GEOGRAPHY AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
(See Geography in the Academic Programs section for information on degrees)
Undergraduate Courses
101 Our Physical Environment (3) [GE]
F,S
Environmental processes involved in: elements of weather and climate; shapes of landforms; formation, distribution of soils and natural vegetation; physiography of oceans. These phenomena studied with emphasis on developing understanding of synergistic relations between the physical and human environments. [CAN GEOG 2]
102 The Human Environment (3) [GE]
F,S
Nature of cultural geography; interpretation of the cultural elements of the geographic landscape and study of our changing relationship with the environment. [CAN GEOG 4]
103 Geographic Techniques (4)
F,S
Prerequisites: designed to immediately follow GEOG 101 and 102 or equivalents, or may be taken concurrently. Introduction to geographical analysis; methodology, tools, and techniques used in geographical research including sources and data bases.
107 World Regions (3) [GE]
F,S
Analysis and comparison of world culture regions, levels of economic development, paths of cultural evolution, bases for political organization and resource appraisals; emphasis on persistence of cultural differentiation in face of increasing interdependence, cultural transfer, and common threats to humanity.
203 Geographical Measurement (3) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisites: a score of 550 or above on the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) exam, or an approved exemption. Introduction to the extraction and analysis of qualitative and quantitative information about our environment. Applications of elementary numerical and statistical techniques through the use of maps, remote sensing and aerial photography, and surveying, with computer applications and geographical modeling.
204 Current International Events (3)
A
For course description, see I R 204. (Also offered as S S 204.)
312 Geography of Landforms (4)
F
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or consent of instructor. Development of earth's surface features and their importance in the geographical landscape. Distribution of landforms, drainage patterns, and soil types. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit.
314 Regional Climatology (4)
S
Prerequisite: GEOG 101, GEOG 103, or consent of instructor. An investigation of the diversity of the world's climatic regions. Emphasizes alternative systems of climatic classifications, characteristics of global climatic types, global climatic change, and interactions in the biosphere. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit.
316 Biogeography (3)
A
An investigation of the biogeographical effects of human occupancy. Analysis of the cultural factors which have produced present biogeographical patterns. Application of such knowledge to current problems of resource management and land-use planning in California. Classwork, two units; laboratory, one unit.
317 Geography of Soils (4)
A
Prerequisites recommended: GEOG 101 and GEOL 100. The physical properties of soils as an aid to understanding landform genesis, where soils are seen as a product of weathering as developed in the U.S.A. Classwork, three units; laboratory and field work, one unit.
402 The Climatic Challenge (3) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. Mutual interactions of climate and human activities. Cultural impacts of climate on food production, shelter, human comfort. Human effects on local and global climates and associated problems; urban climates. The threat of climatic change; strategies for dealing with climatic problems.
421 Future Environments (3) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. A look at the geography of the future. Ecological programs from an economic point of view and economic development from an ecological point of view, including the potential productivity of various regions. The future environments of North America are emphasized.
422 Environmental Perception (3)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 102 or consent of instructor. Examines those facets of human behavior associated with perceptions of the natural and spatial environment, including mental mapping, residential preference, hazard perception, environmental attitudes and impacts. Classwork, two units; laboratory, one unit.
425 Economic Geography (4) [GE]
F
Location and geographic distribution of the world's major types of production and associated systems of distribution and consumption; an interpretation of man's economic activities in relation to various features of the natural environment. (Also offered as ECON 425.)
427 Agriculture and Food Supply (4)
S
Investigation of the location and distribution of world agricultural production and the environmental forces influencing agricultural organization and food supply. Problems in U.S. and California agriculture are analyzed.
429 Geography of Transportation (4)
F
An introduction to the geographical aspects of transportation systems. World patterns of air, water, and land transportation routes with emphasis on North America.
432 Urban Geography (4) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. Geographic characteristics of cities in relation to evolution, morphology and function. The internal and external relationships of diversified urban areas. (Also offered as URBS 432.)
433 Urban Transportation (4) [GE]
S
The interrelationship between urban transportation systems and the internal spatial pattern of urban areas. The impact of the automobile and mass transit modes on urban morphology. Regional transportation planning methodology. (Also offered as URBS 433.)
