Program of Study

The discipline of geography contributes to an understanding of society by exploring the Earth's environment and its interactions with human life, by inquiring into cultures and societies from the perspective of area study, and by investigating problems of spatial organization. The B.A. program in geographical studies offers a distinctive focus for general education and provides a background both for advanced specialization in the discipline and for study in other fields. Solid grounding in modern geography can lead to careers in government service, environmental consulting, marketing, publishing, planning, and teaching at all levels.

Program Requirements

The B.A. degree in geographical studies calls for the satisfactory completion of eleven courses, at least eight of which must be in geographical studies. These include the orientation course (GEOG 20000); an introduction to cartography and Geographic Information Systems/GIS (GEOG 28200); the senior seminar (GEOG 29800); and at least eight additional geography courses, up to three of which may be in approved related fields. A bachelor's thesis is prepared in connection with the senior seminar.

Summary of Requirements

1 GEOG 20000

1 GEOG 28200

8 additional geographical studies courses; up to three may be in approved related fields

1 Senior Seminar (GEOG 29800)

__ bachelor's thesis

Grading. All courses counted toward the geographical studies major must be taken for quality grades.

Research Grants. Geographical studies students may apply for small grants from the Ada Espenshade Wrigley Fund in support of extraordinary expenses connected with research leading to their bachelor's thesis.

Honors. Honors in geographical studies are awarded to students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher who submit a bachelor's thesis judged to be outstanding.

Awards. Each year the Committee on Geographical Studies nominates outstanding senior geographical studies students for an Outstanding Senior in Geography Award from the Illinois Geographical Society and an Award for Excellence from the National Council for Geographic Education and the Association of American Geographers.

Faculty

M. Conzen, M. Mikesell, S. Sassen

Affiliated teaching staff: S. Branting, J. Felkner, R. Greene, T. Schuble

Courses: Geographical Studies (geog)

20000. Introduction to Geography. PQ: Open to current and prospective geographical studies majors; nonmajors must obtain consent of instructor. This course is a review of the history and current orientations of human and environmental geography. It includes a critical review of representative pedagogic works and selected reading of recent periodical and monographic literature. M. Mikesell. Autumn.

20100/30100. Cultural Geography. (=ENST 25900) This course is an examination of the two main concerns of this field of geography: (1) the logic and pathology revealed in the record of the human use and misuse of the Earth, and (2) the discordant relationship of the world political map with more complicated patterns of linguistic and religious distribution. M. Mikesell. Winter.

21700/31700. Globalization: Empirical and Theoretical Elements. (=ANTH 25700/35700, SOCI 20114/30114) This course examines how different processes of globalization transform key aspects of, and are in turn shaped by, major institutions (e.g., sovereignty, citizenship) and major processes (e.g., urbanization, immigration, digitalization). Particular attention goes to analyzing the challenges for theorization and empirical specification. S. Sassen. Autumn.

21900/31900. Historical Geography of the United States. (=HIST 28800/38800) This course examines the spatial dynamics of empire, the frontier, regional development, the social character of settlement patterns, and the evolution of the cultural landscapes of America from pre-European times to 1900. An all-day northern Illinois field trip required. M. Conzen. Autumn. Not offered 2005-06; will be offered 2006-07.

22100/32100. Changing America, 1900 to the Present. (=HIST 27501/37501) This course explores the changing regional organization of American society and its economy during the pivotal twentieth century, emphasizing the shifting dynamics that explain the spatial distribution of people, resources, economic activity, human settlement patterns, and mobility. Special focus on the regional restructuring of industry and services, transportation, city growth, and cultural consumption. A two-day weekend field trip in Illinois and Wisconsin required. M. Conzen. Winter. Not offered 2005-06; will be offered 2006-07.

22700/32700. Urban Structure and Process. (=SOCI 20104/30104, SOSC 25100) This course reviews competing theories of urban development, especially their ability to explain the changing nature of cities under the impact of advanced industrialism. Analysis includes a consideration of emerging metropolitan regions, the microstructure of local neighborhoods, and the limitations of the past American experience as a way of developing urban policy both in this country and elsewhere. O. McRoberts. Spring.

23500/33500. Urban Geography. This course examines the spatial organization and current restructuring of modern cities in light of the economic, social, cultural, and political forces that shape them. It explores the systematic interactions between social process and physical system, with emphasis on ways in which human motive and action shape and are shaped by the contingent circumstances of place. We cover basic concepts of urbanism and urbanization, systems of cities (including central-place theory), urban growth, migration, centralization and decentralization, land-use dynamics, physical geography, urban morphology, and planning. The focus is largely on American cities, with brief comparisons to European and non-Western urban contexts. A field trip in Chicago region required. This course is offered in alternate years. M. Conzen. Winter.

