Cultural Geography (GCU)

GCU 102 Introduction to Human Geography. (3)
fall and spring
Systematic study of human use of the earth. Spatial organization of economic, social, political, and perceptual environments.
General Studies: SB

GCU 121 World Geography. (4)
fall and spring
Description and analysis of areal variations in social, economic, and political phenomena in major world regions.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 141 Introduction to Economic Geography. (3)
fall
Production, distribution, and consumption of various types of commodities of the world and relationships to the activities of humans.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 200 Orientation to Geography. (1)
fall
Basic introduction to the Department of Geography faculty, undergraduate graduation requirements, and possible jobs and skills in geography. Cross-listed as GPH 200. Credit is allowed for only GCU 200 or GPH 200.

GCU 240 Introduction to Southeast Asia. (3)
fall
Interdisciplinary introduction to the cultures, religions, political systems, geography, and history of Southeast Asia. Cross-listed as ASB 240/HST 240/POS 240/REL 240. Credit is allowed for only ASB 240 or GCU 240 or HST 240 or POS 240 or REL 240.
General Studies: G

GCU 253 Introduction to Cultural and Historical Geography. (3)
not regularly offered
Cultural patterns, including such phenomena as language, religion, and various aspects of material culture. Origins and diffusion and division of the world into cultural areas.
General Studies: SB, G.

GCU 294 Special Topics. (4)
once a year
Topics include global awareness.

GCU 322 Geography of U.S. and Canada. (3)
fall
Spatial distribution of relevant physical, economic, and cultural phenomena in the United States and Canada.
General Studies: SB, C

GCU 323 Geography of Latin America. (3)
fall
Spatial distribution of relevant physical, economic, and cultural phenomena in South, Middle, and Caribbean America.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 325 Geography of Europe. (3)
once a year
Broad and systematic overview of Europe, emphasizing physical, economic, and cultural phenomena.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 326 Geography of Asia. (3)
fall
Spatial distribution of relevant physical, economic, and cultural phenomena in Asia, excluding the former Soviet Union.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 327 Geography of Africa. (3)
not regularly offered
Spatial distribution of relevant physical, economic, and cultural phenomena in Africa.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 328 Geography of Middle East and North Africa. (3)
not regularly offered
Spatial distribution of relevant physical, economic, and cultural phenomena in the Middle East and North Africa. Prerequisite: GCU 121 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 332 Geography of Australia and Oceania. (3)
once a year
Spatial distribution of relevant physical, economic, and cultural phenomena in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 344 Geography of Hispanic Americans. (3)
fall
Examines the homelands, migrations, settlements, landscapes, roles, and selected cultural traditions of Hispanic Americans.
General Studies: SB, C

GCU 350 The Geography of World Crises. (3)
fall and spring
Contemporary world crises viewed from a perspective of geographic concepts and techniques.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 351 Population Geography. (3)
fall
Demographic patterns; spatial, temporal, and structural investigation of the relationship of demographic variables to cultural, economic, and environmental factors.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 352 Political Geography. (3)
not regularly offered
Relationship between the sociophysical environment and the state.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 357 Social Geography. (3)
once a year
Environmental perception of individuals and groups. Stresses the spatial aspect of social and physical environments.
General Studies: SB

GCU 359 Cities of the World I. (3)
fall
Historical evolution of urban patterns and structures in the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Europe.
General Studies: SB, G, H

GCU 360 Cities of the World II. (3)
not regularly offered
Historical evolution of urban patterns and structures in Latin America, North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Australasia.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 361 Urban Geography. (3)
fall and spring
External spatial relations of cities, internal city structure, and spatial aspects of urban problems in various parts of the world, particularly in the United States.
General Studies: SB

GCU 364 Energy in the Global Arena. (3)
spring
Production, transportation, and consumption of energy, emphasizing the electric power industry and its environmental problems.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 394 Special Topics. (1-4)
fall and spring

GCU 414 Teaching Geography Standards. (3)
fall and summer
Introduces Arizona Geography Standards for K-12 educators, emphasizing exciting curricula and illustrated with best practices by master teachers. Internet.

