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Kansas State University

Geography Course Listing

 

Please note that the courses, and their descriptions, listed here represent the most current information concerning classes offered by the Department of Geography. Courses identified with an "" qualify for University General Education (UGE) credits.

 

University General Education courseGEOG 100. World Regional Geography. (3) I, II.
Introduction to geography structured on a framework of major world regions and countries. With the regional approach is an explicit discussion of the essential concepts of certain systematic specialties, such as political, social, economic, and urban geography.

University General Education courseGEOG 200. Human Geography. (3) I.
A geographical assessment of the way human activities shape landscapes throughout the world. The course is especially appropriate for students interested in the social and behavioral sciences.

GEOG 201. Human Geography (Honors). (3) I, in odd years.
Spatial aspects of human organization and behavior are examined through selected concepts in modern geography. The course is especially appropriate for students interested in the social and behavioral sciences. Pr.: Membership in arts and sciences honors program.

University General Education courseGEOG 221. Environmental Geography I. (4) I, II.
A basic physical geography course emphasizing the geosphere and hydrosphere, including processes, patterns, and physical background for related issues such as natural hazards and human modification of physical conditions. Introduces remote sensing and the use of topographic maps in environmental study. Three hours lecture and one two-hour lab per week.

University General Education courseGEOG 300. Geography of Tourism. (3) II.
The geography of tourism is concerned with the structure, form, use, and conservation of the landscape as well as with such spatial conditions as the location of tourist areas and the movements of people from place to place. This course addresses such concepts as the economic, environmental, social, and cultural impacts of tourism as well as examining the tourist geography of each of the world's regions, focusing on the major tourist areas.

University General Education courseGEOG 302. Cartography and Thematic Mapping. (3) I.
Introduction to cartographic history, theory and principles, thematic map design, symbolization, map perception, color theory, typography, and digital cartographic research.  Laboratory work will familiarize students with the latest cartographic software that will be used to produce a series of thematic maps.  The course will consist of two hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week.
Pr.: STAT 330 (or equivalent).

University General Education courseGEOG 310. Geography of Kansas. (3) I.
Perceptions of Kansas, and a regional analysis of the state including discussion of climate, landforms, soil, water, and minerals as well as patterns of settlement, population, agriculture, industry, transportation, and urban development.

University General Education courseGEOG 321. Environmental Geography II. (4) I, II.
A basic physical geography course emphasizing the atmosphere, weather, climate, and the biosphere. Includes human modification of atmospheric conditions, climate change, severe storms, and the association between global climate and plant distributions. Introduces map use, including isopleth and weather maps. Three hours lecture and one two-hour lab a week.
Pr.: GEOG 221 Environmental Geography I.

University General Education courseGEOG 340. Geography of Natural Resources. (3) I.
The distribution, significance, and environmental consequences of world agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining, emphasizing the principles which account for the spatial variation in the extraction and consumption of natural resources.

GEOG 360. Sustainability Science. (3) 
Exploration of sustainability concepts, approaches, and decision-making.  Relation of sustainability to environmental, economic, and social considerations at global, regional, and local scales.

University General Education courseGEOG 399. Honors Seminar in Geography. (2-3)
Selected topics.
Open to nonmajors in the honors program.

GEOG 450. Geography of Economic Behavior. (3) II.
The location of manufacturing industries and patterns of commercial activity. Case studies and simulations are used with emphasis on modern concepts of site selection and community development.

GEOG 460. Human Dimensions of Global Change. (3) I.
An examination of the complexity of forces driving global change, with an emphasis on change related to population growth, technological development, and socio-cultural and socio-economic institutions.
Pr: GEOG 221 and either GEOG 100 or GEOG 200.

GEOG 490. Problems in Geography. (Var.) I, II, S.
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 495. Capstone Seminar in Geography. (2) I.
An integrative capstone seminar requiring geography majors to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired in prior geography courses. Students pursue independent projects in consultation with a faculty member and present their findings in written and oral reports. The course exposes students to and helps prepare them for a variety of professional and scholarly opportunities available after graduation. Required of and restricted to geography undergraduate majors. Meets for two hours once a week.

GEOG 498. Honors Tutorial in Geography. (1-3) I, II.
Individual directed research and study of a topic in geography, normally as a preliminary to writing a senior honors thesis. May be repeated once to a total of 3 hours.
Pr.: Sophomore standing, membership in the honors program of the College of Arts and Sciences, and permission of the instructor.