445 Political Geography (4)
F
Physical and cultural geographic factors in and between political-territorial units. Effects of resource distribution, political motivations and ideologies on establishing territorial sovereignty. Examples from history of nomadic tribes, city-states, and nation-states. (Also offered as I R 445.)
454 San Francisco on Foot (4)
S
Study of selected geographic themes—accessibility, spatial, interaction, differential land use, and the relationships between technology, values, and environmental utility—as expressed in the neighborhoods of San Francisco. Eight all-day guided walking expeditions form the core of the class. Classwork, one unit; fieldwork, three units.
455 Geography of Ethnic Communities (3) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. The spatial structure and organization of ethnic communities as illustrated by reference to San Francisco and other American cities. At least three self-identified communities are examined in a comparative context over space and time. (Also offered as URBS 455.)
507 Japan and California (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. Two dynamic regions in cross-cultural comparison. Contrasting settlement histories and impacts on indigenous peoples; dissimilar resource evaluations and utilization. Special emphasis on urbanization patterns, environmental/social problems, and cross-Pacific movements of peoples, ideas, and material culture.
550 Geography of the United States and Canada (3) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. Anglo-America's physiography, climates, vegetation, soils, natural resources; the effect of the foregoing upon development of industry, commerce, and population distribution.
551 American Regional Cultures (3) [GE]
F
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. For course description, see AMST 400.
552 Geography of California (3) [GE]
S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. Location and description of California's natural resources; influence of land surface, climate, natural vegetation, soils and minerals upon California's present economic development, routes of commerce and population distribution. California's current water problems.
553 Geography of San Francisco (4)
A
The spatial distributions of San Francisco as they have evolved since the gold rush days. Topical (gold rush city, fire and earthquake, redevelopment, ethnic patterns) and regional (Waterfront, Haight-Ashbury, Twin Peaks) analysis is employed. Classwork, three units; fieldwork, one unit.
570 Regional Studies: Selected Regions (3)
F,S
Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Geographic analysis of specified regions of the world. Geographic development and interrelationships of the human and physical environment. Regions to be studied vary from macro-scale, Latin America, etc., to micro-scale considerations such as the North China Plane. May be repeated for credit when regions vary. Classwork, two units; laboratory, one unit.
571 Geography of Africa (3)
Prerequisites: upper division standing and consent of instructor. Focus on the land and peoples of Africa, with greater emphasis on the regions south of the Sahara. Topical analysis of patterns of topography, climate, vegetation, demography, economic systems, languages, and religions. Africa will also be studied through regional analysis; i.e., West Africa, Southern Africa, etc.
573 Asia in Transition (3) [GE]
For course description, see HIST 392. (Also offered as IR 392.)
574 Contemporary Asia (3) [GE]
For course description, see HIST 393. (Also offered as IR/S S 393.)
600 Environmental Problems and Solutions (3) [GE]
F,S
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. An ecological approach oriented toward nature and the landscape. Human populations, natural resources, and environmental quality in California with particular reference to the San Francisco Bay Area.
603 Introduction to Computers in Geography (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 103 or consent of instructor. Introduction to computing, programming, and software packages for geographical applications, with a focus on quantitative methods in geographic analysis. Intended to prepare students for courses in geographic information systems, remote sensing, and advanced quantitative methods. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
604 Map Reading and Interpretation (3)
Nature and functions of maps; concepts of geographic orientation; applied geographic orientation, navigation and surveying; analysis of topography and map projection.
605 Quantitative Geography (4)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 103 or equivalent. Use of selected quantitative and computer techniques in the analysis of geographic distributions and the refinement and classification of regional data. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
606 Cartography (4)
F
Prerequisite: GEOG 103 or equivalent. Techniques of planning and constructing maps; assembly of source materials and compilation; symbol designing, lettering and layout; drafting and reproduction. Manual and automated techniques. Problems of cartographic generalization and symbolization. Extra fee required. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
607 Advanced Cartography (4)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 606 or equivalent. Advanced map production and techniques, automated color separation, scribing methods, and printing processes. Concepts of quantitative map symbolization and statistical measures of geographic phenomena. Automated graphic design capabilities used in map making. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units. Extra fee required.
