Geography Certificate (M)

While pursuing a Certificate in Geography students will understand map types and uses, and apply geographical concepts to current events in the past, present, and future and appreciate the natural factors that influence weather and climate, as well as the terms that define them, in the context of the earth’s makeup of biomes, primary spheres, and geomorphic processes.  They will also explain spatial patterns and variations in human population, internal and international immigration, and how geography impacts conflict and cooperation in the world while classifying geographic regions by human or physical characteristics, and know the major regions of the world. They will engage in discussion on environmental influences on geography, including how human activities and decisions modify the physical environment; how the human and physical system of geography interact; and the roles that climate change and global warming play in our world today, including the importance of renewable resources. Student will be able to recognize, describe and synthesize the essential narratives of peoples and civilizations around the world, particularly in terms of  chronology and geography and demonstrate knowledge and cultural understanding of European, American and non-Western civilizations and to compare those cultures across time.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Geography Certificate

Students will:

  • Understand map types and uses, and apply geographical concepts to current events in the past, present, and future;
  • Appreciate the natural factors that influence weather and climate, as well as the terms that define them, in the context of the earth’s makeup of biomes, primary spheres, and geomorphic processes;
  • Explain spatial patterns and variations in human population, internal and international immigration, and how geography impacts conflict and cooperation in the world;
  • Classify geographic regions by human or physical characteristics, and know the major regions of the world; 
  • Engage in discussion regarding environmental influences on geography (including how human activities and decisions modify the physical environment; how the human and physical system of  geography interact; and what roles that climate change and global warming play in our world today, including the importance of renewable resources);
  • Recognize, describe and synthesize the essential narratives of peoples and civilizations around the world, particularly in terms of chronology and geography;
  • Demonstrate knowledge and cultural understanding of European, American, and non-Western civilizations and the ability to compare those cultures across time.

Curriculum

Required Courses
Students should take at least one course from each of the three disciplinary areas listed below12
Social Sciences
Cultural Geography
Urban Society
The City & American Culture
Global History/Human Societies
Non-Western World
History of Food
Ancient Civilizations
Empires: East & West
Science
Introductory GIS
Meteorology
Environmental Science
Earth Science
Total Hours12