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College Catalog 2013-2014 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Courses

 

Geography
  

  • GEOG 111 - Human Geography of Global Issues

    This course is an introduction to the global perspectives, basic concepts and fundamental questions of geography. It focuses on the ways through which all places on Earth are interconnected and how the human use of Earth’s surface varies over space. Major topics covered will be the human perception of earth space and the ways people give order to space; the growth and distribution of human population; the localization and spatial characteristics of patterns of settlement and land use; geopolitics and colonialism; environmental geography; the geography of economic development and modernization; principles of the analysis of spatial diffusion; spatial aspects of retail marketing; the geographic analysis of selected issues in industrialized societies such as gender issues, racism, poverty, sport, and religion. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 112 - Introduction to Urban Studies

    This course offers an interdisciplinary overview of urban life. We will draw on the disciplinary perspectives of history, geography, political science and sociology to examine how the built environment of cities are shaped by human activity and how, in turn, urban life is shaped by the built environment. This course also introduces students to the local urban setting in the Twin Cities through field study exercises and local case studies. The course focuses on building students’ analytical skills and foundational knowledge of how cities work by exploring a variety of topics, including the effect of transportation systems on urban development, city and metropolitan government, the search for community in urban settings, neighborhood change, and the effect of the global market economy on cities. Course materials focus on American cities. Lectures, guest speakers, case studies and assignments put a special emphasis on the urban experience in St. Paul. This particular focus will help students gain a grounded understanding of general knowledge that is fundamental to further study of cities. Every fall. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 116 - Physical Geography

    A systematic introduction to the processes operating on the surface of the earth, their spatial variation, and their contribution to the spatial patterning of life on earth. The course stresses interactions among climate, landforms, soils and vegetation and, to a lesser extent, examines human interaction with the environment. Not offered in 2013-2014 or 2014-2015. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 194 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 225 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

    This course provides an introduction to cartography, visualization, and analyses of geospatial data, as well as hands-on experience in a lab with a powerful computer information system. Students will learn the basics of mapping/cartography (e.g. scale, projections, map design) and Geographic Information Systems. Students will create maps with commonly used digital data (e.g., aerial photographs, census boundaries, digital elevation models, etc.), and master basic methods of spatial analyses. Both concepts and techniques will be taught in this course. Hands-on assignments include classification of demographic data and query/analysis of vector and raster data. One and one half laboratory hours per week required. $25 materials fee required. Offered every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 232 - People, Agriculture and the Environment

    Cross-Listed as  
    This course introduces you to the study of human-environment interactions from a geographic perspective, with a special emphasis on the role of humans in changing the face of the earth and how, in turn, this changing environment influences humans. The course will examine environmental issues in a variety of geographic contexts (developed and developing countries) and the connections between environmental problems in different locations. Students will explore the fundamentals of environmental science, economics, cultural and political ecology, as well as a number of sectoral issues related to human population growth, agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, forest resources, energy use, climate change, and environmental health. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 241 - Urban Geography

    This course seeks to explain the evolving pattern of North American cities and their antecedents in terms of the distribution and movement of people and resources as well as the effects of changes in transportation and communication technology. In addition, a careful analysis of the development and internal spatial structure of North American cities will be carried out. Much class time will be spent on discussion of contemporary urban problems such as segregation, unequal investment, and control of public space as well as attempts at their solution. This is intended for all students intending to major in Urban Studies. Field work required. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 242 - Regional Geography of the US and Canada

    This course explores the ways in which diverse groups of people interact with the natural environment to produce the contemporary cultures and regional differentiation of the U.S. and Canada. Special attention will be given to the development of Native American lands and to the changes in distribution of ethnic groups. Emphasis on patterns of human settlement, economic activity, land use, and physical geography. Fundamental understanding of both region and concept. Case studies and short field trips will be used to demonstrate broad themes at a more personal scale. $35 field trip fee required. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 111  or permission of the instructor. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 243 - Geography of Africa: Local Resources and Livelihoods in a Global Context

    This class seeks to go beyond the superficial media interpretations of the vast African continent. As geographers, students will attempt to place contemporary African developments in a historical and global context. The course provides a basic background in African history and geography, leading to discussion of advanced topics in contemporary African studies. The course takes a systematic rather than regional approach, examining sets of issues, rather than regions or countries of Africa. The course covers a broad range of topics, including: Africa in historical perspective; physical geography (physical landscapes, climate, vegetation, soils); human-environment interactions (forest degradation, desertification); population dynamics (population growth, distribution and mobility); culture and change (religion, modernization); development (ideology and economic development, Africa in the global economy); social geography (African women and development, education); medical geography (disease, health care and policy); agricultural development (traditional farming systems, cash crops, policy); urban economies (evolution of the urban structure, industry, housing); and political geography (democratization, conflict). (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 245 - Regional Geography of Post-Soviet Union

