New Geography & Environmental Studies Curriculum (2016-17)

Key Points:

• Recognition that graduates must have core competency in literacy, numeracy /geospatial concepts & mapping – to be applied throughout degree

• Removal of 2100 & 2200 bottleneck - replaced with direct entry into areas of interest – better

accommodation of minors and stimulate interest in sub-discipline • Re-adjustment of course offerings to reflect strengths of current faculty

• Modernization of technical offerings in geomatics (GIS & remote sensing) • Re-vamp senior seminar courses to provide better foundation for transition to post graduate

opportunities (college, graduate work or work force) • Increased experiential learning opportunities

• GEOG 1100 & 1200 remain core base • Removal & addition of course @ all levels &

within all groups • Some courses previously at 3000 and 4000

decreased in level • Working with registrar re coding banner for pre-

requisites • Patience! It will be important to remain in contact

with your academic advisor • If you are not able to register – contact instructor

directly and copy dvanproo@smu.ca

• Sabbaticals: Grek Martin (full year), Suteanu (fall), Giles (winter)

Major Requirements- BA

Pre Sept. 2016 After Sept. 2016

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200, and one of 2100 or

2200;

ii. GEOG 2316, 2336 and three(3) credit hours

from GEOG 3326,3356,3366, or 3386;

iii. Students must attain a grade of C or higher in

GEOG 2316 and GEOG 2336;

iv. Nine (9) credit hours in GEOG at the 4000-level;

and

v. Twenty-one (21) credit hours in GEOG.

i. GEOG 1100 and GEOG 1200;

ii. GEOG 2306, GEOG 2356 and GEOG 2386

iii. Three (3) credit-hours from GEOG 3326, GEOG

3356, GEOG 3386 or GEOG 3416;

iv. Nine (9) credit hours in GEOG at the 4000-level;

and

v. Twenty-one (21) credit hours in GEOG.

Major Requirements- BSc. Pre Sept. 2016 After Sept. 2016

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200 and GEOG 2100

ii. GEOG 2316, 2336 and three (3) credit hours from

GEOG 3326, 3356, 3366, or 3386;

iii. At least fifteen (15) other credit hours from Group

B courses, of which at least six (6) credit hours

must be at the 4000-level; and

iv. Fifteen (15) credit hours from any group.

v. A total of nine (9) credit hours in GEOG must be at

the 4000-level

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200

ii. GEOG 2306, GEOG 2356 and GEOG 2386;

iii. Three (3) credit-hours in GEOG 3326, GEOG 3356,

GEOG 3386 or GEOG 3416;

iv. At least eighteen (18) other credit hours from

Group B courses, of which at least three (3) credit-

hours must be at the 4000-level;

v. Twelve (12) other credit-hours in GEOG; and

vi. A total of nine (9) credit-hours must be at the

4000-level in GEOG Group B, C, or D.

Honours Requirements - BA

Pre Sept. 2016 After Sept. 2016

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200 and either GEOG 2100 or

GEOG 2200

ii. GEOG 2316, 2336 and GEOG 3326

iii. Students must attain a grade of C or higher in GEOG

2316 and GEOG 2336;

iv. One of GEOG 3356, 3366 or 3386;

v. GEOG 4406 and 4416; and

vi. Thirty-nine (39) other GEOG credit hours from any

group of which at least six (6) credit hours must be at

the 4000-level

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200

ii. GEOG 2306, GEOG 2356 and GEOG 2386;

iii. GEOG 3326 or GEOG 3416

iv. GEOG 3356 or GEOG 3386

v. GEOG 3004 and GEOG 4406

vi. GEOG 4526

vii. Thirty-nine (39) other GEOG credit hours from any

group of which at least six (6) credit hours must be

at the 4000-level

Honours Requirements - BSc

Pre Sept. 2016 After Sept. 2016

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200 and GEOG 2100

ii. GEOG 2316, 2336, GEOG 3326 and one of GEOG

3356, 3366 or 3386;

