Catalog Descriptions
CORE COURSES
A study of the interrelationships between man and the physical environment. Attention is focused on man's role in changing the face of the earth, and on the manner in which the cultures of peoples have influenced their utilization of the environment. Diverse theories of man-environment relationships are discussed. Satisfies GE, category D2 (World History and Civilization). CAN GEOG 4.
An integrated study of the physical environment, focusing on the processes and relationships between the four spheres: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Major topics include global and regional patterns of climate and weather, soils, distribution of plants and animals on earth, and erosional and depositional processes that create landforms on the earth's surface. Also explored are possible links between human activities and changes in climate and vegetation patterns and dominant landform processes. Field trips and hands-on lab exercises included. Satisfies GE, category B3 (Specific Emphasis in Natural Sciences). CAN GEOG 2.
The intent of this course is to provide students a background on map projections and reference systems, scale concepts, coordinate systems, a bit of air photo interpretation, and topographic maps. Class time is a mix of lecture and lab work. This course, or its equivalent, is required for entry into Geography 315, 380, 385 and 387.
Selected regions of the world provide the basis of study. Economic development, political problems, man-land relationships, and global issues are covered. The course uses geographical methodologies and concepts and is interdisciplinary in its observations of world regions. Satisfies GE, category D5 (Contemporary International Perspectives).
FIELD COURSES
Field experience is provided in a variety of areas not usually offered in the regular geography courses. The course titles and contents may vary from semester to semester and may be repeated for credit. Please see the current Schedule of Classes for particular interest areas offered. A fee will be charged for this course. Up to 2 units of GEOG 314A, B and C in total may be counted toward the major.
Field experience in areas beyond the normal range of GEOG 314A and 314B, including but not limited to attending professional meetings in nearby states. Course titles and contents may vary and may be repeated for credit. See the current Schedule of Classes for particular offerings. A fee will be charged for this course. Up to 2 units of GEOG 314A, B and C in total may be counted towards the major.
Field Experience outside the United States. Cultural and physical studies of people and laces through travel, observation and interaction, oral and written analysis. Destinations include Central and south American countries. Course contents and locations will vary; may be repeated for credit. check with instructor regarding destination and cost. Offered during Intersession or Summer Session. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.
This course provides hands-on experience with field sampling techniques commonly used in biophysical data collection and spatial inquiry. Course topics include sample design, field measurements, statistical data analysis, report writing and the use of field equipment. Field work will be conducted mainly in the Fairfield Osborn Preserve and surrounding area. Data collected from vegetation sampling, soil descriptions, microclimate measurements, and geomorphologic observations will be used to interpret the natural and anthropogenic landscape. Throughout the course, students will work with Global Positioning System (GPS) units to accurately locate their field samples on the Earth, allowing for subsequent spatial analysis within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Prerequisite: Math 165 or consent of instructor, and GEOG 205, with no exception but can be taken concurrently. Laboratory fee may be charged; see current Schedule of Classes
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY COURSES
In this course we examine international and intra-national affairs from a geographical perspective. We begin the course with a study of historical and contemporary geopolitics - the struggle for control over territory and resources. In the second section of the course, we analyze the upsurge of nationalism since the end of the Cold War; ethnic conflict and nationalist movements of secession will be examined from multiple perspectives, including the failure of nation-building, the failure of economic development, and competition over scarce natural resources.
In this course we compare how different regions of the world participate in the global economy, and why some regions, such as East and South Asia, have been more successful than other regions, such as Africa. Emphasis is placed on the poor countries of the world as we examine the economic, social, and environmental consequences of globalization. We will examine some of the key issues in development studies such as: the natural resource curse, the relationship between oil and democracy, the relationship between poverty and conflict, the pursuit of “sustainable development,” and the rise of indigenous people’s movements. We conclude with a study of democracy, and the problems faced by the new democracies in the developing world.
A study of the settlement history of North America and of the changing concepts of man-environment relationships in the chronology of the Europeanization of the American landscape. Investigations into where and why people settled as they did, and the origins of the economic and spatial relationships that constitute the present American scene will be the focus of the course.
California's wine industry in perspective, with a brief look at wine origins and world production. An examination of the various wine-growing regions of California. Included are discussions of climate, soil, wine history, grape-growing and wine making. Guest speakers who are experts in enology and viticulture will be featured.
This course explores the development of agriculture from its origins to its modern forms. It then addresses the current structure of agriculture in the developed world, examining America's current agricultural crisis. It then turns to the developing world, investigating plantation systems, traditional peasant systems, and modern corporate farmers in this context. The class pays particular attention to the Green Revolution and other attempts to modernize these systems and integrate them into the global market. The class then takes on the issue of hunger, considering solutions such as food aid, land reform and free trade. Finally, the class studies what current developments in agricultural biotechnology might offer American farmers, Third World peasants, and the hungry.