610 Remote Sensing of the Environment I (4)
F
Prerequisite: GEOG 103 or consent of instructor. Use of aerial photographs as sources of quantitative and qualitative geographical information; principles of image identification; simple photogrammetric measurements; mapping from aerial photographs; and interpretation of the natural and cultural landscape. Extra fee required. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
611 Remote Sensing of the Environment II (4)
S
Prerequisite: GEOG 103, and consent of instructor. Theory and applications of the investigation of the environment using remote measurement techniques, including satellite imagery, with application to land-use planning, analysis of physical and cultural geographic features, resource inventory and management, pollution monitoring, and environmental impact studies. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
620 Geographical Information Systems (4)
F
Prerequisite: GEOG 103 and 603 or equivalent. Theory and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for automating, analyzing, and producing cartographic products from geographic data; principles of computerized geographic data structure; techniques of data capture, analysis, and map display; application of GIS tools to specific environmental planning and resource management questions. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
621 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 620 or consent of instructor. Advanced topics in GIS. Raster and vector mode surface modeling, digital terrain analysis, network analysis, and coordinate geometry systems. Integration with remote sensing, field data, and statistical analysis. Applications and advanced modeling. Classwork, two units; laboratory, two units.
646 The Geography of Marine Resources (4)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 101 or consent of instructor. Character and spatial arrangements of resources of the ocean; analysis of utilization of marine biomass, minerals, and energy; examination of maritime policy and economic aspects of the marine environment. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit.
647 Geography of Water Resources (4)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 101 or 102 or consent of instructor. Distribution and development of atmospheric, surface, and groundwater resources, with particular emphasis on the interrelationships between water and human activities in California and the West. Divergent solutions to water-related issues and controversies. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit.
648 Management of National Parks and Natural Areas (4)
A
Introduction to the concept of the conservation and preservation of large ecosystem units: natural parks, nature and wildlife reserves and equivalent natural areas. The history, management, and problems of these tracts of land. Selected examples are considered from each of the continents. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit.
651 San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues (4) [GE]
A
Introduction to the mission and work of environmental management organizations. Managing our air, water, soil, wildlife and aesthetic resources. Emphasis on land use and transportation concepts. Field projects are integral to the course. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit.
652 Environmental Impact Analysis (4)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 103 or consent of instructor. Understanding and evaluation of cultural and physical environmental interrelationships. Synthesis of substantive materials on human environmental processes. Methodology used for evaluating impact proposals, including the systems approach. Reconciliation of physical resource potentials with human needs, including the systems approach, problems of social development impact, and environmental quality protection.
655 Urban Environmental Design (4)
A
Ecospatial analysis of urban organization, arrangement and pattern in planning environmental quality. Explorations into making settlement designs varied, enjoyable, stimulating, healthy, and rewarding. Topics: urban design theory and philosophy; ideal types of spatial development; social effects of physical design; environmental site planning. (Also offered as URBS 655.)
658 Land-Use Planning (4) [GE]
F
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent. The institutions, practice, and methodology of land-use planning. The relationship of planning to socio-economic objectives within the context of market and political forces. The planning process, the comprehensive plan, locational analysis, zoning and negotiated development. Classwork, three units; laboratory, one unit. (Also offered as URBS 658.)
666 Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction (3) [GE]
Prerequisites: ENG 214 or equivalent and junior standing. A geographical analysis of the problems of the increasing volume of waste. Alternatives to a throw-away society include reduction, reuse, and recycling. Examination of alternative solutions focusing on the San Francisco Bay Area, including development and implementation of resource management programs; experience in practical applications.
668 Politics, Law, and the Urban Environment (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: upper division standing. For course description, see URBS 513. (Also offered as PLSI 513.)
684 Geographic Excursions (4)
A
Supervised fieldwork; field study of selected areas to analyze the interrelation of natural environment and human activities; laboratory hours to prepare for field and to work out reports. Field work by arrangement. May be repeated once for credit.
685 Field Methods in Geography (4)
Prerequisite: GEOG 103. Introduction to the application of field methods to geographic inquiry. Research design and sampling methodologies for data collection. Preparation for field work using maps and earth imagery. Basic field survey methods, and methods for investigating specific geographic systems.
688 Geographic Internship (2-6)
F,S
Prerequisites: minimum of fifteen (15) units in geography and consent of instructor. Applied experience program. Practical geographic assignments with sponsoring agencies. Students work in outside community jobs on a regularly scheduled basis. May be repeated for credit when different internships are undertaken to a maximum of six units.