GEOG 499. Senior Honors Thesis. (2) I, II, S.
Open only to seniors in the arts and sciences honor program.

University General Education courseGEOG 500. Geography of the United States. (3) I, in odd years.
A regional analysis of the United States with special attention to the historical, political, economic, and social factors which contribute to a real differentiation within the area.

University General Education courseGEOG 505. South Asian Civilizations. (3) I, in even years.
Interdisciplinary survey of civilizations in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, including geography, philosophy, social, economic, political institutions, and historical movements. Same as ANTH 505, HIST 505, POLSC 505, SOCIO 505, ECON 505.
Pr.: 3 hours of Social Science or junior standing.

University General Education courseGEOG 508.  Geographic Information Systems I.  (3) II.
Examination of the major concepts, theories, and operations in geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include: the nature of geo-referenced data, data acquisition, and spatial database management, coordinate systems and maps, data structure, and the basic GIS operations that are available for spatial analysis. The course will consist of two hours of lecture and two hours of lab a week.
Pr.: GEOG 302 or instructor permission.

University General Education courseGEOG 510. Geography of the American West. (3) II, in even years.
A broad survey of the geography of the American West with a focus on the distinctive human and environmental characteristics of the region. Historical, cultural, ethnic, resource, land use, and physical landscape patterns are examined through lectures, readings, videos, and discussions. Pr.: A previous course in geography and sophomore standing.

University General Education courseGEOG 535. Fundamentals of Climatology. (3) II.
An examination of climatology on global, regional, and local scales, with emphasis on the physical processes and environmental factors that influence and control climate. Climatic change and its impact on human activities are explored.
Pr.: GEOG 321.

University General Education courseGEOG 600. Mountain Geography. (3) I, in even years.
A broad survey of the human and physical geography of mountains. The course utilizes lectures, discussion, videos, and photographs to examine the human-environment interactions, cultural symbolism and sacredness, recreation and tourism, and sustainable development of mountain landscapes. The regional focus is primarily on the American West, but other mountains throughout the world will also be studied.
Pr.:  A previous course in geography and junior standing.

GEOG 610. Geography Internship (2-3) I, II.
Faculty-supervised field experience, emphasizing the application of geographical topics and/or techniques. Student projects must be approved by both the on-site director and the faculty supervisor, and a report must be submitted at the end of the semester.
Pr.: Permission of the instructor and junior standing in geography is required.

University General Education courseGEOG 620. Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean. (3)
A broad survey of the physical and human geographic patterns of Middle America (Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean), past and present, with emphasis on the changing landscape features in the successive patterns of human occupancy and globalization.

GEOG 622. Geography of South America. (3)
A broad survey of the physical and human patterns of South America, past and present, with emphasis on the changing landscape features in the successive patterns of human occupancy and globalization.

GEOG 640. Geography of Europe. (3) I.
People and their environment, their cultures, problems, and prospects in Europe west of the Soviet Union; trends of development as affected by changing political and economic factors.

University General Education courseGEOG 650. Geography of Former Soviet Lands. (3) II, in odd years.
Physical limitations, resource potentials, economic capabilities, and political and nationality issues, with particular emphasis on agriculture, manufacturing, urbanization, cultural diversity, and regional development.
Pr.: Six hours of social science.

GEOG 660. Geography of East Asia/China. (3) I, in even years.
An introduction to the human and physical geography of East Asia, with an emphasis on China. Examines the region's physical, cultural, and socioeconomic patterns and changes, as well as interactions with other parts of the world.

GEOG 680. Seminar in Regional Geography. (1-3)
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 690. Historical Geography of the United States. (3) S.
Interpretation and analysis of the American landscape and its regions from c. 1500 to c. 1950 with particular emphasis on landscape as both place and history. Also introduces and examines such current research topics as identity, contested places, landscape-as-test, and cultural politics. This is a seminar course.
Pr.: GEOG 100 and one course in American history.

GEOG 700. Quantitative Analysis in Geography. (3) II.
Quantitative methods employed in modern geographical research. Applications of both statistical and mathematical approaches will be treated. Emphasis will be placed on interpretation and evaluation of techniques employed in spatial analysis.
Pr.: One course in statistics.

GEOG 702. Computer Mapping and Geographic Visualization. (3) II, in odd years.
Basic cartographic principles, advanced methods for representing spatial data, and practical applications of thematic maps, animated and Internet-based maps, and geographic visualization techniques. Students will prepare a series of maps and visualization products using modern cartographic and illustration software. The course will consist of two hours of lec. and two hours of lab a week.
Pr.: GEOG 302 or instructor permission and junior standing.

