Geography
What courses should I take in my first year to see if this is the right major for me?
There’s no “Intro to Geography” but there are courses in each of the clusters. A 100-level course like GEOG 016 or GEOG 139 might offer an introduction to what’s possible in the major. Take courses of differing aspects to get a sense of the diversity of the major.
Are there any courses I am required or strongly encouraged to take in my first semester if I know I want to declare this major? Do any AP credits count for these requirements?
We recommend taking at least one 100-level geography course in your first semester. No AP test comes in for credit within our major.
What is the latest semester that I can start this major and still graduate in four years?
End of sophomore year. The major requires 12 courses to be fulfilled, and it will be difficult to complete the major if you have not completed the prerequisite courses before junior year.
I am interested in many different subjects. What other majors, minors, or concentrations go well with this major?
There are multiple related areas that can go well with Geography. We recommend checking out the programs under the Center for Gender, Race, and Area Studies, or reviewing the programs of Climate, Environment and Society or Environmental Science. Understanding how climate change intersects with things like racial difference, conflict and war, politics, gender, etc. is critical.
What else do you want incoming first year students to know about this major?
The major – while focused in a single discipline – is actually quite interdisciplinary and offers a diverse range of pathways for students to pursue as indicated by our core areas of study – Earth Systems Science; Geographic Information Science; Globalization, Cities, and Development; and Nature-Society geography. Incoming students should also know that there is a 4+1 MS Degree in Geographic Information Science that is a potential option for qualifying students. There are lots of hands-on research opportunities in this major.
If I want to declare this as a major, who should I talk to and where do I go?
You can connect with our Director Jim Murphy or our Department Administrator Yaa Poku to learn more about our program by dropping by the Geography main office in Jefferson 220. You can also learn more by visiting our website here.
Summer Point of Contact:
Professor James Murphy – jamurphy@clarku.edu
Yaa Poku – ypoku@clarku.edu