    This course deals with the complexities of the geography of the world’s largest set of states, the Post-Soviet Union. Discussions center on the growth and expansion of Russia in pre-evolutionary times and the solidification and demise of the Soviet Union in the 20th century. Particular attention is drawn to the physical setting, settlement patterns, population growth and composition, ethnic groups, economic patterns, relationships of the Post-Soviet Union with other regions of the world, and prospects for the future. Case method instruction is used in this course. Not offered in 2013-2014 or 2014-2015. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 247 - Regional Geography of the Middle East

    The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the variety of geographic factors that make up the area traditionally known as the Middle East (Egypt to Iran). Its aim is to enable the student to understand and appreciate the complex relationships of this fascinating region, both internally and to the rest of the world. We investigate the region from a variety of scales, including the individual, the ethnic group, the city and state. The course begins by laying a geographic foundation and then moving off into specific locales around the tri-continental hub. We will pay particular attention to how geography investigates some of the region’s most contentious contemporary issue. Through a combination of lecture, discussion and case study activities the class will explore the region’s resource base, history, politics, economy, religions and cultures. We will cover a wide variety of topics searching for the linkages between the cultural, physical and social geographies of the Middle East. Not offered in 2013-2014 or 2014-2015. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 248 - The Political Geography of Nations and Nationalism

    This course investigates how nations and nationalism affect social identity and the organization of territory in our world. Political geography offers concepts and approaches to help us think through the complex intersections of people, place, and politics that constitute the struggle to create and maintain nation-states. Thus the first part of the course is devoted to enhancing your understanding of core concepts, such as nation, state, territory, sovereignty, scale, borders, and geographical imagination. The ultimate purpose of this first part of the course then is to assemble a framework for understanding why our contemporary organization of territory throughout the world looks the way it does. Equipped with these foundations, we explore topics in the second part of class that help you think critically about the stability of nations and the organization of territory into the nation-state system as well as challenges to these institutions. Toward this end, you will also conduct an independent research project on a single group’s attempt to create a nation-state. Throughout the course, we will bring our investigations to bear on everyday life, exploring how nations and nationalism shape our world in dramatic and mundane ways. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 249 - Regional Geography of Latin America

    Cross-Listed as LATI 249 
    This class provides an introduction to the geography of Latin America - its peoples and environments - that looks at the importance of place as a way to understand a region. This geographical approach involves investigating the changing relationships among places, peoples, and ideas, and how these relationships define and influence a particular region. As such, the class considers some of the forces that have shaped, and continue to influence, contemporary Latin America and its relations with the rest of the world: the natural environment, the people, the economy, politics, urbanization and migration, and environment and development. Each of these topics is explored independently and in ways that emphasize inter-relationships among topics. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 250 - Race, Place and Space

    Cross-Listed as  
    In this discussion-based course we focus on the racialized places of U.S. cities, rural towns and suburbs in an effort to understand how social, historic, and spatial forces have colluded to bring about complex and enduring racial formations. We will look for race and related social categories in places around St. Paul and Minneapolis. By engaging theories about visuality and representation, urban development and suburban sprawl, and social movements for racial justice, we will develop a specialized vocabulary for explaining how race, place, and space are connected. This course requires prior exposure to at least one of the following areas: American Studies, human geography, sociology of race/ethnicity, or urban studies. Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 252 - Water and Power

    Cross-Listed as ENVI 252  and POLI 252 
    This course develops an interdisciplinary approach to studying water resources development, drawing from geography, anthropology, history, politics, hydrology, and civil engineering. With a focus on large river basins, the course examines historical and emerging challenges to the equitable and sustainable use of transboundary waters. After first exploring the American water development model, the course will examine the promulgation of this model in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Dam development for irrigation, electricity, navigation, and flood protection will be discussed. Prerequisite(s): ENVI 120 , ENVI 133 , or ENVI 232 . Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 254 - Population 7 Billion: Global Population Issues and Trends

    This course challenges students to critically examine global population issues from a local-scale perspective and to understand the local context in which regional and international population patterns emerge. Using the lens of Geography, we will investigate the dynamic interplay between individual, local, regional, national, and international scales and the implications of scale, culture and perspective in dissecting current population issues. We will also use individual countries as case studies to examine population policies. Students will acquire a working knowledge of the data and methods used by population geographers to describe and analyze changes in human populations at sub-national scales, and will implement these skills in an independent research project. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 256 - Medical Geography

    This course examines the geographical dimensions of health and disease, including global and domestic public health issues. Key approaches and themes include the human ecology approach to health; epidemiological mapping and spatial analysis; environmental health, including the environmental causes of cancer; the relationship among demographic change, economic development, and population health; the political economy of non-communicable health problems, such as lead poisoning and the “obesity epidemic”; the spatial diffusion of infectious diseases; the disease ecology approach to infectious and vector-borne diseases, e.g. malaria, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease; and the challenges of “global health” in the 21st century, with special emphasis on “emerging infectious diseases,” such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, and Avian influenza. Offered fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 258 - Geography of Environmental Hazards

