COURSES IN G&ES

The department offers the following courses, according to a schedule which you will see if you click on the link below. The frequencies and terms are used to build out the rough schedule, but changes may be made due to special circumstances. Select THIS LINK to see the preferred frequency and term.

G&ES 104 Introduction to Geography
Spatial patterns,processes, and interrelationships of human and natural phenomenon on the Earth's surface, from the local to the global scale. Survey of the geographers' practical methods for understanding the world. Includes map interpretation.

G&ES 109a Chi Geog: Global Chicago (Freshman Exp)
An introductory course in urban geography that provides a broad overview of the Chicago metropolitan area in the global context. Students explore the role of Chicago as a hub in the global economy, as well as many different ways that global forces have impacted social relations and spatial practices in the metropolis. The course includes a service-learning component.

G&ES 109b FS: Environmental Chicago
Discovery of the Chicago area as a diverse, complex, and unique bioregion, and dixcovery of the student's own strengths in the pursuit of academic success and personal development. Topics include landforms, soils, native and invasive species, climate and weather, water resources, settlement patterns, and strategies for academic success.

G&ES 150 Intro to Env. Studies
Introduction to basic concepts of Environmental Studies, including natural processes, human impact on the environment, environmental management and policy, and innovative solutions. Global, regional, and local issues.

G&ES 205 PG I: Fundamentals
Introductory survey of the earth's physical environment including earth-sun relationships, interrelationships of climate, soil, and vegetation, and landforms.

G&ES 212 Economic Geography
Exploration of how societies organize economic activities in space at the local, regional and global levels. Studetns learn how basic geographic frameworks, concepts, explanations, and analytical tools show how space and location are critical elements affecting economic systems and why different placees achieve different levels of well-being.

G&ES 213 Cultural Geography
Study of the cultural landscape: investigating and analyzing the patterns of language, religion, ethnicity, gender and livelihoods as they vary from region to region.

G&ES 217 Urban Geography
A survey course in urban geography focusing on processes and outcomes of urbanization. The course will address the dramatic changes unfolding in the metropolitan landscape and will encourage students to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of cities and urban sociospatial processes.

G&ES 218 Conservation of Natural Resources
Contemporary approaches toward understanding and management of natural resources: air, water, minerals, soil, forests, grasslands, and wildlife.

G&ES 220 Pollution Control and Prevention
Introduction to environmental pollution including that involving air, water, solid waste, and noise. Methods of measurement and analysis are covered, as well as legal and economic factors and possible solutions.

G&ES 240 Water Resources and Development
Survey of global water distribution, management, pollution, conservation, conflict, and policy. Students will study measures taken to provide adequate water quality and quantity throughout the U.S. and in other world regions.

G&ES 250 Writing Within in G&ES
This course offers students the opportunity to develop written communication skills by utilizing basic concepts, theories, and techniques in Geography and Environmental Studies. Topics and exercises include note taking, outlines, drafts, styles, bibliography and references, essays, reviews, policy statements and reports of varying length. Sources including library, internet services, and direct obesrvation will be explored. Students will incorporate maps, graphs, and other visual aids.

G&ES 291 GIS Across Disciplines
This course introduces students from many disciplines to the use of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for storage, display, and analysis of any information for which a location is known. GIS integrates information drawn from many sources by using their location as a linking field. GIS attaches attribute data to spatial objects, and offers a wide variety of tools with which to access, display, and analyze that information in new ways. No prior geographic or GIS knowledge is assumed, and there is no course prerequisite. Students will gain conceptual understanding of GIS and experience manipulating prepared data.

G&ES 302 Regional Geography
Descriptive, explanatory, and predictive study of a major region. Emphasis is placed on the region's defining human/social and physical factors, on its distinct problems and opportunities, and its role in a wider spatial context.Specific courses are as follws: (c) Africa, (d) World Oceans, (f) Australia and Pacific Islands, (g) Caribbean, (h) Eastern Europe, (k) East Asia, (l) Southeast Asia, (m) Russia and Central Asia, (n) South Asia, (o) Middle East, (q) Western Europe, (s) Developing World, (u) Mex-America, (v) United States and Canada, and (x) Latin America.

