Human Geography

Brief Description:
The proposed Human Geography option is a 40-42 credit hour track for those wishing to pursue a rigorous training specializing in the social science side of modern geography.  Students are required to take 15-16 hours from the geography core courses: these are Geography 101 (Geography of Developing Countries), Geography 102 (Weather and Climate), Geography 103 (Earth’s Physical Systems), Geography 104 (Social and Cultural Geography), and Geography 371 (Spatial Analysis).  They may select any three from Geog 101, Geog 102, Geog 103, and Geog 104, but must take Geog 371 (Spatial Analysis); they are also strongly encouraged to take Geography 473 (Cartography).  Selection from these courses will ensure that students experience a broad-based introduction to the principal thematic issues in modern geography (including topics from the ‘other [physical]’ side of the discipline), as well as providing them with instruction in contemporary methodological approaches within the discipline.  Thereafter, students must select a further 15 credit hours in geography drawn from the following courses (6 hours of which must be taken at the 300 or 400 level): Geography 204, 205, 210, 214, 224, 310, 373, 381, 384, 390, 391, 394, 410, 438, 453, 455, 465, 467, 468, 470, 471, 473, 477, 478, 479, 483.  In addition to the required geography course selections, students must take a further 12 credit hours in consultation with the geography advisor.

 
Core Requirements
HOURS REQUIREMENTS
11-12 Students must select 3 of the following four courses:
Geog 101 Geography of Developing Countries
Geog 102 Weather and Climate
Geog 103 Earth’s Physical Systems
Geog 104 Social and Cultural Geography
Students must take:
4 Geog 371 Spatial Analysis
Note: Students are strongly encouraged to take Geog 473 – Map Compilation and Construction.  Students are encouraged to elect techniques courses as part of their programs. Technique courses include:

Geog 280 Introduction to Social Statistics
Geog 373 Spring Field Course
Geog 390 Individual Study (Spatial Programming)
Geog 460 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs
Geog 470 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
Geog 473 Map Compilation and Construction
Geog 477 Introduction to Remote Sensing
Geog 478 techniques of Remote Sensing Image Analysis
Geog 479 Principles of Geographic Information Systems
³15 200, 300 and 400 level geography courses (of which at least 6 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level) selected from the following:

Geog 204 Cities of the World
Geog 205 Business Location Decision-Making: Theory and Practice
Geog 210 Contemporary Social and Environmental Problems
Geog 214 Conservation of Natural Resources
Geog 224 Geographic Patterns of Illinois
Geog 310 Political Geography
Geog 373 Spring Field Course
Geog 381 Environmental Perspectivecs
Geog 384 Population Geography
Geog 390 Individual Study
Geog 391 Honors Individual Study
Geog 394 Special Topics in Social Geography
Geog 410 The Geography of Development and Underdevelopment
Geog 438 Geography of Health Care
Geog 455 Geography of Central and South Africa
Geog 460 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs
Geog 465 Transportation Systems and Spatial Development
Geog 466 Environmental Policy
Geog 467 Dynamic Simulation of Natural Resource Problems
Geog 468 Biological Modeling
Geog 470 Introducution to Quantitative Methods in Geography
Geog 471 Recent Trends in Geographic Thought
Geog 473 Map Compilation and Construction
Geog 477 Introduction to Remote Sensing
Geog 478 Techniques of Remote Sensing Image Analysis
Geog 479 Principles of Geographic Information 
Geog 483 Urban Geography
³12 Supporting courses selected with approval of the Department of Geography Undergraduate Advisor
Note: students must complete at least 40 hours in the major including core courses.