Jeffrey A. Gritzner, Chair
Geography aims to provide a broad ranging perspective on humans
as inhabitants and transformers of the face of the earth. The
search for this understanding involves thorough study of the
physical earth, its habitation by humans, and the resulting
diversity of regions and places. Geographers study the physical
earth by examining the interlocking systems of the natural environment,
including climate, landforms, soils, and biota. Humans are studied
by examining those diverse historical, cultural, social, economic,
and political structures and processes which affect the location
and spatial organization of population groups and their activities.
Regions and places, whether described as nations, cities, ecological
units, or landscapes, are studied by integrating and interpreting
their physical and human relationships in an effort to better
understand them and the problems they face.
Geographers are often found working in business, industry, government,
planning, and teaching. Their tasks may range from determining
the optimal location for a new supermarket to doing the biophysical
and socioeconomic studies required for urban and regional planning.
Geographers trained in cartography may find professional opportunities
in the various aspects of making and communicating with maps.
The Department of Geography maintains particular strengths in
each of four major branches within the discipline: 1) human
geography--cultural, economic, migration studies, human-environmental
interaction, and towns and rural settlement; 2) physical geography--landform
analysis, biogeography, paleoecology, and global-environmental
change; 3) regional geography--China, the Middle East, Central
Asia, South Asia, Africa, and the North American West; 4) geographic
concepts, methods, and techniques--map and air photo interpretation,
cartography and GIS, field techniques, quantitative methods,
and historical geography. These groupings correspond more or
less to the geography courses listed in this catalog.
The Department of Geography offers the Bachelor of Arts and
Master of Arts degrees in geography. Options in cartography,
physical geography, and rural, town and regional planning are
available. Also offered are a minor in geography, a teaching
major and minor in geography. The bachelor degree program provides
a broad liberal education; it qualifies graduates for a variety
of professional jobs; and it prepares students who excel for
graduate studies in geography, cartography, planning, or related
fields. The Master of Arts program prepares the candidates for
a somewhat greater range of employment, including teaching in
community and junior colleges, and for doctoral studies in geography
and allied disciplines. In addition to a general degree in geography
without option, students may elect one of two options within
the Master of Arts program--cartography and GIS or rural, town
and regional planning. See the graduate catalog for more information
concerning the M.A. program.
Special Degree Requirements
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Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
Requirements in Geography
A minimum of 37 credits in geography (maximum 60), including
the following:
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Course
101S Introduction to Human Geography
102N Introduction to Physical Geography
104 Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs
105 Map and Air Photo Laboratory
385 Field Techniques
386 Quantitative Techniques in Geography
387 Principles of Digital Cartography
388 Digital Cartography Laboratory
One regional geography course numbered 200 or above
Two upper division human geography courses and one
upper-division physical geography course, or the reverse
Electives in geography
Total.................................................................................................................................
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With the approval of the student's advisor, other courses deemed
relevant may be accepted as part of the requirements in geography.
Geography majors may not take geography courses on the pass/not
pass system after having chosen geography as their major, except
for those courses offered only on this basis. The student may
pursue the cartography option, the physical geography option,
or the rural, town and regional planning option described below
or take the degree without an option.
The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be met by successfully
completing an upper-division writing course from the approved
list in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this
catalog. See index.
Cartography Option
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree
in geography, the student desiring to achieve an option in cartography
must complete GEOG 482, 488 and 486; CS 101 and 203, 204, 205
or 487; and MATH 150. In addition twelve credits are to be selected
from the following electives: ASTR 131N, 132N, 134N, 135N; GEOG
330N, 587, 588, 589 and 586; FOR 351, 452, 503, 504 and 551;
and GEOL 100N and 105N. These requirements are designed to satisfy
qualifications for cartography positions with various governmental
agencies.
Physical Geography Option
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree
in geography, a student must complete, at minimum, the following:
six credits of introductory physical geography (GEOG 102N, 112N,
or equivalents), nine credits of upper-division physical geography
(excluding non-classroom-oriented courses such as cooperative
education, independent study, and research) and three credits
of undergraduate thesis devoted to a theme in physical geography,
GEOG 499. In addition, a student must complete a two-course
sequence in mathematics (either MATH 152 and 153 or MATH 444
and 445 (or equivalents), and two two-course sequences in science,
either chemistry (CHEM 151N and 152N or equivalents), or physics
(PHYS 121N and 122N or equivalents), or biology (BIOL 120N and
121N or equivalents).
