California State University, Fresno
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Geography - Courses



You are in the official 1999-2000 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.

Department of Geography

COURSES

 

Introductory Geography (GEOG)

2. Introduction to Cultural Geography (3)
General background to cultural geography, including origins of cultural land scapes, man's modification of the natural environment, and problems of population and settlement geography. (CAN GEOG 4)

4. World Geography (3)
Survey of world-wide social, cultural, economic and political forces; earth's physical features; economic development; cultural and natural resources; man-land relationships. Applicable concepts and methodologies. Approach is by continents and/or cultural realms.

5. Physical Geography: Global Concepts, Weather and Climate (3)
The earth as a planet, map projections, location on the earth's surface, time, oceans, weather, and climate.

7. Physical Geography: The Earth's Surface (3)
A survey of those elements of the physical environment at the earth-atmosphere contact. Fundamentals of landform features, soils, natural vegetation, and water bodies.

10. Introduction to Meteorology (3)
Not open to students with credit in GEOG 5. Prerequisite: General Education Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Study of earth's atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena. Basic elements of meteorology. Relationships between humans and the atmosphere - e.g., global warming, hurricanes and tornadoes, air pollution, El Niño. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)



Geographic Techniques (GEOG)

100. Cartography (4)
Introduction to the field. History of map-making, map projections, theory of map communication. Practical experience in compilation, generalization, symbolization, and design to produce original pen-and-ink drafted maps. Teaches the skill of presenting tabular data in map form. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Course fee, $10)

101. Computers in Geography (4)
Introduction to computer applications in geography. Fundamental concepts of computers, Internet, word processing, programming, database, computer mapping, remote sensing, and GIS applications. No computer and statistical experience required. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15)

102. Computer Cartography (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 101 or permission of instructor. Map design and production in a computer environment: business graphics, desktop publishing, computer-aided design, thematic mapping, three-dimensional surfaces, and graphic programming. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15)

104. Map Interpretation (4)
Prerequisite: GEOL 1, GEOG 7, or permission of instructor. Reading and interpretation of USGS-type topographic maps. Emphasis on interpretative inference concerning both physical and cultural landscapes. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours)

105. Aerial Photograph Interpretation (4)
Prerequisites: GEOL 1 or GEOG 7; GEOG 101 or permission of instructor. Aerial photography, videography, and multispectral scanner technology; image interpretation; computer-based digital processing; monitoring and mapping of terrain features; georeferencing (GPS); GIS applications. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15)

106. Advanced Aerial Photo Interpretation and
Remote Sensing of Environment (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 105. Advanced techniques of remote sensing, e.g., hyperspectral and radar imaging; advanced computer-based digital processing; advanced monitoring and mapping of terrain features; advanced GIS applications. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15)

107. Introduction to
Geographic Information Systems (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 101 or permission of instructor. Fundamental concepts of acquisition, structure, manipulation, and analysis of data in a GIS environment. Practice in the design, management, and implementation of GIS. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15)

108. Spatial Analysis in Geographic Information Systems (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 107. Spatial analysis and modeling in a GIS environment. Spatial geometry, pattern analysis, terrain analysis, path analysis, network analysis, surface modeling, spatial autocorrelation, spatial regression, spatial classification, and spatial interpolation. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15) (Formerly GEOG 188T section)

109. Technical Field Geography (3)
Prerequisite: geography major or permission of instructor. Gathering and analysis of data pertaining to topics in physical or human geography. Includes an on-campus seminar to discuss issues and concepts. (1 lecture, 4-8 field hours)

110. Basic Quantitative Techniques (4)
Introduction of elementary statistical principles and techniques: probability theory, sampling, descriptive statistics, spatial statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, bivariate regression, and forecasting. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (Computer lab fee, $15)



Physical-Environmental Geography (GEOG)

111. Meteorology (3)
Prerequisite: GEOG 5 or equivalent. Study of the earth's atmosphere; energy exchanges and temperature; pressure and air circulation; fog, clouds, precipitation and the hydrologic cycle; cyclonic storms and orographic processes; stability and thunderstorms; weather modification and predictions with application to agriculture, aviation, and other activities.

112. World Climates (3)
Prerequisite: GEOG 5 or 111. Study of various systems of climate classification. Climates as they exist throughout the world and the reasons for their occurrence.

114. Microclimatology (3)
(Same as PLANT 134.) Prerequisite: GEOG 5 or equivalent. Micrometeorological influences on local climates including natural ecosystems and varying agricultural canopies. Local climate influences on wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Manipulation of local climate including frost protection, irrigation and wind sheltering. Microclimates of non-uniform terrain and urban environment.