G&ES 303 Topics in Geography
A current topic in geography will be explored in depth. See Schedule of Classes, course notes, and consult the department for more information.

G&ES 305 Geography & Map Skills for Teachers
Focuses on five main themes in geography; methods and materials to teach the themes in K-12 classes. Map skills and instructional strategies will also be presented.

G&ES 306 Topics in Env. Studies
A current topic in Environmental Studies will be explored in depth. See Schedule of Classes, course notes, and consult the department for more information.

G&ES 307 Environmental Education Seminar
Analysis and development of environmental education instructional materials and teaching strategies. Seminar focus varies depending on the interests of the participants.

G&ES 309 Principles and Methods of Env. Interpretation
Naturalists and environmental educators learn how to interpret the environment to others in park and camp settings; philosophy, organization, administration, and program methods such as management of field trips, nature trails, campfire programs, overnight camping, and trailside museums. Emphasis on meeting the needs of an urban population.

G&ES 314 Political Geography
The relationship between geographical factors of the physical and human environments and political organization. Topics include territorial claims and conflicts, defining borders and districts, spatial patterns of legislation, development and devolution of nations and changing patterns in the world political map.

G&ES 316 Location Analysis
Use of location theory and economic modeling to understand spatial patterns of land use and to determine optimal spatial arrangements relating to location of businesses, services, resources, and trade, Environmental influences and impacts are discussed. Prereq: 212

G&ES 319 Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
Physical, economic, social and political factors involved in policy determination and planning for natural resource development; emphasis upon relations between public and private enterprise and policies for international resource development.

G&ES 322 Aerial Photographic Interpretation
Development and use of aerial photographs for evaluating natural and built environments. Visual identification of social and economic activities and landforms using digital images. and built environments. Visual identification of social and economic activities and landforms using digital images. and use of aerial photographs for evaluating natural and built environments. Visual identification of social and economic activities and landforms using digital images.

G&ES 327 Forest Resources Management
Forest values,management, policies, and practices for public and private lands, including national wilderness areas, parks, and forests as well as urban parks and forests. Prereq.: GES 218.

G&ES 328 Wildlife Resources Management
General wildlife management course for resource planners, interpretative naturalists, and educators. Fish and wildlife values, conservation principles and practices, and current policy issues.

G&ES 329 Alternative Energy: Policy and Practice
Study of renewable energy resources as alternatives to nuclear energy and the traditional fossil fuels; the use of sunlight, wind, water, and biomass for energy; policy options and issues in implementing such alternative technologies. Prereq.: GES150 or GES 218.

G&ES 336 Solid Waste Issues
Examination of trends in municipal solid waste generation, collection, disposal, and management. Discussion of the roles of federal, state, county, and state governments, with a review of national and international waste issues. Prereq.: GES 150 or GES 218 or GES 220.

G&ES 338 Sustainable Development
Students will explore the concepts of sustainability in the context of socio-economic development at various scales and around the world. Sustainable Development is an alternative to a traditional industrial-economic model of growth which can marginalize people and destroy nature. Specific strategies, policies, and implications of this approach will be explored.

G&ES 339 Geography of Energy Resources (NEW NAME)
Examination of the changing spatial patterns of the distribution, consumption, and transportation of fossil fuels. Investigation of new technologies and management strategies against the background of a finite resource base. Several sessions to be held in the field.

G&ES 341 Field Methods in Water Resources
Field exploration of potable water treatment facilities in urban and rural settings. Students will visit municipal treatment plants and distribution systems as well as smaller-scale operations, such as private wells and small municipal water plants. Methods of water acquisition, treatment, and management used in other parts of the country, and in other countries, will be explored. Field trips are required.