Rural, Town and Regional Planning Option
In addition to satisfying the general requirements for a degree
in geography, the student desiring to achieve the option in
rural, town and regional planning must complete Geog 421S, 479,
482, 486, 488; PHIL 427E; and SOC 340. An additional three credits
chosen from the following: GEOG 446N, 586, 587, 588, or 589
also must be taken.
Advisor
Every geography major will be assigned a geography faculty member
to act as advisor. The student must meet with this advisor every
semester to design a program and monitor progress. All proposals
for course substitutions and program alterations must be submitted
to the advisor. The student's application for graduation must
be approved and initialed by the advisor before being reviewed
and signed by the chairman.
Teacher Preparation in Geography
Major Teaching Field of Geography: For an endorsement in the
major teaching field of Geography, a student must complete the
requirements for the B.A. degree with a major in geography (an
option is not required) including GEOG 103S (or 481) and 259S.
Students also must complete C&I 428, gain admission to Teacher
Education and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for
certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education
section of this catalog).
The demand in Montana high schools for teaching of courses in
this field is increasing.
Minor Teaching Field of Geography: For an endorsement in the
minor teaching field of Geography, a student must complete GEOG
101S, 102N, 103S (or 481), 259S, and six elective credits in
geography. Students also must complete one upper division human
geography course or upper division physical geography course
and C&I 428, gain admission to Teacher Education and Student
Teaching, and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary
teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog).
Suggested Course of Study
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This suggested course of study should be used as a guide only.
Students should consult with their advisors for individual course
planning.
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First Year
+GEOG 101S Introduction to Human Geography
+GEOG 102N Introduction to Physical Geography
GEOG 103S World Regional Geography
+MATH course above 100
+ENEX 101 Composition
+General Education
Total....................................................................................................................
Second Year
+GEOG 104 Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs
+GEOG 105 Map and Air Photo Laboratory
+Regional geography course 200 level or above
CS 101 Introduction to Programming
+*CS 131 Fundamentals of Computer Science I
Electives and General Education
Total....................................................................................................................
Third Year
+GEOG 385 Field Techniques
GEOG 386 Quantitative Techniques in Geography
+GEOG 387 Principles of Digital Cartography
GEOG 388 Digital Cartography Laboratory
GEOG 486 Cartography/GIS Laboratory
GEOG 488 Thematic Cartography and GIS
+Upper division human or physical geography course
*CS 204 C Programming (or other higher level computing language)
+General Education
Electives
Total....................................................................................................................
Fourth Year
+GEOG 496 Independent Study
Upper division human geography course
Upper division physical geography course
Electives
Total....................................................................................................................
+Offered autumn and spring semesters.
*A course sequence in a foreign language may be substituted.
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Requirements for a Minor
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To earn a minor in Geography the student must complete a minimum
of 18 credits including: GEOG 101S and 102N; two courses from
GEOG 104, 385, 386 and 387; and one upper division human or
physical geography course.
Courses
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U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or
graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit
indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum
indicated after the R.
U 101S Introduction to Human Geography 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Introduction to human geography: population, culture,
settlement, land uses and spatial interaction.
U 102N Introduction to Physical Geography: Weather, Climate
and Vegetation 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq.,
MATH 100 or above, or appropriate score on math placement exam.
Introduction to major natural environmental systems: weather,
climate, vegetation: their components, classification, spatial
distributions, interrelationships, and formation.
U 103S World Regional Geography 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
An overall view of how the lands and peoples of the world are
organized into coherent geographical regions, how landscapes
differ from region to region, and how the people differ in terms
of their traits, beliefs, ways of life, and economic livelihood.
U 104 Introduction to Maps and Air Photographs 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Prereq., MATH 100 or above, or appropriate score on
math placement exam. Introduction to the concepts and techniques
needed to understand and analyze the information contained in
maps, aerial photographs, and other graphics.
