The Field of Geography

Geography is the study of place in the same sense that history is the study of time. However, while historians cannot physically go back in time, geographers can visit and explore any place in the world! Geographers concentrate on asking two essential questions: "Where are things located?" and "Why are they located there?" From the information we obtain to these questions, geographers can study the local, national, and global patterns that shape our lives. For example, geographers want to know:

• Why, despite changes in policy and public opinion, do US cities remain racially segregated?
• Will President Bush's new immigration proposal influence  immigration streams to the US?
• How has NAFTA influence the economic structure and activities for the US, Canada, Mexico, and rest of the global economy?
• How will Florida's current drought influence the state's topography and ecosystems?

Geography is an interdisciplinary field of study that combines the social and natural sciences. Hence, geographers are free to study issues and phenomena from virtually all other disciplines. Geography is divided into three distinct fields and numerous subfields:

• Human geography is the study of topics in the social sciences and human environment such as social, political, economic, or population issues.
• Physical geography is the study of topics in the physical sciences and natural environment such as climate, geology, resources, or biology.
• Technical geography encompasses the technical skills of geography including mapping and data analysis. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have enabled geographers to merge these technical skills.

Careers in Geography

Students often ask themselves "What can I do with geography?" This question is not unexpected, because while it's easy to understand getting excited about maps, different cultures, and new environments, it is more complicated to see how geographic knowledge can lead to good jobs and meaningful careers. However, in recent years, people have discovered that training in geography provides essential skills for hundreds of different jobs.

A recent study by the US Department of Labor forecasts that jobs for geographers with technical skills (such as data analysis and GIS) are expected to grow faster than the national average for other occupations. Entry-level positions for geographers averaged between $30,000 - $40,000, also greater than the national average. In addition, the Association of American Geographers Committee on Affirmative Action found women and minorities to be better represented in geography than in related majors. Here are just a few of the career options:

• Geographic Information Systems Specialists. A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer hardware and software system that is used to store, display, analyze, and map information. Geographers, planners, land developers, real estate agents, utility companies, and municipal officials all use these systems. The US Department of Labor identifies GIS as one of the nation's fastest growing employment opportunities.
• Area Specialists, typically employed by a US government agency, such as the State Department or Central Intelligence Agency. Area Specialists collect information from various sources such as the media, aerial photos, or intelligence reports. Information supplied by area specialists is used to help the government set policy or take positions on key issues.
• International Business Representatives, typically employed by large US corporations that do business in foreign countries. A geographic perspective, combined with language training, qualifies new graduates for this type of work. International business representatives play a key role in developing economic activities such as agriculture or industry in foreign countries.
• Environmental Managers, typically employed by government agencies or private industry. They are responsible for protecting and conserving our natural resources. Their jobs involve the management of water, air quality, soil, coastlands, and river basins.
• Locational Analyst, typically employed by business or industry. Shopping malls, banks, office complexes, movie theaters, or even assembly plants all realize they enhance their chances for success by finding a good location. Geography provides excellent training for this, since geographers are trained in demographics, transportation, and how cities expand.

Faculty

• Dr. Ray Oldakowski, Ph.D., University of Illinois (Population, Economic, Urban, Cultural, and Research Methods)

• Dr. Jeff Martin, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Climatology, Physical Geography, Geographic Information Systems, and Environmental Studies)

Students

The geography department averages approximately 25 majors (JU-DOG's as they are referred to) in any given year. This enables the faculty to develop professional and personal relationships with each individual student. In addition, the geography faculty have been committed to ensuring that geography students have plans and objectives for their life after Jacksonville University.

Geography majors are successful. Since 1990, the Department of Geography has graduated over 100 majors. Over twenty-five of these students are currently in the US Navy, an additional twenty-five students are in graduate school or have completed their graduate degrees, and the remaining students are employed by various government agencies and private companies -- already pursuing their careers in geography!

Also the Geography Department has just reinstated JU's Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, a Geographical Honors Society. 

Resources

Jacksonville University is set in an area that is rich in resources for geographic investigations. Rapidly growing Jacksonville provides an ideal urban laboratory for studies in urban structure and demographics. Florida provides many opportunities for inquiry into biogeography, and coastal and environmental geography.

Travel

One of the most common and enjoyable ways of gathering geographic information is through the exploration of places. Hence, travel is an integral part of the geography major at JU. For example:

• Field trips are a common activity in most geography courses.
• JU-DOG's accompany faculty members to regional and national conferences. Upcoming trips include destinations such as Pensacola and Biloxi.
• Opportunities to study abroad can be coordinated through the university office of international education. The department just completed a summer term in Reading, England and Costa Rica.