G&ES 342 Water Quality Treatment and Standards
Field exploration of waste and drinking water treatment facilities in urban and rural settings. Water intake, treatment, and distribution, and sewerage system collection methods will be explored. Alternate methods used elsewhere will be discussed.

G&ES 344 Chicago River Issues
This field class explores the geographic, environmental, historic, economic, engineering, recreational, and other aspects of the Chicago River. Students will study water quality, land use and ownership issues, habitat restoration, and the importance of rivers in metropolitan areas. Most classes are held in the field. Prereq.: GES 104 or GES 150 or GES 205.

G&ES 346 Geography of Metropolitan Chicago
Detailed study of communities within Chicago and its surrounding area, with an emphasis on spatial distribution and arrangement of distinct regions; field trips.

G&ES 347 Gentrification and Urban Redevelopment
Issues and principles of urban neighborhood preservation, revitalization, restoration and gentrification emphasizing public and private market initiatives. Field work in the Chicago metropolitan area using various methods of surveying, collecting, recording and processing data.

G&ES 348 Latino Metropolis
A field-oriented course that explores the processes of Latino urbanization and the sociospatial context of Latino urbanism in the U.S., with an emphasis on metropolitan Chicago. Approved for graduate credit.

G&ES 349 Environment and Urbanization
Description will be added.

G&ES 351 Spatial Statistics
Introduction to statistical problems, principles, and techniques for the study of geography and the natural environment.

G&ES 352 Independent Study 3 cr
Study of a topic of special interest to the student under the supervision of a faculty member. See the department policy on independent studies.

G&ES 353 Independent Study 2cr
Study of a topic of special interest to the student under the supervision of a faculty member. See the department policy on independent studies.

G&ES 354 Independent Study 1 cr
Study of a topic of special interest to the student under the supervision of a faculty member. See the department policy on independent studies.

G&ES 355 Metropolitan Transportation: Problems/Planning
Problems of transportation in cities, focusing on commuting, expressway development, automobile vs. public transportation, pollution, congestion, and relative location of jobs and workers. Emphasis on planning more effective transportation systems, particularly in the Chicago area.

G&ES 357 Geography of Natural Hazards
Study of the location, impact, causes, and mitigation of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, subsidence, erosion, extreme weather, wildfire, and tsunamis. Local field trips possible.

G&ES 359 Environmental Planning
Principles of land development with emphasis on opportunities and limitations imposed by the physical environment; concepts of land ownership, tenure and use; ecological and environmental analysis; techniques of site design.

G&ES 360 Environmental Justice and Activism
Students investigate the history and process of environmental equity, grassroots activism, legislation and lobbying, and community organization. Field trips and guest lectures.

G&ES 361 Urban Planning
City planning process; historical development of urban planning in the United States; basic components of a comprehensive plan; planning theory and practice; implementation procedures; social planning.

G&ES 362 Population Geography
Population structure, of population; elements of population change such as birth, death, and migration; short and long term problems of local and global nature.

G&ES 367 Geography of Tourism
A geographic and environmental inquiry into the tourism industry at the local to global scales. Topics include the historical development of tourism, the economic costs and benefits, employment concerns, political implications of tourism, the social-cultural consequences between host and tourists, and planning issues. Tourism's impact on the environment, and models for sustainable ecotourism.

G&ES 368 Changing Global Climates
This course explores the normal cycles and also the changing patterns of global climates. Attention is given to both natural phenomena, such as El Nino, and human impacts on climate from deforestation, ozone depletion, and the greenhouse effect.

G&ES 371 Physical Geography: Advanced Topics
Advanced topics in Physical Geography, including geomorphology, coastal landforms, biomes, diastrophism, weathering, weather and climate.

G&ES 374 Research Methods
Students will develop a variety of quantitative and qualitative research skills by way of case studies, historical research, and discussion. Students will conduct their own original research, using appropriate methods. Prerequisite: G&ES 250 and either G&ES 104 or G&ES 150.