U 105 Map and Air Photo Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn.
Prereq. or coreq., GEOG 104. Determination of spatial variables
from maps/air photos using cartographic and photogrammetric
aids. Involves introductory techniques of data acquisition.
U 108 Visual Explanations 3 cr. Offered autumn. An overview
and introduction to the use and the understanding of the visual
languages; cartographic, geographic, statistical, musical, art
and drama, architecture, sculpture, graphic design, symbols
(dreams and myth), and fashion. Lectures, movies, slides. Student
keep a visual journal and complete various projects.
U 112N Landforms, Water, and Soils 3 cr. Offered spring.
Introduction to selected terrestrial environmental systems,
their components, and formation.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 281 Geography for Teachers 3 cr. Offered autumn. Geographical
concepts, methods, and subject material needed for teaching
geography effectively at the elementary or secondary level.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 12) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
Human Geography
UG 305S Cultural Geography 3 cr. Offered spring. A survey
of historical and contemporary cultural environmental patterns.
Emphasis is upon the emergence and distribution of cultural
adaptations, the human use of natural resources, and the creation
and transformation of cultural landscapes.
UG 315S Economic Geography 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
GEOG 101S or consent of instr. Spatial order and changing locational
patterns of human economic activity. Emphasis on concepts and
theories of agriculture, industrial and urban location.
U 320 Mountains and Society 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered
years. Mountain-society interactions through geographic analysis.
Overview of mountain environments in the world and introduction
to mountain-related problems including poverty, water pollution,
deforestation, recreation impacts, and development.
UG 405 Food and Famine 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered
years. Exploration of the production, distribution, and consumption
of food; the causes and consequences of hunger; and measures
that might be taken to relieve hunger.
UG 421S Towns and Rural Settlement 3 cr. Offered autumn.
Prereq., GEOG 101S. The spatial, functional, and locational
attributes of regional centers and towns in the context of the
patterns of rural settlement.
UG 425 The Human Role in Environmental Change 3 cr. Offered
spring even-numbered years. Prereq., upper division or graduate
standing or consent of instr. Same as EVST 425. A systematic
examination of the ways in which the major physical systems
and ecosystems of the earth have been modified by human activity.
G 510 Advanced Human Geography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Advanced topics in economic geography,
urban geography, cultural geography, population and migration,
settlement, and historical geography. Topic titles will appear
in the class schedule.
G 588 GIS in Human Geography 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Applications of GIS in human geography. Concentration
on the topology and structures of data in vector format. Vector
to raster conversions. Mapping and map analysis methods which
concern census data, the TIGER Files, city and county data bases,
county surveyors maps, and others.
Physical Geography
UG 330N Meteorology 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq.,
GEOG 102N or consent of instr. Origin, composition, structure,
and dynamics of the atmosphere, gas and radiation laws, energy
budget and balance, weather elements and North American weather
systems.
UG 340 Landform Geomorphology 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., GEOG 112N or equiv. Important landforms and landscapes,
their biophysical processes, and their formative elements.
UG 443 Soil Geomorphology 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered
years. Prereq., GEOG 112N, FOR 210 or consent of instr. Morphology
and classification of soils and their relationships to landforms
and geomorphic processes.
UG 446N Biogeography 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOG
102N or equiv. Changing patterns of plant and animal distributions
in space and time. Combination of historical and ecological
approaches to biological species and communities. Study of external
causes of plant and animal migration, especially climatic change
and human impacts.
G 530 Advanced Physical Geography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered
intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Advanced topics in
landform analysis, biogeography, the geography of soils, water
resources, etc. Topic titles will appear in the class schedule.
G 587 GIS in Physical Geography 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Analysis of physical landscape by means of
spatial and statistical techniques drawn from raster based geographic
information systems.
Regional Geography
U 202S South Asia/Land and People 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Same as AS 202S. The physical setting of South Asia, its history,
culture, and socio-economic organization. Examines regional
differences, changing social patterns, and the relationship
between people and the environment.
U 213S Southwest Asian Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered
intermittently. Same as AS and LS 213S. A survey of the biophysical
and cultural geography of Southwest Asia and North Africa. Emphasis
on environmental change, cultural-historical development, socio-economic
diversity, and the broader political significance of the region.