    Cross-Listed as  
    The study of environmental hazards stands at a key point of intersection between the natural and social sciences. Geography, with its focus on human-environment interactions, provides key analytical tools for understanding the complex causes and uneven impacts of hazards around the world. We will explore the geophysical nature and social dimensions of disasters caused by floods, droughts, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires. For each of these hazard types, we apply theoretical concepts from major hazards research paradigms, including quantifying the human and economic impacts of disaster; assessing, managing, and mitigating risk; and reducing the impacts of disaster, not only through engineering works but also by reducing social vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity. Looking into the future, we will discuss how global-scale processes, such as climate change and globalization, might affect the frequency, intensity, and geographical distribution of environmental hazards in the decades to come. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 261 - Geography of World Urbanization

    This course is focused on the development of the global urban system. Primary topics include the rise of non-industrial cities in Africa and Asia, rise and expansion of the industrial urban network in Europe, colonial cities and the growth of “world cities,” those large urban areas that are command and control points in the world economy. In addition, models of the internal spatial structure of cities in various parts of the world will be examined. Special emphasis will be given to the comparison of socialist and capitalist urban planning. Students will be responsible for conducting research on specific urban systems in different regions. Students are required to use the Internet for research and creation of a course web site on the geography department home page. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 262 - Metro Analysis

    This course discusses the foundations of American urban life and metropolitan development today, and examines how and why urban housing markets operate as they do within American metropolitan regions. Topics covered in the course include: the metropolitan economy, land use patterns, urban housing supply and demand, the geography of urban housing markets, suburbanization, transportation, and public policy debates. By the end of the course, students will have mastered some of the methods used to describe metropolitan organization and change, and be able to analyze how changes in the economy and society relate to metropolitan land use. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 263 - Geography of Development and Underdevelopment

    This course introduces students to the geographic study of development around the world, with a particular emphasis on the Global South. The geographic approach emphasizes: the highly uneven nature of development; processes that link and differentiate various areas of the world; connections between development and the natural resource base; and the power relations inherent in development discourse. The course has three main sections: an introduction to development theory; an investigation of various development themes; and an intense exploration of what works and what doesn’t in development practice. While much of the development literature has focused on failure, a specific aim of this course will be to uncover and interrogate success stories. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 294 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 341 - Urban Social Geography: City Life and Landscapes

    Cross-Listed as AMST 341 
    Urban social geography is the study of social and spatial dimensions of city life. In this course, we will explore some of the ways in which urban society is organized geographically. We will also consider how the spatial patterns of urban life influence public policy issues in the American context. Topics covered in this course include causes of racial segregation, debates about gentrification, sustainable suburban development, the transition from government to governance in cities, and the delivery of urban services that affect the education, health and economic welfare of urban populations. Students will learn current research, engage debates about critical urban issues, and learn techniques useful for analyzing spatial patterns in the urban landscape. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 112 , GEOG 241 , or GEOG 262  or instructor permission. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 362 - Introduction to Remote Sensing

    This course provides an introduction to the use of remotely sensed data in geographical/environmental research. Remote sensing is the science of acquiring data using techniques that do not require actual contact with the object or area being observed. The different sensors used to collect this information, and the interpretation techniques vary quite widely, and are being developed at an astounding rate. In this course, the focus is on the interpretation and applications of data from spaceborne imaging systems (eg: Landsat MMS, Landsat TM, ETM+, Quickbird and SPOT). The number of disciplines which utilize remotely sensed data continues to increase. Geologists, geographers, climatologists, and ecologists have all adapted remote sensing techniques to their respective research. This course will briefly discuss many different uses of remotely sensed data, but focuses on natural resources management and ecological applications. Three hours of lecture plus one hour of lab each week. $25 materials fee required. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 225  Offered once each year. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 364 - GIS and Community Partnerships

    This course provides students with the basic concepts and principles essential in applying geographic information systems (GIS) to practical project development in areas such as natural resource management, urban studies, and geographic education. Topics covered in the course include data collection, data quality and metadata, data structures, visualization, and spatial analysis and modeling. Students are required to develop GIS projects. Lab section is required. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour per week required. $25 materials fee is required. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 225  or permission of the instructor. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 365 - Urban GIS

    This course allows students to participate in a “real world” application of their GIS knowledge and skills in a collaborative research project setting. Project focus is on urban GIS and questions developed by and for neighborhoods and other community research organizations. Content of the course includes development of the research project, acquisition and utilization of data used in urban analysis, data manipulation and analytical techniques unique to urban GIS, and geographical data visualization. Laboratory work is required. $25 materials fee is required. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 225  and permission of instructor. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 366 - GIS for Global Urban Environments

