General Information
The department offers courses in human geography, physical geography, earth systems science, geographic techniques and methods, and geology. Students may major in geogrpahy, social studies education options within geography or environmental studies; and they may minor in geography, environmental studies or geology. These areas provide preparation for both graduate study and immediate employment. Courses in all of these fields are valuable parts of a general liveral education, developing an awareness of earth phenomena and the role these play in people's lives.
The Center for Geographic Learning was established in 2004. At the undergraduate level in association with the Hunter College School of Education and the New York City Department of Education, the Center will help prepare students who wish to become teachers of social studies or earth science. See "Options in Social Studies Education within the Geography Major" and "Preparation for Graduate Work in Teaching Earth Science."
The social studies education options prepare students for a career in teaching social studies at the grades 1-6 or 7-12 levels. The geography major with electives in PGEO/GTEC and a minor in one of the sciences prepares students to pursue further study leading to a career in teaching earth science. Many of these courses are concerned with the environmental problems that are of so much concern today and can provide part of a well-rounded program of environmental studies.
Revisions in the curricula within the Department of Geography that are currently under way may involve modifications in various requirements. Please consult with the department office for up-to-date information and requirements.
Course Descriptions
Click here for undergraduate geography course descriptions.
General Education Requirement (GER)
Stage 2 Group B: GEOG 101, 150, 221, 226, 251, 260
Stage 2 Group E with lab: PGEO 130 and 231, GEOL 101 and 102. Without lab: GEOL 180.
Stage 3B: All GEOG-, GEOL-, PGEO- prefix courses numbered 200 to 383.99 inclusive, except those courses listed for Stage 2B and 2E (please refer to Pluralism and Diversity and Writing for fulfillment of additional criteria)
Pluralism and Diversity (P&D)
Group A: GEOG 150*, 270, 271, 274, 275, 277, 278*, 370, 371
Group B: GEOG 241*, 342
Group C: GEOG 241*
Group D: GEOG 150*, 278*
*can only be used for one category
Major in Geography
Students who expect to do graduate work in geography are advised to take courses in statistics and/or computer science. We suggest, but do not require, that those planning to continue to the doctoral level to fulfill the GER Foreign Language Requirement with the language of the area of regional specialization.
The major in geography consists of a minimum of 32 credits as follows:
Required courses (14 cr):
Elective courses (18 cr):
It is recommended, but not required, that geography majors use GEOL 101, GEOL 102, STAT 113 or STAT 213 to satisfy a portion of the General Education Requirement.
Note that GEOG 101 is a prerequisite to GEOG 221, but does not count towared the major.
Students are bound by the requirements in effect at the time they were admitted into the geography major program and should consult the appropriate catalog as they complete these requirements. A schedule of required course offerings is available in the department office (1006 HN).
Minors for Geography Majors
Geography majors may minor in a wide variety of fields but must secure permission from their major adviser. For students preparing to become social studies teachers at the secondary level, education is an appropriate minor. For students wishing to concentrate in the areas of geomorphological studies, environmental geology or environmental geoscience, it is recommended that a minor in geology, composed of 200- and 300-level GEOL courses, be selected and appropriate courses from cognate fields be used to satisfy general education and elective credit requirements. For information concerning approved courses in the minor, students should consult a departmental adviser.
Minor in Geography for Non-Majors
A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 12 credites approved by the student's major department. Because of the nature of this field of study, geography is a very appropriate minor for major programs. By choosing a concentration from any of the three course prefixes (GEOG, PGEO, GTEC) or by combining courses from two or more prefixes, a student will be able to create a focused program of study that will enhance that student's major. For specific recommendations see the Geography undergraduate adviser.
Options in Social Studies Education within the Geography Major
1. Option in Social Studies within the Geography Major for Childhood Education Teachers
In cooperation with the School of Education, the Department of Geography provides opportunities for students to prepare for a career in teaching in grades 1-6. Students may choose to complete the geography major as described above, in addition to successful completion of the QUEST program. Interested students may also choose to complete the course of study outlined below. The option in Social Studies for Childhood Education is available only to students who are accepted into the QUEST program.
Transfer students who enter Hunter College with more than 72 credits, or who will exceed 72 credits in completing the pre-requisites for this option in the Geography major, cannot apply for the QUEST program of the School of Education. They may still complete this option within the Geography major but must complete a Master of Arts degree in Childhood Education before being certified as a New York State teacher.
Program Prerequisites (9 credits)
HIST 151 The United States from the Colonial Era to the Civil War (3 cr)
HIST 152 The United States from the Civil War to the Present (3 cr)
GEOG 150 World Regional Geography (3 cr)
Required Courses (18 credits)
HIST 111 World History to 1500 (3 cr)
HIST 112 World History from 1500 to the Present (3 cr)
GEOG 241 Population Geography (3 cr)
GEOG 251 Geography of the United States and Canada (3 cr)
GEOG 260 Geography of New York State (3 cr)
POLSCI 111 Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 cr) or POLSCI 110 American Government: A Historical Introduction (3 cr)
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Choose any three of the following (at least one in History):
HIST 353 History of New York City (3 cr)
HIST 358 20th Century United States (3 cr)
GEOG 341 Urban Geography (3 cr)
GEOG 342 Geography of International Migration and Ethnicity (3 cr)
GEOG 347 Cultural Geography (3 cr)
Required Capstone Course (3 credits)
GEOG 380 Seminar in Geographic Concepts and Methodology (3 cr)
2. Option in Social Studies within the Geography Major for Adolescence Education Teachers
In cooperation with the School of Education, the Department of Geography provides opportunities for students to prepare for a career in teaching social studies in grades 7 – 12. In addition to mandatory course work provided by the School of Education, interested students must complete the course of study outlined below. At least 18 credits of these courses or equivalents must be satisfactorily completed (grade of C or better) before the student enrolls in the social studies methods courses. These courses may also be used to satisfy Core and Pluralism and Diversity requirements. Refer to the section in the catalog specific to programs in the School of Education.