U 214S Central Asian Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Same as AS, HIST,
LS 214S. Introduction to Central Asia's history, culture and
ways of thinking. Focus on the political and social organization
of Central Asia and cultural changes as expressed in art and
interactions with China, India and the Middle East.
U 259S Montana 3 cr. Offered spring. The spatial integration
and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits
which give to Montana its geographical personality.
U 277S Africa 3 cr. Offered autumn. A survey of the biophysical
and cultural geography of Sub Saharan Africa. Emphasis is on
the region's cultural historical development and current ecological,
demographic, and economic patterns.
U 350 North America 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years.
A spatial examination of the physical, cultural, historical
and economic elements of Canada, United States, northern Mexico
and adjacent regions. Emphasis is on the cultural, social and
historical changes, spatial patterns and spatial organization
that shape the geographic identity of the area.
UG 351 Geography of a Selected Region 3 cr. (R 9) Offered
intermittently. Selected regions will be listed as appropriate
in each class schedule.
UG 366S China 3 cr. Offered autumn. The spatial integration
and arrangement of the physical, cultural and economic traits
of China.
UG 451 Advanced Regional Geography 3 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. In-depth treatment of a geographic
region, a particular regional problem, or the methodology of
regional geography. Topics vary.
UG 461 Regionalism and the Rocky Mountain West 3 cr.
Offered spring odd-numbered years. Same as Hist 461. Investigation
of regionalism as a concept and its future in the Rocky Mountain
West. Regionalism as a geographical, economic, political, and
cultural entity.
Geographical Thought, Methodology,
and Techniques
UG 376 Historical Geography 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., GEOG 101S and 102N or consent of instr. Geography of
past periods with the aim of understanding geographical patterns
and processes, both past and present.
UG 385 Field Techniques 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
MATH 117 and twelve credits in geography or consent of instr.
Field techniques used by geographers and planners in making
field observations and in collecting data.
UG 386 Quantitative Techniques in Geography 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., MATH 117 and twelve credits in geography or
consent of instr. Quantitative analysis of spatial data; measurements
of aggregation and concentration; description of areal distributions;
techniques of regionalization; computerized data analysis.
U 387 Principles of Digital Cartography 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., GEOG 104 or consent of instr. Concepts,
principles, and methods of cartography as applied to computerized
mapping and geographical information systems. Topics include
scale, coordinate systems, projections, digital map topology,
data acquisition, geocoding, compilation, typography, and design.
Computer mapping exercises.
U 388 Digital Cartography Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., GEOG 104 or equiv. Coreq., GEOG 387. Laboratory
to accompany GEOG 387.
UG 435 Water Resources: Western U.S. 3 cr. Offered spring.
Exploration of water resources issues facing the public, resource
managers, and water users in the western United States today.
Examination of concepts, terms, and regulatory environment which
provide the foundation for modern water management in the West.
UG 479 Rural, Town and Regional Planning 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., GEOG 101S or consent of instr. Land planning principles,
practices and problems in small towns and rural environments.
UG 481 Workshop in Teaching Geography 3 cr. Offered summer.
Prereq., consent of instr. Modern concepts and techniques in
geography with emphasis on their use in teaching geography in
Montana schools. Students are required to prepare and present
a teaching unit project.
UG 482 Community and Regional Analysis 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., GEOG 386 or consent of instr. Project-oriented
analysis of the structure and dynamics of communities and regions
(e.g., counties). Use of software and mathematical and statistical
models to examine population, employment, spatial interaction,
and transportation patterns. Designed for applied geographers,
regional planners, and others interested in understanding community
structure and community change.
UG 486 Cartography/GIS Laboratory 1 cr. (R-3) Offered
intermittently. Lab to accompany GEOG 487, 488 or 489.
UG 487 Image GIS 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years.
Prereq., GEOG 104, 105, 386 and 387 or consent of instr. Procedures
for processing and analyzing digital satellite and air photo
images for thematic mapping by means of a raster Geographical
Information System. Focus mainly placed on biophysical spatial
distributions.