    This course builds on skills learned in the Introductory Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course by focusing explicitly on geospatial techniques commonly used for analyzing global urban environments. We will investigate how planning organizations and non-profits use GIS to analyze and manage urban systems such as transportation, land use, and local community development initiatives. Examples of GIS applications will be drawn from cities from each of the major world regions with the goal of understanding how this technology facilitates the management of these complex environments. Labs and lectures will focus on the application of GIS tools to such areas as transportation planning, land use planning, location analysis, and community development utilizing both vector and raster environments. Students will be required to complete a final independent project. Lab section registration is required. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour per week required. $25 materials fee is required. Prerequisite(s):   (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 367 - Environmental Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

    This course is designed for upper-division undergraduate students seeking greater understanding of GIS theory, technology, and application in environmental issues. It includes an expansion of GIS theory and its implementation through the applied techniques of GIS. The course first introduces resources to help students succeed in the class. It then covers how to obtain data, customize it for a particular study site, input it into a GIS analysis, and then interpret and present the results. The course also provides a series of environmental case studies demonstrating a variety of analysis tools and techniques. Lectures and labs cover all aspects of GIS analysis, in sequence from data acquisition, manipulation, creation, visualization, analysis and GIS application. Few of the environmental case studies covered in the class are wetland restoration and invasive species mapping, REDD analysis, tree height and forest density measurement using LiDAR data, land use and land cover change analysis, forest fragmentation analysis and hydrological modeling - DRASTIC model. Three hours lecture plus one hour lab. $25 materials fee required. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 225  Offered once per year. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 375 - Rural Landscapes and Livelihoods

    Cross-Listed as  
    This course introduces students to Rural Geography, a sub-discipline within Geography. Using a sustainable development framework this course emphasizes the linkages between human and physical landscapes through the evaluation of landuse and community change in rural areas throughout the US. We will explore the implications of demographic (including migration and immigration), economic, cultural, and environmental changes for rural environs using several case studies from across the US and Western Europe, including an overnight field trip to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Rural community strategies for adapting to and accommodating competing demands for water and landuse will be considered, including pressure for new housing developments, recreation opportunities (boating, fishing, hiking, biking), and conservation needs. Students will be exposed to theoretical and empirical approaches to rural development in different regional contexts, as well as problems associated with these development paradigms. We will explore the rapidly changing rural environments in a developed world context in order to deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of human and physical systems more broadly. $35 field trip fee required. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 377 - Qualitative Research Methods

    This course explores the ways in which different qualitative research methods in the social sciences contribute to geographical research. The course introduces students to research design principles, to methods for qualitative data collection (including interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and archival research), and to analysis techniques (including textual analysis and landscape interpretation). The course also considers how qualitative research methods can be used to analyze geographical concepts, such as scale, landscape, and place, and improve our understanding of spatial processes. Students will enhance their research skills by conducting original research. The class will involve collecting and analyzing qualitative data and preparing and presenting research reports. Prerequisite(s): GEOG 111  (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 378 - Statistical Research Methods in Geography

    This course focuses on the statistical methods that geographers use to describe and analyze places and themes. Students will learn both descriptive and inferential statistical methods for use in geographical research, including exploratory data analysis techniques, spatial statistics, geographic sampling, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. The course provides students with experience in the application of statistical methods to spatial problems through the use of statistical software. Students will also learn to evaluate and develop quantitative research designs, including preparation and presentation of an original research project. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 394 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 488 - Seminar

    Cities of the 21st Century: The Political Economy of Urban Sustainability (cross-listed with ENVI 478 when offered as a seminar with the same title)
    The purpose of this course is to understand the practices and concepts that constitute the movement for sustainable cities and investigate the ways in which urban sustainability initiatives are generated and how they vary geographically. The course adopts a political economy perspective to trace the complex interactions of institutions, politics, and economic systems that shape initiatives for more sustainable cities. Students will work in the first part of the course to enhance their understanding of core concepts and best practices that constitute the professional field of sustainable urban development and assemble a framework for analyzing the ways in which sustainability initiatives come to fruition and approach the idea of sustainability in a particular way. Equipped with these foundations, we then analyze case studies in the second part of course that focus on the meaning of sustainability, its practice internationally, and the ultimate impact of these practices on ecological balance, economic sustainability, and social equity in the urban environment. Toward these ends, students will conduct a semester-long senior capstone research project that investigates a particular urban sustainability initiative in the world by tracing the political economy of its creation and considering its impact on society, economy, and environment. (4 credits)