Studies aspects of demography, migration, and the spatial dimension of social organization. Included in the course are the spatial perspectives of social well-being, poverty, crime and ethnicity. The spatial structure of human settlement, as well as political, religious, and social values will be discussed. Satisfies upper-division GE, category E (Integrated Person).
This class explores the use and management of natural resources. Each year, it focuses on a different set of renewable and non-renewable resources, such as water, oil, diamonds, rangeland, and others. It addresses topics such as distribution, scarcity, substitution, access and use-rights, resource cartels, regulation and sustainability. It also looks at how these issues are changing under globalization and the rise of transnational corporations.
The geopolitics of oil, blood diamonds, illegal drugs, and water wars are all topics addressed in this course, as we seek to understand how natural resources fuel conflict. From the oilfields of the Arabian Peninsula to the pipelines of Central Asia and the shipping lanes that supply oil-thirsty economies, we look at the growing demand for oil and its influence on foreign policy. We will travel from the bloody mines of Sierra Leone to the coca fields of Colombia and the deserts of Darfur – using these, and other case studies to evaluate current theory on environmental scarcity and violence.
A consideration of urban origins, the diffusion of the city, and modern-day inter- and intra-city phenomena. Topics to be discussed include urbanization, comparative urban forms, urban functional organization, land use, distribution of cities and their territories, and urban prob-lems: pollution, housing, and open space.
BIOPHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY COURSES
Lecture 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Explores the relationships between surface processes such as weathering, mass movements, running water, wind, waves and glacial ice, and the landforms these processes create. The course looks at geomorphic systems and the role of tectonics and climate in changing the balance of these systems. Actual research projects are presented to demonstrate geomorphic approaches to envi-ronmental questions. Students are exposed to research methods in the field and lab. Field trips and field reports, use of maps, and hands-on labs are included. A fee will be charged for this course. Prerequisites: GEOG 204, GEOL 102, or consent of instructor.
Biogeography is the study of plant and animal distributions at local to global spatial scales. This course seeks to understand the physical and biological processes that determine these patterns through time, as well as help design management strategies for conserving our planet's biological diversity. This is thus a highly integrative field of inquiry, pulling on concepts, theories and data from general ecology, landscape ecology, evolutionary biology, geology, and physical and human geography. Field trips consider the biogeography of plants and animals in the local anthropogenic landscape. Prerequisite: BIOL 115, 121, 122, or consent of instructor.
An exploration of the mechanisms that create weather and climate and how and why climate varies from place to place and through time. The role of solar radiation is studied as the major driving force of atmospheric circulation and influence on spatial variations in temperature and precipi-tation around the world. Secondary factors such as land-sea distribution, topography, altitude, and surface cover are explored. Characteristics of climate such as seasonality of temperature and precipitation, as well as humidity, cloudiness, evaporation rates, and causes of variability are also studied. Climate's influence on human culture through time, climate change, and human influence on climate are underlying themes through-out the course. Prerequisite: GEOG 204 or consent of instructor.
An advanced course focusing on evidence of climate change in the past and potential climate change in the future. Present research methods used to investigate past climate and project possible climatic trends will be studied. The range of theories regarding past, present, and future climate, and the response of the environment to such changes will be explored in detail. Prerequisite: GEOG 204 or consent of instructor.
Natural hazards do not exist alone, but in reference to people. This course provides a survey of natural hazards in relation to human populations and activities around the world. The focus is on natural disasters generated by weather, climate, geomorphic, and biogeographical events and processes. Students study natural occurrences such as drought, severe weather, hurricanes and tornadoes, as well as fires and air pollution events. We also look at landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, and disease dispersals such as ebola, and bird flu. Hazards related to global climate change are also explored. Basic concepts regarding risk assessment, hazard perception, population change, and impact on the built environment are studied. Prerequisite: Geog 204 or consent of instructor.
GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES COURSES
Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. In this class, students learn how to create land-cover maps from satellite imagery. Raw satellite images are imported into computer software programs, preprocessed for radiometric and geometric corrections, enhanced for better interpretation, and finally classified into land-cover maps using various techniques. These land-cover maps are then assessed for accuracy through field ground truthing using geographic positioning systems. Students make land-cover maps of Sonoma County and use these to monitor changing land use and cover patterns. Students utilize various software programs, including IDRISI and ERDAS. The class incorporates hands on computer labs, field trips, and an independent project. Prerequisite: GEOG 205, no exception but can be taken concurrently. Laboratory fee may be charged; see current Schedule of Classes
Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Map and graphic methods in geography: history, design, theory, and construction. Topics include selection of map projections, use of scales, generalization, data input and processing, color, visualization of spatial data, and map production. Emphasis is placed on effective communication through graphic design. Covers the increasing role of geographic information systems (GIS) in cartography. Also examines the collection of geographic data, such as with global positioning systems (GPS). Exercises guide students through increasingly complex methods of data collection and cartographic construction. Prerequisite: GEOG 205, no exception but can be taken concurrently. Laboratory fee may be charged; see current Schedule of Classes
Geographic information system (GIS) technologies provide researchers and policy makers with a powerful analytical framework for making decisions and predictions. As with any technology, the appropriate use of GIS depends greatly on the knowledge and skills of the user. This course addresses the scientific and technical aspects of working with geographical data, so that GIS users understand the general principles, opportunities, and pitfalls of recording, collecting, storing, retrieving, analyzing, and presenting spatial information. Both fundamental concepts and hands on experience with state-of-the-art software are incorporated through readings, lecture discussion and laboratory assignments. The first half of the course focuses on the "nuts and bolts" of how a GIS works, while the second half concentrates on methods for spatial analysis and modeling. Prerequisites: CS101 or basic competency with Microsoft operating system and Office applications, and GEOG 205 with no exception but can be taken concurrently. Laboratory fee may be charged; see current Schedule of Classes
This course provides greater depth in the foundations of geographic information systems (GIS). Readings, group discussions, and lectures delve into database development issues, advanced spatial analysis, and GIS research applications. Students also complete a semester-long research project using GIS technologies. Students learn to identify problems that can benefit from a spatial-analytical approach and determine the appropriate data for pursuing such a project. Students build their own GIS database, mastering skills such digitizing and attributing spatial data; importing data from the Internet; collecting field data for GIS integration; and converting GIS layers into a single coordinate system and map projection. Finally, students learn to choose and implement the most appropriate spatial analysis method for their research, and then interpret the results. Prerequisite: GEOG 387 with a grade of B or higher, or consent of instructor.
REGIONAL COURSES
California as a state and as a region is in many ways unique. This course examines both the singular physical and human aspects of the State, from its unusual geologic history, climate, and vegetation, through its earliest inhabitants, to its present day diverse population and trend-setting economic, political, and cultural atmosphere. Issues discussed include changing populations and regional differences, evolving urban areas, water resources, agriculture, and forestry.
A consideration of topics of special importance to Latin America, including population growth, urbanization and economic development. Specific countries will also be examined in detail, with an emphasis on settlement patterns and environmental characteristics.
This course covers four broad topics in South Asia: (1) geopolitics, including foreign policy objectives of key states in the region, and competition for oil & gas; (2) the prospects for democracy in the region, with attention to Maoist rebellions in Nepal and India, tribal unrest and Islamist politics in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hindu nationalism in India, the civil war in Sri Lanka, and the prospects for democratic reform in post-conflict Nepal; (3) economic development and stagnation, including the success of the high tech sector and the continuing poverty of agricultural and industry laborers; and (4) human-environment relations, including land degradation, water shortage, and environmental protest movements.
Students explore various historical and contemporary processes that have created Africa's diverse and complex geography. The course begins with a historical survey of the continent, starting with its great civilizations and continuing through its experiences through colonialism, independence, the cold war, and globalization. This section of the class examines how these major events have played out throughout the different regions of Africa, south of the Sahara. The class then turns directly to thematic issues that are central to a human-geographic perspective of the continent: population, rural/urban dynamics, education and health issues, and human-environment interactions including agricultural systems and conservation issues. Finally, with a deeper understanding of the region, the course addresses present-day political hot spots of post-cold war Africa, and the critical development problems plaguing the continent.
This course will cover regions not regularly taught in the department. Regions may include areas such as The Middle East, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Arid lands, The Pacific Rim/World or underdeveloped lands. Offerings will vary depending on visiting faculty, experimental courses, and educational needs.
CAPSTONE COURSES
Spring only. The focus of the seminar may vary, but the class will expose students to the nature of the discipline of geography through readings of scholarly literature. The class will emphasize a student research project and will include classroom discussions during the course of the semester.
Special studies may be arranged to cover an area of interest not covered in the courses otherwise offered by the department. Prerequisites: completed special studies form and consent of the instructor.
A single subject or set of related subjects not ordinarily covered by the Geography Department. Offerings will vary depending on visiting faculty, experimental courses, and educational needs.
Students in the intern program will be given the opportunity to gain practical experience using geographical skills by working in a variety of county and city agencies in the Sonoma State University service area. Credit is given for three hours per unit work per week as arranged with the intern coordinator. Must have junior or senior class standing, and a minimum GPA of 2.75, or permission from the Department Chair. GEOG 499A is offered in Fall; GEOG 499B is offered in Spring.
The Geography Department does not offer an M.A.; however, students in graduate programs such as Interdisciplinary Studies, Cultural Resources Management, and History may arrange to do graduate-level research with members of the geography faculty. Students should consult with the chair of the Geography Department and their graduate advisor before arranging for graduate-level studies in geography.
Advanced research and writing. Students work under close supervision of faculty members. Subject matter variable. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and completed special studies form.