iii. At least eighteen (18) other credit-hours from Group

B courses, of which at least six (6) must be at the

4000 level

iv. GEOG 4406 and 4416; and

v. Twenty-one (21) other credit hours in GEOG

i. GEOG 1100, GEOG 1200

ii. GEOG 2306, GEOG 2356 and GEOG 2386;

iii. GEOG 3326 or GEOG 3416

iv. GEOG 3356 or GEOG 3386

v. At least eighteen (18) other credit-hours from

Group B courses, of which at least three (3) must

be at the 4000 level

vi. GEOG 3004 and GEOG 4406

vii. GEOG 4526

viii.Twenty-one (21) other credit hours in GEOG

Foundation Courses

Fall 2016 Winter 2017 • GEOG 2306 Geospatial concepts (Giles)* • GEOG 2356 inquiry & Explanation in Geography (with

lab) (Giles)*

• GEOG 2386 Introduction to mapping & GIS (with lab) (Novak)*

FAQ: What is a lab course?

Existing Majors:

If you do NOT have:

Take one of these courses to satisfy the

requirement:

GEOG 2316: Map and Image

Interpretation

GEOG 2306: Geospatial Techniques

OR

GEOG 2356: Inquiry & Explanation in Geography

GEOG 2336: Cartography

GEOG 2386: Introduction to GIS and Mapping

OR

GEOG 2356: Inquiry & Explanation in Geography

Contact for information: geography@smu.ca

Fall 2016 Schedule Dr. Philip Giles

Class periods MW 10:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Students will develop literacy in core geospatial concepts and reinforce skills in numeracy that are critical for understanding and developing knowledge in geography.

This course will also be of interest to students in related disciplines such as anthropology, biology, environmental science, environmental studies, and geology.

GEOG 2306 Geospatial Concepts

Prerequisite: at least 18 credit hours 1894

2014 Google Earth

500 m

New Course

Required for GEOG Major & Honours Group C

Fall 2016 Schedule Dr. Philip Giles

Class periods Seminar period MW 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. T 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Contact for information: geography@smu.ca

Geographers make inquiries and explain their findings.

In this course the design, conduct, evaluation, explanation, and dissemination of geographic research will be addressed. Topics include: formulating research plans, conducting literature reviews, developing hypotheses, planning data collection, presenting results, evaluating evidence, and drawing valid conclusions.

Prerequisite: GEOG 1100 or 1200

Required for GEOG Major & Honours

New course

Group C

Introduction to Mapping and Geographical Information Systems

GEOG 2386 (Group C)

3 Credit hours Prerequisites GEOG 2306 or 2316 Instructor: Dr. Mathew Novak Students will be introduced to the critical design, compilation and construction of maps as a medium for communication and research. Issues surrounding data acquisition, online data sources and data quality will be explored. Fundamental concepts and components of geographical information systems (GIS) will be introduced using an experiential learning framework, merging theory and practice.

Class 2 hrs. and lab 2 hrs. a week

NEW COURSE Winter 2017

T, R 14:30-15:30 Lab: R 15:30-17:30

Human Geography (Group A)

Fall 2016 Winter 2017 • GEOG 2312 Urban Geography (Novak)* • GEOG 2341 Economic Geography (Gibson)* • GEOG 4431 Community & Regional Development

(Gibson)*

• GEOG 3302 The Built Environment (Novak)* • GEOG 3311 Rural Geography (Gibson) • GEOG 4412 Urban Historical & Preservation (Novak)* • GEOG 4442 Urban Planning (Millward)

AP Geography Video

Urban Geography GEOG 2312

3 credit hours Prerequisites: GEOG 1100 or GEOG 1200

Students are provided with an overview of the processes and patterns of urban development and change presented through traditional and contemporary models, underscoring the complex interaction of historical, morphological, environmental, technological, social, political, and economic landscapes occurring throughout urban areas.

