Geography (GEO)
Introduction to Physical Geography - GEO 200
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/GEO200-IntroductiontoPhysicalGeography
Effective: 2023-05-01
Course Description
Examines the global patterns and processes of the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. Explores Earth?s physical systems and the interrelationships among them through studying Earth-Sun geometry, climate and weather phenomena, landforms, biomes, and environmental change.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
This course emphasizes scientific inquiry and the scientific method in the study of Earth?s natural systems. The course presents a survey of foundational knowledge essential for understanding Earth systems and human-environment relations.
Course Objectives
- Critical Thinking
- Analyze the interrelationships among Earth systems.
- Quantitative Literacy
- Read and interpret maps, climographs, and cross-sections.
- Construct representations of spatial data such as cross-sections or surface data charts.
- Interpret data and construct explanatory hypotheses.
- Civic Engagement
- Evaluate impacts of human activity on the environment.
- Written Communication
- Conduct analysis through written and/or oral communication.
- Scientific Literacy
- Describe the scientific methods that lead to scientific knowledge.
- Demonstrate empirical thinking to explain the physical science basis for theories such as plate tectonics, global energy balance, and global climate change.
Major Topics to be Included
- The Science of Physical Geography
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Describe the steps of the Scientific Method and apply to real-world problems
- Explain Earth Systems Theory and apply to real-world processes.
- Use geographic tools to identify specific locations on Earth.
- Read and interpret various types of maps.
- Describe and explain various geospatial technologies and their uses.
- The Lithosphere
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Diagram and explain the rock cycle.
- Label significant time periods and events in Geologic Time.
- Employ the theory of plate tectonics to describe the spatial distribution of volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
- Define and explain different types of weathering on various rock types.
- Describe classes of mass movement processes and explain precursors to events.
- Identify and classify landforms according to the main geomorphic agent (wind, ice, water).
- Classify soil types and describe their geographic distribution.
- The Hydrosphere
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Diagram or explain the hydrologic cycle model and describe transfer processes and storage locations of water.
- Describe the spatial distribution of surface water and groundwater.
- Summarize and explain impacts of human activity related to water resource management (such as dam construction or removal, groundwater mining).
- Classify and describe the origin and evolution of coastal, glacial, and fluvial landforms.
- The Atmosphere
- Describe the atmosphere in terms of composition, temperature and function.
- Describe the significance of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol.
- Employ Earth-Sun geometry to explain the changing seasons and day length at different latitudes.
- Describe Earth's energy balance.
- Define the greenhouse effect and distinguish from the phenomenon of global climate change.
- Identify factors that influence air pressure and describe how changes in air pressure generate winds.
- Construct or label diagrams to model global circulations of oceans and winds.
- Describe the significance of latent heat in atmospheric processes and human comfort.
- Identify forms of atmospheric moisture; describe adiabatic processes and connect to atmospheric stability.
- Label or interpret weather maps.
- Compare and contrast midlatitude and tropical cyclones in their formation, structure, and impacts on humans.
- Climate Change
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Identify lines of evidence in paleoclimatology that have allowed scientists to reconstruct past climate patterns.
- Describe evidence for and causes of current climate change.
- Discuss individual and collective strategies to address climate change.
- Biosphere
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Label or compare maps of climate regions and biomes.
- Describe characteristics of climate regions and biomes.
- Describe major biogeochemical cycles.
People and the Land: Intro to Cultural Geography - GEO 210
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/GEO210-PeopleandtheLandIntrotoCulturalGeography
Effective: 2023-05-01
Course Description
Provides an introduction to themes in human geography and the ways in which human geographers study spatial relationships in the world. Emphasizes geospatial tools and concepts to examine global patterns of human demographics, culture, geopolitics, and economic and environmental interdependence through introduction to a broad range of subject matter. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
This course emphasizes geographic literacy, awareness of and engagement with global issues, and cultural diversity. The course uses a thematic approach and requires students to think critically about and apply geographic concepts to contemporary topics, appreciating the impacts of individual and collective actions.
Course Objectives
- Critical Thinking
- Analyze the interrelationships among societies and culture, politics, economics, and space.
- Identify locales impacted by climate change and describe how climate threats vary across space.
