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Geography Courses

200. Introduction to Geography. This course, which is a review of the history and current orientations of human and environmental geography, is designed for geography concentrators or prospective concentrators. Other interested students are welcome to enroll with consent of instructor. It includes a critical review of representative pedagogic works and selected reading of recent periodical and monographic literature. M. Mikesell. Autumn.

219/319. Historical Geography of the United States. This course examines the spatial dynamics of the frontier, regional development, the social character of settlement patterns, and evolution of the cultural landscapes of America from pre-European times to 1900. An all-day field trip is part of the course. M. Conzen. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered 1996-97.

220/320. United States in Geographical Perspective. Students make a systematic analysis of contemporary regional organization of American society and its economy, emphasizing the dynamics that explain the locational distribution of people, resources, and economic activity and the settlement pattern. The course examines the regional restructuring of industry and services, transportation, city growth, and cultural consumption. M. Conzen. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered 1996-97.

227/327. Urban Structure and Process (=SocSci 251, Sociol 227/361). This course reviews competing theories of urban development, especially their ability to explain the changing nature of cities under the impact of advanced industrialism. Analysis includes a consideration of emerging metropolitan regions, the microstructure of local neighborhoods, and the limitations of the past American experience as a way of developing urban policy both in this country and elsewhere. G. Suttles. Autumn.

229/329. Changing Climate: Hazards and Opportunity (=PubPol 330). PQ: Second-year standing. There are strong indications that anthropogenic gases in the earth's atmosphere have already reached concentrations sufficient to cause noticeable changes within the next thirty to fifty years, regardless of any remedial actions that might be taken in the near future. This course examines the type of effects that are likely to arise on a global and regional basis, and how societies might best adjust to the changes as they occur. Particular attention is placed on energy use and agricultural and coastal inundation effects, but other effects are also considered. P. Campbell. Spring.

233/333. Chicago as a Social System (=Sociol 333). This is an analysis of the growth of Chicago into a major metropolis. The approach is based on an interdisciplinary perspective and on the use of humanistic and literary sources. We examine the characteristics that the city has in common with other big cities and focus on the special features of the city. We also analyze contemporary institutions and Chicago's economic base. The course includes an emphasis on the current problems the city faces and an assessment of alternative strategies for guiding social and political change. Students are encouraged to undertake fieldwork observation, archival research, or critical evaluation of contemporary, past, or recent research on Chicago. G. Suttles. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered 1996-97.

235/335. Urban Geography. This course examines the spatial organization and current restructuring of modern cities in light of the economic, social, cultural, and political forces that shape them. It explores the systematic interactions between social process and physical system, with emphasis on ways in which human action and motive shape and are shaped by the contingent circumstances of place. We cover basic concepts of urbanism and urbanization, systems of cities (including central-place theory), urban growth, migration, centralization and decentralization, land-use dynamics, physical geography and urban morphology, and planning. Finally, we focus on American cities with brief comparisons to European and non-Western urban contexts. M. Conzen. Winter.

253. Seminar: Problems in the Human Geography of the Middle East. This course includes a review and cartographic demonstration of habitat types, modes of livelihood, and ethnic distribution, followed by student reports on selected aspects of human geography. M. Mikesell. Spring.

254/354. Ancient Landscapes: Environmental Change, Geoarcheology and Off-Site Archeology (=NEArch 355). PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing and consent of instructor. The main focus of this course is on examples drawn from the Old World and Near East; some New World material is also included. Topics relevant to archeology, anthropology, geography, and environmental studies are covered. T. Wilkinson. Winter.

255/355. Biogeography (=BioSci 255, EvBiol 455). PQ: Common Core biology or consent of instructor. This course examines factors governing the distribution and abundance of animals and plants. Topics include patterns and processes in historical biogeography, island biogeography, geographical ecology, areography, and conservation biology (the design and effectiveness of nature reserves). Staff. Winter.

