2016-2017 Undergraduate Course Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geography, BA


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Contact:

Jane Read
Director of Undergraduate Studies
123 Eggers Hall
315-443-4279

Faculty

Jacob Bendix, Peng Gao, Matthew Huber, Natalie Koch, Susan W. Millar, Don Mitchell, Mark Monmonier, Anne E. Mosher, Thomas Perreault, Jane M. Read, David J. Robinson, Jonnell Robinson, Tod D. Rutherford, Farhana Sultana, John C. Western, Robert M. Wilson, Jamie L. Winders

Have you ever wondered why the world works the way it does? So do geographers, who study everything from economic, political, and cultural relations within and between countries, to environmental practices of different people, to the physical and biological processes of the planet - in brief, the spatial aspects of human life and the natural environment. At Syracuse University, geographers study globalization, environmental change and history, mapping and spatial techniques, immigration, urban and cultural politics, social movements, and surface processes of the physical environment. As a major, geography gives you a range of skills AND a new perspective on the world. Because geographers research issues such as sustainable development, gender equity, and environmental change, geography provides tools not only to understand the world but also to change it!

Geography is easy to pair with another major, such as international relations or biology, or a degree from another college, such as the Newhouse School of Public Communications or Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science. After graduation, geography students find jobs in emergency management, federal and state environmental agencies, GIS and cartography, urban planning, non-profit organizations, community and international development, teaching and research, journalism, real-estate analysis, environmental consulting, and other fields. The Geography Department also offers research opportunities for undergraduates. Our majors work with community groups to address concerns like hunger, youth resources, and public transportation. They complete senior theses on topics from political change in East Africa to water management in Central America. Finally, majors can take advantage of internships or study-abroad opportunities to obtain course credits while gaining valuable work and international experience.

Major Requirements


The program leading to a B.A. in geography requires at least 33 credits in geography, 21 of which must be at the upper division (i.e. 300-level or above).

Majors must also complete the following capstone course:


Majors are encouraged to concentrate the remainder of their credits in one of five tracks:


Degree with Distinction


Majors who meet certain academic requirements have the opportunity to graduate with distinction. To do so, students must meet minimum GPA requirements, carry out original research under the supervision of a geography professor, and write a Senior Thesis based on that research. This honor recognizes a student’s achievement of academic excellence and is acknowledged on the diploma.

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