    Comparative Environment and Development Studies (cross-listed with ENVI 477 and INTL 477 when each are offered as a seminar with the same title)
    A concern for the relationship between nature and society has been one of the pillars of geographic inquiry, and has also been an important bridge between other disciplines. By the 1960s, this area of inquiry was referred to variously as “human ecology” or “cultural ecology.” Over the last decade certain forms of inquiry within this tradition have increasingly referred to themselves as “political ecology.” The purpose of this seminar is to review major works within the traditions of cultural and political ecology; examine several areas of interest within these fields (e.g., agricultural modernization, environmental narratives, conservation, ecotourism); and explore nature-society dynamics across a range of geographical contexts. Towards the end of the course students will explore how one might begin to think in practical terms about facilitating development in marginal environments. Note: Completion of GEOG 232 prior to registering for this seminar is strongly encouraged. Historical Geography of Urbanization A research methods course in which students will conduct inquiries on the development of urban settlement forms throughout the world. The genesis of contemporary American landscapes with an emphasis on the Middle West. Field trips and individual projects. The seminar frequently produces studies of a neighborhood in cooperation with a local community. It is part of Macalester’s Civic Engagement initiatives. Note: Completion of GEOG 241 prior to registering for this seminar is strongly encouraged. (4 credits)

    Medical Geography: The Human Ecology of Vector-Borne Diseases
    In this course, we adopt a broadly geographical perspective to shed light on the causes, consequences, and control of vector-borne diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and Lyme disease. Although we will draw largely on the literature in medical geography, an understanding of the social and ecological dimensions of these diseases requires integration of concepts from many other fields, including biology, ecology, history, economics, politics, medicine, and public health. Topics include the natural history of microbial and vector co-evolution with human populations; the modern history of medical and public health interventions against vector-borne disease, including the global malaria eradication program; the social and economic burden that disease places on developing countries today; the impact of environmental transformations (e.g. climate change, land cover change) on the ecology, intensity, and geographical distribution of these diseases; and the use of GIS and spatial analysis to evaluate and model the distribution, prevalence, and causes of vector-borne disease. We will also weigh the merits of different control strategies and study the scientific, technical, and political challenges to effectively controlling vector-borne diseases in regions where they are endemic. Since this is a seminar course, we will also emphasize developing your skills in scholarly research and writing, as well as learning how to evaluate and integrate insights from different disciplines. Note: Completion of GEOG 256 prior to registering for this seminar is encouraged. (4 credits)

    Migrants, Migration and the Global Landscape of Population Change
    Castles and Miller argue that we are living in the age of migration – a period in history when a greater proportion of the human population is on the move than ever before. This course examines migration through a geographic lens seeking to elucidate the connections between theory and the changing and complex lived experiences of migrants. We will consider different approaches to studying migration including primary migration theories, the analyses of major flows, and micro models of individual decision-making behavior, life course, and livelihood perspectives and the implications of these movements for both sending and receiving communities. This course is organized as a senior capstone seminar. As such, we utilize readings, discussion, lectures, guest speakers and local events to enhance our understanding of the many dimensions and perspectives inherent in study of migratory movements, at scales ranging from global to local. (4 credits)

    Transportation Geography Seminar
    A research seminar in which students will conduct an individual inquiry into transportation geography, from issues of transport problems and planning to the social and environmental effects of transport. The course emphasizes current research and planning trends, and new approaches (e.g. congestion pricing, urban growth limits) to a variety of traditional transportation problems. The course also includes guest speakers and field trips. (4 credits) Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 494 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 611 - Independent Project

    A limit of eight credits for independent projects may be applied toward the major. An independent study that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 612 - Independent Project

    A limit of eight credits for independent projects may be applied toward the major. An independent study that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 613 - Independent Project

    A limit of eight credits for independent projects may be applied toward the major. An independent study that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 614 - Independent Project

    A limit of eight credits for independent projects may be applied toward the major. An independent study that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 621 - Internship

    Students work with a Twin Cities community organization, agency or business, learning particular skills, factual knowledge about “real world” operations and interpersonal communications. Internships are individually designed around students’ interests, college studies and career goals. Not more than eight credits for internships may be included toward the major. An internship that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Only offered as a pass/fail (S, SD, N) option. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 622 - Internship

    Students work with a Twin Cities community organization, agency or business, learning particular skills, factual knowledge about “real world” operations and interpersonal communications. Internships are individually designed around students’ interests, college studies and career goals. Not more than eight credits for internships may be included toward the major. An internship that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Only offered as a pass/fail (S, SD, N) option. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 623 - Internship

    Students work with a Twin Cities community organization, agency or business, learning particular skills, factual knowledge about “real world” operations and interpersonal communications. Internships are individually designed around students’ interests, college studies and career goals. Not more than eight credits for internships may be included toward the major. An internship that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Only offered as a pass/fail (S, SD, N) option. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 624 - Internship