261/361. Roots of the Modern American City. This course traces the economic, social, and physical development of the city in North America from early industrialization to the present. Emphasis is on evolving urban systems and the changing spatial organization of people and land use. An Illinois field trip is included. M. Conzen. Autumn.

266/366. Urban Economics (=Econ 266, PubPol 245). PQ: Econ 201. This course deals with the economics of spatial processes and structures within the city: residential location, employment location, and spatial-temporal change. The following topics are also considered: spatial aspects of the public economic activity within a city, and relationships between central cities and their suburbs; externalities in cities; and the geographical structure of Third World cities. G. Tolley. Autumn.

267/367. Metropolitan Development and Planning (=PubPol 267, Sociol 247). PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing. This course focuses on metropolitan development patterns and the interplay of geopolitical, economic, and social changes in U.S. cities after 1950. Intergovernmental relations and urban planning concepts and institutions are also explored. Selected policies for economic development, land-use management, housing, education, transportation, energy, and the environment are analyzed in a regional context. D. Holleb. Spring.

282. Introduction to Maps and Mapping. This course provides an introduction to cartographic practices including map preparation, compilation, construction, drafting techniques, and design. Lab sessions are included. Staff. Autumn.

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284/384. Advanced Cartography and GIS. PQ: Geog 282 or equivalent. This course covers the development of cartographic and computer-based geographic information system techniques applicable to student research topics. Staff. Winter, Spring.

291. Undergraduate Tutorial. PQ: Consent of instructor. Available for either Pass or letter grade. This course is designed for ndividual study of selected geographic problems. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

293. Readings in Geographic Literature in French. PQ: Reading knowledge of French and consent of instructor. Available for either Pass or letter grade. M. Mikesell. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

294/394. Nature and Culture. PQ: Geog 200 or consent of instructor. This course is an opportunity for research and discussion on the logic and pathology revealed in evidence of the human use and misuse of the earth. M. Mikesell. Autumn.

295/395. Culture and Nationality. PQ: Geog 200 or consent of instructor. This course examines the role of language and religion in the integration of nation-states and of examples of cultural dissidence and cultural conflict. M. Mikesell. Winter.

298. Readings in Special Topics in Geography. PQ: Consent of instructor. Must be taken for a letter grade. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

299. Senior Seminar. PQ: Open to geography concentrators with fourth-year standing. Must be taken for a letter grade. This course is designed for development of the bachelor's thesis. M. Conzen. Winter.

410. American Landscapes I: 1850-1904 (=GS Hum 388, Hist 410). This course treats changes in the natural and human-made environment, focusing on the settings American designers, builders, architects, and their clients developed for work, housing, education, recreation, worship, and travel. Lectures attempt to relate specific physical changes to social values, aesthetic theories, technological skills, and social structure. N. Harris. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered 1996-97.

411. American Landscapes II: 1929-1960 (=GS Hum 389, Hist 411). This course is a sequel to American Landscapes I; it may be taken independently. N. Harris. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered 1996-97.

417. Seminar: History of Geography. PQ: Consent of instructor. M. Mikesell. Winter.

418. Seminar: Historical Geography. PQ: Consent of instructor. M. Conzen. Spring.

424. Urban Landscapes as Social Text (=Sociol 332). PQ: Consent of instructor. This seminar explores the meanings to be found in varieties of urban landscapes, both in the context of individual elements and composite structures. These meanings are examined in relation to three fundamental approaches that can be identified in the analytical literature on landscapes: normative, historical, and communication modes of conceptualization. Students pursue research topics of their own choosing within this general framework. M. Conzen, G. Suttles. Autumn.

470. Seminar: Problems in Teaching Geography. PQ: Consent of instructor. This class is an opportunity for students seeking a teaching career to prepare appropriate materials for a course devoted to topics of personal interest. It includes preliminary discussion of the objectives of geographical education and the problems entailed in planning courses of general and specific character. Students prepare and present for critical review a syllabus, reading list, examination, and sample class. M. Mikesell. Spring.

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