GEOG 705. Remote Sensing of the Environment. (3) I, II.
Remote sensing and its application to earth study, especially environmental problems and land use. Course employs both readings and the use of imagery. Two hours lecture, two hours lab.
Pr.: One course in physical science and one in biological science.

GEOG 708. Geographic Information Systems II. (3) I.
Advanced principles of and applications for geographic information systems (GIS). Examines the nature and accuracy of geo-referenced data and methods of data capture, storage, retrieval, modeling, and digital map display. Students will use modern GIS software packages and digital geographic data from physical and/or cultural sources to explore software procedures and techniques of spatial analysis, decision support, and geographic visualization. The course will consist of two hours of lecture and two hours of lab a week.
Pr.: GEOG 302 and 508 (or consent of instructor).

GEOG 709. Geographic Field Research Techniques. (2-3) S.
Explores methods and techniques employed in modern field research. Stresses research design, field data acquisition techniques, and data analysis.
Pr.: Junior standing and at least 6 hours in geography.

GEOG 711. Topics in Remote Sensing. (3) II.
Examination of a selected remote sensing topic in an area of faculty specialization. Repeatable once with change in topic.
Pr.: GEOG 705.

GEOG 715. World Population Patterns. (3) I, in even years.
Geographical processes that govern population distributions, growth rates, and migrations. Emphasis on international comparisons and the implications for world society of continued differential growth rates.
Pr.: Six hours of social science.

GEOG 718. Geography of Public Lands. (3) II.
Overview of public lands systems, including distribution and uses of public lands, with an emphasis on U.S. federal lands. Historic and recent controversies regarding the public lands will be addressed. Seminar course with discussion and independent research components.
Pr.: Six hours of social science and junior standing.

GEOG 720. Geography of Land Use. (3) I, in odd years.
Critical factors affecting land use, scarcity, and management examined in a regional, national, and global context; land use classification systems and variation of land use patterns.
Pr.: Six hours of social science and junior standing.

GEOG 725. Geography of Water Resources. (3) II, in even years.
Interpretation and analysis of the physical geography of water and water as a resource. Evaluation of water, emphasizing quality, hazards, institutions, and selected domestic and global issues.
Pr.: Six hours of social science and junior standing.

GEOG 730. World Agricultural Systems. (3) II, in odd years.
Description and analysis of the spatial distribution of farm systems emphasizing traditional resource systems in the third world. The major objective is to analyze the interrelationships between natural and human elements in farm systems in order to gain an awareness and understanding of the complex issues involved in agricultural change and development.
Pr.: Six hours of social science.

GEOG 735. Topics in Climatology. (3) I.
Examination of a selected climatology topic in an area of faculty specialization. Repeatable once with change in topic.
Pr.: GEOG 535.

GEOG 750. Urban Geography. (3) I.
A study of geographic principles relating to the distribution, function, and structure of cities; a geographic analysis and classification of urban settlements.
Pr.: Six hours of social science or planning.

GEOG 760. Human Impact on the Environment. (3) I.
Assessment of human impacts on the natural environment. Surveys changing human impacts on and attitudes towards the environment, and details alteration of water systems, the atmosphere, landforms, plants, and animals.
Pr.: Six hours of social science.

GEOG 765. Geography of Natural Hazards. (3) I.
Examines important emergency management issues related to hazard mitigation, preparedness, disaster response, and recovery, including socio-cultural and physical components of disaster process. Assesses human vulnerability and risk to environmental calamities, such as droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Pr.: Nine hours of social science.

GEOG 770. Perception of the Environment. (3) II, in odd years.
An examination of the way people perceive their geographic environment and the role of perception in spatial behavior. Perceptions of neighborhoods, cities, states, nations, frontier regions, and environmental processes are explored.
Pr.: Six hours of social science with one course above the introductory level, and 6 hours of natural science with one course above the introductory level.

GEOG 780. Cultural Geography. (3) II, in even years.
A study of the forms of human occupancy of landscapes, with consideration of innovations in the use of the landscape, the origins and dispersals of these innovations, and human attitudes toward the natural environment.
Pr.: Six hours of social science.

GEOG 790. Seminar in Geography. (1-3).
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 795. Topics in Geographic Information Science. (1-3) I, II.
Examination of a selected geographic information science (GIScience) topic in an area of faculty specialization.  Repeatable once with change in topic. 
Pr.: GEOG 302 or consent of instructor.