Transfer students who enter Hunter College with more than 90 credits or who will exceed 90 credits in completing the prerequisites for this option in the Geography major, cannot apply for the Adolescence Education program of the School of Education. They may still complete this option within the Geography major but must complete a Master of Arts degree in Adolescence Education before certification as a New York State teacher.
Prerequisites for the Major (9 credits)
HIST 151 The United States from the Colonial Era to the Civil War (3 cr)
HIST 152 The United States from the Civil War to the Present (3 cr)
GEOG 150 World Regional Geography (3 cr)
Requirements for the Major (36 credits)
POLSCI 111 Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 cr) or POLSCI 110 American Government: A Historical Introduction (3 cr)
ECON 100 Introduction to Economics (3 cr)
GEOG 241 Population Geography (3 cr)
GEOG 251 Geography of the United States and Canada (3 cr)
HIST 111 World History to 1500 (3 cr)
HIST 112 World History from 1500 to the Present (3 cr)
Two of the following history courses (at least one at the 300 level):
HIST 250.66 Introduction to Caribbean History (3 cr)
HIST 277 Asian Civilization (3 cr)
HIST 278 Modern Asian Civilization (3 cr)
HIST 288 History of Africa to the 19th Century (3 cr)
HIST 289 Africa in the 19th and 20th Centuries (3 cr)
HIST 317 History of the American City (3 cr)
HIST 353 History of New York City (3 cr)
Two of the following geography courses (at least one at the 300 level):
GEOG 270 Mexico, Central American and the Caribbean (3 cr)
GEOG 271 South America (3 cr)
GEOG 275 Sub-Saharan Africa (3 cr)
GEOG 277 East Asia (3 cr)
GEOG 278 Russia and Central Asia (3 cr)
GEOG 328 Urban Environmental Problems: Evaluations and Solutions (3 cr)
GEOG 341 Urban Geography (3 cr)
GEOG 342 Geography of International Migration and Ethnicity (3 cr)
One 3-credit course in cultural anthropology (ANTHC) or sociology (3 cr)
Capstone Course (3 credits)
GEOG 380 Seminar in Geographic Concepts and Methodology (3 cr)
Preparation for Graduate Work in Teaching Earth Science
For students planning to pursue an MA degree for teachers of earth science, grades 7-12, it is recommended that they complete the following undergraduate work: a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of 2.8 or better in their science courses and in their overall undergraduate work; a major of at least 30 credits in arts and sciences.
At least 21 credits in geology, physical geography, earth science or environmental science, including geographic techniques; general education core in the liberal arts and sciences that includes 6 credits in English, 6 credits in mathematics/technology, 6 credits in social studies (to include at least one course in U.S. history or geography), 6 credits in the arts and 6 credits in a language other than English. It is recommended, but not required, that the criteria above be satisfied using electives selected from GEOL, PGEO, and GTEC courses; a minor in geology; GER core requirement laboratory science chosen from chemistry, physics or biology and GER core requirement non-laboratory science chosen from astronomy, oceanography, statistics or mathematics. For further information on the education requirements, students should see an adviser in the School of Education.
Honors Work and Individual Study
To graduate with departmental honors, a major in the geography or environmental studies program must be admitted to GEOG 490 or PGEO 490 and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the major. GEOG 391, GEOG 392, and GEOG 393; GEOL 391, GEOL 392, and GEOL 393; and PGEO 391, 392, and 393 also offers students the opportunity of undertaking individual research in geography, geology or environmental studies.
Electives
A number of courses in the department have no prerequisite. These are open to all interested students. All others are open to all students who meet the prerequisites.
Fieldwork
Several courses offer students an opportunity to study geography, geology and environmental situations in the field. They are usually offered during intersession periods, summer session or on weekends (consult Schedule of Classes). In addition to the regular field courses, special topic field courses are offered periodically and fieldwork is conducted in connection with a number of the other courses. The department participates in the Study Abroad Program. It offers a field geography of selected world regions courses (check with adviser for current location). An additional fee for transportation, lodging and food allowance is attached to these courses, depending on the focus of the course and its itinerary.
Graduate Study
Graduate-level courses may be taken for credit toward the bachelor's degree by highly qualified seniors. Written permission must be obtained from the undergraduate and graduate advisers.
Intern Program
Internship (GEOG 498, PGEO 498) provides opportunities for qualified majors and minors in both geography and environmental studies to work in positions of responsibility in professional institutions while earning from 1 to 4 academic credits. See a departmental adviser for details.
Study Abroad/National Student Exchange Programs
The department is a participant in these programs and offers courses periodically outside of New York City. See a departmental adviser for details. |