    Students work with a Twin Cities community organization, agency or business, learning particular skills, factual knowledge about “real world” operations and interpersonal communications. Internships are individually designed around students’ interests, college studies and career goals. Not more than eight credits for internships may be included toward the major. An internship that clearly focuses on GIS may be applied to the GIS minor in geography. Only offered as a pass/fail (S, SD, N) option. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 631 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 632 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 633 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 634 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 641 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 642 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 643 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOG 644 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)

Geology
  

  • GEOL 100 - Oceanography

    This course provides an introduction to the global marine environment, and covers such topics as the heat balance of the seas, oceanic circulation, the composition, configuration and origin of the sea floors, geochemical cycles, history of sea water, and marine ecology. The role of the oceans as sources of food and raw materials is also investigated. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 101 - Dinosaurs

    Dinosaurs dominated Earth’s landscapes for nearly 200 million years, and then they vanished in one of the “big-five” mass extinctions in the history of life. This course explores the evolution of dinosaurs, and examines their biology and behavior. Students are introduced to the various groups of dinosaurs as they study the reasons behind their dramatic diversification and ecological success. Theories that pertain to their abrupt disappearance 65 million years ago are also explored. The class includes a field trip to the dinosaur hall at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 102 - Exploring the Solar System

    Recent planetary missions have provided a wealth of new and exciting information about our solar system and beyond. This course examines the science behind these recent discoveries. Readings and discussions focus on a variety of topics, including: (1) processes of planetary formation, (2) the geology of the Earth, Moon, Sun, and other planets, (3) planetary interiors and atmospheres, (4) asteroids, meteorites, comets, and the newly appreciated role of impacts, (5) the seemingly unique status of the Earth as a habitable planet, and (6) the potential for extraterrestrial life. Course projects make extensive use of internet resources, computer software, satellite imagery, and solar system materials (rocks from the Moon, Mars, and asteroids). Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 103 - Geocinema

    Lights, camera, ACTION! Geologists think planet Earth is incredibly exciting, but nowhere is the story of the behavior of our planet more dramatized and misrepresented than in movies! Whether they are big-budget thrillers like The Core, Volcano, or The Day After Tomorrow, or low-brown science fiction like Boa, movies tend to stretch the reality of natural hazards and earth processes to great dramatic effect. In this course, we will have the opportunity to watch a variety of movie clips that focus on geologic hazards (such as volcanoes, earthquakes, avalanches, floods, and tsunamis) and other earth processes (origins of life, evolution, mass extinction, climate change, and glaciers). We will examine the scientific features and processes depicted in films, learn about their scientific basis, and critique the film’s portrayal of earth process. Students will work in groups to examine a film centered on a geological process, and critique the way science is depicted. The final project gives you the opportunity to develop your own script for a movie that does the geology correctly. This course will cover quantitative concepts relevant to earth processes, such as describing the world quantitatively, understanding uncertainty and risk, and evaluating quality and sources of data. Format: three-hour blocks per week of movie clips, lectures, discussions, and laboratory and group exercises. Evaluation will be based on attendance and participation, homework/classroom assignments, a group project, an 8-10 page movie script (including drafts and peer review), and two one-hour exams. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 120 - Environmental Geology

    The physical environment has begun to show signs of our earth’s expanding population and the increasing need for natural resources. Geologic materials such as soil, water, and bedrock, and geologic processes such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and running water often pose constraints on land use. This course is designed to introduce students to the relationship between humans and their geologic environment: the earth. We will focus on the understanding the processes that shape the surface of the earth, and how these processes affect human activity. We will use current scientific methods to collect and analyze data. Topics include surface-water dynamics and flooding, groundwater and groundwater contamination, pollution and waste management, landslides, volcanic and earthquake hazards, and global climate change. Format: three hour block per week of local field excursions, lectures, and/or laboratory exercises; evaluation will be based on project reports and homework/classroom assignments, and one exam (final). Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 160 - Dynamic Earth and Global Change

    Cross-Listed as  
    This course provides an introduction to the materials and structure of the Earth and to the processes acting on and in the Earth to produce change. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of landforms and the formation of Earth resources. Discussions focus on the important role of geologic processes in the solution of environmental problems. Required for geology majors. Local field trips. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Every fall. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 165 - History/Evolution of Earth

    This course provides an overview of the Earth for the past 4.6 billion years. Students explore the concept of geologic time as they delve into the vast past of our evolving planet. Major emphasis is placed on tracking the evolution of life, from the simplest single-celled organisms of the ancient Earth to today’s diverse floras and faunas. Another major focus is the linkage among abiotic and biotic systems, the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere did not and do not evolve independently. The laboratory component of this course is designed to familiarize students with the rocks and fossils that archive the history of Earth. The class includes a fossil-collecting field trip. Required for geology majors. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites. Every spring. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 194 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 200 - Field Excursion Seminar

    The geology and geography of a region will be studied during a geologic field excursion to a selected destination. The excursion will be preceded by a seminar course that includes readings and oral presentations. A student may take the seminar more than once for credit. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 160  or GEOL 165  or permission of instructor. Alternate years. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 201 - Geological Excursions