- Scientific Literacy and Quantitative Reasoning
- Read and interpret quantitative and qualitative geographic data represented in maps, tables, charts, graphs, landscapes, and images (e.g., satellite, photographs, cartoons)
- Interpret data and construct explanatory hypotheses.
- Explain how maps, images, and landscapes illustrate or relate to geographic principles, processes, and outcomes
- Civic Engagement
- Evaluate impacts of human activity on the environment.
- Discuss the relevance of one?s own actions in a globalized world.
- Written Communication
- Conduct analysis through written and/or oral communication.
- Human Diversity
- Evaluate diverse human societies in terms of their economic activities and environmental sustainability.
- Demonstrate an appreciation and respect for the diversity of perspectives, world-views, and cultures.
Major Topics to be Included
- Geographic literacy
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Use geographic tools such as latitude and longitude to identify specific locations on Earth.
- Read and interpret various types of maps.
- Describe and explain various geospatial technologies and their uses.
- Explain how Geographers use Land Use Land Cover Change to analyze human?s impact on the Earth?s surface
- Geography Concepts
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Apply geographic concepts to explain real-world scenarios. Concepts include: region, place, location, site and situation, networks, mobility, diffusion, human-environment relationships, scale and scales of analysis, globalization, cultural landscape.
- Demographics: Population and Migration
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Use quantitative data represented in maps and charts to describe global population distribution and composition.
- Identify population patterns and trends across space and time.
- Interpret population pyramids to discuss growth and decline of generations and the economic significance of different age structures.
- Explain theories and models of population growth and decline (e.g., Malthusian, the demographic transition model).
- Explain how changing gender roles has demographic consequences in different parts of the world.
- Identify and explain causal factors of migration.
- Describe examples of voluntary and forced migration (e.g. refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons).
- Discuss effects of human migration (e.g. legal, environmental, demographic, cultural).
- Cultural Geographies
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Describe the distribution and the diffusion of major languages and religions around the world.
- Explain patterns and landscapes of language, religion, ethnicity, and gender.
- Political Geography
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Define and identify examples of the different types of political entities: states, nations, nation-states, stateless nations, multinational states, multistate nations, and autonomous and semi autonomous regions.
- Define and describe concepts of political power and territoriality through, for example, shatterbelts and choke points.
- Identify boundary types and explain the function of international and internal boundaries.
- Explain how different forms of governance, unitary and federal states, affect spatial organization.
- Identify and define factors that lead to the devolution, or fragmenting, of states.
- Explain how concepts of centrifugal and centripetal forces apply at the state scale.
- Agriculture & Food
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Explain the connection between physical geography, political economy, and agricultural regions.
- Identify the major centers of origin for domestication of plants and animals, and explain how plants and animals diffused globally.
- Describe the timing and major innovations of the three agricultural revolutions.
- Identify regions where foraging is a continued practice and describe the advantages of relying on multiple and traditional food sources.
- Explain the consequences of the Agricultural Revolutions (e.g., First through Third, Green and Gene) and discuss issues of economic and environmental sustainability.
- Using the concept of supply chains, explain the interdependence among regions of agricultural production and consumption.
- Discuss causes of food insecurity and possible solutions.
- Urban Geography
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Use the geography concepts of site and situation to explain the processes that initiate and further urbanization and suburbanization.
- Explain how cities embody processes of globalization.
- Use urban geography models to explain the internal structure of cities.
- Discuss historical causes for residential segregation (for example, redlining, blockbusting).
- Identify and discuss the impacts of different urban design initiatives.
- Discuss challenges to urban sustainability and identify response strategies.
- Economic Development
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Describe the origins of the Industrial Revolution, the early diffusion of industrialization, and the relationship to the distribution of natural resources.
- Define the five economic sectors.
- Describe the spatial and landscape patterns associated with industrial production.
- Use social and economic measures of development to discuss levels of development around the world.
- Describe inequalities and unevenness in development as related to gender and place.
- Explain different theories of economic and social development (e.g., Rostow, Wallerstein, dependency theory).
- Explain how sustainability principles relate to and impact industrialization and spatial development.
- Human-Environment Interactions
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Identify and discuss major issues of human impact on the environment (e.g., climate change, soil erosion, air quality, water scarcity) and practices for environmental restoration.
- Compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy resources
- Describe evidence for and causes of current climate change.