GCU 421 Geography of Arizona and Southwestern United States. (3)
fall and spring
Geography of the Southwest with an emphasis on Arizona. Divided into physical geography, history, people, and economy.
General Studies: SB, C

GCU 423 Geography of South America. (3)
not regularly offered
Prerequisite: GCU 323 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 424 Geography of Mexico and Middle America. (3)
once a year
Central America and Mexico. Prerequisite: GCU 323 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 425 Geography of the Mexican American Borderland. (3)
spring
Geography of a binational and bicultural region. Examination of settlement, boundary issues, ethnic subregions, population change, industrial development, and urban growth. Fee.
General Studies: L/SB, G

GCU 426 Geography of Russia and Surroundings. (3)
not regularly offered
Examines the geography of Russia and other post-Soviet states. Prerequisite: GCU 121 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SB, G

GCU 432 Geography of China. (3)
selected semesters
Examines the physical, economic, cultural, social, demographic, agricultural, political, historical, and environmental aspects of the geography of China. Lecture, discussion. Prerequisite: GCU 326 or instructor approval. General Studies: SB, G

GCU 433 Geography of Southeast Asia. (3)
spring
Examines the biophysical and social features of Southeast Asian nations and peoples. Prerequisite: GCU 326 or instructor approval.

GCU 441 Economic Geography. (3)
once a year
Spatial distribution of primary, secondary, and tertiary economic and production activities. Prerequisite: GCU 141 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SB

GCU 442 Geographical Analysis of Transportation. (3)
fall
Networks, modes, economics, and flows at the urban, national, and international scales. Prerequisite: GCU 141 or 441.
General Studies: SB

GCU 444 Geographic Studies in Urban Transportation. (3)
spring
Current urban transportation issues in metropolitan Phoenix. Lecture, team project. Prerequisite: GCU 361.
General Studies: SB

GCU 453 Recreational Geography. (3)
not regularly offered
Examines problems surrounding the organization and use of space for recreation. Introduces geographic field survey methods of data collection and analysis. Saturday field trips may be required.

GCU 455 Historical Geography of U.S. and Canada. (3)
not regularly offered
Geographical perspective on the evolution of the United States and Canada from pre-Columbian times to early 20th century.
General Studies: SB, H

GCU 474 Public Land Policy. (3)
not regularly offered
Geographic aspects of federal public lands, policy, management, and issues. Emphasis on western wilderness and resource development problems.
General Studies: SB

GCU 484 Internship. (3)
fall and spring

GCU 494 Special Topics. (1-4)
once a year
Possible topics:

• Geography of Phoenix. (3)

GCU 495 Quantitative Methods in Geography. (3)
fall and spring
Statistical techniques applied to the analysis of spatial distributions and relationships. Introduction to models and theory in geography. Prerequisite: MAT 119.
General Studies: CS

GCU 496 Geographic Research Methods. (3)
fall and spring
Scientific techniques used in geographic research. Prerequisites: GCU 495; GPH 371, 491.
General Studies: L

GCU 515 Human Migration. (3)
fall
Economic, political, social, and geographic factors underlying population movements. Migration selectivity, streams and counter-streams, labor migration, and migration decision making. Lecture, seminar. Prerequisite: GCU 351 or instructor approval.

GCU 526 Spatial Land-Use Analysis. (3)
not regularly offered
Determination, classification, and analysis of spatial variations in land-use patterns. Examines the processes affecting land-use change. Prerequisite: 15 hours in geography or instructor approval.

GCU 529 Contemporary Geographic Thought. (3)
fall
Comparative evaluation of current philosophy concerning the nature and trends of geography. Prerequisites: 15 hours in geography; instructor approval.

GCU 585 Advanced Research Methods in Geography. (3)
spring
Specialized research techniques and methodologies in economic, political, or cultural geography.

GCU 591 Seminar. (1-3)
fall, spring, summer
Selected topics in economic, political, or cultural geography. Field trips may be required.

GCU 596 History of Geographic Thought. (3)
not regularly offered
Historical development of geographic thought from pre-Greek days to the early 20th century.

GCU 598 Special Topics. (1-4)
selected semesters
Topics may include the following:

• Geography of the Mexican American Borderland. (3)

Fee.

GCU 599 Thesis. (6)
fall and spring

Physical Geography (GPH)

GPH 111 Introduction to Physical Geography. (4)
fall and spring
Spatial and functional relationships among climates, landforms, soils, water, and plants. Credit is allowed for only GPH 111 or 411. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab; required field trips. Fee.
General Studies: SQ

GPH 200 Orientation to Geography. (1)
fall
Basic introduction to the Department of Geography faculty, undergraduate graduation requirements, and possible jobs and skills in geography. Cross-listed as GCU 200. Credit is allowed for only GCU 200 or GPH 200.