    This course focuses on the geology of a foreign country or a region of the U.S. It also includes a study of the geography and culture of the region. It is designed as a January course. Participants meet prior to departure in order to learn necessary background information. The field excursion generally spans two to three weeks. The region to be studied will be different each year and a student may take the course more than once for credit. This course is offered on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor(s). Offered occasionally. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 250 - Mineralogy

    This course examines the relationships between symmetry, chemistry, physical and optical properties, and occurrence of minerals. General cosmochemistry, geochemistry and crystal growth will also be discussed. Laboratory projects include crystal morphology and symmetry, optical mineralogy, x-ray diffraction, wet chemistry, and the identification of common rock-forming minerals. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Field trips. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 160  and one course in chemistry or permission of instructor. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 255 - Structural Geology

    This course focuses on the primary and secondary structures of rocks, the mechanics of rock deformation, and global tectonics. Discussions focus on the origins and interpretations of major rock features using hand samples and thin sections. Problem sets use graphical techniques to solve structural problems. This course also provides an introduction to map interpretation and mapping techniques. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Field trips. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 160  and GEOL 165 . Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 260 - Geomorphology

    Geomorphology is the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur on the surface of a planetary body. We will be examining the processes that turn solid rock into transportable material, the transport mechanisms themselves (whether beneath glaciers, down hillslopes, or in rivers), and the patterns of deposition, many of which are unique to the processes that created them. These processes range from the very large (volcanism and mountain-building) to the microscopic (frost cracking of rock, soil creep, and chemical weathering along mineralogic grain boundaries). Some processes occur frequently across geographic boundaries and throughout geologic time (like rainsplash), while others are stochastic in nature and dramatic in their geomorphic signature (like glacial outburst floods). We will focus on the roles of rivers, glaciers, and mass movements in shaping landscapes, but will examine wide-ranging landscapes such as arid environments and coastal regions. The study of current surface processes on the Earth will be examined with an eye toward understanding the evolution of landscapes over geologic timescales. Prerequisite(s):   or   or permission of instructor. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 265 - Sedimentology/Stratigraphy

    This course focuses on sedimentary rocks and the stratigraphic record. Topics covered include the origin and classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks (siliciclatic and carbonate), sedimentary structures (physical and biogenic), diagenesis, facies models, and basin analysis. Students are introduced to the principles and practice of stratigraphy. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of ancient sedimentary environments. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Field trips. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 165  or permission of the instructor. Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 294 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 300 - Paleobiology

    This course surveys the long history of life, as recorded by the fossil record. Students are introduced to the morphology and paleoecology of the major fossil groups (invertebrates and vertebrates) through discussions, labs, and readings. Students also learn the methods used to study the paleobiology and evolution of extinct organisms. Three lectures and one three-hour lab per week. Local field trips. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 165  or permission of the instructor. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 301 - Geophysics

    Lecture and reading topics will include comparative planetary evolution, earth’s physical fields (gravitational, magnetic, electrical), seismology, seismic interpretation, the geoid, rock magnetism and paleomagnetics, heat flow, earth structure and a discussion of exploration geophysical methods. Lab and lab project. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 302 - Petrology and Geochemistry

    This course focuses on the classification, occurrence, and origin of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Emphasis will be placed on the relationships between lithology, geochemistry, and tectonic setting. Laboratory exercises include hand specimen identification, thin-section interpretation, textural analysis, major and trace element modeling, SEM/EDS and XRF analysis. Students participate in a semester-long research project on a local geological feature. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Field trips. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 250  Spring semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 303 - Surface/Groundwater Hydrology

    Hydrology is the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur as water interacts with the earth. In this course we will focus on the near-surface cycling of water and the physical processes that drive this motion. We will discuss the dynamics of water as it flows across the surface of the landscape, moves through channels, and passes into the shallow subsurface. Open channel flow, hydrographs, floods, and arid region water scarcity will be the focus of the first portion of the course. The bulk of the course will look at the flow of water through permeable, saturated media, heterogeneity of flow, and several equations used to describe flow dynamics in aquifers. Flow through fractured and karst systems will be discussed. Importantly, we will spend time on the methods used by scientists and engineers (and consultants!) to understand the details and timescales of groundwater flow: wells, slug tests, pump tests, and geochemistry. Contaminant transport via groundwater flow will be examined in case studies. The use of quantitative tools such as calculations, numerical modeling, and estimation will be used to better understand the dynamics of water transport on our planet. Prerequisite(s): any 100-level geology lab course. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 394 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 400 - Capstone Research Methods

    Geology majors and minors conducting research in the geosciences frequently utilize a variety of analytic and other laboratory equipment. This course provides students with guidance, mentorship and hands-on experience using the equipment and analytic tools they require to conduct their capstone and independent research projects. Students may take this course during any semester they are conducting research. S/NC grading only. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 450 - Senior Seminar