- Discuss individual and collective strategies to address climate change.
- Identify locales impacted by climate change and evaluate the (economic, security, or other) impacts of these changes.
World Regional Geography - GEO 220
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/GEO220-WorldRegionalGeography
Effective: 2023-05-01
Course Description
Examines similarities and differences among the world?s major regions. Evaluates ways in which people and places interact across space and time to produce particular spatial and environmental patterns. Introduces the student to geographic tools such as maps. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
This course applies geographical concepts to analyze events and issues in contemporary or historical contexts. It is designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of various themes in each major region of the world with a focus on the geographical context of events. It also demonstrates the increasing role globalization plays in forming interconnections between places and regions.
Course Objectives
- Written Communication
- Effectively communicate spatial observations in the realm of geography through written and/or oral communication
- Critical Thinking
- Locate, evaluate, interpret and combine credible sources of information to describe and explain current world events within a geographic context.
- Scientific Literacy
- Use geographic tools, including maps, charts, images and technologies to process and analyze spatial data.
- Interpret data using maps, charts or geospatial images to solve geographical issues in a global setting.
- Professional Readiness
- Recognize problems and propose solutions that are appropriate for a given context
- Display situationally and culturally appropriate behavior
- Civic Engagement
- Apply geographic concepts to understanding current events, conflicts and issues in a regional context.
- Identify concepts of civic engagement and reflect on one?s role at different scales of community
- Quantitative Literacy
- Interpret quantitative information
- Apply and analyze relevant numerical data
- Use data to support conclusions
Major Topics to be Included
- Geography Concepts and Skills
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Apply geographic concepts (such as region, networks, place, space, cultural landscape, etc.) to real world situations and current events in order to demonstrate the relevance of spatial reasoning
- Identify the different components of globalization and the impacts globalization has on the changing world
- Use geographic tools and data sources to profile a place or region
- Physical and Environmental
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Describe regional plate tectonics and hazards
- Describe the world's major climate regions
- Discuss impacts of climate change in regions of the world
- Describe the global distribution of energy resources
- Describe important physiographic regions and major physical features using standard physical maps.
- Identify critical areas and the causes of global water stress, and discuss current and potential solutions
- Population and Settlement
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Explain how demographic concepts and data are use to document changes in global population (distribution, density, fertility, mortality, life expectancy, demographic transition model, population pyramids)
- Discuss the reasons for migration (push and pull factors, voluntary and forced) and the impacts the movement of people have around the world (displaced persons, refugees, diaspora)
- Differentiate between rural and urban settlement trends as they apply to various world regions
- Culture Elements and Society
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Define culture, cultural hybridization and cultural imperialism
- Explain how colonialism impacted indigenous, religious, and linguistic landscapes
- Identify current trends in popular culture
- Geopolitics
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Consider the political organization of space (such as shapes, territoriality, sovereignty, federalism) to better explain the geopolitical context of current events.
- Define and apply concepts of nation, state, nationalism, and citizenship.
- Discuss territorial outcomes as effects of colonialism (such as the scramble for Africa, Opium Wars, Monroe Doctrine, Partition, Aboriginal Land Claims, etc.)
- Discuss how global security positions have shifted in response to conflict, insurgency, and terrorism.
- Examine important alliances and agreements between different countries as they form new relationships.
- Analyze Geopolitical theories (such as Heartland theory, Brandt Line, Rimland theory, world systems theory, etc) as they relate to political organization and reorganization of space.
- Economic and Social Development
- Some learning outcomes that could satisfy this topic include:
- Identify the concepts and data important to documenting changes in the economic and social development of more and less developed countries.
- Compare models of economic development (world systems theory, dependency theory)
- Use economic and human welfare indicators to evaluate levels of regional development (such as imports, exports, economic sectors contribution to GDP)
- Identify critical areas and causes of Poverty
- Explain inequities as they relate to gender, income, race, sexual orientation and others.
Economic Geography - GEO 225
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/GEO225-EconomicGeography
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Introduces the subfield of human geography by focusing on the key interactions of people, space, and economics. Familiarizes students with economic, geographic, political and demographic factors that impact international target markets and trade activity. Focuses on levels of development, urban areas, globalization, and international trade
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
GEO 225 explores and recognizes the role of economics within the context of society and throughout history. This course enhances the knowledge and understanding of various economic institutions with a focus on the geographical context of events. This course identifies major economic policies and decisions while understanding their international implications.