117. Plant Geography (3)
Study of earth's plant cover; world floras; dispersal and migration; environmental effects on distributions; plant communities; major vegetation regions.

120. World Landform Regions (3)
Prerequisite: GEOG 7 or equivalent. A systematic analysis of types of world landform regions with emphasis on glaciated regions, arid lands, and volcanic lands.

121. United States Landform Regions (3)
Prerequisite: GEOG 7 or equivalent. Natural regions of the United States based on study of types of landforms. Analysis of unity and diversity in such landform regions as the Colorado Plateau, Sierra Nevada Province, Basin and Range, et. al.

128. Environmental Pollution (3)
A discussion of current environmental pollution problems involving the atmosphere, land, and water. The adverse effects of transportation, surface mining, sewage and waste disposal, noise, the use of pesticides, energy production and consumption, and related topics are examined.

Human-Systematic Geography (GEOG)

127. Human Impact on Nature (3)
Ways in which man's activities have altered climate, landforms, soil and water conditions, and natural vegetation.

130. Geography of World Economy (3)
An examination of the organization of world economy and human economic activities from a geographical perspective. Discussion of contemporary economic issues may include industrial restructuring, technological innovation, foreign trade and investment, Pacific Asia dynamism, Third World crisis, new international economic order, regional inequality, and local area development. (Formerly GEOG 3)

134. Geography of Energy (3)
The world's energy resources emphasizing fossil fuels. The energy crisis. Alternative sources of energy: solar, nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and tidal.

135. The Protection of Nature (3)
An examination of the plight of nature; the values of nature preserved; man's attempt to preserve nature. Attention focuses on the national park movement, wilderness, endangered species, the management of lands for the purpose of preservation, and related topics.

146. Land Use (3)
Principles and trends relating to the causes and effects of existing land use patterns throughout the world. Topics include climate and soils, trade, transport, and manufacturing systems; national and local policies, and human abuse.

147. Population Geography (3)
Geographical analysis of the causes and consequences of global population growth, migrations, distributions, and relationships to natural resources.

150. Agricultural Geography (3)
Analysis of areal distribution of agricultural (crops and livestock) patterns of the world. Interactions with the environment, role in economies.

160. Urban Geography (3)
The city environment. An understanding of the changing urban environments from ancient through medieval to modern times; the relationship of the urban center to its surrounding hinterland; the interdependence of its functional parts; its problems and future.

161. Historical Geography of the United States (3)
Regional settlement of the United States; peopling of physiographic regions, creation of economic (cultural) regions, and geographic factors related to broad trends in American history.

162. Political Geography (3)
Systematic treatment of the nature and structure of states, boundary problems, political policy for the oceans, international power, air space.

163. World Crises (3)
Current major political, economic, and environmental crises occurring on either a global or a regional level.

164. American Ethnic Geography (3)
Geographical analysis of selected American ethnic groups to include their cultural hearths, cultural landscapes, cultural evolutions, migrations, and current spatial distributions. Economic, social, and political correlates will be explored.

167. People and Places - A Global Perspective (3)
Contrasting characteristics of a diverse world; influence of major social, cultural, economic, and political forces on societal behavior and institutions; impacts of geographical factors including location, climate, natural resources, urbanization, diffusion/adoption of innovations, and rural/urban life styles on development.




Regional Geography (GEOG)

145T. Environmental Regions (1-3; max total 9 if no area repeated)
Systematic and regional investigation of the physical and cultural complexes of various environmental regions. Regions to be discussed include the Humid Tropics, Arid Lands, Polar Lands, Coastal Lands, Mountain Environments, Island Environments.

166T. Anglo-American Regions (1-3; max total 9 if no area repeated)
Examination of the physical, economic, and cultural geographic foundations of major Anglo-American regions. Regions to be discussed include Canada, the United States, the American West, the South, the Middle West, and the North East.

168. Geography of California (3)
Natural and cultural patterns of California; historical and regional geography of the state.

170T. Latin American Regions (1-3; max total 9 if no area repeated)
Geography of Latin America. Relationship of cultural and natural features; social and economic development; man-land relationships. Regions to be discussed include Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands, and South America.

172. Ancient Peru (3)
The geography of Ancient Peru. The physical landscape and human modification of that landscape over time. Emphasis on the origin of agriculture and the rise of urbanism in the Andean Region.

174T. European Regions (1-3; max total 9 if no area repeated)
Geographic regions of Europe emphasizing the relation of human activities to physical factors areal in their distribution and influence. Regions to be discussed include Mediterranean lands, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe, the British isles.

176. Geography of the Commonwealth of Independent States -- Formerly USSR (3)
Comprehensive study of the economic, cultural, physical, and political geographic foundations of the Commonwealth of Independent States, followed by intensive study of selected nations within the realm.