25300/35300. Seminar: Problems in the Human Geography of the Middle East. This course includes a review and cartographic demonstration of habitat types, modes of livelihood, and ethnic distribution. Students then present reports on selected aspects of human geography. M. Mikesell. Spring.

25400/35400. Ancient Landscapes: Environmental Change, Geoarcheology, and Off-Site Archaeology. PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing, and consent of instructor. The main focus of this course is on examples drawn from the Old World and Near East; some New World material is also included. Topics covered are relevant to anthropology, archeology, environmental studies, and geography. S. Branting. Spring.

25500/35500. Biogeography. (=BIOS 23406, ENST 25500, EVOL 45500) PQ: Completion of the general education requirement for the biological sciences or consent of instructor. This course examines factors governing the distribution and abundance of animals and plants. Topics include patterns and processes in historical biogeography, island biogeography, geographical ecology, areography, and conservation biology (e.g., design and effectiveness of nature reserves). B. Patterson (odd years, lab); L. Heaney (even years, discussion). Winter.

26100/36100. Roots of the Modern American City. (=ENST 26100, HIST 28900/38900) This course traces the economic, social, and physical development of the city in North America from pre-European times to the mid-twentieth century. We emphasize evolving regional urban systems, the changing spatial organization of people and land use in urban areas, and the developing distinctiveness of American urban landscapes. Superior term papers from this course may be selected for special publication. All-day Illinois field trip required. This course is offered in alternate years. M. Conzen. Autumn.

26600/36600. Economics of Urban Policies. (=ECON 26600/36500, LLSO 26202, PBPL 24500) PQ: ECON 20100. This course covers tools needed to analyze urban economics and address urban policy problems. Topics include a basic model of residential location and rents; income, amenities, and neighborhoods; homelessness and urban poverty; decisions on housing purchase versus rental such as housing taxation, housing finance, and landlord monitoring; models of commuting mode choice and congestion and transportation pricing and policy; urban growth; and Third World cities. G. Tolley, D. Barker. Winter.

27600. Hyde Park and Chicago's South Side as Historical Laboratory. (=HIST 29603) This colloquium uses Hyde Park and Chicago's South Side as a case study to introduce issues and methodologies in the history and historical geography of American urban life during the past century and a half. Discussions focus on both primary and secondary source readings, and each participant designs and carries out an original research project. K. Conzen. Autumn.

28200. Introduction to Cartography and GIS. PQ: GEOG 20000 or consent of instructor. This course provides an introduction to cartographic practices (e.g., map preparation, compilation, construction, and design) using computer-based geographic information system techniques. Lab sessions required. T. Schuble. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

28400/38400. Intermediate Cartography and GIS. PQ: GEOG 28200 or equivalent. This course covers the development of cartographic and computer-based geographic information system techniques applicable to student research topics. R. Greene. Winter.

29100. Undergraduate Tutorial. PQ: Consent of instructor. Available for either Pass or quality grading. This course is designed for individual study of selected geographical problems. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29300. Readings in Geographic Literature in French. PQ: Reading knowledge of French and consent of instructor. Available for either Pass or quality grading. M. Mikesell. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29400/39400. Readings in Nature and Culture. PQ: GEOG 20000 or consent of instructor. This independent reading option is an opportunity for research and discussion on the logic and pathology revealed in evidence of the human use and misuse of the Earth. M. Mikesell. Autumn.

29500/39500. Readings in Culture and Nationality. PQ: GEOG 20000 or consent of instructor. This independent reading option is devoted to the role of language and religion in the integration of nation-states and to examples of cultural dissidence and cultural conflict. M. Mikesell. Winter.

29700. Readings in Special Topics in Geography. PQ: Consent of instructor. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Must be taken for a quality grade. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29800. Senior Seminar. PQ: Open to students with fourth-year standing who are majoring in geographical studies. Must be taken for a quality grade. This course is designed for development of the bachelor's thesis. M. Conzen. Winter.

42400. Urban Landscapes as Social Text. (=SOCI 30303) PQ: Advanced standing and consent of instructor. This seminar explores the meanings found in varieties of urban landscapes, both in the context of individual elements and composite structures. These meanings are examined in relation to three fundamental approaches that can be identified in the analytical literature on landscapes: normative, historical, and communicative modes of conceptualization. Emphasis is placed on analyzing the explicitly visual features of the urban landscape. Students pursue research topics of their own choosing within the general framework. M. Conzen. Autumn.