GEOGRAPHY@SMU.CA FOR MORE INFO

Instructor: Dr. Mathew Novak

NEW COURSE

Fall 2016

Group A

M,W 13:00-14:15

Economic Geography

GEOG 2341 3 credit hours Prerequisites: GEOG 1100 or GEOG 1200 Instructor Dr. Ryan Gibson

The economy is continuously changing

Group A

NEW COURSE Fall 2016

The economy is continuously changing, serving as a catalyst for restructuring and reorganizing. Students will be introduced to the key foundations of economic geography, global-local connections of economic change, patterns and processes of economic change, and economic actors and their interactions. The course is taught from a sustainable development perspective, exploring interactions between interconnected economic, social and ecological systems.

M,W 11:30-12:45

Community and Regional Development GEOG 4431

Instructor: Dr. Ryan Gibson

Students will be introduced to community and regional development theories, techniques, and approaches. Geographical perspectives of space, place, and scale will guide the discussions of community and regional development in the Canadian context. The course will blend lectures and applied research initiatives to provide students the opportunities to apply their knowledge to ‘real-world’ situations.

Canadian Context

Regional Development

3 credit hours Prerequisites: Either (two of GEOG 2312 (3312), GEOG 2341 or GEOG 2349 (3319)) or 2200

Group A

NEW COURSE Fall 2016

M,W 14:30-15:45

Explore cities; their physical components (e.g. streets, buildings, infrastructure, green spaces), techniques for their evaluation, and theories about how they develop. Consider how urban landscape influences culture, environment, society, and the economy.

The Built Environment GEOG 3302 (Group A) 3 credit hours Instructor: Dr. Mathew Novak

Prerequisites: Either (one of GEOG 2312 (3312), GEOG 2341 or GEOG 2349 (3319)) or 2200

M,W 11:30-12:45

NEW COURSE Winter 2017

Urban History and Preservation GEOG 4412/5612 (Group A)

3 credit hours Instructor Dr. Mathew Novak

Students will examine the evolution of cities from antiquity through the middle-twentieth century, including their morphological and functional characteristics. A focus is placed on the value of historical landscapes in today’s urban fabric, and techniques for their protection and revitalization.

Prerequisites: Either (two of GEOG 2312(3312), GEOG 2341 or GEOG 2349(3319)) or GEOG 2200

NEW COURSE Winter 2017

Physical Geography (Group B)

Fall 2016 Winter 2017 • GEOG 2313 Geomorphology (Giles) • GEOG 2343 Weather & Climate (Conrad) • GEOG 4413 Coastal Geomorphology (van Proosdij)

• GEOG 2333 Biogeography (TBA) • GEOG 4423 Glaciers & Glaciation (TBA)

NOTE: All Group B courses have 2 hrs lecture & 2 hrs of lab per week

Now is the time for change….

Source: Dr. Dawn Wright, ESRI Chief Scientist

Technical Courses (Group C)

Fall 2016 Winter 2017 • GEOG 2306 Geospatial Concepts (Giles)* • GEOG 2356 Inquiry & Explanation in Geography (with

lab) (Giles)* • GEOG 3326 Statistical Methods in Geography (with lab)

(TBA)

• GEOG 2386 Intro to mapping & GIS (with lab) (Novak)* • GEOG 3386 Concepts in GIS Analysis (with lab) (van

Proosdij)* • GEOG 3416 Qualitative Methods (Gibson)*

Qualitative Research Methods in Geography

GEOG 3416

3 credit hours Prerequisite: GEOG 2356 or 3353 Instructor: Ryan Gibson

Students will be introduced to and learn to apply the major qualitative research methods utilized by geographers. Students will build skills in methods of qualitative data collection (interviewing, participant observation, textual analysis, focus groups, photovoice), data analysis processes and methods.

Group C

NEW COURSE Winter 2017

M,W 1600-17:15

Technical Courses (Group C) “I am in the old program and

have completed Cartography.

Which GIS course can I take to

satisfy the technical course

requirement in regulation iii?”

For the 2016-2017 academic year only,

you may take either GEOG 2386 OR GEOG

3386 to satisfy the technical course

requirement in regulation iii. After 2016-

2017, you MUST have GEOG 2386 to take

GEOG 3386 since the course content is

being significantly adjusted and will be

more advanced.

