General Description of the Course Geography is the study of human and physical phenomena in a spatial perspective. Physical phenomena include weather, climate, vegetation distributions, geomorphology, and hydrology. The spatial perspective means that geographers look at overall patterns, the processes that create those patterns, and their visible or tangible manifestations on the earth's surface. One of the strengths of geography is the skill that geographers have in bringing together physical and human phenomena as a matter of course in their analysis of contemporary or historic issues. Examples include geographic contributions to the analysis of the complex factors involved in the human causes and consequences of tropical deforestation and desertification, social impacts of global climate change, and environmental and social costs of industrial relocation.
Geographers use a series of ideas and concepts to guide their work.
The primary purpose of this introductory class is to introduce students to these fundamental concepts of geography and how they can be applied to specific regions or places across the globe. Grades Two exams will be given. The first on Friday, March 12, 1999. Students will be responsible for one writing assignment. The paper will be due on March 22, 1999.