G&ES 376 Principles of Cartography
Principles of map making; history of cartography, modern techniques, projections, symbolization, visual appeal, thematic map design, production, and interpretation.

G&ES 377 Computer Cartography
Students will design, create, and publish a variety of thematic maps using cartographic conventions and effective symbology with digital graphics programs.

G&ES 380 Field Methods
Introduction to the instruments, measurements, mapping techniques, and sampling procedures used to acquire primary data from field observations.Development of a field research plan, culminating in research projects tailored to each student's interest.

G&ES 383 Internship in G&ES (3 cr)
Supervised field experience with an agency related to the student's career interest. Prior course work and other experience are evaluated before approval is granted to enroll in the internship. A handout to guide the internship is available. 180 work hours.

G&ES 387 Interactive Cartography
Advanced cartographic techniques for web delivery of interctive maps. Basic coding and script modification for interactive map images, preparation of base maps and data. Emphasis is placed on widely available open source tools.

G&ES 388 Field Camp
Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific destination and costs for this travel-based course. Students will perform a research project in a classroom setting prior to travel, and will meet for discussion and presentations of field work afterwards. Prerequisites: At least sophomore standing, and consent of instructor.

G&ES 388A Regional Research (Belize)
See Description for 388.

G&ES 389 Urban Design Studio
This studio course presents perspectives, standards and techniques which integrate cultural, economic, political and social dimensions of urban life in the formulation and representation of urban plans and projects. Students gain an appreciation for theoretical and applied dimensions of urban design, and get hands-on training with computer assisted design projects. Prerequisite: G&ES 217.

G&ES 390 Digital Image Processing
Basic principles of remote sensing and digital image processing. Major emphasis will be given to data collection, processing and analysis for environmental issues. Students will use image processing software to map and analyze data.

G&ES 391 Geogaphic Information Systems I
An introduction to GIS technology for research applications. Students will study the conceptual and technical process of GIS research includingproject design, data acquisition, data manipulation, analysis, interpretation and display. Approved for graduate credit.

G&ES 392 GIS II
Description: Students will learn advanced skills in Geographic Information Systems, including tablet digitizing, registration, projections and transformations, spatial analytical tools, advanced editing, project design, project organization, data acquisition and metadata. Available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: G&ES 391.

G&ES 393 GIS 3
this course focuses on advanced analysis of GIS data using scripts an dprogramming. It includes 3D visualization, interpolation, and modeling, with industry standard and open source GIS software. All aspects of data processing, analysis and programming will be explored.

G&ES 395 Internship in GIS
160 work-hour internship in Geospatial industry. Contact advisor for more information.

G&ES 395 Internship in GIS
Supervised field experience using geospatial technologies. A formal proposal and reports are required. See department materials for specific guidelines and instructions.

G&ES 401 Seminar in Cultural Geography
Selected theories and methodologies of cultural geography and the current trends within the discipline; students prepare a seminar paper that incorporates the concepts of a specific approach applied to a local phenomenon.

G&ES 411 Scope and Philosophy of G&ES
Historical development of geography as a spatial discipline. History of conservation and modern environmentalism. Relationship between these two fields, and overview of the M.A. program and graduate level studies.

G&ES 415 Geospatial Data Analysis
Use of modern technologies in preparation of thematic maps, and an overview of spatial analysis with geographic information systems. Topics include data collection, input, storage, retrieval, manipulation and output

G&ES 416 GIS for Natural Systems Management
Theory and concepts of data storage, retrieval, visualization, modelling, and output for natural resource applications and management. Students will develop spatial analysis techniques for environmental data, culminating in independently designed research projects.

G&ES 417 Urban Information Systems
Analysis of urban environment with GIS. Use of public data to study urban processes such as suburbanization, segregation, economic development, network-based transportation and site location. Student exploration will culminate in a research project of the student's selection.

G&ES 430 Research Paper
Students conduct research and write a research paper on an approved topic to fulfill requirements for the Master of Arts degree. Credit for this course and G&ES 431 Thesis Seminar, will not be permitted. See departmental policies.