If you are interested in

strengthening your basic GIS skills

while reinforcing mapping concepts

prior to taking GEOG 3386 in 2017-

2018, take GEOG 2386 in Winter

2017.

Concepts in GIS Analysis

GEOG 3386

3 credit hours Prerequisite: GEOG 2386 or GEOL 3305 or permission of instructor Instructor: Danika van Proosdij

Students focus on applied geospatial analyses using ArcGIS and associated extensions. Topics include spatial analysis and geostatistics, 3D surface modelling, visualization, network analysis, predictive modelling and multi-criteria evaluations. Examples will be drawn from earth and environmental science, geography, environmental studies, anthropology and business.

Group C

Modified COURSE Implemented 2017-18

T,Th 1300-1400 Lab Th 1400-1600

Integrative Courses (Group D)

Fall 2016 Winter 2017 • GEOG 2315 The Oceans (TBA) • GEOG 3354 Bay of Fundy – FIELD COURSE (van

Proosdij)* • GEOG 2332 Global Cities (Novak)*

• GEOG 3304 Environmental Management (Suteanu) • GEOG 3380 Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability &

Adaptation (TBA)* • GEOG 4406 Capstone seminar in geography* (Conrad)

Global Cities GEOG 2332.1 (Group A)

With over half the global population now urbanized, cities play an

increasingly important role in the contemporary world. Comparisons are

made of the structure and function of cities in each of the global regions,

and the benefits and costs are considered for a rapidly urbanizing world.

GEOGRAPHY@SMU.CA FOR MORE INFO

3 Credit Hours

Instructor: Dr. Mathew Novak

M,W 16:00 – 17:15

Fall 2016 New curriculum

Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation

NEW COURSE Winter 2017

GEOG 3380 (Group D) 3 credit hours Instructor: Danika van Proosdij (note W17 TBA) Prerequisites: GEOG 1200 and either (one of GEOG 2312(3312), GEOG 2341 or GEOG 2349(3319)) or 2200

Students examine global, regional and sectoral impacts of climate change with emphasis on geographical, bio-physical and socio-economic facts influencing risk and vulnerability. Students explore how individuals and communities can increase resilience through adaptation using regional and international examples.

Capstone Seminar in Geography GEOG 4406

Students analyze major philosophical and methodological developments that have shaped modern geography in order to explore areas of common ground and divergence within our broad-ranging discipline. Throughout the term students address two fundamental questions: what defines the academic discipline of geography and how is geographical expertise applied beyond academia?

3 credit hours Prerequisite: Registered major or honours students in Geography, the Bachelor of Environmental Studies program, or the Geology/Geography combined program, with at least sixty (60) university credit-hours

Instructor W17: Cathy Conrad

Group D

NEW COURSE Winter 2017

2016 Field Course

Bay of Fundy: Environments and Issues GEOG 3454 (Group D) 3 credit hours Instructor: Danika van Proosdij

Prerequisite: GEOG 1100 and GEOG 1200 and 24 credit-hours plus permission of the Departmental Chairperson

In this interdisciplinary field course students examine physical, biological and human environments, processes and issues in the Bay of Fundy region from both a historical and a contemporary view. Topics include physical and biological processes such as tides and biological productivity, ecosystems such as tidal flats and salt marshes, settlement patterns, and resource use. Emphasis is placed on current issues and solutions.

11 day Field Trip: Aug 27 to Sept. 6, 2016 Class Th 16:00-18:00

2016 Field Course

1

1

Lower Bay: Annapolis Royale, Digby Aug 27-30

2 2 Southern Bight:

Cornwallis & Avon estuaries Aug 30-Sept.2

3 North Shore: Five Islands, Parrsboro Sept.2-5

3

4 Upper Bay: Tantramaar Sept.5-6

4

Tentative Schedule

2016 Field Course – next steps

• Application forms will be available next week – expression of interest & initial screening

• 1st Field trip meeting March 17 - 4:30 pm – preliminary discussion of itinerary, priorities, accommodation style, budget

• 2nd Field trip meeting April 7th – 10 am – finalization of cost & itinerary

• Confirmation of participants & initial deposit ($100) due April 20th