmental resources such as water, land use, agriculture and wildlife. Prerequisite: GEOG 4600. Two hrs. lect., 4 hrs. act. (Sp) |
| 4900 | Independent Study (1-4) |
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Last Updated: August 28, 2007