690 Proseminar in Geography (3)
F,S
Prerequisite: completion of core and distribution requirements. Directed reading, discussion, and joint reports exploring the field of geography, with special emphasis on emerging trends. Intended to give graduating majors the opportunity to develop an integrated view of their individualized undergraduate program.
699 Special Study (1-3)
F,S
Prerequisites: consent of instructor, major adviser, and department chair. Supervised study of a particular problem selected by the student in consultation with the adviser.
Graduate Courses
Students enrolled in geography graduate courses and seminars must have classified standing in geography.
714 Professional Geographic Writing (1)
F
Individual supervision of graduate students to enhance competency in writing term papers, articles for professional journals, and theses. Emphasis on thesis developing, organization, and documentation including the integration of maps and text. CR/NC grading only.
751 Environmental Management (3)
A
Prerequisites: GEOG 600 or consent of instructor. Examines management and planning concepts and their application to contemporary problems in resource development and environmental protection. Topics include the history of environmental management and policy, management concepts and models, and selected national and international problems in environmental management.
801 Scope and Method in Geography (3)
F
Prerequisite: classified graduate standing. Introduction to graduate study in geography. Seminar in the nature of geography and its historical development with special emphasis on geographic literature. Alternative geographic approaches are reviewed in order to identify themes central to the discipline.
810 Seminar in Physical Geography (3)
S
Prerequisites: GEOG 801 and appropriate upper division course work. Field to be specified in Class Schedule. Supervised research in selected topics in physical geography; topical fields follow a rotation of climatology, landforms, and biogeography. May be repeated for credit when a different field is studied.
815 Seminar in Geographic Techniques (3)
F,S
Prerequisite: appropriate upper division course work. Technique focus to be specified in Class Schedule. Application of a geographic technique to selected research questions. Includes remote sensing, geographical information systems, and quantitative and computer applications. May be repeated once with different technique focus.
820 Seminar in Cultural Geography (3)
F
Prerequisites: GEOG 801 and appropriate upper division course work. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Selected problems in cultural geography; research projects based on utilization of primary source materials. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
825 Seminar in Economic Geography (3)
S
Prerequisite: GEOG 425 or consent of instructor. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Selected problems in economic geography. Application of theories, methods, and research techniques in analysis of economic regions. Research projects based on utilization of primary source materials. May be repeated once for credit when a different topic is studied.
832 Seminar in Urban Geography (3)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 432 or consent of instructor. Seminar in geographic theory, methods of analysis, and research techniques relating to urban areas.
850 Seminar in Regional Geography (3)
A
Prerequisite: GEOG 801 and appropriate upper division course work. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Formulation of concepts and development of criteria for defining and delineating geographic regions. Regional characteristics and application of principles to the study of the area specified. May be repeated once when topic varies.
858 Seminar in Environmental and Land Use Planning (3)
A
Prerequisite: appropriate upper division course work. The nature and status of environmental planning, including contemporary themes and research trends. Advanced application of geographic concepts, methods, and research techniques. Selected problems in environmental planning. (Also offered as P A 858.)
895 Research Project (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: advancement to candidacy for the master's degree and approval of chair of student's committee. Research study that demonstrates understanding and application of geographic principles. Culminating experience alternative to thesis requiring written paper as well as two hour comprehensive examination. Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
896 Directed Reading in Geography (3)
F,S
Prerequisite: consent of adviser. Intensive supervised research to achieve better understanding of a specific topic, concept or area chosen on the basis of individual student need. Readings, tutorial discussion, and research report or creative projects required.
897 Research Project Formulation (1)
Prerequisite: filing of Graduate Approved Program. Development of research project basic to projected M.A. thesis. Formulation of research question—appropriate bibliographic search, data base, analytic techniques, final thesis—description for culminating experience form. May be repeated twice for credit. CR/NC grading only.
898 Master's Thesis (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: advancement to candidacy for a master's degree and consent of chairperson of candidate's committee for the Master of Arts. Investigation of a topic or problem in the field of geography. Student develops project, carries out research, and presents findings in a written thesis defended before the committee. Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration. CR/NC grading only.
899 Special Study (1-3)
F,S
Prerequisites: permission of graduate major adviser, supervising faculty member, and department chair. Study is planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a member of the departmental faculty. Open only to graduate students who have demonstrated ability to do independent work. Enrollment by petition.