Geography
Department
“GLOBAL SKILLS” TRACK (BA)
The
Global Skills track focuses on analytical, technical, and regional expertise for
those considering international careers in the international arena. It is
aimed at developing multicultural skills and critical thinking in cross-cultural
scenarios; acquiring analytic and technical competence for identifying and
making effective decisions on spatial issues; and developing geographic fluency
regarding one or more regions of the world.
Towards
this end, this track requires foreign language competence, more technical
courses, more (foreign) regional courses, and some specialization in systematic
areas within the discipline.
This
program is also the basis for an accelerated, “3 + 2” MA track within Geography.
The Global Skills
track: how it differs from the General track:
(1) Program of study will focus on gaining
(1) Techniques, and (2) Regional and Systematic skills:
-
Technical courses:
This track requires 6, rather than 3, credits
-
Regional courses:
This track requires 6, rather than 3 (in the old major), credits
-
Systematic courses:
Six credits;
The purpose of these changes is to provide (a) a
higher level of competency in Geotechnical Skills (hence the “Global Skills”
title); (b) greater exposure to and understanding of regions of the world from a
geographic perspective, including knowledge of regions matching the student’s
own interests; and (c) some specialization in systematic approaches relevant to
the student’s areas of interest (for example, Population and Medical, or
Economic and Environmental);
(2)
The Core: Geog 109, and either Geog 102 or 105, are REQUIRED (Geog 223 is
dropped); this focus on the basics of Introductory Human Geography and courses
with International scope is intended to broaden the student’s understanding of
“how the world works” in terms of global economy, politics, cultures and
societies;
(3)
Foreign Language requirement: Students opting for the Global Skills track
must achieve a level of proficiency equivalent to four semesters of
college-level language training in a modern foreign language that is offered by
or can be tested by the Department of Modern Languages. The language selected
may depend upon the interests of the student. Students can fulfill this language
requirement through any of the procedures outlined in the “Meeting B.A.
Requirements” section of the Department of Modern Languages entry in this
catalog. Lower-division courses taken in a modern language do not count toward
the 39 credits needed to complete the Geography - Global Skills major;
(4)
Non-major courses: in addition to taking selected Geography courses for
completion of this track, students will be advised toward taking non-Geography
courses relevant to their topical or regional interests, in order to deepen
their skills and knowledge base for successful understanding of complex global
issues.;
(5)
Foreign Study: It is recommended that students undertake a study-abroad
program in conjunction with this track.
GLOBAL SKILLS TRACK (39 credits): Overview
Note: there is a foreign language requirement for this track.
Core Requirement (18 credits)
GEOG 101 Physical Geography (3)
GEOG 102 or 105 (3)
GEOG 109 Human Geography (3)
GEOG 221 Interpretation of Maps (3)
GEOG 375 Quant Methods in Geog (3)
GEOG 401 Growth of Geog Thought (3)
Group Requirements (18 credits)
Majors must select at least two techniques courses, at least two regional courses, and at least two systematic courses from the following:
Technical Courses: Select at least two:
GEOG 321 [504] Interp of Aerial Photographs (3)
GEOG 323 [505] Cartography and Graphics I (3)
GEOG 412 [518] Introduction to GIS (3)
GEOG 414 [523] GIS Applications
GEOG 416 Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing (3)
GEOG 418 [507] Computer Mapping (3)
Regional Courses: Select at least two:
GEOG 424 Historical Geog. of Atlantic Canada (3)
GEOG 427 The Global Economy (3)
GEOG 431 [562] Geography of Africa (3)
GEOG 443 [564] Geography of East Asia (3)
GEOG 445 [5XX] Geography of Southeast Asia (3)
GEOG 447 [565] Geography of the Middle East (3)
GEOG 448 Conflict in Ireland (3)
GEOG 451 [566] Geography of Europe (3)
GEOG 452 Geography of the European Union (3)
GEOG 453 [567] Geog. of the former U.S.S.R. (3)
GEOG 461 [568] Geography of Latin America (3)
Systematic Courses: Select at least two:
GEOG 251 Introduction to Planning (3)
GEOG 317 Energy Resources (3)
GEOG 329 Medical Geography (3)
GEOG 355 Historical Geog. of Urbanization (3)
GEOG 357 Cultural Geography (3)
GEOG 359 Economic Geography
GEOG 363 Spatial Org. of Economic Activity
GEOG 381 Political Geography
GEOG 383 Nat. Resources and Society
GEOG 385 Population Geography
GEOG 391 Urban Systems
GEOG 393 Transport. and Infras. Planning
GEOG 405 Comprehensive Planning
GEOG 407 Geography of the Aged
GEOG 415 Geographical Aspects of Pollution
Electives (3 credits)
3 semester hours of geography electives at the 200/400 level
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