Sustainability
Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The three pillars of sustainability are basic human needs, diverse natural environments, and the quality of human life including recognizing cultural values and human rights. Geography is an appropriate major for those interested in sustainability, as it includes study of the natural environment, human use of the environment, human impacts on the environment, and social and cultural values and ideals as they involve the environment, while at the same time providing training in practical techniques such as geographic information science and remote sensing and opportunities for internships and capstone experiences. The Sustainability track in Geography emphasizes advanced study of past, present, and future interactions between nature, society, and development. As such, it contributes to a general liberal arts education for future leaders and innovators in government, the private sector, education, and non-governmental organizations. It also provides excellent background for student pursuing graduate education in law, medicine, public affairs, business, interdisciplinary environmental studies, and geography.
Students selecting this track take courses such as:
GRG 304E: Environmental Science: A Changing World
GRG 306C: Conservation
GRG 323K: South America: Nature, Society and Sustainability
GRG 331K: Nature, Society and Adaptation
GRG 333K: Climate Change
GRG 336C: National Parks and Protected Areas
GRG 339K: Environment, Development, and Food Production
GRG 342C: Sustainable Development
GRG 344K: Global Food, Farming and Hunger
GRG 350K: Geographies of Globalization
GRG 356T: Human Health and Environment
GRG 357: Medical Geography
GRG 360G: Environmental Geographic Information Systems
GRG 366C: Comparative Ecosystems
Students are urged to consider the departmental honors sequence (679HA/HB), which can be used to meet track or core requirements when pursued under the guidance of an appropriate faculty member.
Note: In addition to the above, all geography majors must also complete the core requirements in Human Geography, Physical Geography, and Techniques.