G&ES 431 Thesis Seminar
Students conduct research and write a thesis to fulfill requirements for the Master of Arts degree. Credit for this course and 430 will not be permitted. See department policies.

G&ES 435 Sem: Physical Geography
Students will investigate geomorphic systems and the importance of physical geography for studying the Earth. This course will introduce the principles, models and theories of physical geography followed by a more applied look at the different landscapes. Book chapters, peer reviewed articles, discussion, and a research paper will be required.

G&ES 437 Seminar: Global Wildlife Issues
Wildlife ecology, management, and policy are studied from global to local scales. Topics will include evolution and distribution of wildlife, habitat and territory, biomes and ecosystems. Human impacts will also be studied. These include habitat loss/disruption, hunting, pollution, introduction of new species and conservation efforts, environmental ethics, and environmental policies.

G&ES 441 Qualitative Research Methods in G&ES
The course introduces students to qualitative research methods used in geography and environmental studies to explore complex social and human-environmental relations. Students will learn various qualitative methods, each of which links theoryand literature to the research project. They will formulate research questions, collect and analyze data, and present their work with descriptive and analytical writing.

G&ES 442 Quantitative - Stats at Grad Level
Statistical applications in geography and environmental studies; reliability of quantitative formulas and studies; geometrics; statistical project required as part of the course.

G&ES 445 Seminar in Resource Management and Decision Making
Research seminar involving the principles of decision-making as utilized in the field of resource management; application of these principles through research projects conducted in the Chicago metropolitan area.

G&ES 446O Sem: Foreign Policy and the Env.

G&ES 449 Seminar in Land Use Controls
Research seminar concerning the rationale and methods of regulating the use of private land: land subdivision, zoning, and growth control.

G&ES 450 Seminar in Urban Planning
Urban land use planning process emphasizing the analysis and application of policies for urban spatial structure, activity systems, and land development. Review and criticism of official comprehensive plans of cities in the Chicago metropolitan area.

G&ES 453 Sem: Sustainable Development
Advanced study of sustainable development in the context of science, economics, politics, culture, ecology, and ethics. Development and globalization are critiqued from a political economy perspective; both strengths and limitations of conventional systems are investigated. Institutions, policies, and strategies are analyzed, as are indicators of sustainability and development.

G&ES 454 Sem: Population and Env.
Students will investigate population dynamics at various scales, including distribution and structure, theories, trends, projections, and policies. Environmental constraints and impacts of population on the natural environment will be explored.

G&ES 455 Sem: Env. Planning
Proactive land use strategies to minimize pollution, protect biodiversity and water and energy resources, and reduce vulnerability to natural hazards. Issues such as smart growth, sustainable transportation, sprawl watershed management, preservation, natural hazard mitigation and green design will be discussed, particularly those relating to the Chicago area. Planning tools such as GIS, economic analysis, environmental impact assessment. Some field trips possible.

G&ES 456 Sem: U.S. Env. Policy
Detailed exploration of environmental law and policy in the United States, including legal structures, processes, and constraints, notable successes and failures, role and influence of advocacy and interest groups, and major controversies relating to decentralization, market-based mechanisms, risk-based analysis, environmental justice, and others. Differences in state laws and performance will also be explored

G&ES 471 Seminar in Urban Geography
Intensive discussion, study and research on the most essential topics in urban geography; central place theory, urban renewal programs, population and economic development; field work.

G&ES 472 Sem: Third World Issues
Students will explore issues and challenges facing the poorer countries including economic development, resource exploitation, social inequity, and environmental degradation. Many of these problems are quite different from those of the developed world, and they also differ widely between regions of the Third World. Location and spatial arrangements will be explored in detail with current academic literature, from a variety of theoretical perspectives.

G&ES 483
Supervised field experience (160 work hours) with an agency related to the student's career interest. Prior course work and other experience is evaluated before approval is granted to enroll in the internship. A handout describing the design and reporting requirements is available.