GPH 210 Society and Environment. (3)
fall
Examines the interaction between social processes, key environmental issues, and nature’s role as a resource at global and regional scales.
General Studies: G

GPH 211 Landform Processes. (3)
spring
Geographic characteristics of landforms and earth-surface processes, emphasizing erosion, transportation, deposition, and implications for human management of the environment. Fee. Prerequisites: ENG 101 (or 105); GPH 111.
General Studies: L

GPH 212 Introduction to Meteorology. (3)
fall
Fundamentals of weather and climate, including basic atmospheric processes and elements. Students whose curricula require a laboratory course must also register for GPH 214. Prerequisite: GPH 111 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SG (if credit also earned in GPH 214)

GPH 213 Introduction to Climatology. (3)
spring
Fundamentals of meteorological/climatological analysis, including terminology and symbology. Recommended for meteorology/climatology program students. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

GPH 214 Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory. (1)
fall
Introduction to basic meteorological/climatological data and measurements. 3 hours lab. Suggested concurrent enrollment in GPH 212.
General Studies: SG (if credit also earned in GPH 212)

GPH 215 Introduction to Climatology Laboratory. (1)
spring
Fundamentals of meteorological/climatological map analysis and interpretation. Recommended for meteorology/climatology program students. May be taken concurrently with GPH 213. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

GPH 271 Maps and Map Reading. (3)
once a year
Map types, uses, limitations, and evolution. Communication via paper and digital medium. Navigation, interpretation, projections, sources, symbols, classification, case, handling.

GPH 314 Global Change. (3)
fall
Response of Earth’s natural systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere) to past environmental change, and effects of potential future changes.
General Studies: HU, G

GPH 370 Geographic Information Technologies. (3)
fall and spring
Introduction to modern geographic information technologies, including cartography, GIS, remote sensing, global positioning systems, and statistical analyses. Lecture, lab.

GPH 371 Introduction to Cartography and Georepresentation. (3)
selected semesters
Study and creation of maps. Fundamental mapping principles (projection, scale, generalization, symbolization) and computer-based cartographic production. Lecture, lab. Prerequisite: GPH 111.
General Studies: CS

GPH 372 Air Photo Interpretation. (3)
once a year
Subset, remote sensing, includes: photography, films, aerial geometry, image components, stereoscopy, photogrammetry, ground truthing, interpret physical, cultural, economic, intelligence information. Prerequisite: GPH 211 or any Cultural Geography (GCU) course or instructor approval.

GPH 373 Geographic Information Science I. (3)
fall
History and basic aspects of GIS including map and data file structure, conversions, and synthesis with a computerized environment. Prerequisite: GPH 370.
General Studies: CS

GPH 381 Geography of Natural Resources. (3)
once a year
Nature and distribution of natural resources and the problems and principles associated with their use.
General Studies: G

GPH 394 Special Topics. (1-4)
fall and spring
Possible topics:

• Geographic Information Science. (3)

GPH 401 Topics in Physical Geography. (1-3)
once a year
Open to students qualified to pursue independent studies. Field trips may be required. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

GPH 405 Energy and Environment. (3)
spring
Sources, regulatory and technical controls, distribution, and consequences of the supply and human use of energy. Prerequisite: physical or life sciences courses or instructor approval.

GPH 409 Synoptic Meteorology I. (4)
fall
Diagnostic techniques and synoptic forecasting. Includes techniques of weather analysis, map interpretation, and satellite and radar analysis. Prerequisites: MAT 270; PHY 131, 132.

GPH 410 Synoptic Meteorology II. (4)
spring
Diagnostic techniques and synoptic forecasting. Includes techniques of weather analysis, map interpretation, and satellite and radar analysis. Prerequisite: GPH 409.

GPH 411 Physical Geography. (3)
once a year
Introduction to physiography and the physical elements of the environment. Credit is allowed for only GPH 411 or 111. Field trips.

GPH 412 Physical Climatology. (3)
once a year
Physical processes in the earth-atmosphere system on regional and global scales; concepts and analysis of energy, momentum, and mass balances. Prerequisites: both GPH 212 and 213 or only instructor approval.

GPH 413 Meteorological Instruments and Measurement. (3)
once a year
Design and operation of ground-base and aerological weather measurement systems. Collection, reduction, storage, retrieval, and analysis of data. Required field trips. Prerequisites: both GPH 212 and 213 or only instructor approval.