    Senior geology majors will participate with faculty and staff in readings, presentations, and discussions of pertinent geological topics (e.g. plate tectonics, global change, mass extinction). The historical and philosophical roots of geology will be examined. Potential field trips. Prerequisite(s): senior standing in geology or permission of instructor. Spring semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 494 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 601 - Tutorial

    Closely supervised individual or small group study with a faculty member. A student may explore, by way of readings, short writings, etc., an area of study not available through the regular catalog offerings. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 602 - Tutorial

    Closely supervised individual or small group study with a faculty member. A student may explore, by way of readings, short writings, etc., an area of study not available through the regular catalog offerings. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 603 - Tutorial

    Closely supervised individual or small group study with a faculty member. A student may explore, by way of readings, short writings, etc., an area of study not available through the regular catalog offerings. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 604 - Tutorial

    Closely supervised individual or small group study with a faculty member. A student may explore, by way of readings, short writings, etc., an area of study not available through the regular catalog offerings. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 611 - Independent Project

    Independent study of geologic problems or preparation of senior research thesis. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 612 - Independent Project

    Independent study of geologic problems or preparation of senior research thesis. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 613 - Independent Project

    Independent study of geologic problems or preparation of senior research thesis. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 614 - Independent Project

    Independent study of geologic problems or preparation of senior research thesis. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 621 - Internship

    Work that involves the student in practical off-campus experience. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 622 - Internship

    Work that involves the student in practical off-campus experience. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 623 - Internship

    Work that involves the student in practical off-campus experience. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 624 - Internship

    Work that involves the student in practical off-campus experience. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 631 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 632 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 633 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 634 - Preceptorship

    A student works with a faculty member in the planning and teaching of a course. The department chair will determine if this course may be applied toward the major. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 641 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (1 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 642 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (2 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 643 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (3 Credits)
  

  • GEOL 644 - Honors Independent

    Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the senior honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)

German
  

  • GERM 101 - Elementary German I

    Introduction to German language and culture. Emphasis on comprehension of oral and written contemporary German as well as developing elementary oral proficiency. The course emphasizes vocabulary recognition and acquisition within a variety of concrete contexts. Students develop facility with German within highly structured contexts. Contemporary culture in German-speaking countries provides the content of the course. For beginning students with no previous German language instruction. Students with any previous training in German must take the German placement exam. Three hours per week plus laboratory conversation hour. Every fall. (4 Credits)
  

  • GERM 102 - Elementary German II

    Continuation of introduction to German language and culture. Vocabulary acquisition continues within broader contexts. Emphasis on both oral and written production with continuing development of reading and listening skills. Students develop creativity and facility with the language using primarily concrete vocabulary within meaningful contexts. The course provides an introduction to extended reading in German as well. Three hours per week plus laboratory conversation hour. Prerequisite(s): GERM 101  with a grade of C- or better, or permission of instructor. Every spring. (4 Credits)
  

  • GERM 110 - Accelerated Elementary German

    An accelerated course which covers material and proficiency development normally covered in GERM 101 and GERM 102. The course is for students with prior experience with German who need a concentrated review or students with previous other foreign language background who wish to work at an accelerated pace. Three hours per week plus conversation laboratory hour. Every semester. (5 Credits)
  

  • GERM 194 - Topics Course

    Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
  

  • GERM 203 - Intermediate German I

    This course is designed to help students increase their proficiency in the German language while emphasizing authentic cultural contexts. Through exposure to a variety of texts and text types, students develop oral and written proficiency in description and narration and develop tools and discourse strategies for culturally authentic interaction with native speakers. Cultural topics are expanded and deepened. Three hours per week plus conversation laboratory hour. Prerequisite(s): GERM 102  or GERM 110  with a grade of C- or better, or placement test, or consent of the instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GERM 204 - Intermediate German II

    The course aims to help students attain a comfort level with extended discourse in German within culturally appropriate contexts. Students develop the ability to comprehend authentic spoken German on a variety of topics at length. They develop effective strategies for comprehending a variety of texts and text types. They gain increased facility with extended discourse, such as narrating and describing. Writing in German is also developed so that students can write extensively about familiar topics. Three hours per week plus laboratory conversation hour. Prerequisite(s): GERM 203  with a grade of C- or better, or placement test, or consent of the instructor. Every semester. (4 Credits)
  

  • GERM 255 - German Cinema Studies

    Changing topics in German film. Possible titles include: Nazi Cinema; Film, Philosophy, Politics; Film and the Fantastic; Form and Gender in German and American Cinema; Cinema of the Weimar Republic; Where am I in the Film? Students may register up to two times for courses numbered 255, provided a different topic is offered. Taught in English. Every year. (4 Credits)
 

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