UG 488 Thematic Cartography and GIS 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., GEOG 387 or consent of instr. Communicating and analyzing
topical information with maps. Theories of map symbolism, generalization,
compilation and design. Choropleth maps, dot maps, proportional
figure maps, isarithmic maps, and others. Includes computer
mapping and GIS exercises.
UG 489 Digital Map Production and Design 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., GEOG 387 or equiv. Coreq., GEOG 486. Advanced
compilation, design, production and actual printing of maps
using digital techniques. Topics include principles of map and
graphic design, elements of composition, spot and four-color
process printing, vector and raster digital file manipulation,
and use of GIS data in map production.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R 15) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. University omnibus option for independent
work. See index.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Specialized aspects of geography.
Topics vary.
UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 9) Offered every
term. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent study in any subfield
of geography.
U 498 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 9)
Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom
experience which provides practical application of classroom
learning during placements within governmental agencies or the
business community.
U 499 Undergraduate Thesis 3 cr. (R-6) Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., senior standing or consent of instr. Independent
research project in any geographic topic supervised by faculty
member, and leading to completion of baccalaureate degree.
G 500 Geography Graduate Colloquium 1 cr. (R-3) Offered
autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. Graded pass/not pass only.
Enrollment required every semester graduate students are in
residence. Presentation of faculty and student research interests.
Guest lecturers.
G 505 Research Methods 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent
of instr. Methods of research appropriate for geography including
research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation,
and presentation. Preparation of a thesis proposal.
G 550 Seminar in Geography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Seminar topics in human geography,
physical geography, regional geography, or geographical techniques.
G 561 Land Use Planning Law 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same
as EVST 561 and LAW 687. Basic overview of the law of land use
planning including background in the traditional governmental
regulatory, proprietary, and fiscal land use tools. Examination
of modern techniques for land use planning; consideration of
constitutional limits of authority of state and local governments.
Focus on skills in interpreting, drafting, and applying state
legislation and local ordinances.
G 562 Land Use Planning Clinic 2 cr. Offered every term.
Prereq. or coreq., GEOG 561. Same as EVST 562. Students assist
local communities in long-range planning efforts and development
of growth management plans as required by Montana law; ordinance
drafting, development proposals, and land use issues.
G 577 Seminar in Geographical Thought 3 cr. Offered autumn.
Geographical ideas, concepts, approaches, and techniques from
ancient to modern times.
G 579 Seminar in Rural, Town and Regional Planning 3 cr.
Offered spring. Prereq., GEOG 479 or consent of instr. A critical
analysis of land planning theories, concepts and current practices
with a focus on local, regional, and state planning problems.
G 582 Planning Design 3 cr. Offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq., consent of instr.
Analysis of land-use problems and design.
G 586 Cartography/GIS Laboratory 1 cr. (R-4) Offered autumn
and spring. Coreq., GEOG 587, 588 or 589 or consent of instr.
Laboratory to accompany GEOG 587, 588 or 589.
G 587 GIS in Physical Geography 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered
years. Prereq., GEOG 487 and 340 or GEOG 446 or consent of instr.
Student GIS projects stressing the analysis of selected physical
landscapes in Montana
G 589 Seminar in GIS and Cartography 3 cr. (R 9) Offered
intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Seminar topics in
cartography and geographic information systems. Applications
to advanced studies in human and physical geography.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting
professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time
offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 9) Offered every
term. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research in geography
or planning.
G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 9)
Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom
experience which provides practical application of classroom
learning during placements off campus.
G 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Prereq.,
consent of advisor.
Faculty
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Professors
John M. Crowley, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1964 (Emeritus)
Evan Denney, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1970 (Emeritus)
John J. Donahue, Jr., Ph.D., Syracuse University, 1971
Chris Field, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1966
(Emeritus)
Jeffrey A. Gritzner, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986 (Chair)
Darshan S. Kang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1975 (Emeritus)
Paul B. Wilson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 1972
Associate Professors
H. W. Bockemuehl, Ph.D., Massey University, 1973 (Emeritus)
Christiane von Reichert, Ph.D., University of Idaho, 1992
Assistant Professors
Eric G. Edlund, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1996
Sarah J. Halvorson, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder, 2000
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