Sustainability

This program explores the relationship of societies to their resource base. It addresses issues of resource evaluation and management: the ways in which societies adjust to the opportunities and constraints of the natural environment, and the impacts of cultural practices and political processes on environmental change. The program is intended to provide the basic knowledge and skills required for advanced study and employment in environmental planning, resource management, and development.

Note: courses in brackets have been offered rarely (less than once every two years).

Students selecting this track must take at least one of the following courses.

GRG 306C Conservation
GRG 331K Cultural Ecology
GRG 334 Conservation, Resources, and Technology
GRG 346 The Human Use of the Earth
GRG 350D Political Ecology of Globalization and Environmental Degradation

Students must take 9 additional semester hours of coursework from the above or following lists to complete the track:

GRG 309 (When topic is relevant to track)
[GRG 326K Feast or Famine? Food Supplies in a Crowded World]
[GRG 328C Pathways Toward Extinction]
GRG 334C Environmental Hazards
GRG 335N Landscape Ecology
GRG 336C National Parks and Protected Areas
GRG 339K Environment, Development, and Food Production
[GRG 342C Sustainable Development]
GRG 356 Topics in Environmental Geography (when appropriate)
GRG 356C Geo-Archaeology and Environmental History
GRG 357 Medical Geography
GRG 360G Environmental Geographic Information Systems
GRG 462K Introductory Remote Sensing of the Environment
GRG 366C Comparative Ecosystems
[GRG 372K Proseminar in Environmental Geography]
GRG 476T Natural Resource Management
GRG 379L Practicum: Internships in Applied Geography (when appropriate)

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.

Minors in Sustainability

Students in this track should consider minoring in anthropology, biology, economics, geology, government, or sociology. Students minoring in geology should see the recommended list of courses for this subject under the Earth Science track.