GPH 414 Climate Change. (3)
spring
Survey of three climate research areas: paleoclimatology, theories (e.g., greenhouse warming), numerical modeling. Prerequisite: GPH 212 or instructor approval.
General Studies: G

GPH 418 Landforms of the Western United States. (3)
once a year
Studies landforms and geomorphic processes in the western United States, including lecture, topographical maps, aerial photographs, satellite imagery, and field trips. Lecture, critical inquiry, laboratory, field work. Fee. Prerequisites: GPH 211 (or its equivalent); completion of General Studies L course.
General Studies: L

GPH 422 Plant Geography. (3)
not regularly offered
Plant communities of the world and their interpretation, emphasizing North American plant associations. Cross-listed as PLB 422. Credit is allowed for only GPH 422 or PLB 422. Prerequisites: preferably both PLB 200 and 201 or only BIO 182 or only GPH 111.

GPH 433 Alpine and Arctic Environments. (3)
not regularly offered
Regional study of advantages and limitations of the natural environment upon present and future problems involving resource distribution, human activities, and regional and interregional adjustments. Required field trips. Prerequisite: GPH 111 or instructor approval.
General Studies: G

GPH 471 Geographics: Interactive and Animated Cartography and Geovisualization. (3)
selected semesters
Advanced cartography, stressing influence and application of the computer on geographic representation. Emphasizes creation of maps for the Internet. Fee. Lecture, lab. Prerequisite: GPH 371 or instructor approval.
General Studies: CS

GPH 473 Geographic Information Science II. (3)
fall
GIS as a basis for microcomputer spatial analysis and synthesis. Includes digitizing, database organization, spatial retrieval, and graphics. Prerequisite: GPH 373.
General Studies: CS

GPH 474 Dynamic Meteorology I. (3)
fall
Large-scale atmospheric motion, kinematics, Newton’s laws, wind equation, baroclinics, vorticity, and the midlatitude depression. Prerequisites: GPH 213, 215; MAT 271; PHY 131, 132.

GPH 475 Dynamic Meteorology II. (3)
spring
Topics in climate dynamics. General circulation, numerical modeling, teleconnection phenomena, and surface-atmosphere interaction. Prerequisite: GPH 474 or instructor approval.

GPH 481 Environmental Geography. (3)
once a year
Problems of environmental quality, including uses of spatial analysis, research design, and field work in urban and rural systems. Required field trips. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

GPH 483 Geographic Information Analysis. (3)
fall
Basics of spatial data analysis. Topics include point pattern analysis, spatial autocorrelation, spatial regression, and kriging. Fee. Lecture, lab. Prerequisites: both one 200-level or above course in geographyor biology or plant biology or geology or planning and one basic statistics course (GCU 495).

GPH 484 Geography Internship. (3)
fall and spring
Assist in teaching sixth-grade students a simplified version of GPH 111 using hands-on activities.
Topics may include the following:

• Physical Geography Internship. (3)
• Service Learning

Fee.

GPH 491 Geographic Field Methods. (3)
spring and summer
Field techniques, including use of aerial photos, large-scale maps, and fractional code system of mapping; urban and rural field analysis to be done off campus. Fee. Prerequisites: GCU 102, 121; GPH 111.

GPH 494 Special Topics. (1-4)
selected semesters
Topics may include the following:

• Geographic Information Analysis

GPH 511 Fluvial Processes. (3)
once a year
Geographical aspects of processes of river erosion, transportation, sedimentation: emphasizing spatial characteristics of forces, resistance, landforms, sediment; includes computer applications. Prerequisites: both GPH 111 (or GLG 101) and 211 (or GLG 362) or only instructor approval.

GPH 573 Geographic Information Science III. (3)
spring
In-depth look at programming within GIS. Focuses on programming and methodology, utilizing specific software, and basic scientific computing. Fee. Lecture, lab. Prerequisite: GPH 473 or instructor approval.

GPH 575 Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing. (3)
not regularly offered
Uses imaging and nonimaging methods of remote acquisition of data, including satellite sensors, airborne radar, multiband scanning, conventional photographic sensors, and ground-based equipment. Required field trips. Prerequisites: GCU 585 (or GPH 491); GPH 372.

GPH 591 Seminar. (1-3)
fall and spring
Selected topics in physical geography. Field trips may be required.

GPH 596 Advanced Spatial Statistics. (3)
spring
Multivariate and advanced statistical techniques including Box-Jenkins modeling and spectral analysis. Project papers and presentations required. Seminar. Prerequisite: GCU 495 (or its equivalent).

GPH 598 Special Topics. (1-4)
selected semesters
Topics may include the following:

• Intermediate Geographic Information Systems

GPH 599 Thesis. (6)
fall and spring