GEOG 800. Graduate Seminar in Geography. (0), I, II.
Attendance of presentations and discussion of research procedures, results, and philosophies. Required of all geography graduate students in residence.
Pr. Graduate standing.

GEOG 815. Rural Population Geography. (3) I, in even years.
An examination of the population dynamics responsible for regional change in rural areas of the United States. Emphasis is placed on migration systems and changing population composition in Appalachia, Great Plains, rural South, and the Midwest.
Pr.: STAT 702 or GEOG 700 or equivalent, and GEOG 715 or SOCIO 830.

GEOG 820. History and Philosophy of Geography. (3) I.
History of geographic thought from ancient to modern times emphasizing major themes and significant individual contributions. Required of all Master’s students in geography.
Pr.: Open to all graduate students in the social sciences.

GEOG 821. Geographic Research and Methods. (3) II.
The nature of geographic research and the processes involved in its structuring, development, and articulation. Each student will produce and present a research proposal. Required of all Master's degree students in geography.

GEOG 830. Seminar in Rural Geography. (3)  
Exploration of rural geography concepts and research. Examines social, economic, cultural and environmental issues for rural areas and small towns, including natural resources and stresses and concerns related to sustainability of rural livelihoods and communities.

GEOG 835. Rural Economic Development. (3) I.  
Applications of regional and community development models in rural areas of North America. Emphasis is placed on case studies of locational relationships between regional economic profiles, including changes in structure, and indices of betterment.
Pr.: GEOG 700 or 700-level statistics course.

GEOG 840. Advanced Environmental Geography. (3) I, in odd years.  
An examination of post-European settlement land use and climate changes and their impact on rural landform stability. Emphasis is on the response of uplands and river systems to land use and climate change and the techniques for documenting historical landform change.
Pr.: GEOG 221; GEOL 520.

GEOG 850. Topics in Environmental Geography. (1-3) I, II, S.  
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 855. The Rural Cultural Geography of the United States. (3) II, in even years.  
An examination of the development and distribution of the rural cultural landscapes, focusing particularly on elements of the material landscape. Emphasis is placed upon research conducted in the Great Plains.
Pr.: GEOG 500.

GEOG 860. Topics in Economic Geography. (1-3) I, II, S.  
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 865. Rural Medical Geography. (3) II, in odd years.  
Emphasizing the pattern of social and environmental conditions on health and disease, this course examines medical care systems and health issues in rural areas of both developed and developing countries.
Pr.: STAT 702 or GEOG 700.

GEOG 870. Topics in Cultural Geography. (1-3) I, II, S.  
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 880. Spatial Data Analysis and Modeling. (3) II.  
An examination of statistical techniques and models for analyzing spatial data, including global and local measures of spatial association, spatial cluster analysis, spatial autoregressive and geostatistical models, and geographically weighted regression (GWR).
Pr.: GEOG 508 and GEOG 700 or equivalents.

GEOG 890. Advanced Spatial Analysis Techniques. (3) II.  
Integration of spatial analysis techniques and models with tools such as Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing as applied to rural resource systems. Explores strategies for adaptation of various types of spatial models into the GIS framework. Sources of data for analysis will be considered with special emphasis placed on use of remotely sensed data.
Pr.: GEOG 705 and 708; GEOG 700 or STAT 702.

GEOG 895. Topics in Spatial Analysis. (1-3) I, II, S.
Independent advanced study of a selected topic. An example is the use of remote sensing and GIS in environmental modeling.
Pr.: Consent of instructor.

GEOG 898. Master's Report. (2) I, II, S.  
For students enrolled in the Master's report option.
Pr.: Registration in Graduate School, with sufficient training to carry on the line of research undertaken, and consent of instructor.

GEOG 899. Master's Thesis. (6) I, II, S.  
For student enrolled in Master's thesis option.
Pr.: Registration in the Graduate School, with sufficient training to carry on the line of research undertaken, and consent of instructor.

GEOG 900. Methods, Theory, and Models in Geography. (3) I.  
Comparative analysis of contemporary methodology of geographic explanation showing their development, current status and future trends. Examination of problems and techniques of design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation which accompany particular research themes.
Pr.: M.A. and consent of instructor.

GEOG 990. Research Problems in Rural Geography. (Var) I, II.  
Individual study and research for students admitted to doctoral standing in the graduate school.
Pr.: M.A. and consent of instructor.

GEOG 999. Ph.D. Dissertation Research. (Var.)