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Effectively communicate components and observations of economic geography through written and/or oral communication
- Critical Thinking
- Identify and explain how various elements of economic policies (politics, industry, trade, and precedence) contribute to state and international policies
- Evaluate economic decisions by analyzing various components (economic affiliations, personal biases, and education) that influence viewpoints
- Cultural and Social Understanding
- Describe the role of economics in society
- Recognize the ways in which economics influence individuals and/or society
- Describe how individual and societal factors influence policy creation
- Analyze and evaluate current event sources to promote critical analysis of economic decisions and policies
- Analyze economics from different cultural and historical perspectives
- Cultivate personal goals related to being an informed citizen and participating in both community planning and economic development
- Economic Activity
- Identify the levels of economic activity and key characteristics associated with each
- Define the stages of development as countries progress from a developing country to a developed country
- Identify various government policies and economic management
- Cities and Urbanization
- Analyze economic impacts on cities and urban areas
- Examine the major economic challenges that cities can experience as they develop and grow
- Explain the role and function of a city planner and/or economic developer within local communities
- Economic Development
- Identify types of economies and note basic concepts of each
- Identify major strategies for economic development and the risks and rewards associated with each
- Recognize historical-social context of various industrial and manufacturing decisions
- Globalization and International Trade
- Discuss how key impacts like economics leads group migration to better financial opportunities in other parts of the world, which in turn, is a global diaspora
- Identify key components of international trade and applicable laws
- Identify the impacts of government policy on trade
- Environment and Climate Change
- Describe and interpret the interactions between the environment and the economy
- Identify the impacts of climate change on economic decisions and policies
Major Topics to be Included
- Economic Activity
- Cities and Urbanization
- Economic Development
- Globalization and International Trade
- Environment and Climate Change
Political Geography - GEO 230
https://courses.vccs.edu./courses/GEO230-PoliticalGeography
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Examines the influence of geography on political systems and nation states. Discusses historic and current events including campaigns, wars, trade, and treaties as functions of land, resources and energy requirements. Introduces students to types and uses of maps
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
GEO 230 provides understanding and recognition of the role of geopolitics within the context of society and throughout history. The course enhances the knowledge and understanding of various political institutions with a focus on the geographical context of events. Students will identify major geopolitical policies and decisions while developing a deeper understanding of the international implications.
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Effectively communicate geopolitical observations through written and/or oral communication
- Critical Thinking
- Identify and explain how various elements of geopolitical policies (politics, economics, trade, and precedence) contribute to state and international policies
- Evaluate geopolitical decisions by analyzing various components (political affiliations, personal biases, and education) that influenced viewpoints
- Cultural and Social Understanding
- Demonstrate knowledge of the role of geopolitics in society
- Recognize how politics influence individuals and/or society
- Describe how individual and societal factors influence policy creation
- Analyze and evaluate current event sources to promote critical analysis of political decisions and policies
- Demonstrate the development of receptivity to geopolitics from different cultural and historical perspectives
- Cultivate personal goals related to being an informed citizen and foster participation in both community and civic events
- States, Nations, and Nation States
- Identify key characteristics of various types of countries and states
- Analyze the effects and challenges imposed by the size and shape of countries on management plans
- Define different types of country and international borders
- Citizenship and Nationality
- Describe citizenship along with categories and classifications of tourists, guests, workers, and aliens
- Explain the impacts of government and international policies on migration
- Government, Institutions, and Representation
- Identify various types of governments
- Identify major political institutions and their impacts
- Recognize historical-social context of various types of representative governments
- Economics and International Trade
- Identify types of economies and note basic concepts of each
- Identify key components of international trade and applicable laws
- Identify the impacts of government policy on trade
- Safety and Security vs. Civil Rights and Personal Freedoms
- Recognize the impact of global terrorism on security policies, eg., September 11th attacks and the war on terror
- Evaluate competing visions of civil rights and physical security
Major Topics to be Included
- States, Nations, and Nation States
- Citizenship and Nationality
- Government, Institutions, and Representation
- Economics and International Trade
- Safety and Security vs. Civil Rights and Personal Freedoms