Internships

Jacksonville is a major metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. Many government agencies and private companies and corporations are located in the city. Therefore, JU-DOG's have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills through a variety of internship programs. Included among these are:

• City of Jacksonville, Economic Development Division: Research activities for neighborhood and community development.
• Angus and Associates: Field GPS and GIS activities.
• Florida Times-Union: Research activities for staff writers.
• WJXT Channel 4: Research activities for stories and features.
• JU Social Science Research Center: Survey research sampling, data collection, data analysis.
• National Geographic Society: National Geographic Magazine research and writing activities
• US Census Bureau: Mapping and data analysis, research.
• Jacksonville Sheriff's Office: GIS, detectives, patrol, etc.

Undergraduate Research

Many geography majors actively participate in undergraduate research projects individually supervised by faculty members.

JU-DOG's have presented their research results at state, regional, and national conferences. Many of these projects are then used by students as an area of concentration for graduate school.

Geography at Jacksonville University

A major in geography consists of 30 credit hours (9 courses) in geography. Required geography courses include World Geography, Weather and Climate, Earth's Crust, Research Methods, and Public Opinion Research. For the remaining credit hours, students may chose from a variety of upper division courses with regional, topical, or technical emphasis, depending on one's career aspirations. A minor in geography consists of 15 credit hours.

Students interested in human geography are encouraged to also take courses in related disciplines such as sociology, political science, and international studies. Students interested in physical geography may supplement their geography curriculum with courses in environmental science, biology, and marine science.

Degree Requirements:

Course Descriptions:

GEO 200. World Geography: World geography is the introductory course for students wishing to major in geography. The course is also designed to accommodate students who are majoring in other fields and are interested in obtaining a basic familiarization with places throughout the world and geographic concepts.

GEO 231. Physical Geography, Weather and Climate: A study of the Earth's motions and their meaning, systems of location and time, map construction and interpretation, atmospheric circulation and storms, world patterns of climate and the response of vegetation to climate.

GEO 232. Physical Geography, The Earth's Crust: A study of the earth's crustal features, landscape development under the influence of vulcanism and mountain building forces, rivers and underground waters, waves and currents, and the principal soil and rock groups.

GEO 300. Topics in Regional Geography: An examination of the physical, economic, political, and population geography of a selected region (Africa, Asia and Australia, Europe and Russia, Latin America, or Anglo America). This course may be repeated for credit when the regional topic changes.

GEO 310. Economic Geography: A study of the location of economic activities and the flow of goods and people between places. Additional focus is placed upon regional economic growth, the city as an economic node, transportation, technological diffusion, and energy production and consumption.

GEO 311. Cultural Geography: A study of spatial variations among culture groups. Focus is placed upon describing and analyzing both traditional (language, religion, customs) and popular (landscapes, recreation, ethnicity) cultural phenomena.

GEO 312. Political Geography: Political structure, politics, and trends of nations in light of geographic analysis. The influential role of geographic factors is stressed.

GEO 313. Urban Geography: A study of the internal structure of cities and their role within the urban system. Additional focus is placed upon the economic, political, and social aspects of cities, housing and neighborhoods, and the contrast between cities of the developing and developed world.

GEO 314. Population Geography: A study of population trends and patterns at the local, regional, national, and global levels. This course will review contemporary policy issues relevant to population (e.g., immigration, the aging of the US population) as well as traditional quantitative demographic measures.

GEO 331. Conservation of Natural Resources: A study of the development, distribution, and utilization of the earth's natural resources. Emphasis is placed upon energy, land, air, water, and wildlife resources.

GEO 332. Environmental Planning/Impact Analysis: A study of environmental policy, land use planning, and environmental assessment and impact analysis. Students will prepare sample environmental impact statements.

GEO 351. Air Photo and Satellite Image Analysis: The use aerial photographs and satellite images for understanding natural and urban phenomena. An introduction to photogrammetry, remote sensing, and digital image processing. Includes lectures, interpretive exercises, and computer exercises.

GEO 400. Special Topics in Geography: An in depth study of a topic which may be selected from a broad range of geographic subfields. Courses offered over the last several years have included social geography, coastal geography, and remote sensing.

GEO 420WI. Methods of Social Research: The application of research methods within geography. A study of research design and methods including survey research, experiments, observation, and secondary data analysis. As part the course, students will write and present their own research proposal.

GEO 425. Public Opinion Research: This course will focus on the utilization of pre-existing computer programs for research methodology and statistical analysis in the social sciences. The students will conduct an actual research project and analyze the data they collect. No computer programming experience is assumed.

GEO 450. Geographic Information Systems: An introductory course in computer mapping and the input, storage, and analysis of spatial data. Students become familiar with the use of GIS in physical/environmental and social/economic problem solving. The course includes exercises and a final project using GIS software.

GEO 487. Independent Study: Independent study courses are designed to facilitate undergraduate research. Students may present their research results at state, regional, and national conferences. Often times, research projects can subsequently serve as an area of concentration for graduate school.

GEO 490. Internships: The program will provide the student with the opportunity to participate in the work of public and private agencies and to apply their discipline in employment settings. Opportunities available include the City of Jacksonville, National Geographic Society, US Census Bureau, Jacksonville Economic Development Division, Florida Times-Union, University Political Research Center and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.