177T. Asian Regions (1-3; max total 9 if no area repeated)
Geographic regions of Asia emphasizing physical and cultural features. Regions to be discussed include Southeast Asia, South Asia, China, and the Far East.

179. Geography of the Middle East (3)
Comprehensive study of the physical features of the Middle East and the cultural traits of its people. The area under consideration extends from the Turkish Straits to the Pamir Knot, and from the Caucasus to the Sudan.

180. Biblical Lands (3)
The focus of this course is the area that spawned three of the world's great religions Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. A geographical approach is employed in describing and analyzing this cultural hearth.

181T. African Regions (1-3; max total 9 if no region repeated)
Study of major African regions relating to basic physical, cultural, economic, and political geographic conditions and problems. Regions to be discussed include Developing Black Africa, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa.

182. Subsaharan Africa (3)
Comprehensive study of the economic, cultural, physical, and political geographic foundations of Subsaharan Africa.

183T. Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands (3; max total 6 if no area repeated)
Geographic relationships of natural and cultural features to social and economic development.



Geographic Topics, Research and Field Trips (GEOG)

188T. Topics in Geography (1-3; max total 9)
Selected topics in cultural, physical, environmental, or economic geography or in geographic techniques.

190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement Independent Study. Approved for SP grading.

192. Directed Readings (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Supervised readings in a selected field of geography. Combined units of GEOG 190 and 192 may not exceed 6 units. CR/NC grading only.

195. Field Geography (1-6; max total 6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Weekend, semester break, or summer field trips. CR/NC grading only.



City and Regional Planning (C R P)

100. Introduction to Community Planning (3)
Prerequisite: junior standing. Introduction to and critical analysis of theory and practice of community planning; traditional and alternative roles of planning in contemporary society; perspectives on community problems; evaluation of con cepts, literature, and history.

110T. Topics in Urban Planning Techniques (1-3; max total 6)
Selected topics such as analytical techniques; means for management of urban development, including transportation, public facilities, and activities in the private sector; public policy concerning issues of local and regional significance.

135. Environmental Law (3)
Contemporary environmental problems and their interrelationships. The conceptual, constitutional, and administrative framework for environmental protection and management. Legislation and case law for the protection and enhancement of the environment with emphasis on natural resources.

190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for SP grading.

192. Directed Readings (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Supervised readings in a selected field related to city and regional planning.

GRADUATE COURSES

(See Course Numbering System.)

Geography (GEOG)

203T. Seminar in Economic Geography (3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: GEOG 130 or permission of instructor. Theory, concepts, and methods in economic geography. Each offering will be chosen from the fields of transportation, industrial, agricultural, or resource geography.

206T. Seminar in Physical Geography (3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: GEOG 5 or 7 and an upper-division Physical Geography course or permission of instructor. Principles, concepts, and theories in the systematic study of physical geography and its methodology. Each offering chosen from the fields of geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, water, or soils.

210T. Seminar in Geographic Techniques (3; max total 12)
Prerequisites: GEOG 107 and 108 or permission of instructor. Detailed examination of principles, concepts, and theories of such geographic techniques as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, quantitative analysis, and field methods. (Computer lab fee, $15)

230. Seminar in Contemporary Geographic Thought (3)
Current theories of geography and their evolution.

260T. Seminar in Human Geography (3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: GEOG 2 and an upper-division Human Geography course or permission of instructor. Principles, concepts, and theories in the systematic study of a field of human geography and its methodology: political, cultural, urban, historical, or population and settlement geography.

270T. Seminar in Selected Regions (3; max total 12)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor. Study of geographic conditions in relation to economic, social, and political problems in a selected region of the world.

290. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for SP grading.

292. Directed Readings in Geography (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Supervised reading in a selected geographic topic. CR/NC grading only.

298. Project (3)
Prerequisite: See Criteria for Thesis and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable project for the master's degree. Approved for SP grading.

299. Thesis (2-6; max total 6)
Prerequisite: See Criteria for Thesis and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable thesis for the master's degree. Approved for SP grading.



City and Regional Planning (C R P)

212T. Seminar: Topics in Planning (1-3; max total 9)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Selected urban planning topics to serve student needs not met by other university courses.

280T. Internship in Planning (2-4; max total 4)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Individually supervised professional practice: preparation and implementation of comprehensive urban, regional, or special purpose plans; study of interrelation ships and roles of government, public agencies, and private enterprise. Approved for SP grading. Final grade subject to CR/NC grading only.

290. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for SP grading.

292. Directed Readings in City and Regional Planning (1-3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: graduate standing. Supervised reading in a selected city and regional planning topic. Approved for SP grading.

Geography Degrees

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